Job summary
Bedford Hospital have an exciting opportunity for a dynamic individual to join the therapy team as a bank therapy assistant. This support role works alongside a variety of health care professionals, namely physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
Every patient is unique. and as a result, appropriate patients will need to be assessed by qualified therapists alongside therapy assistants to carry out therapy treatments with patients on the wards within Bedford Hospital. A therapy assistant plays an important role and you may be required to support in completing exercises to help patients recover their ability to balance, move or walk, assisting patients to complete personal cares tasks so they can re-learn to feed, dress and toilet themselves. The input you will provide is vital to assist the qualified therapists in making recommendations for each patient when being discharged from the acute hospital.
If this sounds like a role you are interested in...keep reading!
Main duties of the job
The assistant will be delegated activities, treatment and exercises in order to achieve the common goal of facilitating a safe and effective discharge. The Assistant will monitor, adjust treatment and review on an ongoing basis. Alongside clinical work, there is also a need to complete administration duties to allow the therapy team to function effectively.
You will be part of a large therapy department who are highly skilled and professional.
They are team players and have a proven track record for quality supervision and education.
There is a team culture here at Bedford with the staff enjoying regular social events. (Covid Allowing)
The therapy department is always evolving and ensuring we are providing the best therapy to our patients.
Although we have a very strong learning and development function, we appreciate you will need to have acquired some skills and experience from your career you will require in order for your time with us to be a real success. These can be found in the Person and Job Description attachment on NHS Jobs. However we have highlighted some of them below for reference:
- Empathy, with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, carers.
- Enthusiastic
- Committed to providing quality patient care
- Reliable
- Good timekeeping and attendance record
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received.
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.
You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.
We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.
All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.
Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To assist the therapists in the assessment and treatment of patients and, where appropriate, continue with the implementation and supervision of exercise regimes and transfer / mobility practice, which may include washing, dressing or toileting.
- To issue, deliver, fit or collect standard therapy equipment, monitor maintenance of equipment and ensure equipment is safe prior to provision, as well as ensuring patients and carers are taught how to use appropriately. This may on occasions involve delivering equipment to the patients own home.
- To communicate effectively routine information which requires tact and use persuasive skills with patients to encourage and motivate them towards their therapeutic goals.
- To carry out clerical, administrative and departmental duties, in support of clinical work, at the discretion of the therapists.
- To be able to recognise and communicate appropriately with the therapists, any changes in patient status, behaviour, ability or response to treatment.
- Identify own limitations of knowledge to ensure best practice and safety in the patients treatment
- To work in areas other than usual when the workload demands
- To be work towards treatment and rehabilitation goals of patients as directed by a qualified therapist and comply with local and national standards of practice.
- To give instruction, direction and guidance to patients and educate them about treatments, exercises, manual handling and positioning
- When appropriate, to assist the Occupational Therapist on home visits.
- To achieve a therapeutic relationship with clients and the multi-disciplinary team and encourage patient participation
- To monitor all departmental rehabilitation equipment to ensure that it is maintained in safe working order and assist in the cleaning, checking and tracking of equipment.
- To ensure effective communication with the patient, family or carers regarding therapy, ensuring valid informed consent is acquired, within the legal framework
- To liaise effectively with other members of the MDT and to pass on any relevant patient information as required.
- To attend staff or team meetings and participate in these.
- To liaise regularly with the Therapists on the demands of the caseload
- To participate in the Trust Appraisal System and developing skills under the appropriate Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) associated with this post.
- To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date documentation to departmental standards and be responsible for recording statistics
- To be responsible for own time-management, readjusting plans as situations change/arise with guidance from therapists or technical grade staff, whilst ensuring effective delivery of day-to-day services.
- To participate in the weekend working rota.
- To participate in the assistant training programmes and to take every opportunity to learn and develop new skills, knowledge and competencies which will enhance personal development through life-long learning and keep a record of these training and development activities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To assist the therapists in the assessment and treatment of patients and, where appropriate, continue with the implementation and supervision of exercise regimes and transfer / mobility practice, which may include washing, dressing or toileting.
- To issue, deliver, fit or collect standard therapy equipment, monitor maintenance of equipment and ensure equipment is safe prior to provision, as well as ensuring patients and carers are taught how to use appropriately. This may on occasions involve delivering equipment to the patients own home.
- To communicate effectively routine information which requires tact and use persuasive skills with patients to encourage and motivate them towards their therapeutic goals.
- To carry out clerical, administrative and departmental duties, in support of clinical work, at the discretion of the therapists.
- To be able to recognise and communicate appropriately with the therapists, any changes in patient status, behaviour, ability or response to treatment.
- Identify own limitations of knowledge to ensure best practice and safety in the patients treatment
- To work in areas other than usual when the workload demands
- To be work towards treatment and rehabilitation goals of patients as directed by a qualified therapist and comply with local and national standards of practice.
- To give instruction, direction and guidance to patients and educate them about treatments, exercises, manual handling and positioning
- When appropriate, to assist the Occupational Therapist on home visits.
- To achieve a therapeutic relationship with clients and the multi-disciplinary team and encourage patient participation
- To monitor all departmental rehabilitation equipment to ensure that it is maintained in safe working order and assist in the cleaning, checking and tracking of equipment.
- To ensure effective communication with the patient, family or carers regarding therapy, ensuring valid informed consent is acquired, within the legal framework
- To liaise effectively with other members of the MDT and to pass on any relevant patient information as required.
- To attend staff or team meetings and participate in these.
- To liaise regularly with the Therapists on the demands of the caseload
- To participate in the Trust Appraisal System and developing skills under the appropriate Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) associated with this post.
- To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date documentation to departmental standards and be responsible for recording statistics
- To be responsible for own time-management, readjusting plans as situations change/arise with guidance from therapists or technical grade staff, whilst ensuring effective delivery of day-to-day services.
- To participate in the weekend working rota.
- To participate in the assistant training programmes and to take every opportunity to learn and develop new skills, knowledge and competencies which will enhance personal development through life-long learning and keep a record of these training and development activities.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good general education to GCSE or equivalent. Including evidence of literacy and numeracy skills
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within a team
Desirable
- Previous experience working within a hospital/care setting
Knowledge
Essential
- Evidence that applicant has Knowledge about what the role of a physiotherapist and occupational therapist is, and how they can improve patient care and outcomes
- Application demonstrates ability to present information in a clear logical manner
Personal Skills
Essential
- Evidence that applicant is reliable, adaptable and dependable
Desirable
- Application mentions candidate has full UK driving licence and access to a car
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good general education to GCSE or equivalent. Including evidence of literacy and numeracy skills
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within a team
Desirable
- Previous experience working within a hospital/care setting
Knowledge
Essential
- Evidence that applicant has Knowledge about what the role of a physiotherapist and occupational therapist is, and how they can improve patient care and outcomes
- Application demonstrates ability to present information in a clear logical manner
Personal Skills
Essential
- Evidence that applicant is reliable, adaptable and dependable
Desirable
- Application mentions candidate has full UK driving licence and access to a car
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.
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