HealthJobsUK

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

SECTION 1- MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:
CLINICAL:
Assist the therapists in the rehabilitation of patients using a range of delegated skills.
• Assess and treat patients of lower complex therapy need without direct supervision from a  therapist. Complete therapy treatment plans for patients with appropriate and achievable goals.
 • Prepare the environment for therapy treatment, ensuring privacy, dignity and safety at all times.
•  Develop a therapeutic relationship with patients, enabling them to reach their maximum  potential. Promote self-care and independence in achieving therapy goals
•  Gain consent and co-operation from patients who may have sensory, physical or intellectual  impairment.
•  Teach patients new skills, within activities of daily living skills and rehabilitation such as therapy exercises, personal care, washing and dressing and kitchen tasks.
•  Complete verbal or written reports on patients progress both to appropriate Therapy staff and 
to other multi-disciplinary team members
•Complete Manual Handling assessments and referrals to external agencies 
• Prioritise and evaluate case load responsibilities.
• Evaluate patient’s presentation for therapy and adapt treatment accordingly.
• Encourage patients and their carers in an active approach to regaining and maintaining personal independence. This requires empathy, sensitivity and good interpersonal skills.
• Make accurate records of work undertaken and keep monthly statistics as required, including  documenting patient contacts in line with professional and service standards.
• Liaise with the Therapists as necessary to optimise patient treatment, promote independence and minimise length of stay. Highlight any variations to expected outcomes from treatment  programmes.
• Assess, measure and instruct use of walking aids/functional aids. To effectively administer and record provision of any aids provided to patients.
• Contribute to development of patient care by attending relevant team, departmental or other appropriate meetings eg Care Planning and Best Interest meetings and comment on recommended changes to clinical care or service provision.
• Assist Therapists in attending home environmental assessments and patient home visits as and when required.
• Manage and prioritise a patient case load as delegated by the therapist on a daily basis.
• Ensure daily communication with the Therapists regarding treatment of individual patients.
• Manage enquiries regarding therapy from patients, relatives, general public and hospital staff, both in person and by telephone.
• To undertake patient visits and attend meetings training etc. hence have access to a vehicle and a valid, up-to-date UK Driver’s license. 
• Work across 7 days including weekend days and Bank Holidays where the service operates across 7 days per week, 365 days per year

ADMINISTRATIVE/ORGANISATIONAL: 
• Collate and enter statistical data for the service.
• Contribute to service audits as required.
• Contribute to ensuring all therapy areas including the gym are clean, tidy and fit for purpose.
• Be responsible for the safe use of therapy equipment and aids by patients in your care. Ensure all equipment that is damaged or not fit for purpose is returned to the supplier or reported for collection and repair
• Take part in the individual trust appraisal and performance review programme.
• Actively participate in own staff development and review in order to identify personal development plans and training needs.
• Contribute to MDT daily Board rounds as required
• Assist therapists in patient related administrative duties and tasks as required, e.g. updating patient information in clinical records, on white boards, in board round logs, equipment loan stores, organising equipment etc.
• Be aware of the Health and Safety aspects of work and implement any policies which may be required to improve the health and safety of the work area.
• Comply with the organisational and departmental policies and procedures and be involved in reviewing and updating as appropriate.
• Undertake any related duties as directed by Team Leader physiotherapist/occupational therapists or relevant senior staff.

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT:
• Assist in the induction of newly appointed therapy assistants in basic elements of patient care and safety. 
• Support student therapists to gain experience from the setting during their placement

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT:
• Attend in-service training as required.
•Actively participate in the delivery of in-service training within recognised skill set. 
• Monitor and develop own performance, aiming to achieve and maintain a high standard.
• Attend/complete mandatory training as required by Trust policy.

SECTION 2- KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
 Understand the ethos acute/intermediate care settings and its place in the health and social care economy.
 Use effective communication tools, verbal and non-verbal to communicate treatment programmes to patients who may have barriers to understanding or communicating, e.g. blind, deaf, dysphasic or who do not have English as a first language.

SECTION 3- EFFORT AND ENVIRONMENT
• The post holder will be expected to kneel, sit on heels, move inert adult limbs, support patients while walking, move and handle patients, push wheelchairs, use hoists on a daily basis.
• The post holder will be expected to concentrate during treatment sessions and ensure good communication with patients, including those who have impaired understanding or communication difficulties, e.g. slurred speech.
• Care of terminally ill or patients with chronic degenerative illness. 
• Dealing with patients who may be depressed, withdrawn or aggressive.
• The post holder will be expected to work in cramped space in patient rooms/ward areas. They may come into contact with infestations, soiled linen, and other bodily fluids.
• As part of contracted hours, to work weekend days and Bank Holidays as part of a 7 day service