Job summary
This is a great opportunity for the successful applicant to extend their skills and knowledge in musculoskeletal therapy. The post will be based predominantly at Montagu Hospital, with one day a week at Doncaster Royal Infirmary. There may be a requirement at some point to work across any of our hospital and community based clinics.
As a therapy assistant working within the outpatient department, you will be a valued member of the team, providing high quality care to patients, in a professional, compassionate and competent manner. You will be able to contribute ideas and support clinicians in providing rehabilitation to patients with a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. The department is committed to supporting therapy assistants with regular supervision and ongoing training.
Excellent communication and organisational skills are essential as well as the ability to work as part of a team.
Main duties of the job
You will be required to support clinicians in the management of patients both independently and in group settings. You must have great communication and time management skills and be able to prioritise, taking into consideration the variety of patients' needs and have the ability to be flexible. The ability to work as part of a team is crucial.
You must be able to follow instructions as well as being able to show initiative and to work independently. Documentation is an integral part of the role and you will be expected to document within patients' records.
Computer skills are essential as you will be accessing patient details on the Clinical Therapy Information Systems.
About us
At Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals we deliver outpatient therapy services across a large geographical area including the main hospital sites (Doncaster Royal infirmary, Bassetlaw District General and Montagu Hospitals) and community hubs (Askern, Edlington, Thorne and Retford).
The service comprises of multiple smaller teams who work collectively to deliver a high level of patient care across the Doncaster and Bassetlaw region.
We are a friendly and supportive team with a strong ethos of developing staff through regular supervision and training.
If you are caring, hardworking, self-motivated and able to motivate others, we would like to hear from you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Purpose
- The prime function of the role is to assist in the assessment and treatment of patients within the specialty under the guidance of a qualified therapist.
- To manage own caseload and to provide a high standard of assessment, management, treatment and advice to meet the needs of patients within agreed guidelines and protocols.
- To undertake specific clinical responsibilities or projects supporting the overall delivery of the service as directed by a qualified therapist.
- To work independently with identified patients, being the first contact from the clinical speciality when determined by a qualified therapist.
- To work collaboratively with colleagues in health, social care, local authority and other agencies to meet the needs of patients.
- To ensure the efficient and effective use of resources available within the team.
- To work with other members of the team in the development of the service.
- To be aware of the importance of Clinical Governance.
Main Duties/Responsibilities
Clinical
- To assist in the assessment of patients within the speciality, being responsible for working independently with patients with non-complex needs when determined by a qualified therapist
- To use acquired skills to plan and deliver therapy treatment programmes with guidance from a therapist and using evidence based practice
- Work collaboratively in the multidisciplinary team to plan and/or provide treatment and care of individual patients.
- Contribute to the achievement of standards/ compliance of targets within their speciality as directed by a qualified therapist.
- Provide advice and support to patients and carers throughout the patient pathway. Liaising withthemultidisciplinary teams to provide a high standard of care
- Will participate in service reviews
- Provide appropriate information and education to patients and their relatives / carers.
- Supports patients and carers in coming to terms with their condition, providing ongoing support, encouraging them to promote health and wellbeing
- Establish and sustain excellent communication links with their supervising therapist and other members of the MDT.
- Participate in clinical audit and service evaluation and through evidence-based practice.
- The post holder will have a portfolio of relevant up to date evidence of clinical practice within his/her specialist field
- Use clinical supervision and peer group support to underpin personal professional development
- Take responsibility for driving personal annual appraisal process
- To hold responsibility for managing own caseload within an agreed defined area.
- To ensure assessment / treatment is carried out in the most appropriate environment.
- To assist therapist on home visits and to carry out visits independently as required.
- To be accountable for all aspects of own work within agreed guidelines and protocols.
- To complete a range of written documentation as appropriate.
- To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication methods to communicate effectively with patients and carers to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes.
- To ensure the safe and competent use of any equipment
- To maintain accurate and comprehensive patient records in line with Trust Policy, appropriate Professional body and HCPC.
Management/Organisational
- To assist therapists with service developments through the use of peer review, audit, evaluation of outcome measures etc.
- To help facilitate changes/improvements to the service as required.
- To help in the implementation of appropriate new evidence based techniques and activities.
- Acting as a role model, employ professional behaviour that encourages and coaches their peers to challenge their current competencies, whilst seeking opportunities to enhance their roles.
- To liaise with and provide regular feedback to their line manager on clinical issues.
- To participate in and contribute to a range of meetings/forums as required.
- To actively seek the views of patients and carers on patient experience provided. Reporting their findings to their line manager.
Education and Development
- To be an active member of the in-service training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes by attendance, participation in and delivery of relevant sessions.
- To contribute to the induction and development of therapy staff/students and other team members within the specialty.
- To demonstrate evidence of completion of therapy protocols and competencies as per departmental guidance.
- To undertake any training opportunities as identified through the Personal Development Appraisal (PDA) process or through service needs.
Clinical Governance, Quality and Standards
- To comply with the Trusts Clinical Governance and Risk Management Strategy.
- To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal and clinical development.
- To demonstrate evidence of completion of training as per Statutory and Essential Training (SET) Matrix
- To fulfil agreed objectives set as part of the PDA process.
- To contribute to service developments, delivery and evaluation in own specialty.
Professional Ethics
- Ensuring your own clinical practice is patient centred and to be aware of the HCPCs Code of Practice
- To comply with all Trust Policies and procedures.
- To comply with any future developments designed to ensure patient safety and best practice.
- To comply with all Health and Safety Regulations as required.
- To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and their families / carers and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.
Scope and Range
Specific clinical responsibilities, including additional skills
Percentage of time spent on:
- Clinical/Patient related duties = 95%
- Education and Development of others = 5%
- Clinical Governance responsibilities = 5%
- To assist in the therapy assessment and management of adults with musculoskeletal disorder within the community, leisure and hospital settings
- To take instruction from therapists within the team
- To work independently in the hospital, outpatient, community and leisure settings, using own initiative to progress treatment with reportable controls.
- To advise and support patients with self-management
- Close liaison with the physiotherapist regarding individual pathways of care
- Signposting patients to a variety of community schemes
- To support patients with independent physical activity
Multi-site working
- Hospital sites
- Community Hubs
- Leisure Centres
Physical Effort
- Driving/parking between sites
- Manual handling of equipment
- Specific handling skills for designated clinical duties
Mental/Emotional Effort
- Lone working in a wide variety of locations, in unpredictable environments.
- Working to a busy schedule, managing your own diary and time to be as productive as possible
- Working with a number of therapists who are all making demands on your time
- Support assistant colleagues
- Be flexible and adapt plans at a moments notice
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Purpose
- The prime function of the role is to assist in the assessment and treatment of patients within the specialty under the guidance of a qualified therapist.
- To manage own caseload and to provide a high standard of assessment, management, treatment and advice to meet the needs of patients within agreed guidelines and protocols.
- To undertake specific clinical responsibilities or projects supporting the overall delivery of the service as directed by a qualified therapist.
- To work independently with identified patients, being the first contact from the clinical speciality when determined by a qualified therapist.
- To work collaboratively with colleagues in health, social care, local authority and other agencies to meet the needs of patients.
- To ensure the efficient and effective use of resources available within the team.
- To work with other members of the team in the development of the service.
- To be aware of the importance of Clinical Governance.
Main Duties/Responsibilities
Clinical
- To assist in the assessment of patients within the speciality, being responsible for working independently with patients with non-complex needs when determined by a qualified therapist
- To use acquired skills to plan and deliver therapy treatment programmes with guidance from a therapist and using evidence based practice
- Work collaboratively in the multidisciplinary team to plan and/or provide treatment and care of individual patients.
- Contribute to the achievement of standards/ compliance of targets within their speciality as directed by a qualified therapist.
- Provide advice and support to patients and carers throughout the patient pathway. Liaising withthemultidisciplinary teams to provide a high standard of care
- Will participate in service reviews
- Provide appropriate information and education to patients and their relatives / carers.
- Supports patients and carers in coming to terms with their condition, providing ongoing support, encouraging them to promote health and wellbeing
- Establish and sustain excellent communication links with their supervising therapist and other members of the MDT.
- Participate in clinical audit and service evaluation and through evidence-based practice.
- The post holder will have a portfolio of relevant up to date evidence of clinical practice within his/her specialist field
- Use clinical supervision and peer group support to underpin personal professional development
- Take responsibility for driving personal annual appraisal process
- To hold responsibility for managing own caseload within an agreed defined area.
- To ensure assessment / treatment is carried out in the most appropriate environment.
- To assist therapist on home visits and to carry out visits independently as required.
- To be accountable for all aspects of own work within agreed guidelines and protocols.
- To complete a range of written documentation as appropriate.
- To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication methods to communicate effectively with patients and carers to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes.
- To ensure the safe and competent use of any equipment
- To maintain accurate and comprehensive patient records in line with Trust Policy, appropriate Professional body and HCPC.
Management/Organisational
- To assist therapists with service developments through the use of peer review, audit, evaluation of outcome measures etc.
- To help facilitate changes/improvements to the service as required.
- To help in the implementation of appropriate new evidence based techniques and activities.
- Acting as a role model, employ professional behaviour that encourages and coaches their peers to challenge their current competencies, whilst seeking opportunities to enhance their roles.
- To liaise with and provide regular feedback to their line manager on clinical issues.
- To participate in and contribute to a range of meetings/forums as required.
- To actively seek the views of patients and carers on patient experience provided. Reporting their findings to their line manager.
Education and Development
- To be an active member of the in-service training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes by attendance, participation in and delivery of relevant sessions.
- To contribute to the induction and development of therapy staff/students and other team members within the specialty.
- To demonstrate evidence of completion of therapy protocols and competencies as per departmental guidance.
- To undertake any training opportunities as identified through the Personal Development Appraisal (PDA) process or through service needs.
Clinical Governance, Quality and Standards
- To comply with the Trusts Clinical Governance and Risk Management Strategy.
- To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal and clinical development.
- To demonstrate evidence of completion of training as per Statutory and Essential Training (SET) Matrix
- To fulfil agreed objectives set as part of the PDA process.
- To contribute to service developments, delivery and evaluation in own specialty.
Professional Ethics
- Ensuring your own clinical practice is patient centred and to be aware of the HCPCs Code of Practice
- To comply with all Trust Policies and procedures.
- To comply with any future developments designed to ensure patient safety and best practice.
- To comply with all Health and Safety Regulations as required.
- To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and their families / carers and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.
Scope and Range
Specific clinical responsibilities, including additional skills
Percentage of time spent on:
- Clinical/Patient related duties = 95%
- Education and Development of others = 5%
- Clinical Governance responsibilities = 5%
- To assist in the therapy assessment and management of adults with musculoskeletal disorder within the community, leisure and hospital settings
- To take instruction from therapists within the team
- To work independently in the hospital, outpatient, community and leisure settings, using own initiative to progress treatment with reportable controls.
- To advise and support patients with self-management
- Close liaison with the physiotherapist regarding individual pathways of care
- Signposting patients to a variety of community schemes
- To support patients with independent physical activity
Multi-site working
- Hospital sites
- Community Hubs
- Leisure Centres
Physical Effort
- Driving/parking between sites
- Manual handling of equipment
- Specific handling skills for designated clinical duties
Mental/Emotional Effort
- Lone working in a wide variety of locations, in unpredictable environments.
- Working to a busy schedule, managing your own diary and time to be as productive as possible
- Working with a number of therapists who are all making demands on your time
- Support assistant colleagues
- Be flexible and adapt plans at a moments notice
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience working in health care environment
- Experience of working as part of a team
- Experience of working with people/general public
Desirable
- Experience working in the leisure industry
- Experience of working as a Physiotherapy Assistant
Qualifications/Training
Essential
- 2 GCSE's grade 'C' or above, or equivalent, including English language and Maths
- Formal qualification equivalent to level 3 in relevant area such as or A levels
- Portfolio of evidence of relevant experience/ Continuing professional development in specialist fields
- IT skills
- Have or willing to work towards Level 2 Gym Instructor Training
Desirable
- Nationally recognised training course(s) relevant to post
Interpersonal Skills
Essential
- Good communication and listening skills with an understanding of the needs of people with disabilities and their carers
- Leadership skills including empowerment of others
- Ability to motivate self and others
- Ability to take direction from others
- Able to present information, written and orally, in a clear, accurate and logical manner
- Ability to reflect on own practice
- Able to work within a team
- Flexible
- Empathetic
- Reliable
Organisational Skills
Essential
- Ability to organise own workload and assist others to manage their caseloads
- Time management skills
- Delegation skills
- Proactive problem solving skills
- Understanding of Clinical Governance and its implications for services
- Ability to comprehend and work within Trust's policies to meet the differing needs of patients and carers, including Data Protection, Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety
- Ability to keep accurate and legible records
Other
Essential
- Ability to undertake the physical requirements of the post
Desirable
- Full Driving Licence
- Access to own transport
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience working in health care environment
- Experience of working as part of a team
- Experience of working with people/general public
Desirable
- Experience working in the leisure industry
- Experience of working as a Physiotherapy Assistant
Qualifications/Training
Essential
- 2 GCSE's grade 'C' or above, or equivalent, including English language and Maths
- Formal qualification equivalent to level 3 in relevant area such as or A levels
- Portfolio of evidence of relevant experience/ Continuing professional development in specialist fields
- IT skills
- Have or willing to work towards Level 2 Gym Instructor Training
Desirable
- Nationally recognised training course(s) relevant to post
Interpersonal Skills
Essential
- Good communication and listening skills with an understanding of the needs of people with disabilities and their carers
- Leadership skills including empowerment of others
- Ability to motivate self and others
- Ability to take direction from others
- Able to present information, written and orally, in a clear, accurate and logical manner
- Ability to reflect on own practice
- Able to work within a team
- Flexible
- Empathetic
- Reliable
Organisational Skills
Essential
- Ability to organise own workload and assist others to manage their caseloads
- Time management skills
- Delegation skills
- Proactive problem solving skills
- Understanding of Clinical Governance and its implications for services
- Ability to comprehend and work within Trust's policies to meet the differing needs of patients and carers, including Data Protection, Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety
- Ability to keep accurate and legible records
Other
Essential
- Ability to undertake the physical requirements of the post
Desirable
- Full Driving Licence
- Access to own transport
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.
