Job Summary
We have a fantastic opening for a Band 4 Therapy Assistant Practitioner working in our busy Urgent Medicine Team
We are looking to appoint a passionate, highly motivated, and proactive Band 4 Therapy Assistant Practitioner to work within our well-established therapy team. You will be working in a fast-paced environment in the Urgent medicine team. Carrying out patient centred assessment and treatment to improve patients’ functional outcomes and discharge from hospital to the right place at the right time, supported by qualified Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy staff.
Main duties of the job
To accept patients referred to by the ward staff, Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist and hold responsibility for own caseload, mainly working without direct supervision but with regular liaison with the Therapist. At these times, access to advice and support from a Therapist is available if required. All clinical work is routinely evaluated and monitored by an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist on a regular basis
To accept patients referred by the Multi-disciplinary Team and relay all necessary information to the Therapists to allow timely interventions.
To treat all patients according to set treatment protocols, monitor progression and make alterations as required within agreed parameters.
To develop and maintain competencies through continuing professional development (CPD)
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.
You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.
We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.
All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
- As a highly skilled support worker, assist the Occupational Therapists and/or the Physiotherapists in the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of patients in order to maximise their potential.
- To hold delegated responsibility for the therapy management of a discrete area of the service.
- To Carry out individual programmes as established and delegated in broad terms by the Therapist, having the ability to teach and demonstrate specific exercises and techniques to patients and assist the patient in regaining independence in respect to activities of daily living.
- To obtain a daily hand-over report of current and new patients within the designated areas from the appropriate source.
- To screen and prioritise new referrals for discussion with the Therapists. To screen and prioritise daily caseload for ward areas as necessary.
- To attend Board Round and gather and share information to the MDT.
- To conduct initial interviews and extract relevant information accurately from the patients medical notes and nursing documents.
- Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
- Complete relevant outcome measures, such as MOCA or Barthel.
- Monitor and analyse the patients condition during and following treatment. This necessitates the ability to record, understand and interpret clinical observations e.g. blood pressure.
- To use clinical reasoning skills to alter / progress treatment, complete the required discharge reports/DPNs within the post holders scope of competence and within treatment parameters agreed by the Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist.
- Following discussion with the Therapist responsible for the patient, to provide feedback to the ward staff about the patient transfers, mobility and any relevant social history in order to ensure efficient sharing of information.
- To demonstrate and fit standard mobility and functional equipment and provide and / or order equipment as required.
- To check all equipment prior to use and report any faults to the relevant authority.
- To accurately prescribe, order, complete and process equipment orders on a timely basis.
- To assist with the provision of basic wheelchairs – on loan from the department and/or for issue via the equipment service.
- Be responsible for the set up of the basic wheelchair with any relevant accessories.
- To conduct stair assessments with other therapy assistants or students, analysing and reporting findings to the therapist.
- To conduct functional assessments, including wash/ dress and kitchen assessments on the ward, analysing and reporting findings to the Occupational Therapists.
- To assist the Therapists when necessary during home visits, analysing and reporting back the outcomes and discuss appropriate actions.
- To independently complete access visits when necessary, analysing and addressing care outcomes appropriately, and discuss with the therapist.
- To attend and actively participate in the decision-making and discharge process at MDT meetings and case conferences.
- To maintain up to date, comprehensive and accurate patient treatment records. In accordance with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) standards and departmental policies.
- To conduct clinical treatment with respect to individual patients dignity, privacy and cultural needs at all times.
- To have a sound working knowledge of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) and the availability of follow-up rehabilitation and treatment services.
- Make timely and appropriate referrals to MDT and community colleagues either independently or as directed by an Occupational Therapist/ Physiotherapist, using the agreed documentation.
- To cope with unpleasant working conditions, for example: Odours.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Education to GCSE standard or equivalent to include English at grade C or above
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Wide ranging and comprehensive experience as Technical Instructor/ Independent Support Worker (Band 3) within relevant speciality e.g. frailty, orthopaedics, neurology, community rehabilitation
- Experience of manual handling and issuing equipment.
- MDT experience
Desirable
- Experience of rapid assessment and discharge from ward areas
- Rapid assessment and discharge from ward areas
- Managing own caseload, making decisions in a fast paced environment e.g. Acute Medicine / ED
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of issues of confidentiality and safeguarding within the healthcare environment
- Sound knowledge of a range of common illnesses, injuries and conditions relevant to the specific area of work
- Sound working knowledge of a broad range of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy treatment and rehabilitation techniques e.g. falls, neurology, fracture management, frailty.
Desirable
- Understanding of quality issues and their implications for services, including clinical audit
Personal skills
Essential
- Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills, and where there may be barriers to understanding
- Able to communicate and disseminate complex information in a group environment and to Senior members of the MDT e.g. Consultants.
- Able to keep accurate and legible patient notes
- Ability to work effectively to deadlines in a fast-paced work environment
- Ability to travel within the community, and move and handle equipment within a domestic situation
- Be able to undertake moderate physical effort throughout day
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Closing Date: 24 September 2024
