Integrated Therapy Assistant

Job responsibilities

Clinical

Training, Knowledge and Experience

Knowledge and skills acquired through previous experience working in Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy services and extended through Continuing Professional Development.

Undertake competency training for specified duties, such as Cross Prescribing within Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy.

Attend/completion of mandatory training including moving and handling, basic life support, Information governance, consent, fire safety, equality and diversity, Safeguarding etc.

Participate and/or facilitate the Therapy Assistant staff forum.

Demonstrate an awareness of Trust policies and procedures affecting the post.

Clinical Responsibilities

Gain valid consent from the patient prior to undertaking any task and to inform and seek guidance from your supervisor if there are any concerns about the patients capability to give this.

Undertake assessments and interventions within designated caseload.

Provide general advice to patients, relatives, and carers to enable an understanding of the aims of the prescribed intervention, ensuring there is a consistent approach to patient care and offering information on community services.

Negotiate and agree functional treatment goals with the patient using a range of technical and creative skills.

When visiting patients, representing the Hospital Therapy team, respond appropriately to patients and carers needs regarding all aspects of Therapy provision.

Formulate Therapy treatment plans, moving, handling, and positioning of patients to enable them to participate in treatment episodes and carry out activities of daily living.

Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment programmes if required in discussion with a qualified Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist where necessary.

Be responsible for the agreed discharge of patients following completion of an episode of care.

Use problem solving skills to adapt intervention and resolve difficulties that arise.

Extend and develop skills related to a variety of clinical areas through practical experience.

Visit patients in their own homes to assess for, fit and check daily living equipment and recommend minor living adaptations.

Develop a rapport with patients to encourage their interest and participation in prescribed intervention.

To work as a lone practitioner in a variety of community settings where there is a trust requirement to make decisions spontaneously within the Primary Care Trust Policies and Guidelines. Ensure you are aware of the systems in place in order to seek back up from qualified staff if required.

Report to your named supervisor at agreed intervals outlining caseload progress, highlighted any problems and informing discharge.

To undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of Evidence Based Practice.

To undertake any other duties that may be considered appropriate by the Therapy Manager or Clinical Lead Therapist.

Administration and Communication Skills

Be a member of multi-agency team, sharing information with team members and having an awareness of their systems.

Communicate effectively with patients with complex communication difficulties and/or cognitive problems by utilising a variety of communication mediums.

Responsible for documenting and maintaining records for episodes of care for designated caseload in electronic format and handwritten case notes.

Be responsible for collection of clinical statistics.

Having basic IT skills including email and Microsoft word.

Participate in working parties as requested by a qualified Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist.

Participate in audit as requested by a qualified Therapist.

Maintain the ability to concentrate and communicate effectively when faced with a variety of clinical and non-clinical tasks.

Liaise, co-ordinate and facilitate multi-disciplinary and multi-agency referrals for patients.

Education and Training

Be responsible for the delegation of tasks to junior support staff and gaining feedback.

Participate in the departmental Personal Development review system.

Utilise supervision sessions offered by Senior Occupational Therapists/Physiotherapists.

Participate in the education of junior support staff and students in developing competencies as requested by qualified Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists.

To be an active member of the in-service training program by the attendance and delivery of presentations and training sessions at staff meetings, tutorials, training sessions in house and by attending external courses as appropriate and practicing reflective practice.

Education & Qualifications

Essential

• Evidence of recent appropriate study, development, and application in the work environment.
• Full UK Driving Licence and access to a car for work purposes
• Willingness to undertake further training as appropriate to the needs of the role

Desirable

• Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care or equivalent experience/ transferable skills.
• Good knowledge of the role of an Occupational Therapist
• Good knowledge of the role of a Physiotherapist

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Enthusiastic, highly motivated and committed to delivering a service
• Able to work as part of a team and independently as required, unsupervised
• Able to plan, organise and prioritise own workload and meet deadlines
• Can remain calm and professional in a busy environment
• Empathetic, but able to understand professional boundaries
• Welcoming, friendly and approachable manner
• Adheres to relevant Trust policies and procedures
• Ability to work contracted hours but be flexible to meet the needs of the service

Skills & Competencies

Essential

• Ability to listen and communicate effectively
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including demonstrating empathy and sensitivity to patients and relatives
• Ability to promote good working liaisons
• Ability to provide high quality patient care
• Excellent computer and IT skills
• Ability to undertake patient assessments
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Motivation and negotiation skills
• Analytical skills and ability to problem solve

Desirable

• Equipment prescriber

Knowledge & Understanding

Essential

• Understanding of information governance and data protection
• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality
• Understanding of the importance of team working

Desirable

• Knowledge of hospital IT databases and computer systems
• Knowledge of Trust policies and procedures

Experience

Essential

• Previous or current employment in health / social care / vocational rehabilitation setting.
• Able to work under pressure and seek support when required
• Experience of keeping accurate records
• Experience of working as part of a team in a multi-disciplinary environment

Desirable

• Experience working as a therapy assistant
• Experience managing own case load
• Practical experience of using and inputting high quality, accurate data into databases
• Cross prescriber trained

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).