We have an 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.
Main duties of the job
Following appropriate training and completion of competencies, you will play a key role in the rehabilitation of patients recovering from general surgery. Working under the guidance of qualified physiotherapists, you will:
* Assist patients in restoring mobility and functional independence
* Carry out selected mobility and balance assessments
* Progress patients' mobility and exercise programmes
* Independently manage and discharge appropriate patients
* Participate in multi-disciplinary team (MDT) handovers
* Identify patients for your caseload and escalate those needing physiotherapist review
You will receive regular supervision and ongoing support to ensure you feel confident and competent in your role.
Additional Responsibilities: This role also includes non-patient-facing tasks, such as:
* Monitoring and ordering clinical supplies.
* Cleaning and safety checks of physiotherapy equipment
* Supporting the organisation of cleaning rotas
* Contributing to the monthly physiotherapy assistant team meetings
* Getting involved in the care certificate process
About us
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability confident employer and has been awarded the Gold for the Armed Forces Employment Recognition Scheme. We provide first class development opportunities for all staff and have a wide range of professional, management and leadership, and clinical skills training available.
Here at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, we know how important it is to have a healthy work-life balance; this benefits not only individuals but the patients we care for too.
We encourage applications from people who wish to work on a flexible basis, recognising that flexibility may mean a range of different working patterns and hours, we do our utmost to work with our staff to meet their needs and the needs of our service and its users.
Job responsibilities
Clinical
* After a period of training to be responsible unsupervised for implementing the standards and policies relevant to the specialty working within codes of practice and professional guidelines.
* Within specific guidelines and following training, to be solely responsible and accountable for a clinical caseload working within codes of practice and professional guidelines.
* Following appropriate training you will teach basic breathing exercises for preventative management of post-surgical respiratory complications in patients with a normal respiratory assessment/screen.
* Following appropriate training you will complete transfer assessment & practice with other members of the MDT for patients after amputation surgery.
* You will have the opportunity to assist qualified physiotherapist with out-patient treatments following amputation surgery.
* To seek advice from Senior staff when:
o Progression of a specialised programme of treatment is required,
o Deterioration in the patients' progress has occurred,
o Uncertain on how to proceed.
* To demonstrate a physical ability to carry out physiotherapy interventions and therapeutic handling without direct supervision. There is a frequent requirement to exert moderate physical effort for several short periods of time during a day.
* To be responsible for the safe use of equipment used in carrying out physiotherapy duties adhering to the department's medical devices policy.
Management
* 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.
* 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.
* To work well within the Outpatients team and MDT to provide an efficient and effective service.
* 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.
* To be responsible for cleaning and checking the conditions of relevant equipment.
Administrative
* To undertake administrative duties e.g. basic reception desk cover when necessary, photocopying etc.
* Ordering office/physiotherapy supplies as needed.
* After instruction, being able to use electronic diary system EPIC for making/changing patient appointments and registering new patients on the system.
* After instruction, to be able to locate/enter patient notes on EPIC electronic notes system.
* To organise archiving/retrieval of patient notes, which are stored off-site as and when required.
Please refer to the job description and person specification for further information relating to this role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* GCSE or equivalent qualification to demonstrate numeracy and literacy.
* NVQ3 or equivalent experience.
* Understanding of Confidentiality.
* Understanding of Health and Safety.
* Understanding of Clinical Governance.
* Understanding of some Medical Conditions.
* Associate member of Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
* Documented evidence of C.P.D.
* Experience working on an acute NHS ward as a Band 2 Therapy assistant.
* Clinical Assistant skills in area of rehab: Teaching/supervising/correcting exercise.
* Clinical Assistant skills in area of rehab: Mobilising patients.
* Interpersonal skills to include concise and effective verbal and written communication.
* Organisational skills, good time management, able to prioritise workload.
* IT literate.
* Ability to work single-handed with individuals and groups.
* Logical, able to problem solve.
* Teaching skills.
Professional / Specialist / Functional Experience
* To have experience working as a Therapy Assistant in the relevant specialty i.e. Orthopaedics, Surgery and Medicine.
* To have worked as part of an MDT.
Other
* Willingness to work flexibly. Be able to work at weekends. When required to work as part of a seven days a week team.
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.
£25,883 to £26,958 a year per annum incl HCAS
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