The Northamptonshire Community Stroke Team (N-CST) has delivered a robust Integrated Community Stroke Service model (ICSS), as per the national guidelines, for over a decade. N-CST continues to see patients within 48 hours of discharge home, for rehabilitation assessment and intensive goal-based rehabilitation. The patients' time with the team is needs-based, and patients can access any of the other services they require, regardless of time post-stroke. Rehabilitation is completed by a stroke specialist MDT, that includes Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Nurses, Rehabilitation Practitioners, Rehabilitation Assistants, and Admin staff. The team also has face-to-face exercise groups and six-month reviews.
This post involves working within the Community Stroke team in clients’ homes and community settings such as their workplace under minimal supervision providing rehabilitation and return to work support.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Support the Occupational Therapist in the implementation and organisation of rehabilitation, managing the caseload, and supporting with timetable planning.
2. Carry a caseload of non-complex patients, devising and implementing treatment programmes with reference to a qualified therapist.
3. Work without direct supervision, undertaking tasks that fall within the remit of the non-complex patient, including frontline initial assessments in the community.
4. Be involved in data collection for audit purposes and support the development of the Community Stroke Team.
5. Implement and record planned programmes of comprehensive functional and mobility assessments of patients as directed by a therapist.
6. Assess residual symptoms and potential impact on working ability.
7. Assess and make recommendations for equipment, home and work adaptations, and ongoing rehabilitation, reporting these to a therapist.
8. Support patients through instruction and guidance in a range of activities, under the direction of a therapist, in the achievement of identified vocational treatment goals.
9. Independently carry out visits to patients’ homes and workplaces or community settings to complete work hardening or work planning sessions.
10. Adapt treatment programmes through evaluation of patients’ condition.
11. Assist the team/nurses in the delivery of psychological interventions as directed by the nursing staff.
12. Provide appropriate advice to patients, their family, and carers, teaching and demonstrating the safe use of equipment or other techniques to optimise the patient’s mobility, functional ability, safety and independence under the management of a therapist in line with vocational goals.
Qualifications and Skills:
1. The post holder will demonstrate skills and knowledge beyond that of a rehabilitation assistant, gained through specific advanced training, experience or formal qualifications.
2. The post holder will be expected to be involved in the provision of a 7-day service.
3. The post holder will be required to travel freely across Northamptonshire and will be lone working in the community.
4. Occasional telephone exposure to patients and families who may be distressed.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative. We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds, ensuring everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Exercise good personal time management, punctuality, and consistent reliable attendance, submitting accurate records of attendance on monthly timesheets. Notify the team leader of sick leave as soon as possible in line with Trust policy.
Contribute towards service development activities through participation in team meetings and service development sessions.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of clinical interventions, consistent with legal and organisational requirements.
Respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.
Adhere to Trust Values at all times to provide the best possible care for patients.
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