Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen within Cornwall Wheelchair Service for a Band 3 Therapy Assistant to join the specialist team. This role was created in response to the NHS England Improvement Plan for Personal Wheelchair Budgets (PWB).
Proposed interview date: 23rd November 2023
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work alongside an established Therapy Assistant to support Specialist Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists in the Team with completion of triage and standard wheelchair assessment and prescription, Co-ordinate feedback of the PWB pathway through communication with service users and equipment suppliers. They will develop a knowledge base and assessment skills specific to the wheelchair service utilising National Wheelchair Management Forum (NWMF) Competencies and engaging in relevant CPD activities.
About us
We're an NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people's physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability.
We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you'll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK.
Over 4,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff.
We work in people's homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 13 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner.
Approximately 568,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increases the numbers of people who use our services.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To view a detailed job description and person specification including the main responsibilities of this role please see supporting documents.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To view a detailed job description and person specification including the main responsibilities of this role please see supporting documents.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE or equivalent in English
- IELTS - if applicable
- NVQ Level 3 Health & Social Care or equivalent City & Guilds qualification in a relevant field
Desirable
- ECDL or formal qualifications information technology specifically word processing and spreadsheets
Skills
Essential
- Ability to cope with working in a stressful environment, including emotional or aggressive patients and carers
- Communication skills including observation, listening and empathy
- Ability to prioritise, organise and delegate.
- Able to work independently and within a team
Desirable
- Ability to use clinical reasoning to analyse and interpret complex information and make decisions concerning treatment / discharge
Knowledge
Essential
- An ability to undertake Moving & Handling Procedures
- Knowledge of the roles of other professionals and the principles of partnership working
- Demonstrates patient centred practice
- Prioritise competing demands successfully
Desirable
- Knowledge of the range of wheelchairs and accessories provided for people with long term mobility conditions.
- Knowledge of pathologies that lead to permanent limitation in walking
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a hospital or care setting and dealing with people of different ages who have a range of health care needs
- Experience of working with medical devices in a health care setting
- Working with IT work packages including word processing and databases
Desirable
- Working with people with mobility conditions or disabilities
- Experience of working in multidisciplinary teams
- Experience of lone working managing the risks associated with unsupervised and lone working
- Experience of working as an assistant in a therapy profession
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE or equivalent in English
- IELTS - if applicable
- NVQ Level 3 Health & Social Care or equivalent City & Guilds qualification in a relevant field
Desirable
- ECDL or formal qualifications information technology specifically word processing and spreadsheets
Skills
Essential
- Ability to cope with working in a stressful environment, including emotional or aggressive patients and carers
- Communication skills including observation, listening and empathy
- Ability to prioritise, organise and delegate.
- Able to work independently and within a team
Desirable
- Ability to use clinical reasoning to analyse and interpret complex information and make decisions concerning treatment / discharge
Knowledge
Essential
- An ability to undertake Moving & Handling Procedures
- Knowledge of the roles of other professionals and the principles of partnership working
- Demonstrates patient centred practice
- Prioritise competing demands successfully
Desirable
- Knowledge of the range of wheelchairs and accessories provided for people with long term mobility conditions.
- Knowledge of pathologies that lead to permanent limitation in walking
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a hospital or care setting and dealing with people of different ages who have a range of health care needs
- Experience of working with medical devices in a health care setting
- Working with IT work packages including word processing and databases
Desirable
- Working with people with mobility conditions or disabilities
- Experience of working in multidisciplinary teams
- Experience of lone working managing the risks associated with unsupervised and lone working
- Experience of working as an assistant in a therapy profession
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.
