Job summary
BAND 4 THERAPY ASSISTANT PRACTITIONER - TRAUMA AND ORTHOPAEDICS (Up to 37.5 hours per week)
An exciting opportunity has become available for several additional therapy assistant practitioners to join our supportive, forward-looking Orthopaedic Therapy Team as we expand for our brand new Orthopaedic Elective Hub.
We are seeking individuals to provide delegated treatment and rehabilitation to patients with both elective and traumatic orthopaedic injuries. You will have your own clinical caseload and undertake assessments under direction of both physiotherapists and occupational therapists. You will rotate between our trauma and elective wards and our outpatient therapy clinic, completing assessments for patients awaiting elective surgery.
We are an innovative team and early adopters in stopping the use of hip precautions for total hip arthroplasties, with a well-established Enhanced Recovery Programme for our elective patients, to which our therapy assistant practitioners are vital. We are also piloting a day case arthroplasty service elective orthopaedic surgery. Our team have presented their improvements internationally and our Out Of Bed Project was published which has improved our hip fracture metrics. We are particularly interested in candidates who share our passion for service development and increasing the profile of therapy assistant practitioners in the speciality of orthopaedics to improve patient outcomes.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for positive, proactive candidates who can work flexibly and help us build a strong future for Therapy. You would play a key role in gathering information from patients and their relatives/carers to understand their social, environmental and living circumstances, and the impact of their injury or surgery on daily activities. You will be responsible for managing a caseload of patients, providing therapy and rehabilitation following orthopaedic elective and traumatic injury which may impact patients physically and psychologically. You will plan and implement functional and cognitive interventions to support patients in achieving their goals, providing adaptive equipment and aids and evaluating outcomes of treatments.
You will also support flow throughout the hospital with timely assessments and planning discharges as part of each individual patient's recovery journey to prevent delay. This will include liaison with and referring onto appropriate agencies as needed. You will also undertake administrative duties to support the functioning of the department.
In return, we would strive to offer suitable candidates a supportive, friendly working environment within a team who are open to new ideas. Opportunities for learning and working with the wider multidisciplinary team will be available and strongly encouraged.
Core working hours are 8.00am-4.00pm but flexibility can be discussed, and you will work as part of our seven-day roster.
About us
James Paget is a vibrant university hospital providing the best possible care to the people of east Norfolk and north Suffolk. Situated on the coast with beautiful beaches and the Broads National Park on the doorstep, we are within commuting distance of Norwich City. Onsite parking is also available.
We know that development and wellbeing are key to the success of your work, and you will receive regular one-to-one supervision to discuss your progress, and any service evaluation and ideas. We are committed to service development, with many projects currently underway. We are forging strong links with the Research and Development Department and the University of East Anglia, and it is a really exciting time to join the Trust as these processes gain momentum. We thoroughly encourage attendance at courses and offer time and funding for innovation activity to widen personal knowledge base and bring new skills to the teams to keep our approach fresh and current. Our team have represented the Trust at CSP, RCOT and BOA conferences and support future staff to do this. In addition, we have an embedded flexible working policy with flexible hours to enable a better work/life balance but still meet the needs of the service.
We are an Integrated Therapies Department and also have close working relationships with the community teams. The profile of Therapies is growing, and our voice and opinions are heard and valued at all levels, so this is a brilliant time to join us.
Job description
Job responsibilities
In order to apply for this post, applicants will ideally possess a Degree/Foundation Degree or be able to evidence equivalent knowledge and skills in a similar post. For applicants who do not meet this criteria, the minimum qualification requirement would be an NVQ III in Health and Social Care or equivalent, with the ability to complete the Foundation Degree being a condition of employment. In this instance, Annex 21 would be applied. Please refer to the attached Annex 21 document for details of the salary offered during the training programme.
Please see the attached Job Description for more details of the main duties and responsibilities of the role.
If this advert interests you, please contact Julie Power via ITAT@jpaget.nhs.uk to find out more or to arrange a visit.
Job description
Job responsibilities
In order to apply for this post, applicants will ideally possess a Degree/Foundation Degree or be able to evidence equivalent knowledge and skills in a similar post. For applicants who do not meet this criteria, the minimum qualification requirement would be an NVQ III in Health and Social Care or equivalent, with the ability to complete the Foundation Degree being a condition of employment. In this instance, Annex 21 would be applied. Please refer to the attached Annex 21 document for details of the salary offered during the training programme.
Please see the attached Job Description for more details of the main duties and responsibilities of the role.
If this advert interests you, please contact Julie Power via ITAT@jpaget.nhs.uk to find out more or to arrange a visit.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Degree/Foundation Degree or evidenced equivalent knowledge and skills in a similar post. There will be a requirement to complete a Foundation Degree if these cannot be met
- NVQ III in Health and Social Care or equivalent - minimum qualification required for consideration for the position
- Numeracy/literacy skills - Level 2 or Grade C at GCSE
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Experience of working in health and therapy teams/working with people
- Experience of working as a therapy or rehabilitation assistant
- Clear understanding of therapy role/concepts of therapy and the enabling approach
- Understands the health system and acute care
Desirable
- Experience working in orthopaedics or musculoskeletal care
Skills, Abilities and Competencies
Essential
- Problem solving skills/inter-personal skills
- Good verbal and written communication skills/basic IT skills
- Therapeutic and rehabilitation skills
- Able to work independently and use own initiative
- Team worker/confident/able to recognise self-limitations
- Role requires the ability to travel within the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area. Should hold a full current driving licence or be able to make own travelling arrangements to fulfil the duties of the post, including visits to patients' homes with and without patients, delivery of equipment etc.
Other
Essential
- Physically fit and able to comply with Trust Manual Handling Guidelines
- Evidence of motivation for the Therapy Assistant Practitioner role
- Professional demeanour and appearance
- Ability to take on responsibilities and additional duties
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Degree/Foundation Degree or evidenced equivalent knowledge and skills in a similar post. There will be a requirement to complete a Foundation Degree if these cannot be met
- NVQ III in Health and Social Care or equivalent - minimum qualification required for consideration for the position
- Numeracy/literacy skills - Level 2 or Grade C at GCSE
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Experience of working in health and therapy teams/working with people
- Experience of working as a therapy or rehabilitation assistant
- Clear understanding of therapy role/concepts of therapy and the enabling approach
- Understands the health system and acute care
Desirable
- Experience working in orthopaedics or musculoskeletal care
Skills, Abilities and Competencies
Essential
- Problem solving skills/inter-personal skills
- Good verbal and written communication skills/basic IT skills
- Therapeutic and rehabilitation skills
- Able to work independently and use own initiative
- Team worker/confident/able to recognise self-limitations
- Role requires the ability to travel within the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area. Should hold a full current driving licence or be able to make own travelling arrangements to fulfil the duties of the post, including visits to patients' homes with and without patients, delivery of equipment etc.
Other
Essential
- Physically fit and able to comply with Trust Manual Handling Guidelines
- Evidence of motivation for the Therapy Assistant Practitioner role
- Professional demeanour and appearance
- Ability to take on responsibilities and additional duties
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
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).
