Recreational Therapy Assistant

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic, empathetic Recreational Therapy Assistant to support & enhance the psychological wellbeing and reintegration of inpatients within the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre, Salisbury District Hospital.

You will work alongside the Therapy, Psychology and Nursing teams, to offer activities with the aim of helping to maximise the emotional health and functioning of our patients. You will ensure that all activities are patient centred and take into account the varying complex needs of our patients as they adjust to a life changing Spinal Cord Injury.

The ideal person would have some care-related experience, be able to work as part of a team as well as under their own initiative and be looking for a role where they can make a real difference.

Main duties of the job

To enhance the Psychological wellbeing and support the therapy goals of inpatients with Spinal Cord Injury, through recreational interventions.

This will include the responsibility for meeting with the patient shorty after in order to gain an understanding (through a triage process) of their individual recreational interests and emotional needs, taking into account the level of their injury and subsequent barriers to function.

To ensure patients in the Spinal Centre have access to a programme of wide-ranging and meaningful recreational activities planned as part of their rehabilitation.

With support from Therapy and Psychology teams, to plan and enable recreational activities  in collaboration with patients and supporting them as appropriate to their goals.

This will be within and outside the Spinal Centre and will require you to be able to drive the Centre’s minibus (full clean driving licence required, but minibus training will be provided).

Full time hours (37.5 per week) available.  Flexibility regarding hours/days worked (including evenings and weekends) is essential to meet the needs of patients and their chosen activities.

Part time or job share may be considered.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached Job description and person specification for full details of roles and responsibilities.