Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
An exciting opportunity has arisen for compassionate and enthusiastic Band 4 Therapy Assistant Practitioner to join the expanding Therapy Team at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
This post is for the newly opened Aintree Reablement Unit on ward 17 at Aintree Hospital. The focus of this ward is to reduce deconditioning whilst discharge planning in parallel to this. There is a strong MDT focus, working together to promote patients' independence by using a strong reablement approach.
The successful candidates should have a minimum of two years' therapy experience in a health care setting and will be responsible for their own ward-based caseload providing direct Therapy intervention for an identified patient group under the supervision of a registered Therapy practitioner. They will be part of a multidisciplinary team providing high quality care.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential to complete comprehensive assessments and to support and motivate patients to participate in therapy programmes.
Qualifications: You will need Foundation degree or equivalent.
Main duties of the job
This post is currently Monday to Friday 8am - 4pm but with the long term vision being a 7 day service. Therefore the successful candidate would be expected to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service.
1. To take responsibility for own caseload providing direct Therapy intervention for an identified patient group under the supervision of a registered practitioner.
2. To be accountable for own clinical practice whilst undertaking the assessment and treatment/intervention of identified patient group within agreed parameters and defined protocols of care.
3. To work independently within the multidisciplinary team setting, reporting back patient progress and informing therapists of any problems.
4. To support registered staff in the administrative duties required for the functioning of the Therapy Department.
5. To participate in and contribute to training, audit and service development.
The posts are full time; however, requests for part-time and flexible working patterns will be considered.
About us
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was created in October 2019 following the merger of two adult acute Trusts, Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust.
The merger provides an opportunity to reconfigure services in a way that provides the best healthcare services to the city and improves the quality of care and health outcomes that patients experience.
It serves a core population of around 630,000 people across Merseyside as well as providing a range of highly specialist services to a catchment area of more than two million people in the North West region and beyond.
Job responsibilities
1. Under the instruction of the qualified therapist assist in carrying out care and exercise programmes with patients in a manner that respects their abilities, privacy, dignity and individuality.
2. To manage the rehabilitation of patients as delegated by the qualified therapist, working without direct supervision and being responsible for assessing the progress of patients, reporting back to the therapist.
3. To be responsible for specific tasks within the overall treatment programme, e.g. gait assessment, stair assessment, strength and balance assessment and advise / arrange the supply of assistive equipment.
4. To liaise regularly with the qualified therapist regarding treatment progression and ongoing care, reporting to therapist and the multidisciplinary team any lack of progression or negative changes in patients' ability to undertake treatment sessions.
5. Treat patients individually or in a group in a variety of settings with indirect supervision from the qualified therapist.
6. To work as a member of the therapy team and multidisciplinary team, sharing information with team members and prioritising workload accordingly.
7. To ensure effective internal and external communication with patients, carers and all other Health and Social Care Professionals regarding all aspects of patient care.
8. Providing and receiving complex information which requires empathy and reassurance, communicating where there may be barriers to understanding.
9. Undertake home visits as directed by the qualified therapist, arranging transport and completing relevant documentation.
10. To assess patients' and carers' safety in use and suitability of equipment within patients' home environment and advise on environmental hazards.
11. Issue and retrieve therapy equipment in department, ward or home setting keeping accurate records of this activity.
12. Ensure equipment is clean and fit for its purpose for individual treatment sessions.
13. To co-ordinate and undertake the regular maintenance and cleanliness of the working/treatment areas with the co-operation of the Health Care Assistants.
14. Assist patients to access and use toilet facilities.
15. Transport patients safely between ward, clinics and treatment areas as requested.
16. To receive and prepare patients for therapy treatments.
17. To prepare and maintain equipment and the treatment areas including household duties.
18. Maintain accurate and timely records of treatments undertaken by self.
19. To monitor and maintain stock levels of equipment and supplies, within the Therapies department by processing orders as agreed with the Therapy Manager/Team Leader.
20. Contribute to development of patient care by attending relevant team, departmental or other appropriate meetings and participate in discussions to improve service provision.
21. To teach and advise carers and other health care staff to ensure provision of good patient care.
22. To accurately manage the filing system of patient records within team.
23. Locate, record and return therapy treatment records and patients' medical records when necessary. This post will be subject to an enhanced (or standard) disclosure check with the DBS.
This job description is intended as a general guide to the duties and responsibilities of the post and not a rigid, inflexible specification. It may be subject to revision to meet the changing needs of the service, following consultation with the post holder. Through the course of your employment, you may become aware of information concerning patients or staff. All such information must be treated as confidential. Breach of this confidence may result in dismissal.
Clinical Governance / Quality
1. To comply with the health and safety policies of the trust including attendance at mandatory training sessions as specified by the trust.
2. To comply with departmental and organisational policies and procedures.
3. Ensure all accidents, incidents and hazards are reported and dealt with according to Trust requirements.
4. To gain valid informed consent in line with trust and departmental policy.
5. To comply with the Data Protection Act and Caldicott recommendations.
6. To maintain accurate documentation in line with local policies and procedures.
Education and Training Development
1. To participate and contribute in relevant in-service training programmes.
2. To attend relevant courses as identified and agreed with senior staff and managers.
3. To participate in staff appraisal sessions.
4. To contribute to the induction and training of new staff and students assigned to the team.
Person Specification
Experience
* Experience of therapy work in a health care setting.
* Experience of issuing and retrieving patient equipment.
* Experience of carrying out mobility and exercise programmes.
Knowledge
* Knowledge of care agencies and how to access them.
* Able to demonstrate awareness of current NHS issues.
Skills
* Capable of working on own initiative.
* Able to communicate written information clearly.
* Ability to work flexibly and prioritise workload.
* Good level of admin/clerical skills.
* Able to work as a team member.
* Evidence of organisational abilities.
Other
* Willingness to work flexibly.
Qualifications
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.
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
£26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum, pro rata (Annex 21)
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