Assistant Practitioner - Children's Physiotherapy

Job description

Job responsibilities

To undertake specific work independently, as identified and delegated by registered Physiotherapy staff in a range of settings, e.g. school, nursery, special school, homes, childrens centres, clinics, etc., managing your own caseload. This may include lone working.

Work independently within the multidisciplinary team setting, reporting back patient progress and informing Therapists of any problems/concerns.

To carry out routine assessments, interventions and discharge planning, including undertaking standardised outcome measures with children and young people and feedback of findings to a Physiotherapist for analysis, e.g. Cerebral Palsy Integrated Pathway (CPIP), orthotics.

Organise and lead on intervention blocks and small group sessions working effectively with children, young people and their carers/families towards specified and agreed goals. This will include the ability to implement simple modifications/progressions working towards identified aims, agreed between therapists, CYP and families.

To assess for and ensure safe use of standard physiotherapy equipment (alongside equipment company reps, as appropriate) with guidance from the Physiotherapist, adhering to relevant competencies.

Assist Physiotherapy staff in activities related to non-direct patient contact: equipment maintenance, delivery and collection, clinic preparation, clinical administrative support.

With supervision and support from the Physiotherapist: develop, plan, organise and implement tasks, activities and treatment programmes for delegated patients with physical disabilities and health care needs collaborating appropriately and effectively alongside other professionals and the childs relevant family members/guardians, ensuring respect for their abilities, privacy, dignity and individuality.

To demonstrate and model safe, effective practice in delivering the CYPs Physiotherapy programme to others working with the child/young person, e.g. parents/carers, educational and respite colleagues. This includes the recognition of when a programme is not meeting identified aims, making changes to the programme appropriately under the guidance of the physiotherapist.

To undertake delegated work safely and effectively, ensuring practice within personal competencies and capabilities.

To plan, organise and prioritise own day-to-day tasks, meeting deadlines and within the time constraints as service demands, effectively communicating timescales to colleagues.

To actively contribute to service development within the department.

To travel across the county between visits throughout the day.

Communication

To ensure effective and timely communication with therapists, to ensure the best possible outcomes for CYP.

To be a team player, being willingly flexible and adaptable identifying where they might support the functions of the physiotherapy team, as appropriate.

To present and communicate clinical information to the multi-disciplinary team/other professions, in a format agreed with therapists, in order to inform decision making relevant to the management of CYP.

To deliver pre-prepared training/workshops/groups for parents/carers and other professionals, under the direction of the appropriate therapists.

To adapt communication styles providing information in an accessible way for CYP of different ages, range of disabilities and health care needs including non-verbal CYP with complex needs, to support individuals to make informed choices.

To form productive relationships with others e.g. parents/carers who may be under stress and motivate them in to engage in advised therapeutic activities.

To understand that some information received will be complex and sensitive; demonstrating tact, reassurance and empathy when having these conversations.

To use appropriate resources to help overcome barriers to communication, e.g. understanding, English not as a first language.

Demonstrates the ability to make accurate verbal and written reports, summarising assessment and intervention outcomes for the child and family.

To recognise potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs, seeking advice and support from supporting therapists appropriately.

Appropriately and sensitively gives and acts upon feedback.

Budgetary Responsibility

No budgetary responsibilities.

To ensure cost effectiveness is considered in day-to-day work, e.g. reduction of duplication, effective use of physical resources, choice of equipment etc.

Support orders for equipment and effective stock taking within the department.

People Management

Assists with the induction of newer staff members, including students, by demonstrating your own role.

Contribute to the support and training of other team members, including students.

Assist and be available to supervise the clinical activities of other team members, as delegated.

Maintaining own professional development and requirement to take part in appraisal and KSF process

Research & Development Activity

Contribute to the design, development, implementation and evaluation of service and quality improvement initiatives, maintaining up to date knowledge of local policies and procedures.

To contribute to research projects/audits/surveys within the clinical specialty under the supervision of a registered health care professional.

In line with trust policy, the post holder must actively engage in ensure in an ongoing PDR (performance & development review; appraisal) process, to include maintaining competencies relevant to the role.

Undertake mandatory training, self-development and other relevant training to maintain safety and competency in the role, including active contribution to departmental in-service training.

To have awareness of relevant procedures/statutory requirements/legislation relating to the role, including Safeguarding Children and Adults and SEND procedures.

Person Specification

Qualification and Training

Essential

• Foundation Degree in Clinical Assistant Practice eg NCFE CACHE, OTHM, access course in relevant care subjects, Level 3 NVQ/Diploma in Health and Social Care or relevant A Levels/successful relevant academic study at Level 3.
• Grade 4/C or above in English and Maths GCSE, Functional Skills Level 2 or equivalent.
• Digital competence and confidence using Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, Powerpoint.

Desirable

• Foundation degree Health and Social Care, or equivalent level 5 qualification; plus, A-levels and GCSEs or equivalent(s), including Functional Skills (level 2) Or - as a level 5 apprenticeship, such as the Assistant Practitioner apprenticeship.
• Digital competence and confidence in using electronic patient records (e.g. SystmOne), online ordering systems, social media platforms.
• Completion of child specific moving and handling training.
• Completion of training in child development.
• Evidence of training in exercise, fitness and physical activity.
• Completed care certificate

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Demonstrable ability to deploy intervention and support strategies to promote person-centred care, including providing information, advice and guidance to CYP, carers, families, health professionals and others.
• Demonstrates excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including with those who are non-verbal, adapted to individual situations which foster supportive relationships with children, young people, families and other professionals
• Ability to create interactions which are fun, motivating and child/young person friendly, showing adaptability to achieve the session objectives
• Ability to manage own workload/time, including prioritising tasks and resources, taking account of changing circumstances.

Desirable

• Understands and can explain the main legislation, legal and ethical responsibilities that shape health and social care
• Understanding of the importance of clinical governance and evidence-based practice and its application to CYP Physiotherapy.
• Evidence of participation in audits, service evaluation and quality improvement projects relevant to own work.

Experience

Essential

• Substantial experience in health and care settings, including in the relevant field of work.
• Demonstrable experience of supporting children and young people who have physical disability and their families.
• Demonstratable experience of communicating with and supporting children and young people with a learning disability.
• An awareness of child development and the Physiotherapy role with children and young people with physical disability/atypical development.

Desirable

• Demonstratable and significant experience working as a Children/Young Person's Therapy Assistant.
• Experience of working in a community setting.
• Demonstratable evidence of safe and effective use of equipment,
• Experience of working in the field of physical activity and exercise.

Safeguarding

Essential

• Ability to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults Demonstrates understanding of safeguarding issues and when to escalate

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

Address

Peacock Centre

Brookfields Hospital, 351 Mill road

Cambridge

CB1 3UG

Employer's website

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