Job summary
Various hours available for this post
We are looking to appoint a motivated & forward-thinkingTherapy Assistant to jointhe Neighbourhood Rehabilitation Service (NRS) which encompasses theIntermediate Care team & Long-Term Condition Pathway working acrossBarnsley Community
The teamprovides rehabilitation to patients in their own home & residential care
The serviceprovides specialist community therapy assessment & treatment to improvehealth & independence. In addition, the service offers rehabilitation toenable earlier discharge from hospital or to prevent hospital admission
Thesuccessful applicant will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team alongside Physiotherapists &Occupational therapists across our Neighbourhood Teams
Following initial assessment by a registered health careprofessional, you will exercise initiative & judgement in contributing toenabling service users to reach their potential & develop knowledge to promote holistic care. You will alsobe responsible for co-ordinating the duty rota, distributing shifts & dailyvisits to support workers within the team.
At the time of advertising, this role does meet theminimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates towork in the UK. We look forward to receiving your application.
All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to befully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients.
Main duties of the job
As Therapy Assistant youwill:
Workin close liaison with wider MDT, excellent communication & time managementskills are essential
Provide high standards of safe & compassionate careto people that maximises their rehabilitation potential
Participatein training, education, & clinical supervision to develop skills & knowledge& apply continuous reflection on own practice
Possess high levels of communication skills & excellentinterpersonal skills
Be committed to teamwork & delivering highquality patient care
Exercise a degree of independence, under supervision,using your initiative & judgment when delivering tasks
Develop & maintain meaningful therapeuticrelationships with people & ensure the care experienced is positive & serviceuser safety is maintained
Support & motivate patients to participate in their rehabilitation
The use of a vehicle toundertake any necessary travel in connection with the duties of the post isessential
Hours of work will include weekends & bankholidays
We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. We strongly discourage this and will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.
About us
Weare a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental healthand learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale,Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and arethe lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.
Our mission isto help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do thisby providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employstaff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make adifference to the lives of service users, families and carers.
We encourageand welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we valuediversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.
Beinga foundation Trust means were accountable to ourmembers, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people(including staff) are members of our Trust.
Joinus and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improvingthe mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet andhelp each year.
Weare committedto safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people andvulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share thiscommitment.
We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY
The post holderwill:
underthe supervision/direction of registered health careprofessionals/associate practitioner, within adelegated framework for agreed tasks, seek support as and when necessary, inthe delivery of therapeutic interventions, psychological and physical care to adefined group of people.
as part of a healthcare team, provide thehighest standards of safe and compassionate planned care to people thatmaximises their recovery and rehabilitation potential.
develop and maintain meaningful therapeuticrelationships with people. Adopt a polite, positive and empathetic approach,communicating effectively and informatively.
demonstratean understanding of thecareandtreatment programmes of a designated group of service users to enable you to instruct, advise &guideserviceusers, family and carers. To make the appropriate adjustments independently(within own competence and skill set) and be able to communicate any changesto service users andregistered health care professionals.
be required to concentrate for periods of time,depending upon the care intervention/care plan eg, following the observationpolicy, taking, recording of physical observations etc, and responding toissues of concern appropriately. This may includeareas of work requiring physicaleffort, with regard to risk, health & safety.
exercise a degree of independence,initiative and judgement and consider different approaches when delivering tasks.Assess situations, identify and resolve potential problems, within owncompetence and skill set.
ensure the care experiencedis positiveand service user safety is maintained. Treat everyone eg, service users, their relatives, visitors, colleagues etc, with respect, dignity, courtesyand in accordance with the Trusts Values.
contribute tothe care planning process. Understand the principles underlying care planningeg, enabling the service user to reach an optimum level of functioning/independence/recovery.
implement carewithin well-established policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines andestablished clinical care plans. Organise a range of activities eg, facilitate meaningfulactivities for individuals or small groups.
applyknowledge of longer term health conditions eg, Diabetes, Obesity, smokingcessation etc, providing advice and support.
Undertake thephysical aspects of care eg, moving and handling of service users. Use items ofequipment in delivering care eg, hoists, wheelchairs etc. (as appropriate tothe role), ensuring appropriate instruction on their use has been received.
assist indealing with verbal/physical aggression using de-escalation techniques, this may include the need for restraintand/or seclusion (as appropriate to the role and in line with Trust policy andtraining)
attend to theservice users personal care needs as required
participate ina flexible rostering arrangement providing 24-hour/7 day care (as appropriate to the role)
KEYRESULT AREAS:
Care provision:
To deliver excellent levels of customerservices to people. Assess, problem solve or report, in a timely and proactivemanner, when these standards have not been met.
Work with adegree of independence within defined parameters, as directed by a registered health care professional (orassociate practitioner if part of the team).
Prioritise own tasks,exercising initiative and judgement in response to peoples needs. Refer and seek guidance/supervisionon issues outside ofpost holders level of competency orauthority to more senior health care professionals.
Contribute tothe initial assessment/admission/dischargeprocess and formulation/implementation of individualisedpackages of care to helpmaximise service user recovery/rehabilitation potential.
Act as a link or associate link fora specific areaofpractice(as appropriate).
Clearly, accurately and contemporaneously, contribute to care documents, report observations and other service user information, inwritten and electronic format. Demonstrate competent IT skills, accuratedatainputting and use of the internet.
Accurately record clinicalmeasurements and physical observations (as appropriate), which may include:monitoring of blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiration, weight etc, and handle specimens of bodily fluids. Identifypotential risks and respond appropriately.
Contribute to ensuringservice user needs are met eg, emotional, personal, basic wound care, dietary,environmental etc, ensuring their privacy, dignity, rights and choices aremaintained at all times. Support individuals to self-manage their own healthand social wellbeing and promote individuals positive self-esteem and sense ofidentity.
Participate in the management and support ofindividuals who exhibit challenging behaviour or present a significant imminentrisk to themselves or others. Recogniseand respond to changes in their presentation, including reporting the issue toa registered health care practitioner/associate practitioner as required.Respond appropriately to any emergency situation.
Participate in supportiveobservation/interventions minimising the negative effects of disruptive/abusivebehaviour, or in the prevention and management of violence and aggression(PMVA) (as appropriate). Utilise de-escalation and physical control techniquesas necessary. Taking reasonable steps to protect themselves from the risk ofviolence.
If appropriate to the role, when directed andrisk assessed by a health care practitioner, accompany/escort service userswithin/outside Trust grounds. Apply care principles to enable service user tomeet maximum level of independence.
Ensure action to reduce risks to health andsafety and all possiblestepsare taken in identifying, managing andreporting risks, to help safeguardthe welfare, safety andsecurity ofpeople, eg, children, service users, visitors and staff. Contribute to the reduction of hazards in theenvironment, considering safety, security, theft or damage.
Use effective verbal/written communicationatall times,incorporating tact, empathy, consideration, courtesy and confidentiality.Adapt style of communication to respond to service user communicationdifficulties and psychological, social, physical and spiritual needs.
Work with sensitivity and an understanding ofthe issues experienced by service users.
Ensure movingand handling of people/loads is carried out in a safe and effective manner, inaccordance with policy and training, as directed by a registered health careprofessional/associate practitioner.
Work in a flexible and collaborative manner with others. Adapting to the needs of the service, despite many demands on attention.
Understand the roles and contributions of othercare providers in and outside of the team, enabling those who are significantto the service user to play an active role in their care.
Supportthe Trustsculture of commitment to deliveringquality services and outcomes.
Maintain andcontinuously improve knowledge & understanding of health & social care services; including systems, policy, and current issues,particularly with regard to own area of work and service users.
Make use of opportunitiesfor sharing good practice and learning.
Proactively identify additional activities in accordance with therole, which would increase postholder efficiency and theefficiency of the team; offersuggestions for improvement and implement these activities in agreement with the team.
Undertake any additional duties deemedappropriate to the role.
Working as part of a Team:
Work within other clinical areas as the clinical situation and staffing levels require.
As part of a team,deliverperson centred care whilst meeting the service standards and objectives.
Provide and receive service user informationusing tact, reassurance, empathy and persuasive skills as required.
Co-ordinate the duty rota, allocating dailyvisits and distribution of shifts for support workers within the team, ensuring fairness andequality.
Participate in ward or departmental/teammeetings and offer suggestions for quality improvement.
Contribute to, and makesuggestions about projects, including auditandquality initiatives pertinent to the role.
Contribute to the achievement/improvementof service/quality standards.
Be competent in using and ensure the proper useof equipment eg, hoists, wheelchairs, Trust materials, equipment, property andresources.
Actively engage in goodteam workingto facilitate effective relationships with all health care professionals.
For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached. Person Specification
Personal Attributes
Essential
1. Responsive attitude and approach.
2. Dress appropriately for the environment.
3. A current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).
Training
Essential
4. Must be willing/able to undertake all appropriate Trust mandatory training requirements, and subsequent refresher training relevant to the area.
5. Must be willing/able to undergo job development and training.
6. Demonstrate excellent knowledge of service user safety, eg, Prevention & management of violence & aggression, moving and handling, etc.
Qualifications
Essential
7. GCSE A-D or grade 3-9 in Maths and English or equivalent.
8. RQF(regulated Qualification Framework)NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent relevant to the post.
9. Or, RQF/NVQ level 2 in health and social care with the ability to demonstrate competencies at level 3.
10. Care Certificate or required to achieve within 12 weeks of commencement (where appropriate to the post).
Desirable
11. Level 4 units in Health & Social Care (or other relevant to the post).
12. Experience of the speciality area.
13. Willingness to undertake further study towards level 4 qualification.
Experience
Essential
14. In providing personal care and related procedures for those with health/social needs(where appropriate to the role).
15. In working in a caring environment at a band 2 or equivalent level of competence.
16. In dealing with the public.
17. In working as an effective team member.
18. Of demonstrating own duties.
19. Ability to work effectively, professionally and independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team.
20. In demonstrating initiative, decision-making and prioritisation skills.
21. Evidence of a commitment to user/carer involvement.
Physical Attributes
Essential
22. A satisfactory sickness record over previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
23. Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary).
Special Knowledge/Skills
Essential
24. As appropriate to the role:
25. Demonstrates excellent customer care skills.
26. Enthusiastic, able to work flexibly on a 24hr shift pattern to meet the needs of service users (where appropriate to the role).
27. Demonstrates safe decision making skills commensurate with role.
28. Excellent communicator, numeracy and literacy skills level 3 and good IT/keyboard skills.
29. Diversity/Cultural understanding.
30. Knows responsibilities regarding confidentiality and trust.
31. Resilience to pressure and exposure to emotional, distressing or hazardous situations eg, verbal aggression, body fluids, etc.
32. Non-judgemental, empathetic manner.
33. Demonstrates Trust Values.
34. Excellent interpersonal skills.
35. Good administration and organisational skills.
36. Able to use observation skills to identify potential services user, environmental etc. risks and act appropriately.
37. Able to fulfil the requirements of the value based induction.
Desirable
38. Language skills other than English.
39. Experience of supervising/inducting others.