Job summary
We have a exciting role for a Physiotherapy Assistant to join our friendly Physiotherapy team. You will play a key role in facilitating patients to reach their goals and discharge from Wexham Park Hospital, with a key support role in the inpatients team.
We are looking for candidates with good communication skills and the ability to work flexibly. Good written, computer, organisational and time management skills are essential. The successful candidates should be able to work independently and as part of a team.
Please include in your supporting information section of your application your understanding of a Band 3 role within the NHS and also include any experience you feel relevant to this role.
Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
Main duties of the job
Following appropriate training, you will assist in the rehabilitation of a variety of patients within the general surgery caseload to help restore their normal level of mobility and function. Having completed your competencies you will work independently with the support of a physiotherapist available as required. The band 3 role will include new mobility or balance assessments as selected by the physiotherapist, the progression of mobility and exercise, discharge of appropriate patients. You will be required to complete MDT hand over and identify patients that are suitable for yourself and those requiring a review by a qualified physiotherapist.
You will be provided with regular supervision and support within the team.
There are some non patient facing jobs involved in the role such as monitoring stock, ordering supplies, cleaning and checking of equipment. You will also have the opportunity to experience additional roles such as involvement with the care certificate, contribution to the monthly physiotherapy assistant team meetings and the organisation of cleaning rota's.
About us
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust provides NHS hospital services for around 900,000 people across Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey and south Buckinghamshire.
As well as delivering excellent general hospital services to local people, we provide specialist heart attack, vascular, stroke, spinal, cystic fibrosis and plastic surgery services across a much wider area.
We have three main hospitals - Frimley Park in Frimley near Camberley, Heatherwood in Ascot and Wexham Park near Slough.
Our three core values, and the behaviours that support them, guide everything we do and set out what we expect of our staff in the way they treat patients, visitors, service users and each other, Committed to Excellence, Working Together and Facing the Future.
We are also proud to host the Defence Medical Group South East at Frimley Park with military surgical, medical and nursing personnel working alongside the hospital's NHS staff providing care to patients in all specialties
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Clinical
1. After a period of training to be responsible unsupervised for implementing the standards and policies relevant to the speciality working within codes of practice and professional guidelines.
2. Within specific guidelines and following training, to be solely responsible and accountable for a clinical case load working within codes of practice and professional guidelines. This includes patient documentation in both professional and medical notes and recording contacts on EPIC.
3. Clinical caseload work will mainly include management of the following patient groups, from assessment through to hospital discharge:
Pre- or post op breast surgery
General surgery patients
Patients of other surgical specialties
4. Following appropriate training you will teach basic breathing exercise for preventative management of post-surgical respiratory complications in patients with a normal respiratory assessment/ screen.
5. Following appropriate training you will complete transfer assessment & practice with other members of the MDT for patients after amputation surgery
6. You will have the opportunity to assist qualified physiotherapist with out-patient treatments following amputation surgery
7. To seek advice from Senior staff when: Progression of a specialised programme of treatment is required, Deterioration in the patients progress has occurred, Uncertain on how to proceed.
8. To demonstrate a sound understanding of clinical risk and reporting untoward incidents.
9. To demonstrate a physical ability to carry out physiotherapy interventions and therapeutic handling without direct supervision. There is frequent requirement to exert moderate physical effort for several short periods of time during a day.
10. To be responsible for the safe use of equipment used in carrying out physiotherapy duties adhering to the departments medical devices policy. This includes competency and accuracy to use equipment by you and other healthcare professional, carers and patients.
This job will involve occasional exposure to unpleasant working conditions bodily fluids, including sputum, unpleasant smells and occasional exposure to hostility in the form of verbal and physical aggression
Management
11. After a period of time in post, to be delegated a caseload to treat on a daily basis. This may include responding to urgent referrals and occasionally unpredictable work patterns, liaising with the Senior Physiotherapist.
12. After a period of training in post and with some assistance from the Senior Physiotherapist, to be able to prioritise clinical work and balance other patient related and professional activities in accordance with the departments requirements. This will require occasional concentration in an unpredictable environment.
13. With some assistance to be able to manage potentially upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner including but not limited to elderly, confused patients and neurological events.
14. To work well within the Outpatients team and MDT to provide an efficient and effective service
15. To be involved in the implementation of department policies and the yearly performance plan.
16. To maintain and provide accurate and timely statistical information.
17. To participate in the Trust Appraisal Scheme as an appraisee.
18. To ensure that all equipment defects, accidents and complaints are reported to your line manager and the Physiotherapy Manager immediately to ensure that appropriate action may be taken.
19. To be responsible for cleaning and checking the conditions of relevant equipment
Administrative
20. To undertake administrative duties basic reception desk cover when necessary, photocopying etc
21. Ordering office / physiotherapy supplies as needed
22. Collect and manage patient feedback questionnaires / responses etc.
23. After instruction, being able to use electronic diary system EPIC for making / changing patient appointments and registering new patients on the system
24. After instruction, to be able to locate / enter patient notes on EPIC electronic notes system
25. To organise archiving / retrieval of patient notes, which are stored off site as and when required
Communication
26. To liaise with all members of the MDT with regard to patient care.
27. To communicate effectively with other disciplines both internally and externally to ensure a comprehensive, seamless approach to care.
28. Under indirect supervision to be able to communicate information to patients, carers and other staff.
29. To ensure timely and effective communication with the Physiotherapy Manager and Senior Staff on all professional matters.
30. To maintain an accurate record keeping system in line with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy standards and local guidelines.
31. To attend and be an active participant in speciality and departmental staff meetings.
32. To use interpreters when required to ensure effective communication occurs with patients who are hard of hearing or do not speak/understand enough English for the purposes of consent and co-operation for treatment.
33. To be pro-active in reading minutes of meetings that occur outside of your working hours/during leave and in keeping up to date with information.
34. To report all complaints/incidents to the immediate senior member of staff and document accordingly.
35. To liaise with Information Governance regarding retrieving patient notes from off site documentation storage as and when required
Education
36. To be responsible for and actively record your own personal development.
37. To participate in the in-service training programme and be pro active with regard to learning from Senior Staff within the unit/department.
38. To attend external courses where appropriate giving feedback from any attended.
39. When required to have work experience students working alongside you on the unit.
Research/Audit/Quality
40. In line with the Trusts commitment to Clinical Governance to participate in the departments clinical audit programme.
41. After a period of time in post to initiate audits relevant to your caseload.
42. To participate in the specialities annual quality and audit plan which, as part of the performance plan, is monitored on a quarterly basis.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
43. GCSE or equivalent qualification to demonstrate numeracy and literacy.
44. NVQ3 or equivalent experience
45. Understanding of Confidentiality
46. Understanding of Health and Safety
47. Understanding of Clinical Governance
48. Understanding of some Medical Conditions
Desirable
49. Associate member of Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
50. Documented evidence of
Competencies
Essential
51. Experience working on an acute NHS ward as a Band 2 Therapy assistant
52. Clinical Assistant skills in area of rehab: Teaching/supervising/ correcting exercise
53. Clinical Assistant skills in area of rehab: Mobilising patients
54. Interpersonal skills to include concise and effective verbal and written communication
55. Organisational skills, good time management, able to prioritise workload.
56. IT literate
57. Ability to work single handed with individuals and groups.
Desirable
58. Logical, able to problem solve.
59. Teaching skills
Professional / Specialist / Functional Experience
Essential
60. To have experience working as a Therapy Assistant in the relevant speciality Orthopaedics, Surgery and Medicine
Desirable
61. To have worked as part of an MDT
Other
Essential
62. Willingness to work flexibly. Be able to work at weekends. When required to work as part of a seven days a week team.