Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
This is an exciting opportunity to join Camden's MOSAIC integrated children's service, as a Therapy Assistant.
The post holder will work within the multi-disciplinary team supporting primarily the Speech & Language Therapists, Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist working with children with disabilities and Special Educational Needs.
Main duties of the job
1. To be responsible for direct delivery of therapy programmes and CDT multidisciplinary packages of care, providing individual and group client centred treatment packages and advice to a diverse paediatric caseload, as directed by trained staff members.
2. To assist the running of small therapy groups, for example for children with a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder.
3. To assist the physiotherapy departments with small group hydrotherapy sessions including working in the pool as required.
4. To be responsible for providing parent advice and support in designated areas such as toilet training, and communication supports as directed by CDT clinicians.
5. Using skills developed to continually assess child's progress and contribute to the professional discussion regarding child's response to treatment and their ability for further progress programmes.
6. To have a basic understanding of the clinical features of complex conditions such as autism, Downs syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, severe learning difficulties and various syndromes in order to anticipate health and safety issues which may affect the delivery of therapy programmes.
7. To recognise the boundaries of your role in order to identify those children requiring qualified therapy input, or those needing referral to other agencies.
8. To work with outside agencies, such as nurseries and KIDS, to co-ordinate therapy goals for caseload.
9. To be responsible for the coordination, organisation and overall running of designated Parent Programmes and MDT packages of care.
10. To practice safe manual handling at all times, using the appropriate techniques and adaptive equipment, such as a hoist when required.
11. To make use of alternative means of communication when working with children e.g. Makaton, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and choice boards.
12. To be actively involved in implementing clinical service policies and care pathways.
13. To be an active member of the multi-disciplinary team, and participate in specific projects as agreed and supported by the MOSAIC Service Manager and CDT leads, and participate in service developments, audit and review of the service.
14. To be aware of risk within own caseload including observing patients in all situations applicable to therapy ensuring safety and security at all times and seeking support where it is required.
15. To demonstrate awareness of local safeguarding policies and escalate concerns appropriately.
Communication
1. Be an integrated member of the Child Development Team and Downs Syndrome Pathway and share information with team members as directed and appropriate, keeping confidentiality at all times.
2. To maintain effective communication at all times with staff, patients, carers and external service providers, using all forms of communication available, including e-mail, note writing and telephone.
3. To document outcome of patient intervention sessions in electronic patient records, adhering to local and professional standards, including data protection and confidentiality at all times.
4. To be IT literate and to use Trust IT resources to maintain accurate statistical information as necessary.
5. To communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise rehabilitation potential and ensure understanding of condition.
6. To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical and other therapy colleagues to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated MDT service.
Professional
1. To be able to manage own workload, effectively prioritising between day-to-day admin duties and patient treatment sessions.
2. To support therapy staff in gathering evidence, assisting in clinical audit and developing procedures or resources.
3. To participate in regular supervision from a trained member of staff.
4. To participate in the staff appraisal scheme and personal development planning (PDP).
5. To be responsible for and actively record own continuing professional development (CPD) and maintain CPD portfolio.
6. To have knowledge and understanding of a variety of cultural backgrounds and beliefs in order to respect individual rights and dignity.
7. To be aware of health and safety departmental policies and implement into own work.
8. To implement new practice as requested under guidance.
9. To attend mandatory training.
10. To reflect on practice to aid learning.
11. To adhere to professional, local and trust procedures at all times.
Administration
1. To assist therapists in the department with other administrative duties as requested.
2. To support the administration and organisation of the MOSAIC CDT packages of care.
3. To assist with general light cleaning/tidying tasks with the departmental clinical areas.
4. To maintain resources on behalf of the team for example the ADOS assessment tools and resources, and the linen supply.
Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications
* Basic knowledge of typical child development
* Nursery Nurse (NNEB)
Experience
* Experience working with children with physical or learning disabilities
* Working as part of a MDT Team
* Accessing and producing written information
* Experience of undertaking general administrative duties
* Have basic IT Skills e.g. email, word, excel
* Answering the phone
* Working with children within a nursery setting
* Recent work experience as a therapy assistant/ rehabilitation assistant/ equivalent post in an enabling role
Abilities
* Ability to motivate patients
* Good time management, organisational and prioritisation skills
* Flexible enough to cope with varied demands of the job
* Appropriate and perceptive response to children's needs as well as their families / carers
* Ability to cope with working in stressful environment and with emotional or aggressive patients / carers
* Awareness of the needs of people from different cultural backgrounds
* Know own limitations and be able to ask for help
* Able to work independently and use initiative whilst being willing to seek advice when needed.
* Ability to comprehend and work within Trusts policies, including data protection, equal opportunities and health and safety, to meet the differing needs of the patient.
* Able to carry out concurrent activities (multi-tasking) and work in an unpredictable working pattern
* Positive interest in working with disabled children and their families
Physical Requirements
* Able to complete moving and handling training and comply with moving and handling guidelines for children within caseload
* Able to comply with moving and handling training with regard to moving equipment
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.
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
£29,485 to £31,088 a year per annum incl. HCAS
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