Therapy Technical Instructor

Job responsibilities

Implement and record planned programmes of care and comprehensive functional and mobility assessments of patients as directed by a Therapist.

Assess and make recommendations for equipment, home adaptations, care provision and ongoing rehabilitation, reporting these to a Therapist.

Support patients through instruction and guidance in a range of activities, under the direction of a Therapist, in the achievement of identified treatment goals.

Take an active role in home assessments and other therapy/treatment sessions alongside a Therapist.

Independently carry out access visits to patients homes, under the direction of an Occupational Therapist.

Provide advice to patients, their family and carers, teaching and demonstrating the safe use of equipment or other techniques to optimise the patients mobility, functional ability, safety and independence.

Build professional relationships with patients, their family and carers, through use of communication, reasoning and negotiating skills, respecting others views, culture and individuality.

Communicate effectively with patients, carers, members of the multi-disciplinary team, Therapy services colleagues and other agencies.

Provide effective verbal and written reports to Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists and other multi-disciplinary team members relating to the patients performance and progress in their therapy interventions.

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

Contribute to the Therapy Services governance arrangements and to the work of selected groups (eg Risk Management, Health & Safety) acting as a service representative on such groups where appropriate.

Contribute towards service development activities through participation in team meetings and service development sessions.

Propose changes to processes and procedures carried out within own area of work to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Therapy services.

Participate in team/departmental audit and evaluation as agreed with supervisor.

Ensure work areas are clean, tidy and well maintained, complying with Health & safety guidelines, ensuring the safe use of equipment and storage of materials.

Exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance, submitting accurate daily records of attendance on electronic timesheets.

Work flexibly across the week to include weekends, where weekend working is in operation.

Notify the team leader of sick leave as soon as possible in line with Trust policy.

In the absence of Therapy Technical Instructor colleagues through planned or unplanned leave, work flexibly to meet the prioritised needs of the Therapy services both within the team and across all service areas.

Comply with departmental guidelines for the safe use, care and maintenance of equipment and stock.

Take responsibility for the routine management of designated tasks in conjunction with Technical Instructor colleagues e.g. lease car maintenance, management of equipment orders.

Assist Therapy colleagues in the induction, training and education of other staff and students within the Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy services.

Maintain accurate and up to date records of clinical interventions, consistent with legal and organisational requirements.

Collect, record and submit accurate clinical and personal statistical data in line with departmental requirements and guidelines.

Participate in team meetings and in service training sessions.

Regularly attend and participate in team and Therapy service staff meetings.

Identify own learning and development needs with guidance from Therapy colleagues, contributing to the production of a Personal Development Plan.

Undertake relevant training and development activities to meet agreed learning needs.

Compile an ongoing record of training and development activities undertaken, reflecting on and recording learning outcomes of development opportunities.

As part of a team, incorporate up to date therapy and handling techniques into working practice.

Plan delegated clinical and non-clinical work tasks, and prioritises duties as appropriate, in conjunction with support worker colleagues under guidance from a Therapist when required.

Seek supervision from a Therapist to inform analysis and reasoning when more complex patient situations are identified.

Comply with the College of Occupational Therapists and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, national and Trust policy, protocols and guidelines under the guidance of team and service leads.

Review and reflect on own practice and actively participates in regular supervision and annual appraisal.

Other Information:

The postholder may be required to carry out other relevant duties as required.

The postholder will adhere to the duties specified under the Staff Responsibilities of the NHS Constitution in their day to day work and behaviours.

The postholder will be expected to aspire to the Values of the Trust in their day to day work and behaviours in order to support the Trust in achieving its Vision.

The postholder will adhere to, at all times, any Professional, NHS Code of Conducts and legislation relevant for their area of work.

The postholder will make themselves familiar with, and adhere to, at all times, the policies and procedures of the Trust, and their area of work.

The postholder will be expected to work to any Corporate/Division/Directorate/Department objectives andstandards in order to provide an acceptable level of service.

The postholder will be expected to undertake training, including mandatory and role specific training, relevant to their role and ensure it is renewed as required.

Education , Training and Qualifications

Essential

• Good level of basic education , GCSE or equivalent.
• Study to NVQ level 3 or equivalent.

Desirable

• Training as an OT ar PT clinical support worker at band 2 or 3.
• NVQ level 3 or equivalent in Healthcare.

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Understanding and insight into the impact of illness and disability on an individual.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of the role of the Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapist in healthcare.
• Experience working as a member of a team.
• Awareness of risks to Health & Safety.
• Experience working face to face with members of the public.

Desirable

• Experience working as Band 2 or 3 clinical support worker within Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy.
• Basic knowledge of human anatomy and physiology.
• Awareness of the impact of accident or illness on an individual.

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Skills to produce clear and concise verbal reports and written documentation of therapy interventions.
• Skills to communicate effectively with patients, carers, team members, Therapy colleagues and other agencies.
• Skills to work alongside colleagues as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Self-management skills.
• Ability to work using own initiative.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to recognise own limitations and level of competency.
• Physical ability to undertake manual handling of patients and equipment on a daily basis in a variety of environments.
• Personal mobility to move across the hospital site between.
• Personal mobility to move across the hospital site between wards, office, assessment areas and to venues outside the hospital e.g. to patients home.
• Ability to respond positively and adapt to change.
• Personal resources to cope when dealing with patients with complex conditions, acute or terminal illnesses, traumatic injuries, mental impairment and challenging behaviours on a daily basis.
• Ability to work flexibly across the week, including weekends and bank holidays.

Desirable

• Ability to drive Trust vehicles on home assessments and equipment deliveries.
• IT skills e.g. keyboard, Microsoft word, email and internet.

Personal Qualities & Attributes

Essential

• Confident manner with a positive approach and high levels of motivation.
• Motivation for continued personal development and learning new skills.
• Sensitive manner to be able to treat patients with dignity and respect.
• Non-judgemental and able to work with people from a variety of backgrounds.
• Flexible and adaptable approach to work.
• Professional manner and appearance.

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).