Community children's Physiotherapy assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

To be a member of the Physiotherapy service and specialist team - sharing information with team members as directed and appropriate, always keeping confidentiality.

Demonstrate ability to use computer systems such as word, excel and electronic patient records.

Demonstrate effective time management, prioritisation and organisational skills.

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.

Assist team members with liaising within health as well as other agencies involved in the childs care including acute and primary healthcare providers, education, Social Services, Voluntary Services, Orthotic Service.

Form professional relationships with children, families and school staff and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture.

Develop skills in working with children with a variety of needs, requiring a range of therapy input, including exercise, specialist equipment and orthotics.

To use a variety of verbal and non-verbal communication skills and tools to communicate with children who are nonverbal, of a non-English speaking background, requiring an interpreter, with a hearing impairment, with altered emotional states, with a cognitive/learning/behavioural disability.

Report verbally to therapists on the childs development and performance in therapeutic and functional skills.

Liaise with other agencies involved in the childs care, including relatives and carers, as appropriate to the childs needs, as directed by team members

Report effectively any issues or concerns to supervisor/line manager

Persuade and motivate children and families to participate in therapy activities and reassure if required.

Demonstrate effective communication over the telephone & in person to parents/carers, education staff and other external agencies.

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. Settings could include clinic, home, nursery or school.

Assist therapy team in assessment and treatment.

Engage children in therapeutic activities and rehabilitation to promote independence, safety, well-being including return to normal levels of function and participation.

To work closely with the physiotherapists to support the development of the service.

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

Assist in the implementation of team member interventions possibly including:

Assist in the running of orthotics clinics

Carry out therapy programmes as directed by the physiotherapists as a part of a block of treatment

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

Implement therapy treatment plans

Assist team members with assessments if needed

Under supervision of a therapist, adjust specialist equipment and contact equipment companies when needed for repair/reviews.

Highlight any concerns around safety to physiotherapist.

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 and splints

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

Highlighting the need for resources to aid the smooth running of clinical sessions

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

When required, to provide training or demonstrating teachers/nurseries/schools, with the support and guidance of therapists

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE grades A to C in English and Maths or functional skills equivalent

Desirable

• Additional qualification in Health and Care - NVQ or above.

Safeguarding

Essential

• Knowledge of safeguarding children and adults

Desirable

• Training in safeguarding children and adults

Working with Children

Essential

• Experience in working with children

Desirable

• Experience in working with children with disabilities

IT Literacy

Essential

• Knowledge and experience of working with word, excel and powerpoint

Desirable

• Experience using NHS or Social Care patient records

Communication

Essential

• Demonstrate the ability to communicate in English with children with additional needs including those who are non verbal or who use alternative communication

Desirable

• Training or qualifications in Makaton or alternative forms of communication

Ability to provide professional care

Essential

• Demonstrate excellent professionalism or customer care
• Demonstrate ability to deal with conflict calmly and diffuse difficult situations

Desirable

• Training in conflict avoidance
• Training in customer care or experience working in healthcare or schools

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

Tynemouth Road Health Centre

24 Tynemouth Road

London

N15 4RH

Employer's website

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