Band 4 Therapy Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. To contribute to the assessment, planning and review of, and to independently implement rehabilitation programmes with a variety of clients. Tasks may include (but are not limited to) teaching prescribed exercise programs, practicing transfers and mobility, assisting and promoting independence in personal care tasks, kitchen practice, undertaking access visits to feedback environmental information to therapists, assessment for and provision of equipment to assist with daily activities and documenting interventions accurately in notes following trust guidelines
2. To work as part of a flexible multidisciplinary team and undertake tasks delegated by the Occupational therapists , Physiotherapists and Nurse in a variety of settings including clinic, intermediate care inpatient wards, outpatients, clients home environment and the community.
3. To hold specific lead areas for service (e.g. infection control) and participate or support service development projects and audits
4. To participate in 7 day rotas as required- currently Pulross Rehabilitation Ward
5. To work across borough boundaries, accessing and recording information using mobile devices, and coming into offices for meeting or specific events

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Clinical

• All decision making regarding a clients rehabilitation will be carried out in collaboration with the client, family and carers, respecting their diversity in all areas of service delivery.
• Complete skilled screening assessments for clients referred to the service
• To participate in the prioritisation and triage of referrals, based on given criteria and using departmental protocols. This is done independently, with guidance from clinicians as necessary.
• Manage own varied caseload, using prioritisation and time management skills.
• Under the direction of a therapist, work independently, facilitating individual and group rehabilitation in a variety of settings e.g. client home environment, community centres.
• Establish a therapeutic relationship with clients using empathy, motivational, problem solving and counselling skills.
• Assess a clients understanding of proposed rehabilitation and seek valid informed consent from clients before commencing treatment. Work within a legal framework for clients who lack the capacity to provide informed consent to treat
• To be responsible for assessing, issuing and reviewing walking aids after the referrals are initially screened by a therapist. To be responsible for referring to physiotherapist and other professionals where appropriate for further assessment.
• Assist in the delivery of OT individual and group treatment programs in areas including but not limited to:

• Physical rehabilitation relating to functional independence in activities of daily living
• Cognitive rehabilitation relating to functional independence in activities of daily living
• Patient moving and handling recommendations and carer training
• Equipment provision and minor home modifications
• Posture and seating recommendations
• Falls prevention
  • Assist in the delivery of Physiotherapy individual and group treatment programs areas including but not limited to:
• Walking aid assessment and training
  • Mobility training
  • Transfer training
  • Strength and balance exercises
• Co- ordinate and deliver group based Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy therapeutic intervention using group leadership and facilitation skills, e.g. leading and co-facilitating the Strength and Balance Group, Falls Community exercise groups
• Undertake highly skilled support work in the falls service. This includes falls clinic referral screening, falls general assessment and provision of therapeutic falls prevention advice.
• To act as a Trusted Assessor, independently recommending and assessing clients for specific items of equipment.
• Responsible for ordering, fitting and reviewing equipment prescribed by therapists. Providing advice to carers and clients in its safe use.
• Use skilled moving and handling techniques e.g. therapeutic moving and handling with clients, moving and handling of equipment and provision of informal training for clients and carers.
• Responsible for monitoring client rehabilitation progress, making minor alterations to rehabilitation programs and providing feedback to therapists (written and verbal).
• Participate in clinical decision-making regarding client rehabilitation programs. This includes participating in multi-disciplinary meetings and case conferences without the presence of a therapist.
• Implement equipment maintenance policy according to Occupational Health and Safety regulations.
• Complete risk assessments and continually evaluate risk throughout rehabilitation in relation to all aspects of safety regarding self, client and colleagues.
• Seek advice and guidance from senior therapy staff where appropriate.
• Assist therapists in goal setting evaluation of client intervention and rehabilitation progress using appropriate outcome measures and evaluation tools. To document goals and outcome measures on appropriate proformas.
• To maintain comprehensive, timely and accurate client records, consistent with organisational, legal and professional requirements.
• Participate in the development of appropriate discharge plans in liaison with the client, family, carers, other health and social care professionals and community organisations based on rehabilitation progress and attainment of goals. This includes communication (written and verbal) regarding a clients health and social needs on discharge.
• Complete clinical administrative tasks.
• Adhere to clinical and trust procedures at all times e.g. infection control, therapeutic moving and handling and food hygiene
• Work alone with clients, families and carers in the clients home environment and the community.
• Must use Skyguard and other personal protective equipment and adhere to local lone working procedures as determined by the service to ensure safety and protect lone workers in general.

• Actively participate in regular structured supervision (professional, clinical and operational) with supervisor using critical thinking, reflection and analysis.
• Be responsible for identifying own training and development needs in line with service needs and Therapy Assistant competencies with regular guidance from supervisors.
• Maintain competencies by attending regular in-service, statutory and mandatory trainings
• Actively participate in the Trust Continuing Professional Development and Appraisal program.
• Actively participate in the promotion of the Community Rehabilitation and Falls Service within GSTT and for external organisations.
• Provide support and take a proactive role in the induction and training of therapy and other health and social care professionals, volunteers and students.
• Actively participate in clinical governance activities, clinical audits, quality assurance and evidence based research where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate records including client notes, message taking, minute taking and use of computerised data collection according to local and Trust policies.
• Work within local and national Allied Health professional code of ethics, code of conduct and standards of practice for support staff.
• Maintain knowledge of relevant national and local service developments.

1. Communication

• Establish a therapeutic relationship with clients using empathy motivational, problem solving and counselling skills.
• Liaise with health and social care professionals and other related statutory, private or volunteer organisations, provide written reports, recommendations and referrals where appropriate.
• Communicate sensitive and complex information regarding rehabilitation to clients, carers, family and other health and social care professionals and organisations.
• Communicate rehabilitation information to clients who have complex, multi-pathology, physical, psychological and emotional needs. This includes clients, family or carers who demonstrate high levels of anxiety, aggressive or challenging behaviour.
• Communicate rehabilitation information to clients, carers and family member who have communication difficulties, cognitive impairment or sensory impairment.
• Effectively communicate (written and verbal) with the multidisciplinary team eg when discharge planning
• Promote and encourage the ethos of rehabilitation with other therapy assistants/ carers/ relatives through demonstration, example and support.
• Actively participate in clinical and non-clinical meetings when required

• Provide services in accordance with the Trusts standards, procedures, policies and objectives of quality assurance and ensure that they are consistent with best practice e.g. NICE, NSFs
• To contribute to the clinical governance agenda and actively participate in service development activities e.g. development of systems and resources.
• Assist in developing and maintaining effective communication links and working relationships with all members of the multidisciplinary team within the trust and external agencies such as other trusts, social services and voluntary sector in order to develop collaborative working.
• Flexibly plan and organise own time to meet Service needs.
• Maintain high level of efficiency and effectiveness in work area to utilise resources to the full, and report any defects in equipment in a timely manner.
• To take into account the views and wishes of service users, carers and families, respecting their diversity.
• Ensure risk is assessed and managed for self, clients, colleagues and the work environment and to seek advice when necessary.
• To comply with all data requirements regarding all clinical and professional activities.(eg electronic diary appointments and outcoming)
• Complete general department duties e.g. therapy equipment stock supply orders
• Undertake any other appropriate duties as required by the service leads.

Person Specification

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

• A levels, NVQ Level III or equivalent skills in relevant subjects eg biology, social care

Desirable

• Postural stability Instructor qualification

Experience

Essential

• Relevant significant experience working in a health, education or social care setting
• Relevant significant experience working with adults and older people with a physical disability for at least one year
• Experience of administrative work eg filing, typing

Skills

Essential

• Understanding of a wide range of physical and psychological conditions and their impact on a client's ability to undertake every day activities, mobility and communication.
• A basic understanding of Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Nursing and the role of a Therapy Assistant in supporting the rehabilitation team.
• Able to demonstrate and use planning, organisational and time management skills to prioritise and organise client caseloads and competing time and workload demands.
• Able to use analytical and problem solving skills in challenging situations.
• Able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Effective verbal, telephone and written communication skills in English.
• Competent in the use of basic IT including MS Word, email and internet and has the ability to learn other IT skills as required-include mobile device
• Ability and willingness to be flexible in approach to work and to be responsive to changing demands of the service and clients.
• Able to recognise and respect different cultural, religious and personal experiences of colleagues and clients.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Whittington Centre

11- 13 Rutford Road

London

SW16 2DQ

Employer's website

https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx (Opens in a new tab)