Therapy Assistant Acute Stroke

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST:

Overview of Responsibilities

To be part of the ward therapy team and implement specific treatment programmes or interventions delegated by qualified therapy staff

To manage own clinical caseload

To work in close liaison with the qualified staff on the ward (Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists, Speech and Language therapists) to assist them with their duties

To carry out rehabilitation as determined by patients needs

To deal with a varied caseload of patients

To undertake non-clinical duties related to the treatment and management of patients, photocopying, filing, ordering/delivering equipment, recording patient contacts on Trust IT system, arranging follow up appointments etc.

Clinical

To work in collaboration with team members to provide a rehabilitation service for patients within the speciality, assisting in the implementation of programmes to meet individual needs

To provide therapeutic intervention for individual patients to maintain or improve function in mobility, social and domestic activities.

To plan, facilitate and evaluate groups on the wards with support from qualified therapy staff

To advise on the use and provision of mobility equipment.

To plan treatment programmes, adapting and progressing rehabilitation within the guidelines set by the assessing therapists. This will include modifying treatments to take account of changes in the patients physical and mental state

To work with patients individually or in groups as directed by qualified therapists

To work in conjunction with patients and carers on specific issues, as directed by the therapy staff, and to deal with their concerns as they arise

To be aware of problems that could affect patients progress and report back changes to the therapist

Managerial

Manage and prioritise own patient caseload as delegated by the therapists

To ensure equipment and treatment areas are prepared for use by therapists

To ensure supplies of equipment are maintained and prepare orders when appropriate

To participate in the appraisal system as an appraisee

To maintain high standards of the service by contributing towards individual, team and service objectives

Communication

To develop rapport with patients, encourage their interest and participation, in a manner which promotes dignity, self-esteem and choice. This requires empathy, sensitivity and good interpersonal skills

To use effective communication tools, verbal and non-verbal, to communicate treatment programmes to patients who may have barriers to understanding/communicating e.g. blind, deaf, aphasic or English is not a first language

To attend appropriate team meetings and liaise with other agencies and members of the multi-disciplinary team, participating in the clinical decision making process to ensure planned, coordinated and effective delivery of care

To report back directly to the therapy staff, particularly any changes in functional abilities, relevant information gained or patients comments linked to treatment

To maintain accurate and legible records of all interventions and management, using agreed format, in accordance with standards set by the therapy service

To participate in relevant meetings i.e. staff meeting

To promote an understanding of effective rehabilitation via multidisciplinary work, discussion, information giving

Ensure that effective communication both within the Trust and between the hospital, GPs and patients is maintained

Maintain effective communication links with client, carers and all relevant professional practitioners as appropriate

Liaise with other staff to ensure continuity of care, contributing to MDT meetings and other forum as applicable

Liaise with all staff concerned with patient services e.g. medical, nursing, medical records, X-ray and management

Be an access point for staff, patients and their families who may need to contact the stroke service. Demonstrate an understanding and reassuring manner when dealing with patients and their relatives

Exchange information with patients/carers where there may be barriers to understanding or patients may be anxious or have language difficulties

Deal with enquiries by letter/email/telephone from patients, visitors, GPs, colleagues at other hospitals and other Consultant, treating callers with dignity and respect

Provide non-clinical advice to patients, where appropriate e.g. signposting to information

Use a range of verbal, non-verbal, written and presentation skills appropriately with colleagues, customers and carers

Convey information sensitively to patients/carers when it is contradictory to customer and carer expectations, cultural beliefs or desires

Take messages for the team and initiate appropriate responses

Consult with more experienced staff for advice when required

Ensure safekeeping and confidentiality of all records (current and past) by the team

Attend appropriate staff/team meetings and liaise with colleagues as necessary to fulfil role

Attend relevant training, and actively participate

Communicate effectively with all disciplines involved in patient care, both those from within the organisation and those outside, to ensure efficient multidisciplinary working

Use computer skills competently to support role including e-mail

Keep up to date with Therapy developments and new processes

Maintain strict confidentiality regarding customer and staff information, adhering to organisational policies and procedures

Education

Take responsibility for and actively record own personal development through educational and experiential learning

To ensure practice is kept up to date by participating in statutory, mandatory and other training programmes identified in personal development reviews, attendance at relevant training and ensuring interventions adhere to any approved guidelines

Ensure own competence in the accurate use of the Trust IT system

Participate in training programmes and continuing professional development activities, including competency based training programmes as set by supervisor/mentor

Participate in any training sessions as a recipient or facilitator where appropriate, developing knowledge and skills for the role

Participate in reflective practice

Participate in peer supervision/review with other assistants in the service area/Therapies team

Participate in regular meetings with supervisor/mentor.

Provide appropriate advice, demonstrate own activities or workplace routines to new or less experienced employees or students, including during induction of new staff

Undertake shadowing with clinicians, and administrators if appropriate, to further knowledge, skills and understanding of the service

Be aware of new developments generally within Therapies, and within the area of work particularly

Information and reporting

Ensure own competence in the accurate and effective use of all Trust IT systems, particularly the use of Cerner which is used to record patient notes and activity

Competent use of the Stroke Sentinel National Audit Programme (SSNAP) after training in accordance with the required departmental standards of work

Use new working systems within the Clinical Office to promote an efficient service, i.e. IT fast save systems and discharge summary systems

Co-operate fully in the introduction of new technology and new methods of working as appropriate to the work of the administrative team

Collect & record data accurately, including monthly audits, in accordance with ASPH values

Set up and use spreadsheets

Demonstrate concentration required for data entry / analysis

Assist clinicians with queries relating to IT systems

Research and Development

Participate in quality/ development projects, including audit, as directed by the MDT

Contribute to the evaluation of the service and make improvements and alterations with support from clinicians/Clinical lead/Admin Ops Lead

Keep accurate statistical records in line with departmental procedures

Contribute to the completion of activity records to inform planning and service delivery within the service

Person Specification

Education Requirements

Essential

• English and Maths GCSE or Functional skills Level 2
• Level 3 qualifications equivalent to A Levels or B Tec, OR Level 3 apprenticeship
• Care certificate or willing to work towards within 6 months of joining

Experience

Essential

• Health care experience such as paid employment, work experience, volunteering or placements
• Working in a team

Desirable

• Direct patient care with evidence of working alongside therapists/others

Knowledge

Essential

• Principles of rehab
• An understanding of the Assistant role in the relevant field
• Awareness of the importance of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

Desirable

• Area specific knowledge

Skills

Essential

• Effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills
• Ability to respond to changes in a working day
• Ability to manage own workload
• Ability to provide customer-focused service

Desirable

• Ability to motivate and encourage individuals
• Ability to interact effectively with patients and their families
• Ability to move and handle patients safely

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

Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Peter's Hospital

Chertsey

KT16 0PZ

Employer's website

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