Joint Therapy Assistant Practitioner

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

To work within the occupational therapy (OT) and physiotherapy teams providing highly skilled and specialised clinical, administrative and organisational support, working in the Elective Orthopaedic service at Chapel Allerton Hospital.

The post holder will work independently to manage the initial phase of the therapy assessment pathway, will be responsible for the screening of patients attending elective orthopaedic specialist ward and determine the most appropriate initial assessments and interventions. The post holder will manage a caseload of patients independently and be able to work with infrequent supervision from OT and physiotherapy support. On occasions the post holder will assess home environments to ensure safe discharge, without the supervision of a qualified member of staff.

3. JOB DIMENSIONS

This post is based within the elective orthopaedic teams for occupational therapy and physiotherapy at Chapel Allerton Hospital. The primary location of work will be on ward C03 & C04.

Day to day supervisory support, and overall management will be provided to the joint therapy support worker by occupational therapy and physiotherapy staff.

The post holder is responsible for:

1. Assessing and providing care and therapy interventions for individual patients, adapting the process as indicated.

2. Assessment and intervention may take place in patients homes, clinics or wards.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Essential

Level 3 qualification or equivalent in relevant health/social care related subject.

GCSE English and Maths grade C minimum or Functional Skills Level 2 equivalent.

Experience working as a band 3 therapy support worker in an acute setting

Experience in organising and running groups

Able to understand and apply therapy process and patient pathways regarding the delivery of therapy/care

Demonstrate clear understanding of orthopaedic conditions and post-operative rehabilitation

Communication skills - written, verbal and numeracy

Interpersonal skills

Ability to work as part of both uni and multi professional teams

Ability to work independently/manage workload under guidance Ability to respond and act upon feedback from others

Problem solving

Time management

Organisational skills

Show initiative

Demonstrate continued professional and personal development

Ability to move and handle patients and equipment

Maintain confidentiality.

Experience of working in a Healthcare, Education or Social Care setting as a carer or similar.

Demonstrate an awareness of people with disabilities and problems

Demonstrate understanding of both Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapist

Desirable

Previous experience of working in a therapy setting

Experience of using information technology systems

Completion of the CARE certificate. Otherwise will be mandatory training requirement during the first 3 months of employment.

8. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

Communication Skills written, verbal, numeracy

Interpersonal Skills

Ability to work as part of a Team (OT, PT and MDT)

Ability to manage a workload provided by more than one professional.

Problem-solving

Time Management

Organisational Skills

Administrative Skills

Able to work in a stressful environment

Ability to use initiative

Ability to influence and persuade

Ability to take responsibility for personal development

Ability to move and handle patients and equipment

9. CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

Understanding of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy job roles.

Awareness of the needs and problems of those with illness and disabilities

Awareness of the functional effects of the patient group in the clinical area caused by illness and / or disability.

Understanding of legislation, guidelines and protocols that affect the clinical area

Awareness of health and safety

10. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Clinical

To accept responsibility for Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy initial assessments to facilitate rehabilitation and discharge from hospital.

To plan and prioritise clinical tasks.

To deliver the service using patient pathways and protocols to support your delivery of therapy process and taking into account each patients individual physical, social and emotional needs.

To make contact with patients to initiate assessments and intervention.

To analyse and make decisions about the most appropriate environment in which to carryout intervention.

To independently carryout home and community assessments.

To motivate and persuade patients and carers to participate in therapy intervention.

To assess and advise patients regarding transfers, falls, equipment and risks.

To assess, prescribe and train patients and carers in the use of assistive equipment.

To assess, deliver, fit and demonstrate equipment in patients home and to provide advice and training to patients and carers as required.

To interpret and analyse information from assessments, judge how to progress intervention and when to liaise with a qualified member of staff eg. Nurse, Doctor, Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist.

To assess risk factors and judge when to summons assistance or adapt the treatment session

To communicate with patients and carers using a variety of communication strategies and tools to ensure information is understood and treatment is progressed. This will include patients and carers who have difficulties communicating and understanding.

To liaise with other team members, internal and external agencies.

To identify the need for and refer to internal and external agencies using appropriate referral system.

To record interventions accurately and timely using team/trust documentation, complying with Therapy guidelines and legislative requirements.

To complete activity data using team/trust documentation and outcome measures.

To be able to work in a stressful environment.

To be able to deal effectively with emotional and/or aggressive patients/ carers.

To participate in ward rounds, case conferences and meetings as required.

To collect, respond to and feedback relevant information to the senior therapist.

To promote Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy as a treatment medium to others.

To lead and participate in departmental/service developments, projects audit and reviews.

To carry out designated ordering and maintenance of stock, equipment and resources.

Communication and working relationships

Internal

Patients, relatives and carers

Adult Therapies CSU staff - clinical, managerial and administrative supervisor

Members of the multi-disciplinary teams

External

Leeds Community Equipment

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Level 3 qualification in relevant health care related subject.
• GCSE English and Maths (Grade C minimum) or Functional Skills equivalent (Level 2 minimum)
• Completion of CARE Certificate otherwise mandatory training within first 3 months of employment

Skills & behaviours

Essential

• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Able to manage workload delegated by a number of therapists
• Able to review and adapt to an unpredictable workload
• Able to work effectively within tight time scales

Experience

Essential

• Relevant clinical Experience
• Therapy senior support worker experience in a hospital setting.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF

Employer's website

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