Therapy Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIE

Role Responsibility:

To be a member of the mainstream therapies team and share information with team members as directed and appropriate, keeping confidentiality at all times.

Demonstrate ability to use basic computer systems, reports and inputting data.

Ensure that up-to-date written and electronic records are maintained in accordance with Trust standards with guidance from supervisor.

Respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of children and their families, and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.

Demonstrate effective communication over the telephone to parents/carers and external agencies (especially teachers and teaching assistants).

Clinical Responsibility:

Undertake specific individual or group programmes as assessed and directed by trained staff members, observing general behaviour, ability and response of the children, recording the information as requested and reporting to a supervisor.

Engage children in therapeutic activities to promote independence, safety and well-being.

Facilitate and participate in planned activities, seeking guidance if childs condition changes.

Assist in the implementation of team member interventions including:

Assist in the running of therapy groups

Carry out therapy programmes as directed by therapists with children and young people

Under supervision of a therapist, provide a range of treatments; instructing and guiding children to support them in achieving identified goals. To work towards goals identified by the child, family/carers, the treating therapist, education professionals and the MDT

Implements therapy treatment plans

Organises transport and schedule visits or clinic appointments.

Assist team members with home assessment

Adhere to the Trusts Policies and Procedures

To assist in completing risk assessment of environment and safety under the guidance of senior team members following local and Trust policies

Have a basic understanding of Moving and Handling Legislation and apply manual handling principles.

Assist with transfers, standing and the application of braces, splints and other equipment such as seating with support as appropriate

Ensure that toys and play materials are kept clean, safe and secure.

To support staff in gathering evidence (including research database and website searches) and developing resources.

Provide training and/or demonstrate activities and strategies to teachers/schools, with the support and guidance of therapists

To assist therapists in making and preparing clinical resources such as visual timetables

Person Specification

Education/qualification

Essential

• Range of short clinical courses relevant to client group & clinical role

Desirable

• NVQ or equivalent in relevant field

Skills and abilities

Essential

• Good written communication
• High level of organisation skills
• Good IT skills

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Knowledge of developmental disorders relevant to client group e.g. developmental co-ordination disorders and sensory processing difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Condition
• Detailed knowledge of specific treatment approaches/strategies relevant to the client group
• Experience of following and monitoring goals set by a therapist and modifying therapy activities
• Experience working in a clinical role with children or young people as a teaching assistant, therapy assistant or co-worker.
• Carrying out administrative duties e.g booking appointments with families
• basic knowledge of informal assessment techniques

Desirable

• Participating in delivering training and presentations

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Whittington Hospital NHS Trust

Address

Northern Health Centre

580 Holloway Road

London

N7 6LB

Employer's website

https://www.whittington.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)