Healthcare & Therapy Assistant - REACT

Job overview

REACT is based within the community and assesses and supports patients experiencing a short-term physical health crisis to remain in their own home, avoiding an emergency admission to hospital where possible. The integrated, multi-agency team covers a varied caseload, and you will join a team of Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Doctors, healthcare & therapy assistants, social workers and staff from Suffolk Family Carers, Citizens Advice and British Red Cross.

The REACT Service provides 24-hour support, but this role currently includes early shifts (07:00-15:00) and late shifts (14:30 – 22:30) which cover weekdays, weekend and bank holiday working. With a reablement approach our Healthcare & Therapy Assistants support people to regain their level of independence with activities of daily living where possible, or until an alternative care agency can be instigated. Activities of daily living include but are not limited to personal care, meals preparation, medication administration and following therapy care plan for reablement therapy.

Main duties of the job

• The role will involve providing one to one support with patients in their home environment supporting all aspects of personal care and daily activities, using a reablement approach.
• Travelling across East Suffolk to reach patients on the caseload – therefore a full UK drivers licence and access to a vehicle is essential for this role. Mileage will be reimbursed and where available a pool car can be accessed but not guaranteed.
• To develop and maintain a flexible, proactive and positive approach to the role, whilst being innovative and open to change in working practices.
• To take responsibility and ownership of high-quality service delivery, to foster a culture of integrity, be an ambassador for REACT raising the profile for the service and support ESNEFTs trust values.
• Manage an effective interface with colleagues from health, social care and voluntary care services to ensure an integrated approach to a patient centred care.
• Support clinicians by completing delegated tasks, to meet the individual needs of patients and service users. Gaining skills through training, to support areas of, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Dietetics, Mental Health, Medicines and Social Care. These skills may include but not be limited to basic observations, taking ECGs, venepuncture, assisting with medications, care skills, basic nursing needs and supporting with therapy interventions.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You must hold a valid UK driving licence and be able to travel to patients’ homes using either their own car or one of the team’s pool cars. Both teams work across Ipswich and East Suffolk, with a central base in Ipswich with proposed plans for further bases in Woodbridge and Stowmarket.

Please note the successful applicant will be offered either at a Band 2 or Band 3 level depending on your previous experience & qualifications. Band 2 - you are required to have had minimum 12 months care experience but no qualifications required. You will be required to complete the Accelerated Care Certificate to progress to a Band 3. Band 3 - you are required to of had a minimum 6 months NHS experience as well as completing the NHS Care Certificate.

Find out more about working for us in REACT as a Healthcare and Therapy Assistant. https://esneft.pagetiger.com/dwmzbmf/1

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Please watch our YouTube video about the service: REACT - YouTube

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.