Job responsibilities
To assist the Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists with the assessment and ongoing therapeutic management of in-patients. Conditions may include complex permanent disabilities, multiple pathologies, life-limiting conditions and challenging and unpredictable behaviours.
To assist the Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists in delivering a Therapy Service in the IPUs and on pre- discharge assessments of patients in their own homes. Reporting back to the Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists on the outcomes of delegated treatments.
To work as part of the multi-disciplinary team supporting registered health practitioners, contributing to the effectiveness of team working in the rehabilitation and care of older people.
The post holder should work flexibly, with the potential for 7 day working/working across other In-Patient units across the Trust, as service needs require
Clinical
To work under the direction of the Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists.
To understand the basic aims of treatment for individual patients carrying out pre set activity, set out by the Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists.
To deliver a range of treatments including therapeutic handling and positioning and group work as delegated by an Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists. This will include mobilising and manoeuvring people on a daily basis in a variety of positions, including bending, crouching and on the floor.
Encourage patients independence by practicing activities of daily living and mobility.
Demonstrate an awareness of the potential for key patient harms eg pressure ulcers, falls, Venous Thrombosis Embolism , catheter related urinary tract infections and to report and act on it within professional boundaries.
Accompany the Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists on home visits as requested.
To organise and monitor an effective system for reviewing and allocating patient equipment, ensuring it is clean, in good condition and of a safe standard.
To participate in multi-disciplinary team working and to deputise for the Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists at their request at multi-disciplinary team meetings.
To communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise rehabilitation potential. To recognise barriers to understanding and employ alternative communication systems or seek advice.
To communicate simple information to the patient, families, carers and staff regarding functional activity.
To report changes in patients conditions immediately to the Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists responsible and to report to the nurse in charge where appropriate.
To show sensitivity to the cultural and social diversity of patients, families and staff and act appropriately.
To keep accurate up-to-date clinical records in line with the College of Occupational Therapy/Chartered Society of Physiotherapists/Health Care Professions Council, local and national policies and guidelines.
To actively foster equality, diversity and rights of patients throughout their care and the rehabilitation process and have an understanding of the skills and knowledge required to support good practice
To contribute to the protection of individuals from abuse, including monitoring those patients who may be considered at risk of abuse. To report any incidents involving potential or actual abuse using the Trust Incident Reporting Procedure. To have an understanding of the skills and knowledge required to support good practice and apply as necessary.
Professional
To work in accordance with the Rules of Professional Conduct and Standards of Practice st out by College of Occupational Therapy/Chartered Society of Physiotherapists/Health Care Professions Council.
To be responsible for CPD by developing and maintaining skills, through mandatory training, experiential learning, in-service training and courses and to record the evidence of Lifelong Learning.
To keep up to date with current knowledge and advances in Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists and NHS.
To actively participate in Clinical supervision.
To maintain high quality services to our patients, every member of staff should establish good working relationships and clear communication with colleagues, other departments, external organisations and the public.
Organisational
To organise and prioritise caseload as allocated and delegated by the Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists.
To order equipment at the Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists request, maintain stock levels and check and follow up delayed or incorrect deliveries.
To collect and input statistical data, as required by the Therapy Clinical Leads, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists to retrieve information for the purpose of audit and research by others.
To be responsible for handling money and issuing receipts to patients & carers purchasing slippers.
To provide cover for Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Assistants within their allocated in-patient areas and across the other in-patient areas within the Adults and Community Division as necessary.
To maintain the cleanliness and tidiness of equipment and the working environment.
To make and receive telephone calls, as necessary.
To promote the role of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Assistants.
Environmental and Personal Factors
Be able and willing to sustain moderate to intense physical effort throughout the day, including mobilising and manoeuvring service users, working on the floor and at low levels on a daily basis.
Additional duties
To undertake other duties commensurate with this grade of post in agreement with the relevant line manager.
To minimise the Trusts environmental impact wherever possible, including recycling, switching off lights, computers, monitors and equipment when not in use. Helping to reduce paper waste by minimising printing/copying and reducing water usage, reporting faults and heating/cooling concerns promptly and minimising travel. Where the role includes the ordering and use of supplies or equipment the post holder will consider the environmental impact of purchases.
Key Relationships
To establish effective working relation with the multi disciplinary team, the wider Therapy team and all internal and external agencies, sending timely referrals and sharing information as appropriate.
Performance Management
All employees have a responsibility to participate in regular appraisal with their manager and to identify performance standards of the post.
As part of the appraisal process every employee is responsible for participating in identifying their own training and development need to meet their KSF outline.
Health & Safety at Work
Attention is drawn to the responsibility of all employees to take reasonable care for the health & safety of themselves and other people who may be affected by their actions at work.
Equal Opportunities
Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust is committed to being an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from people irrespective of age, gender, race and disability.
Safeguarding
It is the responsibility of all staff to safeguard and protect children and adults at risk at all times and staff must report any concerns as per Safeguarding Children and Safeguarding Adults polices, which are available on the Trusts intranet. Every member of staff must undertake regular mandatory safeguarding training at a level relevant to the role.
Smoking
The Trust operates a No Smoking policy.
Mobility
Whilst the post holder will be based at one of the in-patient facilities, this is a Trust wide appointment and travel around the Trust may be required.
Confidentiality
Your attention is drawn to the confidential nature of information collected within the National Health Service. The unauthorised use or disclosures of patient or other personal information is regarded as gross misconduct and will be subject to the Trusts Disciplinary Procedure and, in the case of both computerised and paper-based information, could result in a prosecution for an offence or action for civil damages under the Data Protection Act 1998.
Sustainability
The Trust attaches great importance to sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility. It is therefore the responsibility of all members of staff to ensure that the Trusts resources are used efficiently with minimum wastage throughout their daily activities
Dignity in Care
Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust (BCHC) is committed to providing dignity in care for all our patients and service users across the Trust.
All staff, workers, volunteers, students and individuals undertaking work experience/shadowing, irrespective of the role they specifically undertake, are required to adhere to BCHCs vision, values and professional standards. This also involves working with and alongside colleagues and partners, demonstrating a duty of candour (i.e. honesty and straightforwardness), openness and accountability in order to achieve high quality and the best possible care outcomes for our patients, service users and the local community.
Job Description
This job description will be subject to discussion and reviewed on an annual basis within the appraisal process.
Please see attached Job Description and person specification
