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Job summary

Main area
Therapies
Grade
Band 4
Contract
Permanent: Candidates who do not already hold the AP qualification or equivalent will be required to undertake the Assistant practitioner apprenticeship. Salary will be renumerated (Annex 21) to reflect the training element of the post and will only be transferred to a band 4 pay scale on successful completion of the AP apprenticeship. Opportunities for bank working can also be considered.
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week (All posts are subject to 7-day shift working pattern, staff are required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service. Where applicable one day per week study leave to attend college as part of Apprenticeship programme.)
Job ref
287-DSS-325-24-B
Employer
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Aintree University Hospital
Town
Liverpool
Salary
£25,147 - £27,596 per annum, pro rata (Annex 21)
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
23/07/2024 12:00

Employer heading

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Therapy Assistant Practitioner

Band 4

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for compassionate and enthusiastic Band 4 Therapy Assistant Practitioners to join the expanding Therapy Team at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. 

There are several Band 4 posts available across the Royal Liverpool, Broadgreen and Aintree sites, including Acute Medicine, Surgery, Respiratory, and Trauma and Orthopaedics.  

The successful candidates should have a minimum of two years’ therapy experience in a health care setting and will be responsible for their own ward-based caseload providing direct Therapy intervention for an identified patient group under the supervision of a registered Therapy practitioner.  They will be part of a multidisciplinary team providing high quality care which includes Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Dieticians.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential to complete comprehensive assessments and to support and motivate patients to participate in therapy programmes.

We would also welcome applications from candidates with relevant therapy experience who would be keen to progress into a Band 4 role via the Trust supported apprenticeship scheme.

If you do not already have the AP qualification, Foundation degree or equivalent, you will need an NVQ Level 3 in health care along with both Maths and English qualification at level 2 (GCSE equivalent grade C or above) in order to be considered for the Band 4 Apprenticeship programme.

Main duties of the job

All posts are subject to 7-day shift working pattern, staff are required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service.

To take responsibility for own caseload providing direct Therapy intervention for an identified patient group under the supervision of a registered practitioner.

To be accountable for own clinical practice whilst undertaking the assessment and treatment/intervention of identified patient group within agreed parameters and defined protocols of care.

To work independently within the multidisciplinary team setting, reporting back patient progress and informing therapists of any problems.

To support registered staff in the administrative duties required for the functioning of the Therapy Department.

To participate in and contribute to training, audit and service development.

If you do not possess the AP qualification successful candidates will complete the apprenticeship AP training programme.  The Apprenticeship will run for approximately 24 months and will involve day release 1 day per week at Hugh Baird College.  Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship the staff member will be uplifted permanently to Band 4.

The posts are full time, however requests for part time and flexible working patterns will be considered.

If unsuccessful at interview for this position; there may be other opportunities to offer within the Care Group. This may include working on an alternative Hospital site.

Working for our organisation

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was created in October 2019 following the merger of two adult acute Trusts, Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust.

The merger provides an opportunity to reconfigure services in a way that provides the best healthcare services to the city and improves the quality of care and health outcomes that patients experience.

It serves a core population of around 630,000 people across Merseyside as well as providing a range of highly specialist services to a catchment area of more than two million people in the North West region and beyond.

Follow us on Social Media:

Facebook – Liverpool University Hospitals Careers

Instagram - @LUHFTcareers

Twitter - @LUHFTcareers

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical


Under the instruction of the qualified therapist assist in carrying out care and exercise programmes with patients in a manner that respects their abilities, privacy, dignity and individuality.

To manage the rehabilitation of patients as delegated by the qualified therapist.  work without direct supervision and be responsible for assessing the progress of patients, reporting back to the therapist.

To be responsible for specific tasks within the overall treatment programme, e.g. gait assessment, stair assessment, strength and balance assessment and advise / arrange the supply of assistive equipment.

To liaise regularly with the qualified therapist regarding treatment progression and ongoing care. Reporting to therapist and the multidisciplinary team any lack of progression or negative changes in patients ability to undertake treatment session.

Treat patient individually or in a group in a variety of settings with indirect supervision from the qualified therapist.

To work as a member of the therapy team and multidisciplinary team, sharing information with team members and prioritising workload accordingly.

To ensure effective internal and external communication with patients, carers and all other Health and Social Care Professionals regarding all aspects of patient care.

Providing and receiving complex information which requires empathy and reassurance. Communicating where there may be barriers to understanding.

Undertake home visits as directed by the qualified therapist, arranging transport and completing relevant documentation. 

To assess patients and carers safety in use and suitability of equipment within patients home environment. 

Advise on environmental hazards.

Issue, and retrieve therapy equipment in department, ward or home setting keeping accurate records of this activity.

Ensure equipment is clean and fit for its purpose for individual treatment sessions.

To co-ordinate and undertake the regular maintenance and cleanliness of the working/treatment areas with the co-operation of the Health Care Assistants. 

Assist patients to access and use toilet facilities.

Transport patients safely between ward, clinics and treatment areas as 
requested.

To receive and prepare patients for therapy treatments.

To prepare and maintain equipment and the treatment areas including household duties.

Maintain accurate and timely records of treatments undertaken by self.

To monitor and maintain stock levels of equipment and supplies, within the Therapies department by processing orders as agreed with the Therapy Manager/Team Leader.

Contribute to development of patient care by attending relevant team, 
departmental or other appropriate meetings and participate in discussions to improve service provision.

To teach and advise carers and other health care staff to ensure provision of good patient care.

To accurately manage the filing system of patient records within team. 

Locate record and return therapy treatment records and patients medical records when necessary.

This post will be subject to an enhanced (or standard) disclosure check with the DBS.

This job description is intended as a general guide to the duties and responsibilities of the post and not a rigid, inflexible specification. It may be subject to revision to meet the changing needs of the service, following consultation with the post holder.

Through the course of your employment you may become aware of information concerning patients or staff. All such information must be treated as confidential. Breach of this confidence may result in dismissal.


Clinical Governance / Quality

To comply with the health and safety policies of the trust including attendance at mandatory training sessions as specified by the trust.

To comply with departmental and organisational policies and procedures.

Ensure all accidents, incidents and hazards are reported and dealt with according to Trust requirements.

To gain valid informed consent in line with trust and departmental policy.

To comply with the Data protection Act and Caldicott recommendations.

To maintain accurate documentation in line with local policies and procedures.


Education and Training Development

 

To participate and contribute in relevant in-service training programmes.

To attend relevant courses as identified and agreed with senior staff and 
managers.

To participate in staff appraisal sessions.

To contribute to the induction and training of new staff and students assigned to the team.

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of therapy work in a health care setting
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of issuing and retrieving patient equipment.
  • Experience of carrying out mobility and exercise programmes.

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of care agencies and how to access them
Desirable criteria
  • Able to demonstrate awareness of current NHS issues

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Capable of working on own initiative
  • Able to communicate written information clearly
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Ability to work flexibly and prioritise workload
  • Good level of admin/clerical skills
  • Able to work as a team member
  • Evidence of organisational abilities

Other

Essential criteria
  • Willingness to work flexibly

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Foundation degree/equivalent qualification

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Fair Employment Charter Status - Aspiring LevelNHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleInvestors in PeopleArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident committedStep into health

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Alison Murray
Job title
Lead Therapist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0151 706 2777
Additional information

Helen Thomas-Marshall, Lead Therapist:

[email protected]

0151 529 3268

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