Therapy Support Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose

To provide support to the physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy team in the planning and delivery of a range of holistic interventions and self-management programmes to support the rehabilitative approach of care to patients with a palliative diagnosis.

To assist with evaluating progress against set outcome measures and collaborative patient goals.

To effectively communicate with patients and other team members to ensure optimal quality of evidence-based care both written and verbal.

To maintain excellent working relationships within the multidisciplinary team.

To monitor patient progress and notify the therapists immediately if there are changes observed or any concerns regarding safety or wellbeing.

To support the Therapy Team as required. This will include working in the community, the Inpatient Unit and in the Living Well Centre.

This role will be expected to support across sites.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.Clinical

To undertake all aspects of clinical duties under the supervision of the qualified therapists.

Complete competencies in the delivery of treatment interventions specifically designed for the management of fatigue, breathlessness and anxiety.

To assist the Multidisciplinary Team in the delivery of self-management and educational groups such as the Fatigue, Anxiety and Breathlessness Programme

Monitor patients exercise and rehabilitation programmes to maximise function and independence.

Support patients to carry out planned exercise regimes as instructed by a qualified therapist.

To assist with ordering and fitting equipment and demonstrate the use in the Hospice or in patients homes.

To undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the therapy service

Explain rationale to patients and promote understanding of the aims of the therapy to encourage compliance and progression through the planned programmes of care.

To attend and participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings, case conferences and handovers to ensure the coordination of patient care.

To complete competencies set by the Therapy team and employ appropriate skills to accurately teach therapeutic techniques to patients as required.

Maintain accurate clinical records of all interventions in line with Hospice policy and guidelines.

To collect data, statistics, and information as required.

To complete onward referrals and signposting patients to other services as required

To be responsible for the management of the therapy equipment store to ensure stock is maintained, to monitor maintenance of equipment and to ensure it is a safe tidy environment and is fit for purpose.

To assist qualified therapists in auditing aspects of the service delivery if required

2.Professional

Promote quality patient care at every contact.

Act as a role model demonstrating high standards of care.

To be aware of own limitations and refer to qualified therapists whenever necessary.

Liaise with community teams to obtain relevant care records and clinical information as requested by qualified therapists.

Identifying and reporting immediately, any safeguarding risk to patients and their families in accordance with the Birmingham Hospice Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults and the Safeguarding of Children Policies and Procedures.

To adhere to Hospice systems for incident reporting.

To assist in the promotion of the therapy service and service development activities as required

3.Educational

To contribute to the teaching of other healthcare professionals both internally and externally if required

To undertake appropriate training to ensure competence to practice and as directed by the line manager.

To develop and maintain a working knowledge of specialist palliative care

To adhere to Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and Birmingham Hospice policies and procedures

To be aware of and adhere to Birmingham Hospice Values at all times

4.General

To undertake relevant activities to meet training and education objectives as identified with the Therapy leads and in the annual appraisal review.

All staff are required to abide by the Hospices policies and procedures, including confidentiality, equal opportunities and data protection.

Uphold the Hospice ethos and demonstrate behaviours in line with our values.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a relevant healthcare environment.
• Understanding of the roles of Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy and nursing services.

Desirable

• Experience of working palliative care.
• Experience of working in the voluntary sector.
• Ability to facilitate groups

Qualifications

Essential

• Competency in Maths and English (to GCSE level, or equivalent).
• Care Certificate/NVQ Level 2 (or higher) in Health and Social Care, or equivalent.

Desirable

• Completion of relevant therapy competencies.
• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent.
• Relevant technical qualification(s)

Personal skills and attributes

Essential

• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Ability to instruct patients in relation to the use of equipment and therapy interventions.
• Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day.
• Ability to adapt to change.
• Good IT Skills.
• Positive and professional approach.
• Flexibility.
• Ability work individually and as part of a team.
• Supportive and committed to the values and objective of the Hospice.
• Full driving licence with access to own vehicle.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Birmingham Hospice

Address

76 Grange Road

Erdington

Birmingham

B24 0DF

Employer's website

https://www.birminghamhospice.org.uk (Opens in a new tab)