Personal Support Worker & Rehab Assistant

You will have opportunities to work closely with other multidisciplinary teams in the community, primary care, the acute neuro rehab team, the stroke early supported discharge team, and other external agencies. There is an in-service training programme in place and an intensive Trust and Local induction will be provided. The post is within a multidisciplinary team and you will work alongside Neuro Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, and Rehab Assistants.

The post will be based at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Huntingdon; however, there may be times where you are expected to cover further across the county. The successful candidate may be asked to provide county-wide cover at times. You will work in an agile manner using virtual consultation to manage your caseload of patients, having access to a smartphone and laptop to support this.

Please note for this role you will be required to travel independently around the county meeting strict time deadlines. You will need to hold a full UK driving licence and have use of a vehicle. You cannot use public transport for this role as this is not a reliable form of transport and will not allow you to meet service needs. Please confirm in your application that you meet the specified criteria.

We are offering a rare and exciting opportunity for a compassionate, motivated, and resourceful Personal Support Worker & Rehabilitation Assistant to join our integrated team. This role, funded by Access to Work, focuses on supporting a registered-blind Occupational Therapist, enabling them to deliver their role effectively.

In addition, you will contribute to the delivery of neuro-rehabilitation services, including in-reach to inpatient rehabilitation beds and direct patient care in their homes. You will play a key role in assisting patients facing physical, cognitive, and psychosocial challenges, helping them achieve their potential within a supportive multidisciplinary team (MDT) framework. Together, we aim to deliver better health, better care, and better outcomes for all.

The post holder must have access to a personal car for independent travel across the work locality.

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health & social care organisation dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion to improve the health & wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting & empowering them to lead a fulfilling life.

Our clinical teams deliver many NHS services not only via inpatient and primary care setting but also with the community. These services include Children, Adult & Older Peoples mental & physical health, Forensic & Specialist mental health, Learning Disabilities, Primary Care & Liaison psychiatry, Substance misuse, Social care, Research & Development.

To achieve our goal, we look to recruit high calibre candidates that share our vision & values. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including disabled people & members of our ethnic minorities & LGBTQ+ communities.

Please be advised we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date should we receive sufficient applications.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities.

• Provide visual and auditory support to the assigned Occupational Therapist, including driving them between their home/base, patient homes, and other locations across Cambridgeshire.
• Deliver rehabilitation support to patients as part of an MDT, working with Neuro Physiotherapists, Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, and other professionals.
• Collaborate with teams across community services, primary care, and external agencies to ensure comprehensive care.
• Work agilely using technology (e.g., smartphones, laptops) to manage your caseload and conduct virtual consultations when needed.
• The role will be working in the community setting with patients with complex neurological problems and progressive neurological conditions.
• To assess for, plan and implement therapy interventions, such as exercise programmes (group or individual), provision of mobility aids, measuring and fitting adaptive equipment, minor adaptations, being responsible for ordering appropriate equipment and ensuring equipment is used safely, following relevant training, and that it is maintained appropriately.
• To maintain appropriate and timely documentation of each patient contact (ensuring these are recorded on SystmOne).
• To promote independent function in all daily activities of patients designated by the registered practitioner.
• To evaluate therapy interventions, progress and prepare discharge summary for supervised patient discharge, under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.
• To be aware of patients holistic needs and identify when patients need interventions from other services and initiate timely onward referral as indicated.
• To assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
• To effectively communicate verbally with patients, carers and colleagues using tact and persuasive skills.
• Establish and maintain appropriate working relationships with colleagues, patients, carers and other health care professionals.
• To be aware of personal, professional boundaries and highlight any issue to supervisor in a timely manner.
• To contribute to maintaining a safe, comfortable and dignified environment for all patients/clients and carers.
• To attend relevant external and internal courses to extend knowledge or gain relevant skills to improve clinical practice as identified as part of the Appraisal process.
• Will be occasionally exposed to bodily fluids, infected material, blood products, therefore must utilise universal precautions and adhere to infection control policies.
• To work effectively within the ESD and community neuro rehab team, integrated care team and neighbourhood team structure and liaise appropriately with members of the MDT and other agencies by attending MDT meetings, case reviews.
• To inform/update all members of the multi-disciplinary team, service users and appropriate others, of changes involving current care plans, patients progress and other relevant matters that pertain to the care of the patient.
• To promote independence and wherever possible to avoid hospital admission and reduce inpatient length of stay to ensure those patients receive the appropriate care in the most appropriate setting.

Other

• Able to work shifts and unsocial hours when required.
• Recognise peoples right to privacy and dignity, treating every person with respect.
• Willingness to embrace integrated model and new ways of working.
• Willingness to be flexible in approach and attitude.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work well within a team as well as individually.
• Good organisation skills (e.g. organising activities, groups, following a plan of care).
• Able to demonstrate commitment to high quality care and service provision.
• Has a working knowledge of history taking and documentation.
• Ability to record messages and information in an accurate and concise way.
• Work flexibly to accommodate patient/service needs.
• Observational skills.
• Basic computer skills.
• Proven record of Multidisciplinary working.
• Experience using SystmOne.

Education / Qualification

• RSA/OCR stage II - NVQ Level 3 in health and Social Care or equivalent experience.
• Educated to minimum GCSE level or equivalent grade A-C, including English.
• GCSE or equivalent qualification in Maths, Biology and Food Technology.
• ‘A’ level qualification or other post ideally in healthcare.

Experience

• Experience of working in rehabilitation in health/social care environment at band 3 level or equivalent.
• Experience of working with people with neurological problems.
• Experience / knowledge of rehab principles.
• Has worked as a Rehabilitation Assistant in the past.
• Experience of working with people with neurological problems.
• Has worked as a Personal Support Worker.

Knowledge and Understanding

• Professional attitude.
• Caring, approachable and courteous manner.
• Punctual and reliable.
• Team Player.

Physical Requirements

The ability to kneel, bend & stoop, and work in cramped environments. Manoeuvre limbs of around 5-6 kg. Manoeuvre patients using handling aids. Must have access to a personal car and the ability to drive independently around the locality, due to the radius covered and lack of public transport in some areas.