Job summary
Working under the supervision and guidance of qualified therapists, the Therapy Assistant will play a key role in delivering person-centred rehabilitation and support to residents across various care homes. The post holder will assist in implementing therapy plans, encouraging residents to maintain or improve their physical and functional abilities.
The service operates Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. You will be expected to follow agreed treatment protocols and evidence-based practices to ensure safe, effective, and high-quality care.
Main duties of the job
To work as a Therapy Assistant within the Care Home Support Team delivering care to residents within the homes
To assist the Occupational therapist and Physiotherapist by carrying out delegated aspects of patient care without direct supervision and reporting back patient's progress or issues to the therapist.
To manage own caseload of patients assessing, implementing and progressing
Treatment programmes with agreement with the therapists and creating discharge plans.
To be responsible for ensuring correct equipment is available for both services is available.
To undertake specific skilled support work to aid the rehabilitation of patients.
About us
St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey.Our sites include St George's Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).
After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provide physiotherapy and occupational therapy intervention as part of a specific treatment plan agreed and documented by physiotherapist/occupational therapist.
Undertake tasks in delivering patient care and rehabilitation as directed by the service professionals in a range of settings.
Work independently in the designated clinical area within the Care Home following an agreed treatment plan.
Instruct patients and carers, providing direction and guidance on a range of physiotherapy or occupational therapy and mobility/functional activities, as directed by the physiotherapist or occupational therapist
Undertake skilled support work with patients individually or in a group with or without supervision of a physiotherapist or occupational therapist.
Follow departmental and Trust guidelines for obtaining consent and use diplomacy and gentle persuasion to enhance patients' compliance in treatment programmes.
Work with family members, carers and support workers to enable them to carry out treatment programmes planned by the physiotherapist or occupational therapist.
Manage own workload allocated by the physiotherapist or occupational therapist.
Work as a member of the multidisciplinary team and liaise with the team effectively to ensure co-ordinated approach to patient care and attend meetings as delegated by senior clinicians/manager.
Maintain comprehensive and accurate records of work undertaken, including documenting in line with Trust and service standards.
Attend in-service training, clinical supervision and team meetings as required.
Handle patients with mobility problems, in an enabling way. This may include the use of hoists, sliding sheets, wheelchairs, and mobility aids etc.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provide physiotherapy and occupational therapy intervention as part of a specific treatment plan agreed and documented by physiotherapist/occupational therapist.
Undertake tasks in delivering patient care and rehabilitation as directed by the service professionals in a range of settings.
Work independently in the designated clinical area within the Care Home following an agreed treatment plan.
Instruct patients and carers, providing direction and guidance on a range of physiotherapy or occupational therapy and mobility/functional activities, as directed by the physiotherapist or occupational therapist
Undertake skilled support work with patients individually or in a group with or without supervision of a physiotherapist or occupational therapist.
Follow departmental and Trust guidelines for obtaining consent and use diplomacy and gentle persuasion to enhance patients' compliance in treatment programmes.
Work with family members, carers and support workers to enable them to carry out treatment programmes planned by the physiotherapist or occupational therapist.
Manage own workload allocated by the physiotherapist or occupational therapist.
Work as a member of the multidisciplinary team and liaise with the team effectively to ensure co-ordinated approach to patient care and attend meetings as delegated by senior clinicians/manager.
Maintain comprehensive and accurate records of work undertaken, including documenting in line with Trust and service standards.
Attend in-service training, clinical supervision and team meetings as required.
Handle patients with mobility problems, in an enabling way. This may include the use of hoists, sliding sheets, wheelchairs, and mobility aids etc.
Person Specification
Training and Qualifications
Essential
- Evidence of education, literacy and Numeracy (Maths and English GCSE Grade C or above or equivalent to complete patient records and designated clerical tasks)
Desirable
- Formal technical Qualification e.g. NVQ or Equivalent
- Be able to demonstrate skills acquired through experience
- Evidence of formal and/or informal learning relevant to the post
Experience
Essential
- Work experience Community/Care Home setting
- Experience of working with people or in a customer facing role
- Experience of team working
- Experience of working in older people services
Desirable
- Previous experience as a Physiotherapy/OT assistant or equivalent
- Work experience or shadowing in a therapy department
- Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Understanding of the client groups and conditions treated by therapists in the community setting
- Awareness of the role and scope of the work of Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists
- Computer skills, including email, letters, spreadsheets and scanning
- Demonstrate competence in teaching practical skills to clients
Desirable
- Basic understanding of health and community services
- Ability to record complex information accurately and concisely
- Group work skills
- Demonstrate a willingness to learn new skills and progress within the role and share skills with others
Person Specification
Training and Qualifications
Essential
- Evidence of education, literacy and Numeracy (Maths and English GCSE Grade C or above or equivalent to complete patient records and designated clerical tasks)
Desirable
- Formal technical Qualification e.g. NVQ or Equivalent
- Be able to demonstrate skills acquired through experience
- Evidence of formal and/or informal learning relevant to the post
Experience
Essential
- Work experience Community/Care Home setting
- Experience of working with people or in a customer facing role
- Experience of team working
- Experience of working in older people services
Desirable
- Previous experience as a Physiotherapy/OT assistant or equivalent
- Work experience or shadowing in a therapy department
- Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Understanding of the client groups and conditions treated by therapists in the community setting
- Awareness of the role and scope of the work of Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists
- Computer skills, including email, letters, spreadsheets and scanning
- Demonstrate competence in teaching practical skills to clients
Desirable
- Basic understanding of health and community services
- Ability to record complex information accurately and concisely
- Group work skills
- Demonstrate a willingness to learn new skills and progress within the role and share skills with others
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.
