Therapy Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Role Purpose

To support the specialist Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists working with people with life-limiting conditions including cancer, cardiac/respiratory conditions or long-term neurological conditions.

To work without direct supervision but under the direction of the qualified staff in the performance of specific tasks for an individual group of patients, as part of their treatment and rehabilitation programmes.

To work at the Warwick Hospice and occasionally with people in their own homes and support the Therapists at the other hospice sites at Coventry and Rugby where required.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Clinical

1. Work under the direction and supervision of the Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists to carry out a range of tasks for an individual or group of patients as part of their treatment, functional management and rehabilitation.
2. Carry out individual assessments and interventions to delegated patients as directed by the therapists. Seek supervision from the therapists when more complex patient situations are identified.
3. Assist the therapists and other team members in carrying out joint interventions including moving and handling procedures, use of patient handling equipment, and home assessments.
4. Provide advice to patients, their family and carers, teaching and demonstrating the safe use of equipment or techniques to optimise the patients mobility, functional ability, safety and independence.
5. Support the therapy staff with clinical interventions at other sites when required.
6. Assist in the delivery of group exercise, activity or education programs and be able to adjust and adapt these appropriately in response to the situation or need.
7. Arrange the provision of equipment to aid mobility and independence as directed by the therapists and review the effectiveness of prescribed equipment with patients in their own home where required.
8. Work collaboratively with patients, their families, the multidisciplinary team and other agencies promoting a person centre approach to provide an efficient and seamless service.
9. Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records of clinical interventions, compliant with legal, professional and Myton Hospice requirements.

Communication

1. Use a range of communication skills with patients to be able to explain interventions, motivate and facilitate their participation
2. Report to the therapists and other members of the multidisciplinary team any urgent changes in the condition of a patient or pertinent information that requires further assessment.
3. Feedback effectively to the multi-disciplinary team on a patients performance and their progress.
4. Provide advice to patients, their family and carers, teaching and demonstrating the safe use of equipment or techniques to optimise the patients mobility, functional ability, safety and independence.
5. Co-ordinate the collection of equipment that is no longer required where appropriate.
6. Work collaboratively with patients, their families, the multidisciplinary team and other agencies to provide an efficient and seamless service.

Organisational

1. Ensure the department areas are clean, tidy and well maintained, complying with departmental and Health and Safety guidelines, ensuring the safe use of equipment and storage of materials.
2. Be aware of the health and safety of yourself and others and comply with hospice policies and procedures.
3. Undertake any clerical duties as required, deal with telephone calls, record patient information and data, and maintain adequate stock and equipment levels.
4. Prioritise and plan delegated clinical and non-clinical tasks working flexibly to ensure efficient use of time and resources.
5. Participate in service development, audit, risk assessment, team working and actively contribute to team meetings.

Learning & Development

1. Demonstrate and apply knowledge and understanding of the effects of illness or disability to patient care.
2. Know your own capabilities and work towards competencies with guidance from the physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
3. Review and reflect on own practice and identify areas for further development by pro-actively engaging in regular supervision sessions and annual appraisal.
4. Maintain a record including evidence and reflection of learning and development tasks undertaken.
5. Ensure that the required online or face to face mandatory training modules are completed on time.

Professional

1. Comply with the College of Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, Professional Standards and other relevant guidelines, policies, and procedures.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES & OBLIGATIONS OF ALL EMPLOYEES

Policies and Procedures

The post holder is required to have a good understanding of and to comply with all relevant Myton policies, procedures and guidelines. Any contravention of Myton policies or procedures may result in disciplinary action.

Volunteers

Myton recognises the valuable contribution that volunteers make and we expect all employees to be able to support and work effectively with our volunteers.

Confidentiality and Data protection

It is a requirement of employment with Myton that all staff must comply with the obligation of confidentiality relating to personal information that could identify individuals. The Data Protection Act 1974/1998 safeguards the handling of information held in both electronic and manual filing systems and it is the duty of all staff employed by Myton to uphold the principles of the Act, adhere to Myton policies and to maintain strict confidentiality at all times.

Infection Control

All employees of Myton must be aware of infection prevention and control policies and are expected to follow them at all times. Any breach of infection control policies which places patients, visitors or colleagues at risk may result in disciplinary action.

Equality & Diversity

The post-holder must at all times carry out his/her responsibilities in line with Mytons Equality & Diversity Policy.

Health & Safety

Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed upon them under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, to ensure the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors & colleagues. The post holder is required to conform with Mytons policies on Health & Safety and Fire Prevention, & to attend related training as required.

Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and Children

Its the duty of all staff working for Myton to safeguard children and vulnerable adults and undertake safeguarding training at an appropriate level.

Code of Conduct

Employees are required to represent Myton in a positive light and embody the corporate identity in appearance, demeanour, values and ethics.

Person Specification

Skills and Attributes

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Good verbal and written communication
• Problem solving ability
• Good IT / computer skills
• Able to work under pressure
• Commitment to personal learning and development
• Good time management skills
• Able to use initiative
• Adaptable, flexible and reliable
• Motivated and enthusiastic

Desirable

• Knowledge of equipment to aid mobility and independence
• Familiar with the use of moving and handling equipment

Qualifications

Essential

• Secondary level education to GCSE/O Level or equivalent
• Basic level of English language and Maths

Desirable

• Evidence of training within a health or social care setting
• NVQ level 3 or equivalent, or willing to work towards one

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a healthcare or community setting
• Experience of multi-disciplinary team working

Desirable

• Experience of working in a palliative care setting
• Experience of working with people with life-limiting or long-term conditions
• Experience of working in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy

Other

Essential

• UK driving licence and the use of a vehicle for work, to be able to travel to other sites and to home visits
• The right to work in the UK (we cannot support with sponsorship)

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

The Myton Hospices

Address

Myton Lane

Warwick

Warwickshire

CV34 6PX

Employer's website

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