Senior Therapy Assistant - Medicine & Surgery

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This is an exciting opportunity for a keen and dynamic Therapy Assistant to join the Discharge to Assess Therapy Team. The post holder will assist the qualified therapists in rehabilitation and returning safely home. They will be responsible for managing their own delegated clinical caseload as well as completing housekeeping tasks, undertaking treatments as required by the HCPC registered therapists and maintaining accurate records. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work within our new discharge to assess initiative within a community bed base to promote the Home First pathway. This is an exciting position that contributes to excellent patient care and outcomes in a dynamic team that offers many training and development opportunities.

Main duties of the job:

• To establish a therapeutic relationship with patients under the direction of the registered therapists.
• To report back to supervising staff regarding the individual needs/abilities of patients.
• To liaise with members of the MDT and external agencies to ensure the effective management of patients care.
• To accept responsibility for delegated workload and manage own time effectively.
• Undertake environmental visits, HomeFirst and Outreach visits within the community as instructed by the registered therapist, providing and fitting equipment as required.
• To assist patients functionally with their mobility and personal care under the direction of senior staff.
• To issue therapy equipment as directed.
• To record and report findings accurately and in a timely manner according to standard procedure.
• To participate in 7 day service.

Qualifications:

• Willingness to undertake NVQ Level III in a health related subject (or equivalent qualification).
• Care Certificate or willingness to undertake NVQ Level III in a health related subject (or equivalent qualification).

Knowledge & Experience:

• Demonstrable experience within a personal care setting.
• Awareness of confidentiality and data protection procedures in relation to the recording of patient information.
• Awareness of health and safety issues relevant to role and reporting mechanisms.
• General understanding of clinical conditions relevant to specialty.
• Demonstrate a commitment to personal development and the development of others.
• Demonstrate understanding of this role and how it may contribute to clinical outcomes.
• Awareness of current NHS issues and Trust Policies.
• Awareness of external agencies including Voluntary and Social Services.
• Knowledge of stock control and referral processes for therapy equipment.

Skills & Abilities:

• Understanding of information technology and administrative systems.
• Good interpersonal skills with effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrate a professional approach to their duties.
• Ability to demonstrate problem solving approach but seeking guidance as required.
• Ability to work flexibly to meet the demands of the service.
• Maintain confidentiality in relation to patient identifiable information in line with policies and data protection.

Physical Effort:

• Ability to carry out moving and handling with patients and equipment.
• Frequent periods of concentration required to obtain patient information that will inform the treatment plan.
• Regularly be able to demonstrate tact, diplomacy and empathy in managing situations with distressed patients or their relatives.
• Ability to cope with and assist in situations that could be unpleasant e.g. bodily fluids.
• Ability to fulfil the travel requirements of the post.

Our Values:

• We are Kind.
• We are Open.
• We are Inclusive.

Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. MWL is an exciting and forward-thinking NHS Trust who are one of the best places to work for in England.