Job summary
21 hours per week.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 3 Physiotherapy Assistant in the Older Persons Mental Health Service (OPMHS).
This 21-hour post will work across a number of in-patient mental health units/wards and in the community, throughout the city of Plymouth.
We are a small, friendly team that provide a patient focused approach to maximise independence, support discharge from hospital & prevent hospital admission.
The successful candidate will need to demonstrate competent & motivational skills in the rehabilitation of people with functional & organic mental health disorders, under the guidance of a registered practitioner. They will need to demonstrate effective caseload management, with support from the registered physiotherapists, flexible problem-solving skills & be able to contribute towards therapy plans by suggesting equipment/aids and/or progression of exercises.
The post is a combination of lone working and with a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) that consists of: Consultants, Doctors, Nurses, Occupational Therapists & other support workers.
We provide excellent support through line management meetings, weekly team meetings, training from the team physiotherapists, performance reviews and personal development plans.
This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility.
Main duties of the job
The Physiotherapy Assistant (PTA) will be part of a team of
physiotherapists working in Mental Health.
He/she will be responsible to the Physiotherapist with whom he/she is
working.
As part of the MDT he/she will provide a high standard physiotherapy
service to adults with mental health needs on a day to day basis. The post holder will work in various mental health units and in the community (residential, nursing homes and patients' own homes) to deliver a high quality service to adults with mental health needs.
He/she will work and communicate with patients, relatives, carers,
other MDT professionals and agencies such as Social Care and equipment
provider.
The post holder need not necessarily receive regular daily supervision
and should be able to take some responsibility for the progression of his/her
work within a framework laid down by the supervising physiotherapist.
Support and advice is readily available from qualified physiotherapists
in person or by telephone.
About us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise providing integrated health & social care services for people across Plymouth, South Hams & West Devon, as well as some specialist services for people living in parts of Devon & Cornwall. With teams in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, health & wellbeing hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience, we always value being kind, respectful, inclusive, ambitious, responsible and collaborative. Transforming services to make them sustainable, ensuring that we value, support & empower each other.
We are committed to involving the people we care for, families & carers in everything that we do, working towards co-production where we can. Helping us to deliver the right care for people, in the right place & at the right time. By putting people at the centre of what we do, we ensure to support people to lead, healthy independent lives & be the very best at helping people to live well.
Valuing our employees making an investment in their development a priority. We offer:
Protected CPD time for registered staff
Various development pathways and ongoing regular training packages for all staff
Leadership & mentoring programmes
Access & funding for training including Care Certificate, Assistant Practitioners Course & Scholarship Into Nurse Training
A Robust Preceptorship
A bespoke induction programme
Existing members of the NHS Pension Scheme can continue their membership when they join the organisation.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
- PTAs are members of a multidisciplinary team and must always follow the programmes of treatment approved by qualified Physiotherapy staff. This may involve therapeutic handling and manual treatments for patients. The PTA will work to these instructions and must not initiate or modify treatments for patients without discussion with the qualified Physiotherapist.
- PTAs may measure and issue walking aids at the request of the qualified physiotherapist if they are competent. They will report defects in equipment, taking action to ensure such equipment is withdrawn from service.
- PTAs will assist Physiotherapists with patients who require a 2nd experienced person during treatment. At other times they will be expected to work unsupervised, although they will always have support from a qualified Physiotherapist in person / by telephone or a member of the multidisciplinary team.
- PTAs may, after suitable training apply TENS machines.
- PTAs may prepare patients for treatment, by collecting, moving and transferring them and assisting with dressing, undressing and toileting where necessary. (Subject to appropriate training.)
- PTAs may be involved in the care and preparation of equipment and jointly responsible for material stock and maintenance of stock levels.
- PTAs work with individual patients and/or their carers/relatives using a range of treatment and interpersonal skills demonstrating empathy to realise an individuals potential/goals.
- PTAs must maintain daily records of all patient contacts and treatments and must ensure that they have relevant knowledge of the patients that they are treating.
- PTAs must keep accurate and up-to-date / electronic patient records, and comply with Livewell Southwest and locally agreed methods of record keeping. They must also keep accurate record of travel and own whereabouts.
- Deal with emergency situations by summoning professional help immediately.
- Attend multidisciplinary meetings and case conferences as necessary and as delegated by the Physiotherapist.
- Maintain high standards of care at all times.
- PTAs will order equipment/adaptations as prescribed by the qualified physiotherapist.
Professional
- To maintain a high standard of patient care, taking advantage of various Continuous Professional Development (CPD) opportunities where appropriate and record outcomes in a portfolio.
- PTAs should not be requested to give advice on professional aspects of patient care, if this occurs, queries must be dealt with by the qualified staff concerned.
- To maintain confidentiality at all times in regard to policies, patients and their treatment, and security of patient/staff records.
- To participate in training, including Livewell Southwest mandatory training, in-service training, and clinical supervision.
- To comply with local standards and codes of practice and conduct, and understand and adhere to all local policies and procedures.
- To ensure effective communication always takes place, taking a team approach to patient care and service needs.
- To complete PTA competency pack within 2 years.
Service Delivery
- Take joint responsibility for physiotherapy equipment, reporting defects and taking action to ensure such equipment is withdrawn from service.
- To be aware of and follow the Health and Safety at Work Act and report any accidents immediately to the senior member of staff available.
- To participate in Appraisal, Line and Clinical Supervision as per Livewell Southwest policy and procedure.
- PTAs will be required to carry out administrative duties as requested.
- To undertake other reasonable duties as requested by the qualified physiotherapist.
- The post holder is required to comply with all infection control policies and guidance, attend relevant updates and report issues of concern to their immediate line manager. (If no action or explanation received, then it is the individuals responsibility to escalate to Director of Operations/Chief Executive Office).
- To undertake any other duties that might be considered appropriate by the qualified physiotherapist or the Directorate Manager Mental Health.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
- PTAs are members of a multidisciplinary team and must always follow the programmes of treatment approved by qualified Physiotherapy staff. This may involve therapeutic handling and manual treatments for patients. The PTA will work to these instructions and must not initiate or modify treatments for patients without discussion with the qualified Physiotherapist.
- PTAs may measure and issue walking aids at the request of the qualified physiotherapist if they are competent. They will report defects in equipment, taking action to ensure such equipment is withdrawn from service.
- PTAs will assist Physiotherapists with patients who require a 2nd experienced person during treatment. At other times they will be expected to work unsupervised, although they will always have support from a qualified Physiotherapist in person / by telephone or a member of the multidisciplinary team.
- PTAs may, after suitable training apply TENS machines.
- PTAs may prepare patients for treatment, by collecting, moving and transferring them and assisting with dressing, undressing and toileting where necessary. (Subject to appropriate training.)
- PTAs may be involved in the care and preparation of equipment and jointly responsible for material stock and maintenance of stock levels.
- PTAs work with individual patients and/or their carers/relatives using a range of treatment and interpersonal skills demonstrating empathy to realise an individuals potential/goals.
- PTAs must maintain daily records of all patient contacts and treatments and must ensure that they have relevant knowledge of the patients that they are treating.
- PTAs must keep accurate and up-to-date / electronic patient records, and comply with Livewell Southwest and locally agreed methods of record keeping. They must also keep accurate record of travel and own whereabouts.
- Deal with emergency situations by summoning professional help immediately.
- Attend multidisciplinary meetings and case conferences as necessary and as delegated by the Physiotherapist.
- Maintain high standards of care at all times.
- PTAs will order equipment/adaptations as prescribed by the qualified physiotherapist.
Professional
- To maintain a high standard of patient care, taking advantage of various Continuous Professional Development (CPD) opportunities where appropriate and record outcomes in a portfolio.
- PTAs should not be requested to give advice on professional aspects of patient care, if this occurs, queries must be dealt with by the qualified staff concerned.
- To maintain confidentiality at all times in regard to policies, patients and their treatment, and security of patient/staff records.
- To participate in training, including Livewell Southwest mandatory training, in-service training, and clinical supervision.
- To comply with local standards and codes of practice and conduct, and understand and adhere to all local policies and procedures.
- To ensure effective communication always takes place, taking a team approach to patient care and service needs.
- To complete PTA competency pack within 2 years.
Service Delivery
- Take joint responsibility for physiotherapy equipment, reporting defects and taking action to ensure such equipment is withdrawn from service.
- To be aware of and follow the Health and Safety at Work Act and report any accidents immediately to the senior member of staff available.
- To participate in Appraisal, Line and Clinical Supervision as per Livewell Southwest policy and procedure.
- PTAs will be required to carry out administrative duties as requested.
- To undertake other reasonable duties as requested by the qualified physiotherapist.
- The post holder is required to comply with all infection control policies and guidance, attend relevant updates and report issues of concern to their immediate line manager. (If no action or explanation received, then it is the individuals responsibility to escalate to Director of Operations/Chief Executive Office).
- To undertake any other duties that might be considered appropriate by the qualified physiotherapist or the Directorate Manager Mental Health.
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
- Good communication skills, with ability to engage with people with a range of abilities/personalities and mental health disorders
- Good time management
- I.T. skills
- Empathetic and able to manage emotional situations
- Able to work flexibly to support the therapy services
- Willingness to take part in training and clinical supervision
Experience
Essential
- Minimum of 2years work in a care environment
- Experience of working with elderly people
- Able to work alone at times
- Able to motivate and encourage patients with a range of personalities
Desirable
- Experience of working with adults with mental health problems
- Experience of working in community settings
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant qualification in care at NVQ III level or equivalent
- Ability to access all areas of Plymouth
- Car driver or access to transport (in a timely manner)
Desirable
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of multidisciplinary working
- Literate and numerate
- Able to use own initiative but knows when to seek guidance
Desirable
- Some knowledge of medical terminology
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
- Good communication skills, with ability to engage with people with a range of abilities/personalities and mental health disorders
- Good time management
- I.T. skills
- Empathetic and able to manage emotional situations
- Able to work flexibly to support the therapy services
- Willingness to take part in training and clinical supervision
Experience
Essential
- Minimum of 2years work in a care environment
- Experience of working with elderly people
- Able to work alone at times
- Able to motivate and encourage patients with a range of personalities
Desirable
- Experience of working with adults with mental health problems
- Experience of working in community settings
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant qualification in care at NVQ III level or equivalent
- Ability to access all areas of Plymouth
- Car driver or access to transport (in a timely manner)
Desirable
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of multidisciplinary working
- Literate and numerate
- Able to use own initiative but knows when to seek guidance
Desirable
- Some knowledge of medical terminology
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
