Technical Instructor | Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust in Cheshunt

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to patients' lives and to be part of a platinum accredited service providing excellent patient care. You will be part of the therapy team carrying out initial and functional assessments, guiding rehab and working closely with our team of physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

To provide support, assessment and treatment for patients within their own homes. To undertake a clinical caseload using knowledge and skills from theoretical and practical experience. To work without direct supervision on own caseload within a specified clinical area undertaking tasks delegated by a qualified clinician. To act as a first contact in certain situations. To provide appropriate aspects of exercise, activity and treatment programmes which may be prescribed by a clinician, with the overall aim of further rehabilitation and optimising potential. To carry out non-clinical activities which facilitate the efficient running of the team (for example Clerical support). To participate in clinical supervision, and service-level education to ensure that clinical practice is maintained to a high standard.

You will be managing your own caseload with support from qualified therapists. This includes falls prevention, mobility assessments and rehabilitation, plus provision of basic equipment and walking aids. We offer opportunities for further development supported by our friendly and progressive team.

This post requires visits to patients in their own homes, therefore a full valid driving licence and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

JOB PURPOSE: To provide both clinical and administrative support to other team members and carry own caseload under guidance of qualified allied healthcare professionals.

JOB SUMMARY: To assist qualified allied health professionals, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dietitians and speech and language rehabilitation in a variety of settings. To work without direct supervision within a specified clinical area undertaking tasks of assessment and treatment of own caseload as delegated by a qualified allied health professional. To pre-screen patients including gathering of information, blood pressure monitoring and performing delegated outcome measure testing. To act as first contact in certain situations. To assist in delegated data collection. To communicate with relevant medical and nursing staff, social workers and other health care professionals, and patient’s relatives and carers who may be in direct contact with the post holder with regard to patient care. To accompany patients on home visits prior to discharge and communicate with relatives and carers regarding continuation of treatment at home. This post requires the post holder to work within a 7-day service.

SPECIFIC CLINICAL DUTIES: To work without direct supervision, but under the direction of the qualified staff in the performance of specific tasks for an individual or group, as part of their treatment and rehabilitation programmes. It will include both individual one to one sessions and group sessions. To be responsible for a designated caseload of patients, and to organise this efficiently and effectively with regard to clinical priorities and use of time. To undertake routine assessment of patients using investigative and analytical skill, under guidance of a qualified allied health professional. To formulate a standard individual management and or treatment programme, under guidance of a qualified therapist. To carry out rehabilitation programmes, in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team, working towards patient focused goals agreed within the team to facilitate coordinated care. To contribute to the discharge planning process in collaboration with other members of the multidisciplinary team; to ensure safe and effective discharge. To maintain comprehensive and accurate assessment and treatment records in line with legal and departmental and Trust requirements and communicate assessment and treatment outcomes appropriately in the form of letters and reports. To maintain a high standard of clinical care. To teach the use of walking aids, exercise equipment and aids and adaptations, including assessment and teaching of safety factors. To use video filming or photography as part of assessment and outcome measure. To be responsible for regular safety checks of equipment.

EDUCATION: To attend organised training sessions, including all mandatory trust training and any appropriate in-service training arranged by the service. To participate in the appraisal system and Personal Development Programme. To maintain own continuing professional development (CPD). To develop and enhance skills and incorporate them as necessary into everyday practice. To maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development. To develop links with other therapy support staff for peer support and training. To identify and meet objectives for personal development together with qualified staff. To provide advice, teaching and instruction to patient’s relatives, carers and other professionals. To be involved in the training, development and supervision of therapy and rehabilitation support staff.