Rehabilitation Assistant

Job overview

Surrey Downs Health & Care

We are looking for a Rehabilitation Assistant to join our busy Community Therapy Team within the Cobham and Oxshott Primary Care Network. You will mainly work with the Physiotherapists , but will also work closely with OT, and nursing team.

We provide rehabilitation services for adults with health conditions and can see patients in an out-patient setting, in their own home, or in any appropriate community setting for example Care homes. You will work alongside qualified staff and also other Therapy Assistants, but will also work independently following instructions from qualified staff.

Previous experience of working in the community with patients is an advantage, but not essential, as full training will be given. This post is not suitable for qualified Physiotherapists. Good communication skills, both written and verbal are essential, as is car owner/ driver.

Main duties of the job

• To carry own patient caseload, treating patients under the guidance of a qualified therapist. Monitor the patient and report any changes to the senior therapist, in order to maximise each individual patient’s functional ability.
• To undertake specific skilled support work to aid the rehabilitation of patients living in their own homes. Where patients have complex needs, this is carried out in conjunction with qualified clinicians.
• Enable the delivery of effective and efficient rehabilitation teamwork to patients whilst providing appropriate support and communication to relatives and carers.
• To participate in creating a culture of patient centred rehabilitation and enablement rather than being cared for and use every opportunity to promote a healthy lifestyle and prevent accidents.
• To support qualified clinicians with administrative tasks, audit, information gathering.
• To support / lead teaching classes for those patients that are able to attend an outpatient setting. Training will be provided.
• To be competent in the prescription of small aids under the guidance and supervision of a qualified therapist.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To carry out basic assessments of patients’ needs as directed by Qualified Clinicians
• To carry out mobility and transfer assessments for specific pieces of equipment as requested by therapy or nursing staff and report back to qualified member of the team regarding the need for further input.
• To be able to identify more complex issues that need assessment by qualified clinician.
• To implement therapy programmes (as prescribed by the OT or PT) both to individuals and provide feedback to therapists.
• To carry out programmes devised by therapists using a range of techniques which the post holder has been deemed competent to do.
• To review patient progress and provide feedback at all stages of patients progress in caseload discussions.
• To work jointly with clinicians in cases which are complex and may require physical moving and handling as part of their rehabilitation.
• To be responsible for assessing and managing clinical risk in relation own caseload, seeking guidance where appropriate.
• Will not attempt any procedure without appropriate training and being deemed as competent to carry it out
• To contribute to the evaluations of therapeutic interventions including planning discharge:
• To set/ review SMART goals with patients, adapting them as the patient progresses.
• To be able to monitor progress with appropriate outcome measures, adjusting treatment as appropriate.
• To be able to prioritise work - load:
• To plan day-to-day workload.
• To be able to identify factors involved in making decisions with regard to prioritisation.
• To be able to prioritise the referrals to rehabilitation assistants on a daily basis.
• To provide support to clients, their carers, and other professionals involved in a patients care journey:
• To use listening skills and be aware of the issues and of how to respond to questions and anxieties. This requires empathy, sensitivity and good interpersonal skills, especially when a patient has barriers to understanding.
• To liaise with family, carers or other involved with a patients care in order to teach exercise programmes for them to supervise.
• To participate in the multi-disciplinary team within the Dorking Primary care Network Service.
• To maintain timely patient progress notes on EMIS / Systm1
• To abide by the record keeping standards of SDHC
• To be involved in service projects and developments
• To contribute to and support any projects for improving the Community Therapy service.
• To keep clinical skills updated by attending study days and training.
• To maintain personal and professional development
• To take part in CPD
• Attend in-service training above.
• To participate in SDHC’s appraisal scheme and formulate a personal development plan.
• To participate in Clinical supervision.
• To fulfil any specific tasks as requested by the Team Leader or other therapist
• To maintain complete confidentiality of all information concerning patients that may be known or acquired in the course of work as per SDHC policy.
• To adhere to all policies and procedures of the Community Therapy Service.
• To adhere to organisational standards for documentation / writing notes:

Please refer to the Job description and Person specification for more details

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.