Physiotherapy Assistant - Trauma and Orthopaedics

Job overview

We are seeking a Therapy Assistant to join our Trauma and Orthopaedic team on the inpatient wards. In this role, you will work under direct supervision to undertake a variety of activities each day to support our Physiotherapy/Therapy teams to provide excellent patient care. This may include working with another clinician during an assessment or treatment, supporting a patient to complete a prescribed exercise, functional task or mobility plan, undertaking administrative and reporting tasks, and maintaining equipment and stock levels.

It is an exciting time to join our service as the Trust is committed to becoming a designated major trauma centre over the next 5 years, and we have recently opened a new dedicated on-site elective Orthopaedic surgery facility.

You will receive training to undertake this role, working with and learning from staff who are experts in their field, along with junior staff, other support workers and students. You will receive supervision, an annual appraisal and take an active role within your own personal development using our competency framework. Our staff are our greatest asset, and we commit to supporting our staff and investing in their development to ensure that our services continue to improve and evolve.

Post holders will be included in the orthopaedic in-patient weekend and bank holiday roster to fulfil the 7-day working commitments required for this post.

Main duties of the job

• Working under supervision to undertake a variety of clinical tasks to support the delivery of physiotherapy to patients.
• Working under direction to undertake a variety of non-clinical tasks to support the physiotherapy or service.
• To support the delivery of a high quality, safe and compassionate healthcare service, all staff are expected to act as a role model to others in all aspects of their work and consistently demonstrate NNUH’s ‘PRIDE’ values of People focused, Respect, Dedication, Integrity and Excellence.

We deliver services from 8:00 – 20:00 in some clinical areas and staff may be required to be flexible to work early, late or long day shifts. Post holder will be required to commit to 7-day working pattern. A roster is in place for weekend and bank holiday shifts.

People are at the heart of everything we do. We support patients through every stage of their care, ensuring that we address and respect individual needs at every step. This post will provide a variety of clinical experiences within the speciality and multiple opportunities for professional and personal development in keeping with our Trust's strategic objectives. We drive to advance our research capabilities and ensure that relevant research evidence is integrated into clinical practice to aid staff and service development. We have strong links with the University of East Anglia and are involved in research activities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• With support and supervision, manage an allocated workload efficiently and effectively with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.
• To collect relevant patient information from a variety of sources to assist with clinical prioritisation and patient management, e.g. ward handovers, observation charts, medical and nursing records.
• To use good communication to gain valid informed consent prior to undertaking any clinical tasks. With support, to work within the legal framework with patients who lack the capacity to consent to treatment.
• To work under direct/indirect supervision and direction of qualified physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists,  and Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy (Assistant Practitioners/Senior Physiotherapy or  Occupational Therapy Assistants in the performance of specific tasks for individuals or groups of patients as part of treatment and rehabilitation programmes.
• To undertake other duties within the specialty/service.
• To be aware at all times of changes in the patient’s physical and/or psychological condition and respond appropriately.
• To assist in the moving, handling and treatment of heavily dependent patients  who require the use of hoists and patient handling equipment. This includes supporting and stabilising patients as part of their rehabilitation programme

Please refer to the Job Description for the full specification of responsibilities and requirements for this post.

Please note we are unable to offer remote interviews and require you to attend a face-to-face interview for this post. We will also be unable to offer alternative interview dates should you be successful.