Job summary
The Northamptonshire Community Stroke Team (N-CST) has delivered a robust Integrated Community Stroke Service model (ICSS), as per the national guidelines, for over a decade. N-CST continues to see patients within 48 hours of discharge home, for rehabilitation assessment and intensive goal-based rehabilitation.
The patients time with the team is needs based and patients can access any of the other services they require, regardless of time post stroke. Rehabilitation is completed by a stroke specialist MDT.
Now this service is funded, and as our community stroke service continues to develop and expand and we currently have a vacancy for a highly motivated Band 4 Rehabilitation Practitioner to work with us as we embed these services into our offer.
You will have the ability to work on your own initiative and on your own in patient's homes yet thrive working as part of a team and as a valued member of a multi-disciplinary team. You will possess excellent interpersonal skills and approach your work with energy and enthusiasm. Excellent communication skills and motivation to make a positive change to the quality of life of our local stroke survivors is essential. Experience of delegating programmes to and training support staff will be valuable as will previous community experience.
We provide a countywide seven-day service and weekend working is expected.
Being a car driver is essential. All staff are required to work flexibly across the county.
Main duties of the job
To carry a caseload of non-complex patients, devising and implementing treatment programmes with reference to a qualified therapist
To work without direct supervision, undertaking tasks that fall within the remit of the non-complex patient. This can include frontline initial assessments in the community
Support Therapists and Nurses in the organisation and implementation of interventions to all stroke patients
Contribute to the administration and day to day operation of the stroke team.
Provide effective input into the work of the Trust, to support the achievement of our vision and values
These posts span the variety of roles in the pilot in CST-R, Vocational Rehabilitation, Wellbeing and Peer Support.
CST-R Band 4 roles specifically will have elements of shift pattern working.
Roles that work in VR, Peer Support and Wellbeing, will have working patterns of 08:30-16:30. Allocation of roles will be based on the staff members qualifications and experience.
About us
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Implement and record planned programmes of care and comprehensive functional and mobility assessments of patients as directed by a therapist or nurse.
Assess and make recommendations for equipment, home adaptations, care provision and ongoing rehabilitation, reporting these to a therapist or nurse.
Support patients through instruction and guidance in a range of activities, under the direction of a therapist, in the achievement of identified treatment goals.
Independently carry out visits to patients homes planning and prioritising caseload.
Adapt treatment programmes through evaluation of patients condition.
Carry out 6 month stroke reviews by telephone and home visits.
Provide appropriate advice to patients, their family and carers, teaching and demonstrating the safe use of equipment or other techniques to optimise the patients mobility, functional ability, safety and independence under the management of a therapist.
Build professional relationships with patients, their family and carers, through use of communication, reasoning and negotiating skills, respecting others views, culture and individuality.
Communicate effectively with patients, carers, members of the multi disciplinary team, therapy services colleagues and other agencies.
To identify and employ suitable verbal and non-verbal communication skills with patients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating e.g. altered perception, expressive and receptive dysphasia and fear or inability to accept diagnosis and implications.
Maintain accurate and up to date records of clinical interventions, consistent with legal and organisational requirements.
As part of a team, incorporate up to date therapy, nursing and handling techniques into working practice.
Seek supervision from a Therapist or Nurse to inform analysis and reasoning when complex patient situations are identified.
Provide effective verbal and written reports to therapists and other multi disciplinary team members or at Multidisciplinary meetings relating to the patients performance and progress in their therapeutic interventions.
Respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.
The post holder will demonstrate skills and knowledge beyond that of a rehabilitation assistant. These skills and knowledge will be gained through specific advanced training, experience or formal qualifications.
The post holder will be expected to be involved in the provision of a 7 day service.
The post holder will be required to travel freely across Northamptonshire.
The post holder will be lone working in the community.
The post holder will be required to work between two bases across the county.
Occasional telephone exposure to patients and families who may be distressed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Implement and record planned programmes of care and comprehensive functional and mobility assessments of patients as directed by a therapist or nurse.
Assess and make recommendations for equipment, home adaptations, care provision and ongoing rehabilitation, reporting these to a therapist or nurse.
Support patients through instruction and guidance in a range of activities, under the direction of a therapist, in the achievement of identified treatment goals.
Independently carry out visits to patients homes planning and prioritising caseload.
Adapt treatment programmes through evaluation of patients condition.
Carry out 6 month stroke reviews by telephone and home visits.
Provide appropriate advice to patients, their family and carers, teaching and demonstrating the safe use of equipment or other techniques to optimise the patients mobility, functional ability, safety and independence under the management of a therapist.
Build professional relationships with patients, their family and carers, through use of communication, reasoning and negotiating skills, respecting others views, culture and individuality.
Communicate effectively with patients, carers, members of the multi disciplinary team, therapy services colleagues and other agencies.
To identify and employ suitable verbal and non-verbal communication skills with patients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating e.g. altered perception, expressive and receptive dysphasia and fear or inability to accept diagnosis and implications.
Maintain accurate and up to date records of clinical interventions, consistent with legal and organisational requirements.
As part of a team, incorporate up to date therapy, nursing and handling techniques into working practice.
Seek supervision from a Therapist or Nurse to inform analysis and reasoning when complex patient situations are identified.
Provide effective verbal and written reports to therapists and other multi disciplinary team members or at Multidisciplinary meetings relating to the patients performance and progress in their therapeutic interventions.
Respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.
The post holder will demonstrate skills and knowledge beyond that of a rehabilitation assistant. These skills and knowledge will be gained through specific advanced training, experience or formal qualifications.
The post holder will be expected to be involved in the provision of a 7 day service.
The post holder will be required to travel freely across Northamptonshire.
The post holder will be lone working in the community.
The post holder will be required to work between two bases across the county.
Occasional telephone exposure to patients and families who may be distressed.
Person Specification
Educations, Training and Qualifications
Essential
- Good level of basic education e.g. GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths
- Study to NVQ level 3 or equivalent
- Relevant knowledge acquired through in-service training and short courses
- Relevant training as a therapy support worker/ rehabilitation assistant at band 3 or 4
Desirable
- Relevant stroke specific knowledge acquired through in-service training and short courses
- Relevant stroke specific knowledge acquired through in-service training and short courses
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience working face to face with members of the public
- Experience working as a member of a rehabilitation team
- Band 3 experience in NHS
- Basic knowledge and understanding of the role of the Occupational Therapists, Nurses, Speech and Language Therapists and Physiotherapists in healthcare
- Basic knowledge of stroke
- Understanding/insight into the impact of stroke illness and disability on an individual
- Awareness of risks to Health & Safety
- Understanding of the enabling approach
- Relevant stroke specific therapeutic or rehabilitation skills
Desirable
- Experience working as Band 3 clinical support worker within stroke
- Basic knowledge of human anatomy and physiology
- In-depth understanding of stroke, medications used in stroke and secondary prevention of stroke
- Experience rehabilitating stroke patients within inpatient or community rehabilitation settings
Relevant stroke specific therapeutic or rehabilitation skills
Essential
- Skills to produce clear and concise verbal reports and written documentation of therapy interventions.
- Skills to communicate effectively with patients, carers, team members, therapy colleagues and other agencies
- Skills to work alongside colleagues as part of a multi disciplinary team
- Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
- Self management skills
- Ability to work using own initiative
- Ability to recognise own limitations and level of competency
- IT skills (keyboard, Microsoft word, PowerPoint, email and internet)
Desirable
- Basic supervisory skills e.g. delegation, co-ordination of tasks, organising timetables, managing own diary
- Experience teaching members of the immediate and wider MDT
Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential
- Confident manner with a positive approach and high levels of motivation
- Motivation for continued personal development and learning new skills
- Sensitive manner to be able to treat patients with dignity and respect
- Non-judgemental and able to work with people from a variety of backgrounds
- Flexible and adaptable approach to work
- Professional manner and appearance
- Physical ability to undertake manual handling of patients and equipment on a daily basis in a variety of environments
- Ability to respond positively and adapt to change
- Personal resources to cope when dealing with patients with complex conditions, cognitive impairments, and/or challenging behaviours on a daily basis
- Ability to travel across Northamptonshire: car driver and user
- Personal resources to cope with highly demanding and challenging job with a caseload that may change day to day at short notice and vary in its intensity
Desirable
- Knowledge of Northamptonshire
Person Specification
Educations, Training and Qualifications
Essential
- Good level of basic education e.g. GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths
- Study to NVQ level 3 or equivalent
- Relevant knowledge acquired through in-service training and short courses
- Relevant training as a therapy support worker/ rehabilitation assistant at band 3 or 4
Desirable
- Relevant stroke specific knowledge acquired through in-service training and short courses
- Relevant stroke specific knowledge acquired through in-service training and short courses
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience working face to face with members of the public
- Experience working as a member of a rehabilitation team
- Band 3 experience in NHS
- Basic knowledge and understanding of the role of the Occupational Therapists, Nurses, Speech and Language Therapists and Physiotherapists in healthcare
- Basic knowledge of stroke
- Understanding/insight into the impact of stroke illness and disability on an individual
- Awareness of risks to Health & Safety
- Understanding of the enabling approach
- Relevant stroke specific therapeutic or rehabilitation skills
Desirable
- Experience working as Band 3 clinical support worker within stroke
- Basic knowledge of human anatomy and physiology
- In-depth understanding of stroke, medications used in stroke and secondary prevention of stroke
- Experience rehabilitating stroke patients within inpatient or community rehabilitation settings
Relevant stroke specific therapeutic or rehabilitation skills
Essential
- Skills to produce clear and concise verbal reports and written documentation of therapy interventions.
- Skills to communicate effectively with patients, carers, team members, therapy colleagues and other agencies
- Skills to work alongside colleagues as part of a multi disciplinary team
- Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
- Self management skills
- Ability to work using own initiative
- Ability to recognise own limitations and level of competency
- IT skills (keyboard, Microsoft word, PowerPoint, email and internet)
Desirable
- Basic supervisory skills e.g. delegation, co-ordination of tasks, organising timetables, managing own diary
- Experience teaching members of the immediate and wider MDT
Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential
- Confident manner with a positive approach and high levels of motivation
- Motivation for continued personal development and learning new skills
- Sensitive manner to be able to treat patients with dignity and respect
- Non-judgemental and able to work with people from a variety of backgrounds
- Flexible and adaptable approach to work
- Professional manner and appearance
- Physical ability to undertake manual handling of patients and equipment on a daily basis in a variety of environments
- Ability to respond positively and adapt to change
- Personal resources to cope when dealing with patients with complex conditions, cognitive impairments, and/or challenging behaviours on a daily basis
- Ability to travel across Northamptonshire: car driver and user
- Personal resources to cope with highly demanding and challenging job with a caseload that may change day to day at short notice and vary in its intensity
Desirable
- Knowledge of Northamptonshire
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).
