Job responsibilities
To undertake treatment programmes with individual patients/groups as specified by the teams therapists. This follows direct handover from the delegating therapist(s) or reading and implementing written treatment plans.
To assist therapists with treatment programmes, working with the individual patients/groups.
To carry out work in a range of locations, including hospital departments, patients own homes and other community locations as directed.
To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools (eg. explanation, negotiation, persuasion, motivation) to communicate effectively with patients in order to implement rehabilitation and treatment programmes following guidance from professionals. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating.
To understand and report on identified risks relating to clinical work using the Trusts risk management policies and protocols.
To have an understanding of a range of common medical and orthopaedic conditions, occupational therapy and physiotherapy intervention gained through experience, in-house training and theoretical study completed at NVQ Level 3 or equivalent, as available.
To observe and evaluate patients response to treatment activities and decide on appropriate action eg. seek further advice from occupational therapist, physiotherapist, community nurse and / or senior nursing staff, discontinue treatment activity, instigate emergency procedure.
To provide feedback to professionals on patients progress, changes in functional ability, medical, social, emotional etc., on a daily basis.
To gather initial information for therapy documentation by telephone from patients within the community, or from care plans/medical records for in-patients prior to assessment, as directed by the therapist.
To be aware of and appropriately manage sensitive and/or complicated information. To deal sensitively with patients who have high levels of anxiety and aggression caused by pain, dementia, and limited mobility. This will include patients with challenging behaviour, terminal illness and degenerative disease.
To employ practical skills e.g., occupation skills cooking, household tasks/ exercise/mobility programmes as a routine part of patient treatment programmes
Use manual handling techniques requiring moderate physical effort as part of treatment interventions on a daily basis, as directed by therapists. This will take place in a range of environments such as hospital wards, home, work environments and cars where space available and environments may be awkward and confined.
To issue, demonstrate, adjust, and ensure safe use of personal aids/equipment for patients, as prescribed and directed by therapists to support functional ability e.g., mobility aids, toilet aids and to be aware of current safety alert notices.
To work with patients in their own homes and the community, therapy clinics and wards to implement treatment programmes, record observations and intervention. This may include encountering distressed and abusive patients/carers.
To run exercise groups with patients under overall direction of therapists.
To work frequently as a lone worker in potentially unpredictable and unpleasant working conditions coming into contact with dirt, passive smoking lice, fleas etc.
On a regular basis the therapy assistant will come into contact with bodily fluid or human waste.
Participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraisee and be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development programme to meet set knowledge and competence objectives.
Take an active part in the assistant competency framework training, ongoing tuition and attending in-service training sessions as required to achieve/maintain appropriate skill/expertise.
Taking account of allocated workload, to organise own day to day activities and to feed back to delegating therapist in the event that difficulties occur
To understand and implement all relevant Trust Policies and Protocols as appropriate to the role.
To contribute, as a member of the multidisciplinary team and Rehabilitation Service to the development of services, protocols, in-service training programmes etc. by commenting, making suggestions, attending service meetings etc. as requested
To provide input to non-clinical induction for new assistant staff. Demonstrates own activities to new/less experienced staff.
To record personally generated clinical observations in the multidisciplinary rehabilitation patient record
To enter data electronically according to Integrated Support Service procedures
To record electronic patient data for professional staff as requested
To assist in the management of the peripheral stores ensuring stock levels are maintained and health and safety procedures followed.
To undertake additional responsibilities as discussed and agreed with line manager. This could include the role of safety monitor, representing rehabilitation assistants in meetings etc.
Help maintain good communication, liaison and working arrangement within the Trust other Primary Care Trusts, Trusts and other agencies.
Keep up to date with all relevant guidance and NHS targets and ensure the effective dissemination of relevant information as directed.
Contribute to relevant projects in relation to the development of the Rehabilitation Service and organisational objectives as required/appropriate
Comply with all relevant Somerset Partnership Trust Policies and Procedures in exercising the duties of the role.
Undertake any necessary skills training, Professional Updates and Mandatory Training as appropriate to the position
To be able operate appropriate Information and Digital Technology systems to contribute to record keeping and data analysis, under guidance from Trust Policy.
Accommodate change in a rapidly changing environment and encourage team members to embrace necessary change. Have a positive attitude to challenges and devise ways to make them happen.
