Job responsibilities
JOB PURPOSE
To work as part of the therapy team, providing skilled clinical, administrative and organisational support to Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists to aid the rehabilitation of patients.
To accept patients referred by an Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist and to be responsible for these designated patients, planning and prioritising the caseload appropriately.
To treat patients according to set protocols, care pathways and guidelines; assessing and monitoring progress, making alterations to individual treatment programmes as required.
To work unsupervised within guidelines, reporting back patient progress and informing the referring therapist of any non-routine problems and enquiries.
Supervision of clinical activities is mainly indirect.
The post holder will be accountable contractually to their employer and to the law for their actions.
3. JOB DIMENSIONS
Clinical Responsibilities
To be based within therapy services providing skilled support to Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists across the clinical area.
Principally site based there is however an expectation to provide cross site cover as required.
The post holder will provide skilled assessment and intervention to patients following identified care pathways, protocols and guidelines.
Intervention may take place on the wards, clinics, or patients home
Team Responsibilities
Responsibility for administration of short term loan equipment, including stock control, recall and cleaning.
Designated administrative and organisational tasks.
Routine tasks to enable the department to function on a day to day basis.
Participation in projects
Professional Responsibilities
Awareness of Trust objectives & business plan
Participation in meeting service objectives and business plan
Understanding of modernisation agenda and government initiatives
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Essential
Level 3 qualification in relevant health/social care related subject.
GCSE English and Maths grade C minimum or Functional Skills equivalent.
Communication skills - written, verbal and numeracy
Interpersonal skills
Ability to work as part of a team (OT and MDT)
Ability to work independently/manage workload under guidance of Occupational Therapist / Physiotherapist
Ability to respond and act upon feedback from others
Problem solving
Time management
Organisational skills
Show initiative
Adaptable
Demonstrate continued professional and personal development
Ability to move and handle patients and equipment
Maintain confidentiality.
Experience of working in a Healthcare, education or Social Care setting as a carer or similar.
Demonstrate an awareness of people with disabilities and problems
Demonstrate understanding of Occupational Therapy / Physiotherapy
Desirable
Previous experience in an Occupational Therapy / Physiotherapy setting
Information Technology systems
Driving License
Completion of the CARE certificate. Otherwise will be mandatory training requirement during the first 3 months of employment.
8. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS
Communication Skills written, verbal, numeracy
Interpersonal Skills
Ability to work as part of a Team (OT and MDT)
Ability to manage a workload provided by several OTs.
Problem-solving
Creative Thinking
Time Management
Organisational Skills
Administrative Skills
Ability to work within flexible hours
Adaptable
Able to work in a stressful environment
Ability to use initiative
Ability to influence and persuade
Empathy and Sensitivity
Ability to take responsibility for personal development
Ability to move and handle patients and equipment
Strive to empower patients
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Ability to learn
9. CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Understanding of Occupational Therapy / Physiotherapy.
Awareness of the needs and problems of those with illness and disabilities
Awareness of the functional effects of the patient group in the clinical area caused by illness and / or disability.
Diversity awareness
Understanding of Safeguarding requirements
Understanding of legislation, guidelines and protocols that affect the clinical area
Awareness of Health and Safety
9. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Clinical Duties
To carry out skilled assessment and treatment as assigned by a therapist, following set protocols, care pathways and guidelines.
To gain valid informed consent from patients.
To motivate and persuade patients and carers to participate in therapeutic intervention.
To plan and prioritise clinical and non-clinical tasks.
To interpret and analyse information from treatment sessions, judge what to feedback to therapist and how to progress treatment (within written guidelines).
To assess risk factors and judge when to summons assistance, adapt the session, feedback to supervisor
To communicate with patients and carers using a variety of communication strategies and tools to ensure information is understood and treatment is progressed. This will include patients and carers who have difficulties communicating and understanding.
To liaise with and feedback to other team members, internal and external agencies.
To record interventions accurately and timely using team/trust documentation, and complying with Occupational Therapy / Physiotherapy guidelines and legislative requirements.
To be able to work in a stressful environment.
To be able to deal effectively with emotional and/or aggressive patients/ carers.
To participate in ward rounds, case conferences and meetings when required.
To promote Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy as a treatment medium to others
Administrative Duties
To participate in departmental/service developments, projects audit and research.
To refer to internal and external agencies using appropriate referral system as delegated by an Occupational Therapist / Physiotherapist.
To complete activity data using team/trust documentation and outcome measures.
To carry out designated ordering and maintenance of stock,
equipment and resources
To complete tasks delegated by the Occupational Therapist / Physiotherapist as required.
Organisational Duties
To follow infection control procedures for cleaning of equipment.
To follow procedures for equipment maintenance, liaising with agencies as required.
To complete tasks delegated by the Occupational Therapist / Physiotherapist as required.
Occupational Therapy Clinical
To assess specific patients, plan and carryout effective intervention in the most appropriate environment taking into account each patients individual physical, social and emotional needs.
To carry out :
i. Personal care assessments and treatment
ii. Domestic assessments and treatment
iii. Transfer assessments
To assist Occupational Therapists on home/community assessments and if appropriate carry out follow up sessions unaccompanied
To carry out home/community assessments independently for a clearly agreed purpose and to levels of competency
To assess, deliver, fit and demonstrate equipment in patients homes and to provide advice and training for patients and carers as required (to level of competency).
To assist in the planning, preparation and implementation of activities for individual sessions and group work.
To be involved in the multi-disciplinary discharge planning process.
To maintain and monitor Occupational Therapy Wheelchairs.
Physiotherapy Clinical
To carry out the following treatments and progress as required:-
i. Supervision of exercise regimes
ii. Passive movements
iii. Gait re-education
iv. Selection, provision and progression of walking aids (frames, crutches, sticks)
v. Correction of gait deviation
vi. Instruction in the safe use of walking aid including use on stairs
vii. Instruction in transfers, including the use of wheelchair
viii. Stair assessments.
To operate therapeutic transfer equipment such as Sabina Hoists, Arjo Hoists and Tilt Tables.
To assist the Physiotherapist with treatment as instructed.
