Rehabilitation Assistant in Burnley

Main duties of the job include supporting and assisting registered health care professionals in the assessment, management and monitoring of patients to help palliative care patients achieve and maintain optimum quality of life. Work across all areas of the hospice and in the community. Provide high-quality care to service users accessed within the hospice, online or in the community. Coordinate a range of therapeutic activities within the hospice, online and in the community. Enable and assist patients to attend hospice groups and outpatient appointments using hospice transport.

Job responsibilities:

• Adhere to hospice policies, procedures and standards, especially confidentiality, information governance, health and safety and infection control.
• Assist in initial assessment and follow-up process with patients, supporting goal setting and negotiated care plans.
• Work autonomously with a defined workload, with supervision from registered health care professionals.
• Provide care, compassion and support to patients, service users and their families/carers.
• Carry out any tests, interventions or treatment plans following training and completion.
• Recognise and report changes in patients’ physical or emotional needs to the appropriate health care professional.
• Develop, coordinate and deliver one-to-one and group activity and exercise classes within the hospice, online and in patients’ homes.
• Plan varied and stimulating therapeutic activities, incorporating service user feedback and preferences, and complete appropriate risk assessments.
• Maintain accurate patient records in accordance with hospice policy and guidelines.
• Support the health, wellbeing and rehabilitation team with administrative duties such as inputting patient information into the hospice database.
• Promote the health, wellbeing and rehabilitation service and liaise with the fundraising team for newsletters, newspapers and online articles.
• Maintain infection control measures and report any associated risks to senior colleagues.
• Record and report all accidents, complaints and untoward incidents following hospice policies.
• Utilise IT skills, including Microsoft Office, E-Roster, internet, email and the hospice patient database (EMIS).
• Foster good working relationships and communicate effectively with multidisciplinary team members and external agencies.
• Provide clear, concise reports of patients’ progress and concerns to the multidisciplinary team.
• Advocate for patients and service users, ensuring their views are known, including in advance care planning and care decline situations.
• Manage complaints sensitively, adhering to hospice policy and procedure.
• Ensure accurate, contemporaneous documentation of patient care using electronic systems.
• Maintain and continue professional development through appropriate courses such as the Care Certificate, NVQ3 in Health and Social Care, and relevant rehabilitation courses.
• Participate in hospice-based education and audit, contributing to service outcome measures and improvement initiatives.
• Identify and implement risk assessments for patient activities and COSHH for chemicals used.
• Support safeguarding policies, the Mental Capacity Act and deprivation of liberty safeguards.
• Help promote an environment supporting infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
• Ensure correct storage, handling and utilisation of hospice equipment and supplies.
• Ensure the effective utilisation of the hospice’s computer-based patient record system.
• Comply with hospice policies and procedures regarding confidentiality, information governance, health and safety and medicine management.

Person Specification:

• Qualifications: Basic literacy and numeracy skills. Willingness to undertake further training in palliative care/rehabilitation. Willingness to work towards a Diploma in rehabilitation; NVQ Level 3 Health & Social Care. Basic training in mobility assessment, daily living activity assessment and exercise programmes. Rehabilitation training. Training in palliative/end-of-life care. NVQ Level 2 or 3 Health and Social Care. Understanding and ability to promote and implement equal opportunities. Commitment to client-centred, non-discriminatory practice.
• Experience: Experience of working in a health or social care environment. Ability to relate previous experience to a palliative care and rehabilitation setting. Experience of working with adult service users. Experience of working in a palliative care setting. Proven experience as a therapy assistant in health or a similar setting. Experience of working with patients in a group setting.
• Practical and intellectual skills: Understanding and sensitivity to the needs of people with a life-limiting illness, their families and carers. Ability to work with individuals and groups. Good understanding of confidentiality and information governance. Ability to liaise with other agencies and professionals. Good communication, record-keeping and organisational skills. Demonstrate an understanding of confidentiality. Full UK driving licence & use of own transport (business insurance). Counselling / communication skills training.
• Disposition and attitude: Evidence of an ability to work independently and as part of a team. Ability to relate positively to colleagues and members of the MDT. Positive attitude to change and flexible working practices.
• Health and physical: Ability to move and handle people and equipment. Vaccinations appropriate to role.
• Circumstances: Work shifts between Monday to Sunday. Ability to work flexibly according to the needs of the service. Based in day therapy & working across all hospice areas and the community.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Salary: £15,014 to £15,619 a year; salary dependent on level 3 health & social care qualification.