Therapy Assistant

Job summary To provide support to Therapists in a variety of settings inthe provision of high quality interventions to meet the needs of patientsrequiring physiotherapy and occupational therapy in community services To provide holistic care for clients withoutdirect supervision but accountable at all times to the responsible therapist Main duties of the job Responsibilities: To assist in the delivery of core programmes of clinicalcare and participate in service improvement and development initiatives.
To work within amulti-agency, multi- disciplinary framework of nursing, social work,therapy, residential, administrative and support staff.
Client Group: Comprehensive portfolio ofrehabilitation, and case management services to primarily housebound andrehabilitation patients requiring support in the community or communitysettings including wards About us If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the managerYou must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checksWe provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham.
We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-representedFrom April 1 2024 we are unable to offer sponsorship for healthcare roles that do not meet the minimum salary, If you are in the UK on a VISA please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents Job description Job responsibilities Provide therapy care to patients, their families and carersfollowing assessment of their health and health related needs, undertaking arange of clinical care duties.Demonstrate the ability (with training if necessary) to undertake basicclinical activities such as venepuncture, simple wound dressings, blood glucosemonitoring (this list is not exhaustive.Report to a registered therapist any variation in thecondition of the patient that might indicate a change in the patients healthstatus and subsequently require further assistance.Support user/patient involvement and participation in areasof responsibility.
To always endeavour to promote independence and motivateclient choice within their limitations.
To support / enable clients to achieve their optimumfunctional level and assist clients with all aspects of personal hygiene andgrooming; preparation of meals and monitoring of eating habits and foodconsumption.
To be aware of the clients dietary requirements.
To carry out home visits independently for the fitting andadjustment of a range of equipment.
You will be responsible for teachingpatients and carers in the safe and appropriate use of equipment and reinforcerehabilitation aims.To be responsible for own safe and appropriate use ofequipment.
To maintain equipment in a clean and safe condition.To communicate with all clients including those who may havespeech, hearing, learning difficulties or a mental health illness.
Within the boundaries of delegated responsibility andcompetency provide care and perform interventions that will contribute to thedelivery of the patients care needs.Evaluate personal performance in a reflective manner toensure continued personal development and the maintenance of an up to dateknowledge base.Accurately record all clinical interventions and patientrelated activity in line with the organisational policies on record keeping.Clinical QualityPromote and support the effective implementation of allOrganisational Policies and Procedures.Support the development and maintenance of a learningenvironment within the integrated team that is appropriate for the developmentneeds of all members.Participate in health promotion and informed patient choiceso that these are encouraged and developed to their maximum potential, withinthe available resources.Participate in an integrated approach to clinical qualityissues.Participate in appropriate clinical teaching packages forstaff across both Health and Social Care teams.To practice in accordance with organisational policies andprocedures.ResourcesSupport efforts to ensure effective partnership workingbetween Health and Social Care colleagues as well as other key services andagencies.Supports an effective system of annual appraisal andpersonal development plans for all staff within the team in order that thedevelopment needs of both the individual and the team are identified and met.Support an effective two-way network of communication bothwithin and without the team that ensures that all members are appropriatelyinformed of salient community/team issues.Support and promote a team culture which actively encouragesempowerment thereby supporting and facilitating change.Support the provision of a high quality, value for money andeffective service within available resources.Supports the effective utilisation of information technologysystems to ensure the provision of accurate clinical and statistical data.DevelopmentTo support an environment that enables the achievement ofthe desired philosophy of care through a multidisciplinary/multi agencyapproach.To participate in clinical supervision.To contribute in identifying own development needs on anannual basis in line with the Trusts appraisal scheme.To develop a self-awareness of interpersonal skills inrelation to cultural values and beliefs of others.
Person Specification Qualifications Essential Continuing Professional Development Diary including evidence of reflective practice, training and clinical experience Desirable Recognised relevant academic qualification An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS FT, its culture, strategic direction achievements and NHS standing Experience Essential Relevant experience in physical rehabilitation including recent general rehabilitation and community rehabilitation.
Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team Evidence of communication skills within a wide variety of settings Desirable Experience in working in a variety of settings with evidence of generic transferrable assessment and treatment skills between physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
Evidence of NHS experience.
Special Skills and Knowledge Essential An understanding of legal responsibilities within the profession Able to present information, written and orally in a clear and logical manner Ability to organise and prioritise Ability to maintain high levels of concentration Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and carry out concurrent activities IT skills Desirable Innovative approach to working life Able to use own initiative appropriately to enhance service delivery Presentational skills Evidence of working across professional boundaries Knowledge of system one for documentation.
Special Requirements Essential Ability to travel and carry small items of equipment on a daily basis to fulfil the requirements of the post.
For overseas applicants you must have the appropriate paperwork/ visa to work in the UK, sponsership via the trust is not applicable given the hours of the post.
Desirable Ability to travel and carry small items of equipment on a daily basis to fulfil the requirements of the post.
Ability to meet the travel requirements of this post