Job summary
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust is seeking to recruit a band 3 therapy support worker to work within the Older Person Assessment and Liaison team (OPAL) at QEHB.
As part of a multidisciplinary team OPAL provides timely patient centred assessments to those with acute needs within the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. We provide effective and efficient multidisciplinary comprehensive geriatric assessment within ED and the Acute Medical Unit.
You will work alongside the qualified team members to assist in adopting a home first approach using client centred assessments, expertise and advice to support the patients through their journey.
You will also support the new Frailty Assessment Unit (FAU) which launched in January 2026. The area provides early Comprehensive Geriatric Assessments for patients who are 65 and above with the aim to facilitate early discharge and reduce length of stay.
The role requires excellent communication skills the ability to discuss highly sensitive matters with patients and relatives in a confidential and sensitive manner.
OPAL is a 7-day service operating from 07:00 -- 19:30.
Main duties of the job
* Work co-operatively as part of the multi-disciplinary team supporting colleagues in work associated with patient care. Challenging and escalating poor practice/performance
* Communicate clearly, effectively and appropriately with the multidisciplinary team, patients and their family, visitors and carers.
* Answer the telephone / greet visitors promptly in a polite and professional manner and deal with enquiries as appropriate, pass on written and verbal information as required to colleagues and patients.
* In instances when a patient/ visitor feels the need to raise concern or complain attempt to deal with this locally initially but inform the OPAL shift lead.
* Assist in delivery of patient care as per patients individualised care plans/programme of care. Taking a holistic approach.
* Observe and report to the trained member of the OPAL team / registered nurse in the area you are working all changes in a patient's physical and psychological condition.
* Escalate concerns regarding colleagues through the appropriate route
* Gather information from patients/care givers/relatives to support qualified members of staff formulate assessments. To support qualified members of staff with assessment of patients
* Complete documentation of care in line with the Trust Standards for Documentation.
* To complete training and relevant equipment platforms and to be able to use equipment ordering systems to re-order equipment stock
About us
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For those staff with a disability, including physical disability, long term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*
Job description
Job responsibilities
*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- *Evidence of completion of a Health-Related Education and Development programme/ Care Certificate
Desirable
- *GCSE or equivalent to Level 2 Functional Skills Maths & English
Experience
Essential
- *Experience of recent working in an acute hospital as a Health Care Support Worker / therapy support worker
- *Evidence of working in a multi-disciplinary and cross agency work environment
- *Experience of carrying out assigned duties after training and using initiative
- *Competent in a range of clinical skills and practices relevant to the scope of practice required
- *Understanding of the principles of safeguarding and Mental Capacity
- *Awareness of Health and Safety issues
- *Has knowledge in relation to the parameters and scope of practice in which the post holder should work and when to seek advice and support of others
- *Willingness to take on new skills and develop scope of practice
Desirable
- *Experience and passion working with older adults
- *Knowledge of dementia / Alzheimer's
- *Knowledge of frailty syndromes
- *Knowledge of a range of mobility aids and (Activities of Daily Living) ADL equipment
- *Knowledge of community services related to older adults
- *Experience of information gathering from patients/relatives/caregivers
- *Understanding of professional roles within the MDT
Additional Criteria
Essential
- *Ability to demonstrate excellent nonverbal and verbal communication skills
- *Ability to receive and understand instructions in English
- *Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the role and tasks involved
- *Ability to prioritise own workload
- *Ability to work under pressure across competing priorities and ensuring documentation is completed in a timely manner to support service delivery
- *Ability to participate in reflective practice
- *Demonstrate awareness of supervising others
- *Good IT skills ability to record information electronically
- *Ability to use the trusts PICS recording system
- *Ability to adapt behaviour to changing circumstances
- *Caring and approachable
- *Ability to communicate articulately and motivate others
- *Flexible, Reliable and Punctual
- *Maintain a professional appearance
- *Willingness to work a range of shift patterns to cover service requirements
- *Major Incident -- called to duty
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- *Evidence of completion of a Health-Related Education and Development programme/ Care Certificate
Desirable
- *GCSE or equivalent to Level 2 Functional Skills Maths & English
Experience
Essential
- *Experience of recent working in an acute hospital as a Health Care Support Worker / therapy support worker
- *Evidence of working in a multi-disciplinary and cross agency work environment
- *Experience of carrying out assigned duties after training and using initiative
- *Competent in a range of clinical skills and practices relevant to the scope of practice required
- *Understanding of the principles of safeguarding and Mental Capacity
- *Awareness of Health and Safety issues
- *Has knowledge in relation to the parameters and scope of practice in which the post holder should work and when to seek advice and support of others
- *Willingness to take on new skills and develop scope of practice
Desirable
- *Experience and passion working with older adults
- *Knowledge of dementia / Alzheimer's
- *Knowledge of frailty syndromes
- *Knowledge of a range of mobility aids and (Activities of Daily Living) ADL equipment
- *Knowledge of community services related to older adults
- *Experience of information gathering from patients/relatives/caregivers
- *Understanding of professional roles within the MDT
Additional Criteria
Essential
- *Ability to demonstrate excellent nonverbal and verbal communication skills
- *Ability to receive and understand instructions in English
- *Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the role and tasks involved
- *Ability to prioritise own workload
- *Ability to work under pressure across competing priorities and ensuring documentation is completed in a timely manner to support service delivery
- *Ability to participate in reflective practice
- *Demonstrate awareness of supervising others
- *Good IT skills ability to record information electronically
- *Ability to use the trusts PICS recording system
- *Ability to adapt behaviour to changing circumstances
- *Caring and approachable
- *Ability to communicate articulately and motivate others
- *Flexible, Reliable and Punctual
- *Maintain a professional appearance
- *Willingness to work a range of shift patterns to cover service requirements
- *Major Incident -- called to duty
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
