Job responsibilities
General requirements
To communicate effectively and work collaboratively, as a practitioner, with health, social care and voluntary team colleagues to assist in the delivery of a co-ordinated multi agency service within the complexities of a community environment and care pathways
To work as an autonomous practitioner and as a lone worker in the community
To independently implement therapy intervention and care packages according to agreed plans , requesting support from the therapists as required and being aware of own limitations.
To undertake administrative and any other duties, which may be allocated by the Operational Team Manager within the general scope of the post, and appropriate to the grade, after negotiation, adequate training and appropriate supervision (e.g. lead projects to review and improve service delivery)
Principal duties
Clinical:
To manage a designated caseload of adult clients with neurological presentations under supervision and delegation, working in conjunction with other members of the team and seeking support as required
To demonstrate initiative and contribute towards ensuring a high standard of clinical care for clients receiving therapeutic programmes as part of inter/multidisciplinary working.
To work generically assisting OT, PT, SLT and Psychology staff as appropriate to area of work.
To accept clinical responsibility for patient case load and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time, asking for support when necessary.
To be legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients in your care ensuring a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management.
To complete clinical outcome measures under the direction of qualified Therapists in order to achieve goals with patients.
Undertake day to day assessment of patients mental health and physical levels of function and their capacity to undertake activities and modify treatment appropriately and according to senior guidance.
To demonstrate awareness of mental capacity, informed consent and the legal framework required for clients who lack capacity to consent to treatment, requesting support from qualified Therapists as appropriate.
To demonstrate awareness of when patients require further assessment by a qualified therapist or other external health/social care professional, liaise with senior staff and complete onward referrals as appropriate.
To demonstrate a broad knowledge of conditions and disorders observed in people with Long Term Neurological Conditions.
To demonstrate skills in dealing with disclosure of complex, sensitive or contentious information by clients and carers. To recognise the importance of passing this to qualified staff.
To communicate effectively and work collaboratively, under professional guidance, with health, social care and voluntary team colleagues to assist in the delivery of a co-ordinated multi agency service within a community environment and care pathways
Under professional guidance, to provide planned advice, teaching, training and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals, to ensure a consistent approach to patient care and treatment e.g. moving and handling, use of communication aids, strategies for cognitive deficits.
To prepare and compile materials/equipment for use in therapy e.g. communication charts and aids, as required by therapists.
To provide therapeutic interventions in working conditions which may frequently be hazardous e.g. exposure to body fluids, aggressive persons, visits to high risk areas and associated travel risks.
To undertake frequent therapeutic handling and moving of patients, with or without aids and equipment utilising moderate physical effort within clinical and non-clinical settings. This may involve bending, kneeling or frequent repetitive activities often in confined restricted places.
To work with patients, carers, relatives who may have barriers to understanding, distressing or challenging social/clinical circumstances or behaviours.
To be responsible for the day to day planning, management and prioritisation of own workload, under guidance and supervision from senior staff on a regular basis.
To be an active member of appropriate clinical working groups within LTNC to ensure policies, procedures and governance are maintained in daily practice.
To organise and plan appropriate venues for the provision of group activities taking into account patients physical and mental health capabilities, under guidance from senior staff.
To demonstrate effective infection control and hygiene practice of self and equipment.
To monitor stock and maintain equipment, making recommendations about ordering.
To contribute to the effective selection and ordering of equipment, its fitting and safe instruction in its use to patients and carers.
To develop dexterity, co-ordination and sensory skills for manual treatment of patients with LTNC.
To demonstrate auditory and perceptual skills when working with clients with communication difficulties.
To maintain and update technical skills e.g. use and modification of equipment and software
To demonstrate skills to enable the client in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure.
To provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to the clients social and physical environment under direction and guidance.
Leadership:
To actively contribute towards service and operational development through leadership forums e.g microsystems, peer supervision, research and project management
To promote the understanding of the role of the therapy assistant to therapy students and other health and social care staff.
To promote awareness of your role within the team, locally and nationally.
Service development
To participate in designated projects in relation to service design, development and delivery within LTNC services.
To participate in research and audit projects relevant to LTNC services. To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date data and statistics for the use of the department
To comply with the requirements of SHSC in relation to policy, governance and legislation and to review and update policy and procedure as appropriate e.g infection control, information governance etc
Professional:
To ensure client confidentiality when dealing with complex cases, multiple agencies and the community setting.
To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of work including confidentiality, note writing and in line with professional codes of conduct.
To promote awareness of the role of the post holders profession within the team, trust, locally and nationally.
To contribute towards supervision and assessment of students from Higher Education institutions and work collaboratively towards standards of clinical and professional tutoring.
To participate in the staff appraisal scheme, Personal Development Plan (PDP), LTNC staff induction, provision of clinical and professional supervision to junior staff and contribute to training programmes for Long Term Neurological Conditions staff.
To comply with requirements for clinical supervision and reflect, under guidance from senior staff on ethical issues through evidence collected in supervision notes. To contribute to peer supervision across LTNC services
To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of clients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.
