Community Therapy Assistant in Chester

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust are one of the largest integrated organisations in the country, providing hospital and community services to a population of over 650,000. We are an ambitious and innovative organisation with a talented workforce of over 7,000 colleagues. Our Vision is to be Right First Time, Every Time and our mission is to provide safe, compassionate and joined-up care to the populations of County Durham and Darlington.

Do you have the enthusiasm and motivation to take on a new challenge within our forward thinking trust? Are you an excellent team worker but also have the drive to lead and influence change? Do you strive or aspire to provide seamless holistic patient centred care within a progressive Multi Disciplinary Team?

We are looking for a dynamic individual to join the Community Therapy North Team at Chester Le Street Community Hospital working alongside Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Associate Practitioners. The team is part of the North Durham Community Rehabilitation Team which works across Durham, Chester le Street and Derwentside. This post will include independent and joint working in the community setting.

The post holder will predominantly work independently in the community setting with adults referred to the team who present with a range of physical dysfunction/or disabilities resulting from injury, illness, surgery or chronic disease, within a range of community settings. On an ongoing basis the post holder will support short term therapy goals set by the Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists and Associate Practitioners. The post holder will also support on joint visits and hospital based clinics such as the amputee clinic. The nominal base will be Chester Le Street Hospital but you will be expected to independently travel across the whole North Durham locality including the Shotley Bridge Hospital site and surrounding area depending on the needs of the service. The successful candidate will be expected to complete documentation at point of care and be able to use a lone worker system in compliance with Health and Safety.

• To plan and organise clinical activity, with appropriate time scheduling in order to complete all clinical and administrative duties including statistical record keeping.
• To actively engage and be responsible for own supervision with a senior member of staff.
• To be responsible for clinical record-keeping in accordance with the guidelines for documentation and legal requirements.
• To be responsible for the correct and safe use of the physical environment including equipment and to be responsible for the allocation of these resources.
• When working in the community and domiciliary setting, to work as a lone practitioner with telephone support from a Senior Therapist if required.
• To ensure all mandatory training is kept up to date and participate in professional development including attending In Service Training.
• The role will include assisting colleagues with moving and handling assessments, reviewing and fitting of equipment, assisting in clinics, carrying out set exercise plans, mobility practice and feeding back to senior staff.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 GCSE level C, or equivalent, including English Language
• NVQ Level 3 in relevant area, e.g diagnostic and Therapeutic Care or Care or working towards or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of Microsoft packages
• An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing

Experience

• Experience of working within multidisciplinary teams
• Experience of working with adults
• Experience within rehabilitation in a related clinical specialism within the NHS

Special Skills & Knowledge

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
• Able to work as part of a team
• Able to observe and record physical and social changes in patients
• Able to identify when to report to a registered therapist
• Able to work alone with patients within an agreed care plan
• Able to work with minimal supervision
• An appreciation of dealing with people in their own homes
• Able to maintain confidentiality
• Understanding of working with other agencies/multidisciplinary working

Special Requirements

• Ability to travel independently across Trust sites, the locality and carry small items of equipment to fulfil the requirements of this post

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.