Therapy Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical

1. To manage and prioritise own patient caseload as delegated by the therapist
2. To process departmental referrals and to pass to the appropriate physiotherapy team i.e. orthopaedic, respiratory, neurology
3. To assist the physiotherapist in the rehabilitation of patients using a range of delegated exercises and manual physical therapy treatments
4. To assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment
5. Deliver individual physiotherapy programmes as provided by the physiotherapist and to instruct patients and carers in the use of these
6. To liaise when appropriate with the physiotherapist regarding patient care. In particular highlighting any variations to expected outcomes from treatment programmes you deliver
7. To be able at times to work without direct supervision in a variety of settings, including wards, clinics and the physiotherapy department and to be responsible for assessing patient progress and reporting back to the physiotherapist
8. To undertake skilled support work to treat patients, both individually or in a group, without direct supervision or the presence of a physiotherapist, making decisions relating to clinical presentation
9. To organise the maintenance, safety checking and repair of physiotherapy aids and equipment, including ensuring that the physiotherapy treatment areas are safe and clean
10. Use effective communication tools, verbal and non-verbal to communicate treatment programmes to patients who may have barriers to understanding or communicating, e.g. deaf, severe learning difficulties, dysphasic or who do not have English as a first language.
11. To communicate sensitive information effectively with patients, carers and multiagency staff and report any relevant details back to physiotherapist maintaining confidentiality at all times.
12. To be able to respond to questions from parents, carers and other agencies appropriately but recognise the need to report and refer back to the physiotherapist as necessary.
13. To contribute to development of patient care by attending relevant team, departmental or other appropriate meetings

Professional

1. Participating in in-service training, meetings and internal/external courses to develop knowledge and understanding on various conditions and physiotherapy techniques. Participate in the training of newly appointed physiotherapy assistants in basic elements of patient care, safety and inducting them into the department.
2. To be aware of Health and Safety aspects of your work and implement any policies which may be required to improve the safety of your work area including your prompt recording of accidents and incidents to senior staff including participating in risk assessments.
3. Actively participate in the PDP process in order to identify personal development plans and training needs.
4. To undergo specific training in order to participate in the physiotherapy computerised booking system, to enable all parts of the booking process to be carried out i.e. acknowledgement, arrangement and changing of appointments
5. Monitor and develop own performance, aiming to achieve and maintain a high standard.
6. To be accountable for all aspects of own work.
7. To participate in in-service training and to contribute to the training programme

Organisational

1. To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date documentation, in line with legal and departmental requirements
2. To be able to receive, transmit, store and retrieve information either on paper, verbally or electronically and have some keyboard skills.
3. To monitor and support ordering both clinical and non-clinical supplies for the department
4. To be actively involved in the collection of data and statistics for the use of the department from within a specific area of work
5. Participate in any audits and surveys within the department as required by the Trust
6. To have knowledge of and comply with organisational and departmental policies and procedures
7. To carry out safety checks of physiotherapy equipment within a designated area and report and deal with faults accordingly
8. Be responsible for departmental administrative arrangements as required e.g. booking meeting rooms etc.
9. To be responsible for the safe use of physiotherapy equipment and aids used by patients in your care, including standing frames, crutches, and orthotics
10. To implement the equipment policy in terms of distribution, monitoring and recording
11. To be responsible for ensuring that physiotherapy equipment and aids used by patients are safe and that patients and carers have been instructed and are competent in their use
12. To attend Mandatory Training required by the Trust and incorporate within working practices. This includes Child Protection training and work in accordance with the national guidelines.
13. All individuals will have some risk management responsibilities with which you are required to comply, for details of your responsibilities please refer to the current Risk management strategy which is available on the intranet and in the local strategies folder.
14. The Alder Hey Childrens NHS Foundation Trust is committed to supporting all staff to balance work and other life needs. This is the responsibility of all employees and will be achieved by consultation, open communication and involvement of all team members

Person Specification

Essential

Essential

• Level 2 Qualification/Functional Skills/Level 2 Apprenticeship
• Experience of working in a caring environment with children
• Evidence of good communication skills both written and verbal
• Practical knowledge in relevant area/courses e.g., child protection/moving and handling

Desirable

• Experience of working with children with a disability
• Understanding of basic paediatric medical conditions

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Alder Hey Hospital, Eaton Road, Liverpool

Liverpool

L12 2AP

Employer's website

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