Senior Therapy Assistant (Acute)

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic Therapy Assistant who would like to join our friendly and supportive Acute Stroke Therapy Team at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary. The role involves working alongside the physiotherapy and occupational therapy team.

Experience of working in a relevant health related area (stroke or neuro) in an acute hospital setting is essential for this post.

The post is for 30 hours per week and would be worked over 7 days Monday to Sunday.

Please note this vacancy may close before the advertised closing date if a sufficient number of suitable applications are received.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidates will:

Have varied duties (both clinical and non-clinical) and will be involved directly in the immediate assessment, care and treatment of patients. This will be under the supervision of qualified therapists.

Have a caring and considerate manner, which is essential to the post.

Be expected to have a good level of general education, basic computer literacy and knowledge of Therapy interventions.

Have previous experience of working in a Therapy or healthcare rehabilitation environment or relevant area.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

Key results from the job holder

• To contribute to the overall Therapy process by carrying out routine assessments and procedures within agreed competency levels
• To carry out information collection from patients/relatives as requested by Therapy staff
• To follow treatment plans as prescribed by Therapy staff and identify and select activities that meet treatment goals
• To work independently in a clinical setting with an assigned routine caseload, under the direction of a therapist
• Instruct patients in the use of equipment and techniques to promote independence

Planning and Organisational Duties

• To be responsible for preparation of materials and equipment in order to carry out treatment sessions
• To contribute to the day-to-day organisation of activities within the team which contributed to the smooth running of the service
• To be responsible for specific routine tasks as delegated
• To attend regular meetings e.g. staff meetings, support and development groups.
• To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent and reliable attendance

Communications and Key Working Relationships

• To work as a member of the Therapy team and communicate relevant information to team members
• To be able to communicate effectively in a variety of ways with patients to gain co-operation and understanding of treatment programmes
• To maintain good working relationships
• To establish therapeutic relationships using negotiating skills in order to complete treatment activities
• To report back to Therapy staff on all treatment activities either verbally or in writing as required
• To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of clients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.

Responsibility for Finance

• To identify deficits in resources required to carry out the job and bring to the attention of the Therapist
• To be responsible for the monitoring of materials and equipment and maintain stocks.
• To maintain timely statistics and other records as requested by the Therapy Service and the Trust.

Responsibility for Human Resources

• To maintain portfolio of competencies showing evidence of life long learning
• To participate in clinical supervision sessions highlighting development needs
• To comply with annual IPR and appraisal system
• To contribute to the induction of new staff.

Responsibility for Health & Safety

• Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 – the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

Responsibility for NHSLA

• To support Therapy services, as requested, in quality activities within the team
• To comply with professional, organisational and departmental standards, policies and procedures.
• To maintain accurate and comprehensive patient treatment records in line with Trust Policies and Therapy Standards of Practice

Responsibility for Teaching

• To participate in and contribute to the training and education of students and other staff.

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.