Therapy Assistant Practitioner Stroke/Neuro Early Supported Discharge in Bournemouth

Communication - To use a range of verbal and non-verbal tools to communicate effectively with patients during assessment and treatment to engage them with rehabilitation plans. This may include patients, family and other agencies. This includes using teaching skills to enable education.

Analytical and Judgement Skills - To assess the patient’s level of functional independence and make decisions on appropriate action such as making changes to the goal and care plan or onward referral to registered clinicians within the team. This includes dealing appropriately with unforeseen clinical and practical difficulties and using problem-solving skills to resolve issues as quickly as is practical and communicate any issues to relevant qualified staff.

Planning and Organisational Skills - Plan and organise rehabilitation and care plans for individual patients, taking into account their individual preferences and wishes and using a strength-based approach. In addition, to exercise good personal time management, punctuality, reliability and a consistently reliable attendance record.

Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy - To manage a community caseload of patients requiring rehabilitation following stroke or other neurological diagnosis, as part of the Early Supported Discharge model. This includes carrying out Welcome Home, Half Way and Discharge visits with non-complex patients, to modify and update their goal and care plans and determine their needs of the service. All of the above is to be completed under the guidance/supervision of a qualified therapist and if identified patients have more complex needs they should be handed over to a qualified Therapist to continue their assessment/treatment/discharge plans.

Responsibility for Policy / Service Development - To adhere to professional standards, codes of practice and policies of the Trust, and to assist with compliance for departmental operating procedures.

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources - To undertake any non-clinical/clerical duties as necessary. This may include maintaining stock levels, filing, dealing with telephone calls, and booking appointments.

Responsibility for Human Resources - To be responsible for day-to-day supervision of the therapy assistants within the service with the support of the registered clinicians.

Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties - To be responsible for maintenance of concise and accurate written documentation consistent with legal and organisational requirements.

Responsibility for Research and Development - Undertakes surveys or audits as necessary and requested by the clinical lead.

Mental, Physical, and Emotional Effort - Ability to carry out therapeutic and manual handling activities (involving patients and/or equipment). Ability to deal sensitively with patients who have high levels of anxiety caused by neurological changes, pain, dementia or limited ability with occasional exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances.

Other Specific Tasks - To have a full driving licence and business insurance. Ability to drive within local geographical region and have access to a car for business use as cross-site working will be required.

Qualifications

• Essential criteria - Minimum of 4 GCSEs or equivalent (one to include English) at grades A-C/5-9. Foundation Degree in health or assistant practitioner qualification equivalent, or another relevant qualification.
• Desirable criteria - Other relevant qualifications e.g. NHS, social care, exercise/sports science, communication support, GCSE in Biology or Maths. Attainment of competencies gained from multi-professional team working. Stroke or neuro related course. Completion of STARs competency for Stroke.

Experience

• Essential criteria - Dealing with the public. Previous work as a Therapy Assistant or equivalent where direct patient care is involved. Experience working in a hospital or community healthcare setting. Experience of dealing with people living with disability in order to promote independence. Experience of team working.
• Desirable criteria - Experience in delivering rehabilitation programmes to individuals or groups. Experience of working with people in a community setting. Experience of teaching. Experience of working with people with Stroke/neurological conditions.

Technical Skills Competencies

• Essential criteria - Basic computer/IT skills (keyboard skills, e-mail, internet, word, excel). Work under pressure. Ability to write information and results of interventions clearly, legibly and concisely. Ability to prioritise workload. Ability to work independently, on ward and/or in patient’s homes, to continue prescribed rehabilitation programmes with guidance from qualified therapists. Ability to move and handle patients and equipment using approved techniques.
• Desirable criteria - Awareness of the different roles within the team. Specific IT training courses attended. Ability to carry out simple patient cognitive screens. Skills in manual handling techniques. Skills in goal setting & evaluating outcome measures. Skills in using alternative and augmentative communication aids.

Knowledge

• Essential criteria - General understanding of the effects of neurological conditions on a patient's physical, cognitive and communication abilities. Knowledge of basic rehabilitation techniques and strategies. An understanding of illness and aging. Understanding of mobility and adaptive equipment. General understanding of communication and communication difficulties.
• Desirable criteria - Experience working with hospital IT systems e.g. ecamis, EPR, graphnet. Specific training, knowledge and skills with neurological patients. Specific training, knowledge of communication impairments. Understanding the process of risk assessment. Understanding the potential sources of support for patients after stroke.

Other requirements specific to the role

• Essential criteria - Adheres to confidential protocols and policies. Car Driver with full driver’s license and business insurance and access to a car. Ability to use tools to adjust equipment and furniture.

Personal Attributes

• Essential criteria - Adaptable to change/flexible and keep calm under pressure. Excellent communication skills written and verbal. Strong ability to work as part of a team. Able to manage own time effectively and work to deadlines. Compassionate and empathetic communication style and approach. Shows initiative and can take direction but knows boundaries. Ability to establish rapport and motivate people. To be able to understand the importance of confidentiality.

Language requirement

• Essential criteria - Be able to speak English as necessary to undertake the role.