Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Senior Physiotherapy Assistant (XR03)

This job is now closed

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a band 3 Physiotherapy Assistant to join our Spinal Physiotherapy Team at Leeds General Infirmary. The post will involve working with patients following acute and elective spinal surgery. You will be involved in the multidisciplinary pre assessment at Spine School which we deliver to patients pre-operatively. You will work on the in-patient wards where you will be heavily involved in the rehabilitation of patients after spinal surgery or trauma.

As a physiotherapy assistant, you will receive clinical supervision from qualified Physiotherapists and there is an expectation to attend the Assistant In-Service Training programme alongside the Clinical Interest Groups.

We are looking for an individual who is motivated, enthusiastic and flexible in their approach to work. The ability to work well with all members of the multi- disciplinary team and demonstrate respectful behaviours is essential.

If you would like any further information please contact:

Victoria Kearton or David Stevens Victoria.kearton@nhs.net / David.stevens9@nhs.net

Main duties of the job

Main Duties of the role:

Working within a multidisciplinary team to support patients post surgery/trauma with physical impairments, which affects their movement to regain independence in their daily lives.

Supporting patients to practice exercises and functional tasks that will help their ability to transfer and mobilise.

Supporting therapists in therapeutic manual handling tasks to ensure staff and patient safety.

Monitoring patient performance and response to treatments and seeking help or advice from qualified therapists as required.

Monitoring stock levels and maintaining therapy equipment as well as supporting the physiotherapy team in administrative tasks such as inputting statistics and data collection.

Participating in team meetings, learning opportunities and service evaluation.

Maintaining accurate patient records and work within trust safety policies.

The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic and well-motivated individual who is keen to learn and develop new skills. It is essential the person is flexible to the service needs. The spinal injury therapy team provide a 6 day service. The successful candidate will be expected to work on a weekend/bank holiday roster as part of their regular shift pattern.

About us

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, over 7 sites, is a large tertiary teaching hospital. It has excellent links with the wider West Yorkshire health providers and is focused on being the best for specialist and integrated care. At its heart is the Leeds Way, five core values at the centre of its business. It is also a centre for Lean methodology and Quality Improvement. These methods allow us to be more efficient with all our resources and provide an improved experience and better outcomes for our patients.

The Physiotherapy service at Leeds is passionate about patients being at the centre of our business and receiving high quality, evidence-based care while keeping staff Health and Wellbeing a priority of our service. LTHT is a regional spinal centre specialising in complex spinal surgery and treatment.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Date posted

29 January 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,071 to £25,674 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9298-ATH-380

Job locations

Leeds General Infirmary

Great George Street

Leeds

LS1 3EX

Job description

Job responsibilities

To undertake specific skilled support work to aid the rehabilitation of patients.

To accept patients referred by a physiotherapist and carry own patient caseload.

Assess and treat patients according to set protocols with responsibility for planning, prioritising and organising this caseload appropriately monitoring patient progression and making alterations to patient treatments programmes as required.

Work unsupervised reporting back patient progress and informing the referring practitioner of any non-routine problems or enquiries

3. JOB DIMENSIONS

The post holder will be based within a particular speciality area.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Qualifications

Good general education

NVQ level III or equivalent

Experience

Worked in a healthcare environment

Working within a team

Skills

Competent written and verbal skills

Knowledge

Theoretical knowledge of therapy rehabilitation practice

Knowledge of the role of a physiotherapist

Personal Attributes

Enthusiastic and self-motivated

Flexible and adaptable

Compassionate and caring towards staff and service users

6. THE LEEDS WAY VALUES

Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:

Patient-centered

Collaborative

Fair

Accountable

Empowered

All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values

Additionally the following are core values which relate specifically to this post:

Committed to supporting the provision of rehabilitation within the clinical setting

Committed to supporting and maintaining high standards of rehabilitation and care in accordance with LTHT guidelines and policies

7. WEST YORKSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF ACUTE TRUSTS (WYAAT)

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is part of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), a collaborative of the NHS hospital trusts from across West Yorkshire and Harrogate working together to provide the best possible care for our patients.

By bringing together the wide range of skills and expertise across West Yorkshire and Harrogate we are working differently, innovating and driving forward change to deliver the highest quality care. By working for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust this is your opportunity to be a part of that change.

WYAAT is the acute sector arm of the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership, one of the largest integrated care systems in the country. The Partnerships ambition is for everyone to have the best possible health and wellbeing, and the work of WYAAT, and each individual trust, supports that ambition.

8. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Time management skills

9. CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

An understanding of the principles of patient centred care

9. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Clinical

Assist the therapy staff in the rehabilitation of patients using a range of delegated therapy treatments

To manage the rehabilitation of patients as delegated by the therapist this will involve working without direct progress, progressing treatment as appropriate within set protocols and reporting back to the referring therapist.

Treat patients individually or in a group in a variety of settings without the direct supervision of a therapist e.g. in the department or ward. To undertake highly skilled support work e.g. mobility assessments where analysis of gait/stability is necessary to decide on appropriate prescription of walking aid or how best to progress rehabilitation

Encouraging patients and their carers in an active approach to regaining and maintaining personal independence. This requires empathy sensitivity and good interpersonal skills

Use effective communication tools verbal and non-verbal to communicate treatment programmes to patients who may have barriers to understanding or communicating

To liaise with the therapist as necessary regarding patient care. In particular highlighting any variations to expected outcomes from treatment programmes you deliver

To undertake patient home visits to inform safe and affective discharge planning

When applicable liaise with nursing colleagues and members of MDT

In order to facilitate patient treatment effective handling skills e.g. dexterity and co-ordination will be required

Contribute to the development of service provision and clinical care by attending appropriate meetings as directed

Education and Training

Instruct patient and carers, providing direction and guidance on a range of therapy activities as part of own clinical work or as directed by the therapist

To attend in-service training as required

Upon appointment the post holder is required to attend a period of induction which will be supplemented with on the job training including formal teaching and supervised practice

To actively participate in the delivery of training to newly appointed physiotherapy assistants e.g. inducting them to the department or basic elements of patience care.

Professional and Managerial

As a member of the clinical team you will be required to ensure that you comply with policy and service development changes

To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through continued Professional Development activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects your own personal development

To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical nursing and therapy colleagues to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service

To participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraise and be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development objectives to meet set competencies

Organisational

To be responsible for the safe use if therapy equipment by patients in your care through teaching, training and supervision of practice

Make accurate records of work undertaken and keep monthly statistics as required

To be aware of Health and Safety aspects of your work and follow any relevant policies

To comply with the organisational and departmental policies and procedures

To undertake any other duties that might be considered appropriate by the Clinical Physiotherapy Manager or the Head of Physiotherapy

Health and Safety/Risk Management

All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system.

Infection Control

The jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with patients and their environment.

Equality and Diversity

The jobholder must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet the individual needs of patients and their families. No person whether they are staff, patient or visitor should receive less favourable treatment because of their gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.

Training and Personal Development Continuous Professional Development

The jobholder must take responsibility in agreement with his/her line manager for his/her own personal development by ensuring that Continuous Professional Development remains a priority. The jobholder will undertake all mandatory training required for the role.

Respect for Patient Confidentiality

The jobholder should respect patient confidentiality at all times and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role.

10. COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal

Therapy Team Leaders

All grades of therapy staff

Medical, nursing and AAHP colleagues

Support staff

External

Personal working for external agencies