Job responsibilities
Communication:
1. To participate in regular meetings with other members of the MDT
2. To provide and receive routine information from staff, patients and carers
3. To communicate factual information to patients
4. To encourage patients to participate in their rehabilitation programme using reassurance, tact and sensitivity; overcome barriers to understanding with patients whose understanding is impaired
5. To be able to maintain records and documentation required by work settings in accordance with local policies
6. On a continual basis promote the rehabilitative approach within the Trust
7. To be able to work flexibly and at a fast pace under pressure
Clinical Responsibilities:
1. To carry out treatment plans established by therapy and nursing staff
2. To assist therapists and nursing staff in environmental assessments
3. To carry out mobility and transfer practise and issue appropriate equipment under guidance of therapists
4. To provide advice to patients and carers on safe use and care of prescribed equipment under guidance of therapists
5. To be aware of patients stamina and understanding during treatment sessions and make appropriate adjustments to the session
6. To update all relevant documentation appropriately
7. To maintain wheelchair and pressure cushion store
8. To coordinate cleaning, storage, maintenance of chairs including arranging for ongoing servicing
9. To have a holistic understanding of the patient and their condition as well as psychosocial dynamics as they impact the patients function
10. To provide stroke specific programmes of therapeutic activity within framework established and guided by therapists and nursing staff
11. To monitor patients response to activities and take appropriate action, e.g. advise senior staff, summon assistance, or cease treatment
12. To carry out shared duties across the Therapy service, such as equipment delivery/van maintenance and cleaning.
13. To work flexibly across 7 days (approx. 1 weekend per month) within the Acute Stroke Unit and across Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy.
Planning and Organisational Skills
1. To manage own day to day work tasks and prioritise with guidance from therapists and nursing staff
2. To assist the stroke specialist MDT in arranging in-service training, study days etc.
3. To assist the therapists and nursing staff in ensuring working conditions are kept optimal, acting quickly when they are not
Service and Personal Development
1. To work with the senior members of the MDT to implement policies within the Stroke Pathway
2. To actively support the fieldwork education of students from all disciplines seconded to the service
3. To participate actively in sharing and receiving in-service training and development to ensure continuous professional development, as appropriate to grade and experience
4. To be aware of and promote cross-site links
5. To support the induction of all new starters, demonstrating duties where necessary
6. To provide general support for less experienced staff from all disciplines
7. To adhere to all relevant Trust and Departmental Policies and Procedures in line with Trust Values
8. To collect and input data for surveys, audits or research as necessary
9. To identify training needs and facilitate self-learning
10. To be willing to take on extra responsibilities to develop the service e.g. Back Care Facilitator, First Aider, Fire Monitor
11. To assist senior staff with training new Therapy Assistants within the department
Information and Resource Management
1. To record personally generated clinical observations using SEND where appropriate
2. To compile and collate statistics in a timely and accurate manner in accordance with departmental procedures
3. To use the Trust Intranet, Electronic Patient Records, ORBIT and databases as appropriate for the speciality
4. To complete top-up procedures for equipment stores following guidelines.
5. To be able to use email for communications within the team, and to use the IT system for sharing/using information
6. To ensure all equipment is used appropriately and safely, according to the service guidelines
7. To observe a personal duty of care when using equipment
8. To proactively maintain stock levels of equipment
9. To work with therapy and nursing staff to ensure the MDT is working within financial limits and referring on to other agencies as necessary
10. To be aware of criteria for provision of equipment from other organisations in Oxfordshire, and to help the team to work within these
Equality, Diversity and Rights
1. To be sensitive to the cultural, religious and linguistic needs of the individual and bring these issues to the attention of others
2. To develop, sustain and evaluate collaborative approaches with other workers, agencies and communities
3. To identify training needs and facilitate learning of self and others
Health, Safety and Security
1. To be physically able to do the job
2. To be able to move a patient safely, manoeuvre wheelchair, hoist, etc. as required
3. To be able to assist patients in transfers in a variety of situations.
4. To be able to frequently lift equipment, using appropriate methods alongside a well-developed risk assessment
5. To be able to concentrate/focus during unpredictable work patterns (i.e. with patients) or interruptions and the need to meet deadlines
6. To be able to demonstrate mental ability to focus on predictable work patterns and to have well-developed coping strategies to deal with stressful/unpleasant situations as they occur, seeking senior support where necessary
7. To be aware of and deal appropriately with any exposure to bodily fluids
Risk Management
1. To ensure working conditions (physical) and mental risks (behaviour of aggressive patients/staff, relatives, etc.) are kept minimal, or where inevitable, dealt with appropriately
2. To manage self in relation to the demands of clinical practice by assessing risk
3. To identify and alert senior staff to areas of clinical risk, particularly ensuring that the range of devices/equipment used is safe, modern and efficient
4. To adhere to the culture of being progressive, honest and open regarding risk assessment
5. To be familiar with the Major Incident Policy and Fire Policy and the local response plan and their role within that response
Responsibilities for Health & Safety
The post holder is responsible for ensuring that all duties and responsibilities of this post are carried out in compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, Statutory Regulations and Trust Policies and Procedures. This will be supported by the provision of training and specialist advice where required.
Infection Control
Infection Control is everyones responsibility. All staff, both clinical and non-clinical, are required to adhere to the Trusts Infection Prevention and Control Policies and make every effort to maintain high standards of infection control at all times thereby reducing the burden of Healthcare Associated Infections including MRSA.
All staff employed by the ORH Trust have the following key responsibilities:
Staff must wash their hands or use alcohol gel on entry and exit from all clinical areas and between each patient contact.
Staff members have a duty to attend mandatory infection control training provided for them by the Trust.
Staff members who develop an infection (other than common colds and illness) that may be transmittable to patients have a duty to contact Occupational Health.
This job description is not exhaustive and the Trust or the Therapy Services may require the post holder to work to the demands of the service that may be different or in addition to what is outlined in this description.
