Job summary
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.
Main duties of the job
1. This post involves working within the Community Stroke team in clients' homes and residential homes under minimal supervision providing rehabilitation and care.
2. Supporting therapists and nurses in the implementation of rehabilitation and reablement care packages to stroke patients in their own homes or place of residence to promote independence.
3. Contribute to the administration and day to day operation of the NGH Community Stroke Team
4. To work a variety of shift patterns which includes weekends, bank holidays on a rota basis.
We provide a countywide seven-day service and weekend working is expected.
Being a car driver is essential. You will need to own your own car and have a valid UK full driving licence to work in this role.
There are three location teams to cover the county and elements of working from home. All staff are required to work flexibly across the county.
About us
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
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. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provide goal-based reablement packages of care to individuals post stroke for a period of 6 weeks at a time. This could involve physical manual handling, assisting with activities of daily living, medication prompting, food preparation and household domestic tasks as designated in the care plan by a Nurse, Therapist or Care Manager. This list is not exhaustive.
Follows rehabilitation plans as directed by a therapist or Nurse to provide goal-based rehabilitation to patients within their homes or place of residence.
Assess and make recommendations for equipment, home adaptations, care provision and on-going rehabilitation, reporting these to a Therapist, Registered Nurse, or care manager.
Deliver, fit, and demonstrate basic equipment to client and appropriate others, ensuring client safety.
Provide appropriate advice to patients, their family and long-term carers, teaching and demonstrating the safe use of equipment or other techniques to optimise the patients mobility, functional ability, safety, and independence under the supervision of a therapist.
Implement and record planned programmes of care and rehabilitation to patients as directed by a Nurse, Therapist or Care Manager including the use of paper notes, electronic notes, telephone, email, and virtual platforms.
Support patients through instruction and guidance in a range of therapeutic activities, under the direction of a therapist, in the achievement of identified treatment goals.
To involve clients and carers in the planning of care/rehabilitation programmes and encourage self-management where appropriate.
Build professional relationships with patients, their family and carers, through use of communication, reasoning and negotiating skills, respecting others views, culture, autonomy and individuality.
Able to communicate effectively with patients who have speech, cognitive or behavioural issues and implement ways of promoting effective communication.
Recognises potential communication barriers and identifies and employs suitable verbal and non-verbal communication skills with patients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating altered perception, expressive and receptive dysphasia and fear or inability to accept diagnosis and implications
Listens actively to clients to establish an understanding of their needs to help them make informed decisions about their care.
Gains client trust and consent prior to procedures so can administer planned care.
To be an advocate for clients, making team members aware of any concerns if it is in the clients best interest.
In an emergency, institutes an immediate response including CPR where necessary.
Person Specification
Educations, Training and Qualifications BSc Honours (or equivalent) in Occupational Th
Essential
5. Good level of basic education GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths.
6. Study to NVQ level 3 or equivalent experience.
Desirable
7. Training as an Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language or Physiotherapy clinical support worker at Band 2 or 3.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
8. Experience working face to face with members of the public.
9. Experience working as a member of a team.
10. Recent NHS experience.
11. Experience working in a community health or social care setting.
12. Experience of working with individuals with stroke.
13. Experience of working as a carer.
14. Basic knowledge and understanding of Stroke.
15. Basic knowledge and understanding of the role of the Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Physiotherapists in healthcare.
16. Awareness of risks to Health & Safety in the community.
Desirable
17. Experience working as Band 2 or 3 clinical support worker within Therapies and/or stroke.
18. Awareness of the impact of stroke on an individual.
19. Good experience of working with community health care teams.
Skills
Essential
20. Skills to produce clear and concise verbal reports and written documentation of therapy interventions..
21. Skills to communicate effectively with patients, carers, team members, Therapy colleagues and other agencies..
22. Skills to work alongside colleagues as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
23. Ability to work using own initiative.
24. Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
25. Ability to follow a rehabilitation care plan.
26. Basic IT skills, including use of Word and Outlook.
27. Regularly move and handle clients that may require moderate physical effort, in confined spaces and often unsuitable environments, using relevant practical experience, equipment and skills that enable optimum safety and best practice..
28. Evidence of good communication and interpersonal skills.
29. Able to demonstrate a commitment to equality and diversity.
Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential
30. Demonstrates appropriate emotional self-regulation and maintains professional boundaries at all times.
31. Able to cope with the changing demands and unpredictable nature of the service.
32. Confident manner with a positive approach and high levels of motivation.
33. Sensitive manner to be able to treat patients with dignity and respect.
34. Non-judgemental and able to work with people from a variety of backgrounds.
35. Physical ability to undertake manual handling of patients and equipment on a daily basis in a variety of environments.
36. Willing to work to meet the needs of the service (to include evenings, weekends, bank holidays).
37. Be a team player and support colleagues as required.
38. Able to work autonomously at other venues. Able to travel around Northamptonshire between clients' homes and to transport equipment required.
Desirable
39. Knowledge of Northamptonshire.