Stroke Integrated Therapy Assistant

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Integrated Therapy Assistant (ITA) to join the integrated Stroke therapy team at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. The post holder will be a key member of the integrated Stroke therapy team, supporting the delivery of high quality, patient centred care and rehabilitation for patients admitted to the 'Acute and Continuing Stroke Care Unit'. Working primarily with patients in the acute and rehabilitation ward setting, the postholder will work under the supervision of qualified Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists, contributing to the assessment, treatment and ongoing rehabilitation of patients recovering from a wide range of strokes.

The ITA will carry out delegated therapy interventions, monitor and record patient progress, assist with functional assessments and ensure that therapy areas and equipment are prepared and maintained to a high standard. The postholder will also support data collection, patient documentation and administrative tasks necessary for efficient service delivery.

Main duties of the job:

• Be responsible for carrying out a range of clinical interventions as allocated by a Physiotherapist or the Occupational therapist.
• Provide a flexible, client centred intervention to facilitate discharge into the community setting.
• Provide a rehabilitation programme, as planned by a qualified Physiotherapist and/or Occupational therapist, in collaboration with the client and significant others.
• Support and progress the programme of rehabilitation on the unit with the aim of maximising independence and facilitating discharge of patients.
• Assess for and issue specific equipment to facilitate activities of daily living.
• Work without direct supervision to undertake a variety of non-clinical tasks to support the therapy service.

We are a busy integrated stroke therapy team working collaboratively with other members of the stroke multidisciplinary team, including doctors, nurses, speech and language therapists, dietitians, orthoptists and orthotists. We currently run a seven-day service, with core hours being Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 16:00, and a limited service on a Saturday and Sunday covered on a rota basis.

Important: This role will not be eligible for sponsorship as it doesn't meet the minimum salary requirements for a skilled worker visa, therefore you must have the appropriate right to work in the UK or your application will not be progressed to the next stage of recruitment.

Person specification:

Qualifications:

• Evidence of recent appropriate study, development or application in the work environment.
• Working towards or completed NVQ Level III or Health & Social Care qualification.

Experience:

• Previous or current employment in health / social care / vocational rehabilitation setting.
• Previous Occupational Therapy assistant / Physiotherapy assistant / Speech and Language assistant / Dietetic assistant / Rehab assistant or Healthcare assistant experience.

Skills:

• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to work independently within a supportive environment.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to undertake allocated interventions appropriate to level of competence.
• Good personal organisational skills including time‑management.
• Understanding of professional conduct.
• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality.
• Ability to use initiative.
• Basic IT skills.
• Awareness of the philosophy of rehabilitation.
• Basic knowledge of human biology.
• Audit and data collection / data analysis skills.

Personal Qualities:

• Professional appearance & approach.
• Confident but aware of own limitations.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Able to demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

For enquiries, please contact the Clinical Lead Stroke Physiotherapist.