Job responsibilities
To work as an integral member of the therapy team using the principles of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy in an integrated and client-centred way, referring back for assessment by a registered practitioner when necessary. The post holder will implement assessments and treatment plans to promote independence and function through the use of occupation, exercise including group classes and hydrotherapy and physical modalities, taking into consideration a persons affect and cognition.
To implement and progress delegated treatment programmes using clinical reasoning skills to include the teaching of patients on functional exercise, the issuing and fitting of equipment and the practice of activities of daily living. It will also include assessing patients in the safe use of mobility aids and equipment, such as safety on the stairs.
To instruct and motivate patients in accordance with the treatment plan, in order to achieve the goals, monitoring the patients condition at all times. This will take place in water and on dry land. To implement and progress delegated treatment programmes using clinical reasoning skills in order to promote physical / functional independence.
To undertake specific unaccompanied work, organise own caseload and prioritise activities to meet the needs of patients, comprising patients with predictable and unpredictable conditions. To monitor and report back to the registered practitioner and/or other members of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) regarding progress and changes in the patients condition or deviation in the expected care pathway, to ensure safety, the achievement of agreed goals and planning safe discharge from the service.
To use verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients/carers. This may include education, motivation, persuasion, and empowerment. This will include patients/carers who may or may not have barriers to communication through cognitive or physical impairment e.g., hearing or visual impairment, confusion and depression.
To participate in own continuing professional development (CPD), including supervision, appraisal and training to ensure competency, service quality and meet the clinical governance agenda and organisational goals. Actively participates in learning opportunities to maintain knowledge and inform practice. Actively seeks feedback. Records own learning and personal development. Identifies and articulates areas for self-improvement, including through self-reflection and evaluation of practice. Contributes to colleagues learning, for example by giving and receiving feedback and contributing to learning resources for others, such as students.
To undertake administrative, cleaning and housekeeping tasks, organising own diary to monitor and maintain stock levels of equipment and consumables in the hydrotherapy and MSK outpatient areas, to ensure seamless provision of therapy and to support the Therapy team to deliver ongoing care and rehabilitation of the patient.
Undertake operational processes within the Therapy service e.g. booking and scheduling patients, answering queries, cancelling and re-booking patients. To assist with the screening of patients appropriate for Hydrotherapy including contraindications, which will assist in the management of waiting lists. Liaise with senior support worker and senior therapists/clinical leads, regarding appointment availability and waiting list management.
To prepare the clinical area and the patient, for delivery of safe and effective treatments in a clean environment, complying with health and safety, infection control and water safety standards. This will include daily cleaning and monitoring of the hydrotherapy pool area, changing rooms and equipment, cleaning pool scum line, channels and hoovering pool and checking hydrotherapy emergency trolley, for example.
Knowledge of health and safety issues in relation to staff and patients in the hydrotherapy pool area and community-based exercise classes including: emergency evacuation procedures, working knowledge of pool sampling processes, reporting variations, reporting equipment malfunction and safe principles of group exercise. Is aware of the therapy and hydrotherapy pool environments and how to maintain safety for themselves and others. Reports any incidents, accidents or complaints in a timely manner, taking appropriate action where necessary.
Recognises an emergency, summons assistance and acts within parameters of own competence and defined role. In settings where a registered practitioner is not present, initiates immediate first aid whilst awaiting the arrival of appropriately qualified practitioners.
Understands and gains valid consent prior to action or providing care, and records this appropriately. Understands the importance of adhering to codes of practice, clinical procedures, and professional standards. Keeps complete, clear, accurate, legible and timely records, utilising digital platforms as required. Understands role requirement and the importance of accessing, maintaining and storing documentation relating to care, in accordance with local guidance and legal requirements for maintaining confidentiality and data protection.
To contribute to measuring the treatment outcomes and audit activity related to the service. To use computer systems related to patient care for purposes of recording information and ordering equipment.
Able to identify ways to promote dignity and is aware of individuals environments and factors that might cause discomfort, particularly in the hydrotherapy pool environment.
Understands the aims and principles of health promotion, protection and improvement and importance of relevant interventions for individual patients and their families, including making every contact count. Understands the social, cultural and economic influences, individual circumstances, behaviours, and lifestyle choices that impact on health outcomes for patients and their families, including health inequalities.
Understand principles of behaviour change and interventions to prevent ill health and effectively apply these to practice, recognising the individuals right to privacy and choice. Understands and demonstrates what it means to provide person-centred care, by providing education and resources to support informed decision making, and of respecting individuals decisions. May provide information to service users.
Able to work collaboratively with a variety of health staff, social care staff, professional staff and others. Understands and demonstrates the principles of team and partnership working to provide a collaborative assessment and treatment approach, reducing repetition of information and providing a seamless pathway of treatment from assessment through to discharge from the service, with appropriate follow up intervention and signposting.
To participate in the weekend working rota where applicable, following a period of induction, training and assessment.
To comply with Trust and Departmental policies and procedures e.g. Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), Manual Handling, clinical equipment competency, risk management, Data Protection Acts and patient confidentiality at all times. This will include demonstrating compliance with the terms of all safeguarding policies and processes relevant to the safeguarding of adults and children in the care of GHNHSFT and to undergo regular mandatory training concerned with safeguarding matters.
