Specialist Therapy Assistant - Acute Inpatients Occupational Therapy Wolverhampton
Job description
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, dynamic and motivated individual to join our busy inpatient team. We are a friendly, supportive and dynamic team; we offer regular individual supervision, opportunities for CPD, annual appraisals, training and regular in-service training.
The successful candidate will work under the supervision of qualified therapists and also independently in providing physiotherapy and occupational therapy treatments to patients across the acute inpatient wards .
Good communication is essential to the role, as you will be delivering individual therapy to patients., and a key member of the MDT on the wards. The role will include performing simple non-complex assessments, progression of treatments, gait re-education, providing mobility aids and equipment to support discharge.
IT skills are essential as you will be required to use digital systems.
Experience in exercise/therapy is desirable and an appropriate qualification such as a Sports Science degree or equivalent.
The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust is one of the largest NHS trusts in the West Midlands providing primary, acute and community services and we are incredibly proud of the diversity of both our staff and the communities we serve. We are building a workforce that can help us to fulfil our values, improve quality of care for patients, and solve the health care problems of tomorrow. We’re passionate about the value that diversity of thinking and lived experience brings in enabling us to become a learning organisation and leader in delivering compassionate care for our patients.
We are delighted that we have been rated as“Good”by CQC. We have achieved numerous awards; The Nursing Times Best Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Best UK Employer of the Year for Nursing Staff in 2020.
The Trust is a supportive working environment committed to creating flexible working arrangements that suit your needs and as such will consider all requests from applicants who wish to work flexibly.
To be the first point of contact for the Occupational Therapist / Physiotherapist as required in area of work.
To manage and prioritise designated caseload, working without direct supervision, however, a qualified therapist would always be available for advice and guidance when necessary.
Take responsibility for the onward referral of patients e.g. to Community agencies and Social Services as necessary and in consultation with the referring agents as required.
To undertake initial interviews or assessments with in-patients.
To take responsibility for carrying out domiciliary visits, if required, without the direct supervision of a qualified member of staff.
To be responsible for the timely provision of equipment e.g. to support discharge if required, and to take responsibility for the prescription and provision of equipment in area of specialty as necessary.
To fit equipment as required, to instruct patients in correct use of any equipment prescribed with in competencies of specialty.
To take responsibility for the re-call of equipment and for the cleaning of any returned equipment.
To monitor stock levels and arrange re-ordering of equipment.
To assist Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist in providing therapy interventions.
Treat patients individually or in a group in a variety of settings without the direct supervision or presence of an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist.
To undertake specific assessment techniques as required with in competencies of specialty. example blood pressure and heart rate.
To attend and actively participate in the delivery of in service training programmes. Training newly appointed Therapy Assistants and others as required in basic elements of patient care, safety and inducting them into area of work.
To undertake discharge follow-up home visit within area of specialty if required.
Encourage patients and their carers in an active approach to regaining and maintaining functionality and personal independence, providing direction and guidance This requires empathy, sensitivity, motivational and interpersonal skills.
Use effective communication tools, verbal and non verbal to communicate treatment programmes to patients who may have barriers to understanding or communicating, or who do not have English as a first language.
Make accurate records of work undertaken and keep monthly statistics as required, including documenting patient contacts in line with professional standards of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) / College of Occupational Therapy (COT) and service standards.
To collate all activity data relating to area of work.
To liaise with the relevant Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist as necessary regarding patient care, in particular highlighting any variations to expected outcomes from treatment programmes you deliver.
To contribute to the induction of new members of qualified staff. Be an active member of the in-service training programme by attendance at, and participation/presentation in, in-service training programmes, tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses and peer review.
Attend multi-disciplinary team (M.D.T) meetings as the Occupational Therapy / Physiotherapy representative for individual patients.
To liaise appropriately with patients, relatives and carers and with the M.D.T.
To supervise other Assistants working in their own team or area, as required.
To be responsible for overseeing the overall housekeeping of the designated area to ensure a clean, safe and tidy environment
To be responsible for checking and maintaining therapy equipment in own working area.
To be responsible for and to undertake any administrative and clerical functions associated with workload.
To accurately record treatment plans and records of treatment in the patients’ notes according to CSP / COT and service standards
To be fully conversant with the teams procedures for dealing with all likely levels of emergency from patient feeling unwell to a cardiac event.
To participate in the appraisal system as an appraisee and be responsible for complying with the agreed Personal Development Plan.
To maintain a record of learning with support as necessary
