Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an integrated multi-disciplinary team at the Royal Sussex County Hospital working Intensive Care and on our Respiratory and Medical Wards.
You will work with a multidisciplinary team comprising of nurses, doctors occupational therapists, physiotherapists and therapy assistants. This enables close multidisciplinary working to achieve combined goals, effective discharge planning and improved patient flow from our wards.
Our support workers are upskilled to carry out comprehensive, generic assessments with the aim to deliver highest standards of patient care, as well as promoting service and professional development to further enhance both clinical and non-clinical skills.
Main duties of the job
- To work as part of the Intensive Care and Surgical Physiotherapy Team providing a high quality and comprehensive therapy service to patients. May also work alongside/within other inpatient physiotherapy teams depending on service requirements.
- To work with adults with varied conditions, predominantly surgical but may also include orthopaedic, medical, elderly rehabilitation, amputees, neurological, cardiac etc.
- To work alongside the MDT and be confident with assessing and issuing basic Occupational Therapy equipment as service needs require.
- 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 be involved with data collection/audit to monitor service, general statistic collation and outcome measures the team are using.
- To be prepared to participate in future 7-day service provision if applicable.
About us
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & 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, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme,for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - 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 & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop.We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/
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
- 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 regularly with the Physiotherapist to discuss patient progress, particularly any variation in the treatment delivered or deviation from the expected outcome of the treatment plan.
- To recognise improvements and deterioration in patients condition and act appropriately by informing relevant team members and supervising Physiotherapist.
- To be able to read and interpret monitored information to ensure patient and therapist safety during therapy session e.g. BP, HR, Temperature, SpO2 etc.
- Read, monitor and safely disconnect/reconnect equipment knowing when it is acceptable to do so to enable therapeutic treatment to take place in an appropriate setting.
- To take responsibility for ongoing assessment, treatment and evaluation of referred patients.
- To anticipate and plan/facilitate discharge of delegated patient caseload e.g. issuing equipment, discussing with inpatient team and make ongoing referrals as appropriate.
Is aware of own scope of practice and seeks advice when situations move outside of the scope.
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 appraisals, 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, slide boards, floor pedals, and weights.
- Read, monitor and safely disconnect / reconnect equipment, knowing when it is acceptable to do so to enable therapeutic treatment to take place in an appropriate setting.
- Be able to read and interpret monitored information to ensure patient and therapist safety during therapy session e.g. BP, HR, SaO2 etc.
- To understand the relevance of the therapeutic potential of equipment within treatment planning.
- Be competent to set up and operate therapeutic and gym equipment in line with the Trusts Health & Safety Guidelines. E.g. monitoring and maintaining the safety and condition of the equipment.
- To assess, measure, label, adjust to size and issue walking aids as appropriate and various standard splints.
- Take leadership during tasks undertaken with colleagues e.g. functional transfers, general mobility and gait re-education advice.
- To support Physiotherapist by undertaking skilled Physiotherapy techniques e.g. exercise instruction, gait re-education and functional transfers with individuals.
- To work collaboratively with relevant Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Professionals (e.g. health care assistants, occupational therapy assistants, nursing staff, and Orthotists) to assist achievement of patient centred goals and maximising the patients potential.
- Educate patients, on a range of topics covering Physiotherapy techniques, e.g. Exercises, mobility activities including using walking aids and indoor and outdoor mobility.
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
- 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 regularly with the Physiotherapist to discuss patient progress, particularly any variation in the treatment delivered or deviation from the expected outcome of the treatment plan.
- To recognise improvements and deterioration in patients condition and act appropriately by informing relevant team members and supervising Physiotherapist.
- To be able to read and interpret monitored information to ensure patient and therapist safety during therapy session e.g. BP, HR, Temperature, SpO2 etc.
- Read, monitor and safely disconnect/reconnect equipment knowing when it is acceptable to do so to enable therapeutic treatment to take place in an appropriate setting.
- To take responsibility for ongoing assessment, treatment and evaluation of referred patients.
- To anticipate and plan/facilitate discharge of delegated patient caseload e.g. issuing equipment, discussing with inpatient team and make ongoing referrals as appropriate.
Is aware of own scope of practice and seeks advice when situations move outside of the scope.
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 appraisals, 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, slide boards, floor pedals, and weights.
- Read, monitor and safely disconnect / reconnect equipment, knowing when it is acceptable to do so to enable therapeutic treatment to take place in an appropriate setting.
- Be able to read and interpret monitored information to ensure patient and therapist safety during therapy session e.g. BP, HR, SaO2 etc.
- To understand the relevance of the therapeutic potential of equipment within treatment planning.
- Be competent to set up and operate therapeutic and gym equipment in line with the Trusts Health & Safety Guidelines. E.g. monitoring and maintaining the safety and condition of the equipment.
- To assess, measure, label, adjust to size and issue walking aids as appropriate and various standard splints.
- Take leadership during tasks undertaken with colleagues e.g. functional transfers, general mobility and gait re-education advice.
- To support Physiotherapist by undertaking skilled Physiotherapy techniques e.g. exercise instruction, gait re-education and functional transfers with individuals.
- To work collaboratively with relevant Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Professionals (e.g. health care assistants, occupational therapy assistants, nursing staff, and Orthotists) to assist achievement of patient centred goals and maximising the patients potential.
- Educate patients, on a range of topics covering Physiotherapy techniques, e.g. Exercises, mobility activities including using walking aids and indoor and outdoor mobility.
Person Specification
Experience/Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant healthcare qualification i.e. Level 3 Diploma in Allied Healthcare Support OR Health care related qualification at NVQ level 3 or above OR Previous MSc/BSc in Physio or OT or Sports rehab
Desirable
- Equivalent experience at Band 3 Physio assistant or Occupational Therapy Assistant
Skills non-clinical
Essential
- Experience of working in a team
- Ability to recognise a potentially serious situation and when to seek advice.
- Ability to communicate effectively with different types of people e.g. patients, patient relatives, Doctors, Nurses, colleagues etc
- High degree of digital literacy
Skills clinical
Essential
- Previous clinical NHS/Healthcare environment experience
Desirable
- Previous healthcare related courses Basic understanding of exercise rehabilitation
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Essential
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Person Specification
Experience/Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant healthcare qualification i.e. Level 3 Diploma in Allied Healthcare Support OR Health care related qualification at NVQ level 3 or above OR Previous MSc/BSc in Physio or OT or Sports rehab
Desirable
- Equivalent experience at Band 3 Physio assistant or Occupational Therapy Assistant
Skills non-clinical
Essential
- Experience of working in a team
- Ability to recognise a potentially serious situation and when to seek advice.
- Ability to communicate effectively with different types of people e.g. patients, patient relatives, Doctors, Nurses, colleagues etc
- High degree of digital literacy
Skills clinical
Essential
- Previous clinical NHS/Healthcare environment experience
Desirable
- Previous healthcare related courses Basic understanding of exercise rehabilitation
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Essential
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
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.
