Therapy Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

Under the instruction of the qualified Therapist assist in carrying out care and exercise programmes with patients in a manner that respects peoples abilities, privacy, dignity and individuality.

Treat patient individually or in a group in a variety of settings with supervision from the qualified Therapist e.g. outpatient department, ward, hydrotherapy and critical care.

To liaise regularly with the qualified Therapist regarding treatment progression and ongoing care. Reporting to Therapist any lack of progression or negative changes in patients ability to undertake treatment session.

To work as a member of the therapy team and multidisciplinary team, sharing information with team members.

Assist on home visits under the direction of a qualified Therapist or technical instructor and arrange transport and complete relevant documentation.

Issue, fit and retrieve Therapy equipment under the supervision of a qualified Therapist in ward or home setting keeping accurate records of this activity.

Ensure equipment within department is clean and fit for its purpose.

Assist patients to access and use toilet facilities.

Transfer patients safely between ward, clinics and treatment areas as requested.

To receive and prepare patients for therapy treatments.

To prepare and maintain equipment and Therapy treatment areas including household duties.

To ensure effective internal and external two-way communication with patients, carers and all other health and social care professionals regarding aspects of patient care, providing and receiving complex information which requires empathy and reassurance, communicating where there may be barriers to understanding.

Maintain accurate and timely records of treatments as directed by the qualified Therapist.

To order therapy equipment and supplies under the direction of Technical Instructor/Therapist and authorised signatories.

To participate in departmental planned out of hours working (optional)

Clinical Governance

To comply with the health and safety policies of the Trust including attendance at mandatory training sessions as specified by the Trust.

To comply with departmental and organisational policies and procedures.

Ensure all accidents, incidents and hazards are reported and dealt with according to Trust requirements.

To comply with the Data Protection Act and Caldicott recommendations.

To maintain accurate documentation in line with local policies and procedures.

To gain valid informed consent in line with Trust and Departmental Policy.

Training & Development

To actively participate in mandatory and in-service training programmes.

To attend relevant training courses as identified and agreed with senior staff and managers during staff appraisal sessions.

To participate in staff appraisal sessions.

To participate in the therapy assist rotational scheme which involves working across the Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Trust in a range of ward settings and outpatients departments.

To contribute to the induction and training of new staff and students assigned to the team.

See Job Description for further information.

Training role consideration:

We will consider the offer of training posts if they do not meet the criteria at interview. Staff will be remunerated to reflect the training element of the post and will only be transferred to a band 3 pay scale on successful completion of the training - this can take between 12 and 18 months.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 3or equivalent

Experience

Essential

• Experience of dealing with the public in service delivery
• Experience of working in the public sector

Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy

Desirable

• Able to demonstrate awareness of current NHS issues

Skills

Essential

• Capable of working on own initiative
• Able to communicate written information clearly
• Basic IT skills.
• Able to work as a team member
• Excellent communication skills
• Evidence of organisational abilities

Other

Essential

• Reliable
• Willingness to work flexibly
• Ability to meet physical requirements of the job 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.

Employer details

Employer name

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Aintree Site, LUHFT

Longmoor Lane

Liverpool

L9 7AL

Employer's website

https://www.liverpoolft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)