Job summary
We are looking for a motivated Technical Instructor / Support Worker with good acute hospital experience to work within our Inpatient Physiotherapy teams covering the wards at Worthing Hospital. Ideal for physiotherapy university students to work during their course breaks to gain valuable and relevant experience to help them with their career. As this post will offer shifts being on an " As and When needed" basis, fitting around studying. This role will be focused on providing a high standard of Physiotherapy assessment, treatment and evaluation to clients within the Inpatient Physiotherapy service at Worthing Hospital. You will have excellent opportunities for your own skills development, working within a strong and supportive MDT and alongside an established peer group of Physiotherapy Support Workers. This Bank Band 3 position is an excellent opportunity to work within a dynamic, forward looking and innovative department.
Worthing Hospital is in a wonderful location, situated adjacent to the South Downs National Park and the sea and with excellent transport links to London and across Southern England. You will be joining a strong and supportive Physiotherapy team within the top performing University Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We look forward to welcoming you on an informal visit or discussing any aspect of this exciting opportunity further.
Main duties of the job
- To work as part of a Physiotherapy Team providing a high quality and comprehensive therapy service to patients.
- To work with adults and children with varied conditions, including orthopaedic, elderly rehabilitation, amputees, neurological, etc.
- To work unsupervised as well as alongside the qualified physiotherapists.
- To provide information and advice to patients, carers and other health and social care professions on areas within the grades scope of practice, e.g. advise patients on exercise treatment programmes based on procedures and set protocols.
- Take on routine procedural based assessments and implement own treatment programme, through exercises and mobility rehabilitation individually or in groups.
- To regularly evaluate and analyse treatment programmes and modifies them without prior consultation with a qualified physiotherapist.
- To regularly feedback to physiotherapists regarding patients' progress and to feedback to physiotherapists and Lead Physiotherapist regarding how delivery of service and policies impact on patients and the service, to always ensure maintenance and improvement to quality.
- To be involved with data collection/audit to monitor service, general statistic collation and outcome measures the team are using.
- To assist with the clerical and professional administrative tasks required to provide an efficient and effective high-quality service.
About us
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programmefor staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication
- To work collaboratively with relevant Team Professionals (e.g. Health Care Assistants, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Nursing staff, Orthotists) to assist achievement of patient centred goals and maximising the patients potential.
- To communicate effectively with patients with a variety of communication difficulties e.g. blind, deaf, dysphasic, learning difficulties / dementia, and for people who do not have English as their first language, on a one-to-one level and to enable the patient to integrate in group activities. This will involve the effective use of verbal, written, pictorial, tactile and visual communication tools.
- Educate patients and relatives on a range of topics covering Physiotherapy techniques, e.g. therapeutic positioning, exercise, mobility activities including using walking aids and indoor and outdoor mobility.
- Use advanced empathetic, tactful, and interpersonal skills to encourage and empower patients and carers to maximise patients Rehabilitation potential, giving opportunity for unloading / sharing of concerns and issues and providing informal counselling.
- Assist in informative / observational visits, work-shadow sessions, and specific areas of induction process e.g. new members of staff and students.
- Attend Handover & MDT meetings to represent current Physiotherapy management with regards to patient progress and potential and be able to make to decisions within agreed parameters.
- To liaise with other team members with regards to day-to-day issues and department management e.g. prioritisation, staff shortages, increased patient caseload.
- To maintain physiotherapy records in an accurate way, in line with guidelines to ensure identified goals are achieved.
- To be able to manage potentially stressful, sensitive, upsetting, terminal conditions or emotional situations in an empathic manner.
Service Delivery and Improvement
- Contribute to service projects and developments, e.g. collating statistical information for clinical audits.
- To comply with University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust policies and procedures.
People Management and Development
- Participate in the planning and delivery of in-service training.
- Assist in the induction of new staff including advising and demonstrating manual handling techniques and correct use of hoists and other specialist equipment in line with trust health and safety policy.
- Maintain personal development through course attendance, participation in Individual Performance Review (IPR), application in practise of skills and speciality competencies.
- Contribute to the development and delivery of patient care by participating in team departmental or MDT training e.g. through problem solving discussions.
Patient Care Delivery
- To carry own caseload of patients with predictable conditions who require treatments.
- Involved in the Rehabilitation of patients using knowledge of exercise-based therapy techniques.
- To take responsibility for ongoing assessment, treatment and evaluation of referred patients within their scope of practise without prior consultation with a qualified physiotherapist.
- To assist nursing staff and therapists as required regarding day-to-day care of patients, e.g. transfers, maintaining hygienic environment.
- To be able to correctly apply various therapeutic aids as appropriate in discussion with the Physiotherapist, e.g. splints, braces, walking aids, resistance bands, sliding boards, floor pedals, and weights.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication
- To work collaboratively with relevant Team Professionals (e.g. Health Care Assistants, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Nursing staff, Orthotists) to assist achievement of patient centred goals and maximising the patients potential.
- To communicate effectively with patients with a variety of communication difficulties e.g. blind, deaf, dysphasic, learning difficulties / dementia, and for people who do not have English as their first language, on a one-to-one level and to enable the patient to integrate in group activities. This will involve the effective use of verbal, written, pictorial, tactile and visual communication tools.
- Educate patients and relatives on a range of topics covering Physiotherapy techniques, e.g. therapeutic positioning, exercise, mobility activities including using walking aids and indoor and outdoor mobility.
- Use advanced empathetic, tactful, and interpersonal skills to encourage and empower patients and carers to maximise patients Rehabilitation potential, giving opportunity for unloading / sharing of concerns and issues and providing informal counselling.
- Assist in informative / observational visits, work-shadow sessions, and specific areas of induction process e.g. new members of staff and students.
- Attend Handover & MDT meetings to represent current Physiotherapy management with regards to patient progress and potential and be able to make to decisions within agreed parameters.
- To liaise with other team members with regards to day-to-day issues and department management e.g. prioritisation, staff shortages, increased patient caseload.
- To maintain physiotherapy records in an accurate way, in line with guidelines to ensure identified goals are achieved.
- To be able to manage potentially stressful, sensitive, upsetting, terminal conditions or emotional situations in an empathic manner.
Service Delivery and Improvement
- Contribute to service projects and developments, e.g. collating statistical information for clinical audits.
- To comply with University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust policies and procedures.
People Management and Development
- Participate in the planning and delivery of in-service training.
- Assist in the induction of new staff including advising and demonstrating manual handling techniques and correct use of hoists and other specialist equipment in line with trust health and safety policy.
- Maintain personal development through course attendance, participation in Individual Performance Review (IPR), application in practise of skills and speciality competencies.
- Contribute to the development and delivery of patient care by participating in team departmental or MDT training e.g. through problem solving discussions.
Patient Care Delivery
- To carry own caseload of patients with predictable conditions who require treatments.
- Involved in the Rehabilitation of patients using knowledge of exercise-based therapy techniques.
- To take responsibility for ongoing assessment, treatment and evaluation of referred patients within their scope of practise without prior consultation with a qualified physiotherapist.
- To assist nursing staff and therapists as required regarding day-to-day care of patients, e.g. transfers, maintaining hygienic environment.
- To be able to correctly apply various therapeutic aids as appropriate in discussion with the Physiotherapist, e.g. splints, braces, walking aids, resistance bands, sliding boards, floor pedals, and weights.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Completion of Physiotherapy apprenticeship i.e. Level 3 Diploma in Allied Healthcare Support
- OR Health care related qualification at NVQ level 3 or above
- OR Equivalent experience as physiotherapy assistant or Occupational Therapy assistant or Gym Instructor
Desirable
- Previous experience at Band 3 Physio assistant/tech role
Skills non-clinical
Essential
- Understanding of the Job role / Physiotherapy profession
- Experience of working in a team
Desirable
- An understanding or involvement in service development or audit, and an understanding of quality issues
Skills Clincial
Essential
- Previous clinical NHS/Healthcare environment experience
- Basic knowledge of human anatomy and Physiology
- 6 months or more of working as a physiotherapy / occupational therapy or Healthcare assistant delivering patient care.
Desirable
- Previous healthcare related courses
- Basic understanding of exercise rehabilitation
People Management and Development
Essential
- Proactive in own learning and develop knowledge and skills
Desirable
- Evidence of own development of knowledge and skills e.g. Portfolio / CPD (continuing professional development)
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential
- Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of EDI within a Healthcare setting
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Essential
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Completion of Physiotherapy apprenticeship i.e. Level 3 Diploma in Allied Healthcare Support
- OR Health care related qualification at NVQ level 3 or above
- OR Equivalent experience as physiotherapy assistant or Occupational Therapy assistant or Gym Instructor
Desirable
- Previous experience at Band 3 Physio assistant/tech role
Skills non-clinical
Essential
- Understanding of the Job role / Physiotherapy profession
- Experience of working in a team
Desirable
- An understanding or involvement in service development or audit, and an understanding of quality issues
Skills Clincial
Essential
- Previous clinical NHS/Healthcare environment experience
- Basic knowledge of human anatomy and Physiology
- 6 months or more of working as a physiotherapy / occupational therapy or Healthcare assistant delivering patient care.
Desirable
- Previous healthcare related courses
- Basic understanding of exercise rehabilitation
People Management and Development
Essential
- Proactive in own learning and develop knowledge and skills
Desirable
- Evidence of own development of knowledge and skills e.g. Portfolio / CPD (continuing professional development)
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential
- Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of EDI within a Healthcare setting
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Essential
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
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.
