Job summary
We are looking for a forward-thinking, supportive and friendly Therapy assistant to work within the Children's Therapy Service based at Basildon University hospital.
You will be part of a well led, dynamic and friendly team consisting of Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists, who constantly strive for integrated working - optimising patient care and team morale. The team works together to achieve both positive patient experience and successful outcomes.
Our ideal candidate will have a passion for working with children and their families and a desire to actively participate in all aspects of the role. The successful candidate must be an effective team player with excellent communication and organisational skills.
If you are interested in the role and believe you hold the qualities we require, then apply today!
Main duties of the job
You will work on the wards and with outpatients, in an integrated manner supporting the role of the occupational therapist and physiotherapist in the delivery of an excellent service to patients.
You will contribute to the assessment and treatment of patients both individually and in groups. This may include supervising gym classes or hydrotherapy sessions, working in designated clinics, undertaking therapeutic work and supervising patients in activity relating to their treatment.
You will also undertake general departmental duties such as cleaning, collation of statistical information and ordering equipment, clerical and household tasks as necessary to maintain the smooth running of the department.
About us
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest in the country, with a workforce of approximately 15,000 who serve a population of 1.2 million people.
We work together, and in conjunction with MSE Health and Care Partnership, to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients in a compassionate way, and provide a respectful, but vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.
From facilities through to consultant specialists we want to be the best, to achieve this we need to recruit not just those who are the finest in their field but also those who have the potential to be. Yes, experience is important but so is outlook - if you are dynamic, forward-thinking and enthusiastic we want you to join us.
We not only offer you a good working environment with flexible working opportunities, but also the opportunity to develop your career with access to appropriate training for your job and the support to succeed and progress.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description, but some of the responsibilities include
- To use skills and techniques relevant to your role, independently once trained, to undertake the treatment/teaching of patients/carers on a daily basis. For example, activities of daily living assessments including washing & dressing, accompany therapists on home/site visits and/or mobility and stair assessment as required.
- To be responsible for adhering to service standards for your own practice. A more senior member of staff will monitor your work on a regular basis.
- To be responsible for the safe use of occupational therapy and/or physiotherapy equipment and aids, by patients in your care and to ensure that the necessary equipment is available in the appropriate places.
- To run / assist in lower limb exercise classes and hydrotherapy sessions for children.
- To carry out pre-operative assessments on children who are having a planned surgical procedure, as appropriate.
- To support therapists in ordering paediatric physiotherapy and occupational therapy equipment as appropriate
- To take part in 7 day working, assisting the physiotherapists and occupational therapists when working at the weekend, to ensure that inpatients are safe (mobility wise) for discharge. This will involve working on the adult wards alongside others.
- To keep patient records in line with CSP and Trust Guidelines, this includes the writing of reports once appropriately trained.
- To provide and organise the collection of relevant statistical information both mandatory and at the request of the therapy lead and senior therapy staff.
- To assist in identifying opportunities to improve the integrated therapy service in order to provide the best patient care within the resources available.
- To induct and help supervise assistants and other staff where appropriate, and encourage the development of skills within the specialty.
- To share responsibility for the general induction of new staff as appropriate, to use the team induction process and induction folder, updating as necessary.
- To contribute to the development of patient care by attending relevant team, departmental or other appropriate meetings.
- To attend senior assistant and assistant meetings and to liaise with other senior assistants.
- To inform the line manager of issues or complaints relating to patient care/ service delivery.
- To assist in the collection of data for audit within the integrated therapy service.
- To be part of interview panel for physiotherapy assistant posts as required.
- To ensure effective, professional communication as necessary regarding patient care.
- To offer advice and guidance about individual patients needs, within area of specialised knowledge and skills.
- To assist with the day-to-day organisation of the service.
- To keep the department tidy. Clean therapy equipment regularly and ensure that no damaged equipment is used.
- To actively participate in own development and review, including appraisal, in order to identify personal development plans and training needs.
- To be responsible for overseeing the locking of the physiotherapy dept. when required.
- To be available to cover in other specialties/teams as required.
- To support administration and organisational aspects of the service.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description, but some of the responsibilities include
- To use skills and techniques relevant to your role, independently once trained, to undertake the treatment/teaching of patients/carers on a daily basis. For example, activities of daily living assessments including washing & dressing, accompany therapists on home/site visits and/or mobility and stair assessment as required.
- To be responsible for adhering to service standards for your own practice. A more senior member of staff will monitor your work on a regular basis.
- To be responsible for the safe use of occupational therapy and/or physiotherapy equipment and aids, by patients in your care and to ensure that the necessary equipment is available in the appropriate places.
- To run / assist in lower limb exercise classes and hydrotherapy sessions for children.
- To carry out pre-operative assessments on children who are having a planned surgical procedure, as appropriate.
- To support therapists in ordering paediatric physiotherapy and occupational therapy equipment as appropriate
- To take part in 7 day working, assisting the physiotherapists and occupational therapists when working at the weekend, to ensure that inpatients are safe (mobility wise) for discharge. This will involve working on the adult wards alongside others.
- To keep patient records in line with CSP and Trust Guidelines, this includes the writing of reports once appropriately trained.
- To provide and organise the collection of relevant statistical information both mandatory and at the request of the therapy lead and senior therapy staff.
- To assist in identifying opportunities to improve the integrated therapy service in order to provide the best patient care within the resources available.
- To induct and help supervise assistants and other staff where appropriate, and encourage the development of skills within the specialty.
- To share responsibility for the general induction of new staff as appropriate, to use the team induction process and induction folder, updating as necessary.
- To contribute to the development of patient care by attending relevant team, departmental or other appropriate meetings.
- To attend senior assistant and assistant meetings and to liaise with other senior assistants.
- To inform the line manager of issues or complaints relating to patient care/ service delivery.
- To assist in the collection of data for audit within the integrated therapy service.
- To be part of interview panel for physiotherapy assistant posts as required.
- To ensure effective, professional communication as necessary regarding patient care.
- To offer advice and guidance about individual patients needs, within area of specialised knowledge and skills.
- To assist with the day-to-day organisation of the service.
- To keep the department tidy. Clean therapy equipment regularly and ensure that no damaged equipment is used.
- To actively participate in own development and review, including appraisal, in order to identify personal development plans and training needs.
- To be responsible for overseeing the locking of the physiotherapy dept. when required.
- To be available to cover in other specialties/teams as required.
- To support administration and organisational aspects of the service.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Completion of a Therapy or Health Care NVQ Level 3 or equivalent.
- 5 GCSEs grade C and above (or equivalent), including Maths and English
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children
- Experience of working in a caring environment, either in health, social or voluntary services
- Experience of working within a rehabilitation or therapy setting
Desirable
- Experience of working in the NHS as a therapy assistant
Skills
Essential
- Excellent organisational skills
- Effective verbal and written communication
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Completion of a Therapy or Health Care NVQ Level 3 or equivalent.
- 5 GCSEs grade C and above (or equivalent), including Maths and English
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children
- Experience of working in a caring environment, either in health, social or voluntary services
- Experience of working within a rehabilitation or therapy setting
Desirable
- Experience of working in the NHS as a therapy assistant
Skills
Essential
- Excellent organisational skills
- Effective verbal and written communication
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
