Therapy Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job description

Title: Therapy Assistant

AfC Band: 4

Line Management: Team Lead Therapist

Accountable to: Head of Therapies

Contract: Permanent, Part-Time

Hours: 37.5 hrs per week.

Sites: Churchill Hospital

Communication

1. Exchange and communicate factual information to patients using encouragement, reassurance and tact and overcome barriers to rehabilitation with patients whose understanding is impaired.
2. Maintain accurate, objective up to date patient records according to Trust standards
3. Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients,to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes
4. Receive and provide routine information to staff, patients and carers
5. Accept and relay information / messages to / from registered staff, verbally, electronically and in writing as requested
6. To communicate effectively with registered staff to feedback about patient caseload/progress.
7. To participate in regular meetings with other members of the therapy team and multidisciplinary team
8. To deal effectively with patients who have a range of communication and behavioural needs.
9. On an informal basis, to promote the profile of Therapies in the Trust.

Clinical Responsibilities

1. To understand a range of procedures which require some theoretical knowledge by practical experience
2. To work flexibly and be able to adjust to the constantly changing demands of the departments
3. To have holistic understanding of patient and family dynamics, the patients condition and its impact on function
4. To use initiative when responding to changing patient signs i.e. ceasing treatment if patient unwell
5. To assess and formulate treatment plans for routine patients as guided by therapists
6. To assess patients mobility and issue appropriate equipment
7. To adjust treatment programmes autonomously when clinically appropriate and report changes to the registered practitioner
8. To provide planned advice, support and instruction to patients and where relevant their carers, to promote understanding of the aims of their treatment plan
9. To undertake specific activities relevant to the clinical area which demonstrate advanced technical or support skills that have required specific training. These activities will be carried out autonomously.
10. To prepare, issue and give instruction in the use of equipment to promote rehabilitation and independence within agreed competencies following treatment plan
11. Preparation of the environment and equipment appropriate for the treatment session
12. To provide patient centred and high standard interventions, respecting patient choice and dignity, and working with a multidisciplinary approach to achieving patient goals
13. To assess patient understanding of treatment proposals to gain valid informed consent according to Trust Policy
14. Reporting to the registered practitioner any risks, difficulties or concerns that they themselves or a patient, may identify
15. Liaise effectively by establishing and maintaining professional working relationships with other members of the multidisciplinary team, patients, carers, and relatives. This may include staff from other agencies or localities when a patients care is being transferred
16. To evaluate emergency situations and act accordingly working within procedures and protocols laid down by the service and the Trust
17. To participate in weekend or evening working as required by the department

Professional

1. Work to support therapists in adhering to professional standards and Trust procedures and policies

Planning and Organisational Skills

1. To manage own day to day work tasks and prioritise with reference to registered practitioner
2. Work with other registered practitioners across the Trust to support the Therapies Team
3. To assist therapists arranging in-service training, study days etc.
4. To participate in appropriate Clinical Governance activities such as Risk Management, as directed by a registered clinician
5. Prioritise delegated workload and be responsible for own effective time management

Service and Personal Development

1. To work within relevant professional standards of practice (CSP, RCOT) adhering to Trust procedures and being prepared to comment on proposals for change.
2. To participate in the development of the therapy services with registered practitioners
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 assist therapists with inducting new staff to the department
5. Demonstrate non-clinical and clinical duties to new starters
6. To undertake administration tasks to support the therapy services as requested
7. Attend annual mandatory training in line with Trust policies
8. To actively participate in continuing professional development to further own learning and personal development, including regular supervision, peer review and annual appraisal
9. To record continuing professional development in own portfolio, linked to the annual appraisal and personal development plan
10. To share learning, skills and knowledge with other staff members and students
11. To be aware of own limitations and ensure that no task or procedure is carried out until necessary training has been received
12. To contribute towards service reviews and audit and research and development within Therapy services

Person Specification

Qualifications/Exerience

Essential

• Adequate educational attainments
• Experience working clinically in a healthcare setting
• Understanding of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy roles in the hospital setting
• Demonstrates effective team working
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience contributing to the management of non-clinical tasks

Desirable

• Previous experience working as a physiotherapy or therapy assistant

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Churchill Hospital

Old Road

Headington, Oxford

OX3 7LE

Employer's website

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