Rehabilitation Assistant - Therapies in Guildford

Location: Farnham, Beacon Centre, patients' homes and in wider community settings.

Are you looking for a job where you can make a real difference? At Phyllis Tuckwell, we pride ourselves on offering exceptional care to our patients and their families and carers. Phyllis Tuckwell is looking to appoint a full-time Rehabilitation Assistant. The role supports high-quality rehabilitative palliative care for patients of Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice. The successful applicant will be an integral member of the physiotherapy and occupational therapy teams and wider multi-disciplinary team. They will work in any of our settings across both sites as well as in patients' homes, in community venues and on the in-patient unit. They will work with patients living with advanced disease or a terminal illness, their carers and their family. The role will work one-to-one and with groups of patients. Moving and handling of patients and equipment is part of the role and training will be provided. The successful applicant will use a range of interventions to enable a patient to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to actively manage their condition and maximise their ability to engage in activities that are meaningful to them. This will empower patients to live fully and enjoy the best quality of life possible according to their preferences, needs and choices. If you would like to feel part of a welcoming and committed team, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Main duties of the job:

• A level 3 qualification in Health or Social Care or equivalent.
• An understanding of palliative care.
• Be committed to person-centred, high-quality, rehabilitative palliative care for patients, their relatives, and carers.
• Experience in and be committed to working as part of an effective multi-disciplinary team.
• Good information technology skills across a range of platforms.
• Be self-aware and resilient.
• Have the skills required to work with groups of patients and carers.

For a full list of essential requirements, please refer to the job description and person specification document.

We Offer:

• Continuation of NHS Pension or Phyllis Tuckwell Group Personal Pension Plan (matched contributions up to 7.5%)
• Clinical Supervision
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Blue Light Discount Card
• Access to learning and professional development opportunities (we have an on-site education team)
• Professional Growth
• Upskilling
• Diverse Training Courses
• A Great Place to Work
• Flexible hours and flexible working
• Supportive colleagues

About us: We are based in Farnham, Camberley and Guildford, and provide bespoke, compassionate palliative and end of life care for people living with an advanced or terminal illness, across West Surrey and North-East Hampshire. Phyllis Tuckwell is a very special place to work. Our staff make a real difference to the lives of our patients and their loved ones, providing outstanding care at a time that really matters. Our Therapies staff are pivotal in helping deliver our vital services, ensuring every day is precious for our patients. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture, with the principles of fairness and equality at its core. We are an equal opportunities employer, who values and respects our employees' unique knowledge, skills and experiences. We warmly welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Job responsibilities:

To work within the therapy department in supporting high-quality rehabilitative palliative and end of life care for patients referred to Phyllis Tuckwell. To be an integral member of our physiotherapy and occupational teams who cover the in-patient unit, outpatient services and home-based community settings. To work with patients living with advanced disease or a terminal illness, with their carers and their family. The role will involve using a range of interventions to enable a patient to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to actively manage their condition and maximise their ability to engage in activities that are meaningful to them.

Responsibilities:

• To be able to drive and use own car with business insurance to carry out work in the community, including loading and transporting rehabilitation equipment in own car.
• Always adhering to safe moving and handling practices when moving patients and equipment, in line with organisational policy and training.
• To work to support patients, carers and families as individuals both on site and in the community setting, facilitating development of skills, knowledge and confidence in managing their condition and to help to maintain functional ability.
• To assist colleagues to assess a patient's functional ability and establish what is important to them and their goals.
• To support a rehabilitative palliative care approach.
• To manage own caseload of patients as delegated by the therapy leads.
• To motivate patients to be as independent as possible and support their ability to engage in what is important to them, including personal care, movement, domestic, social, and leisure activities.
• To report changes in a patient's condition, treatment plan or progress to members of the multidisciplinary team and to Physiotherapists or Occupational Therapists when additional assessment by them is required.
• To understand the physical symptoms, emotional and the psychological, social, spiritual and cultural needs of the patient and utilise these to support improvements.
• Following training and supervision, assess and teach patients to use adaptive equipment, both on site and within patients' homes.
• To develop knowledge in falls prevention.
• To support a patient's autonomy by using a range of solutions including information, assistive technology and skills in motivating and facilitating behaviour change.
• To screen patients' needs including assessing their home environment to identify any potential risks, inform goal setting and advanced care planning, in collaboration with registered staff.
• Support the planning and organisation of group work, including transport arrangements and setting up the rooms appropriately for the groups.
• Regular moving and handling of equipment and various exercise apparatus for group/1-1 sessions.
• Following training and supervision, to deliver patient information and symptom management group work, modifying in accordance with own competency level.
• To know own limitations and seek advice from the appropriate professional when required.
• To work alone in the community whilst understanding own competency levels and scope of practice.
• To ensure equipment is clean, well maintained and stored appropriately reporting faults to appropriate colleagues.
• Moving equipment between rooms and from the storeroom to the car, in line with safe moving and handling guidance.
• To liaise with the multi-professional team including attendance at MDT meetings as required.
• To read and contribute to patient clinical records to effectively manage delegated caseload.
• To risk assess and manage moving and handling situations both jointly and when on own as appropriate within your competency level, reporting any concerns as appropriate.
• To be able to facilitate patients during rehabilitation sessions, in line with safe moving and handling guidance.
• To carry out onward referrals to external and internal agencies under the supervision of registered staff and monitor their progress.
• To support registered staff to order and monitor prescribed equipment.

Administrative:

• To support team working by answering telephone calls, making appointments and room bookings, scheduling, filing, taking and relaying messages, photocopying and printing.
• To monitor stock and ordering supplies as required.
• To oversee the equipment peripheral stores across sites.
• To clean and maintain equipment and maintain infection control standards in the working environment.
• To have effective IT skills across a range of platforms.
• Regularly review team tasks and emails, ensuring timely and appropriate actions are taken.

Communication:

• To communicate effectively with patients and their families and carers with compassion and by utilising skills that help to motivate and empower.
• To utilise effective communication skills to work with a range of people living with communication difficulties including hearing, sight and speech and language impairment.
• To gain consent and act in accordance with a patient's choices.
• To work within the multi-disciplinary integrated team communicating appropriately and foster collaborative working.
• Proactively seek opportunities to support the team and enhance workflow across the service.
• To escalate situations in a timely manner.
• To maintain accurate and up to date patient notes in line with professional standards and Phyllis Tuckwell policy.

Professional:

• Work efficiently, managing time and resources effectively to meet service and budget needs.
• To work within established standards and policies to deliver high-quality patient care.
• To be responsible for ensuring a safe working environment in all care settings.
• To participate in surveys and audits as directed by your line manager.
• To be responsible for time management and organisation of daily workload and schedules as allocated by senior member of staff.
• To maintain confidentiality according to the Caldicott principles.
• Always work and communicate in alignment with Phyllis Tuckwell's values and professional behaviour standards.

Training and Development:

• To participate in statutory and mandatory training.
• To participate in clinical supervision, one-to-one support meetings, appraisals/performance review and look for opportunities for self and professional development ensuring skills are developing.
• To contribute to service planning.
• To develop competencies in falls prevention, moving and handling, provision of adaptive equipment and in engaging patients in and providing opportunities for meaningful activities.
• Support registered staff in the delivery of teaching sessions.

Safeguarding, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

Role holders are required to understand their responsibilities in the safeguarding context, ensuring that Phyllis Tuckwell reduces the risk of harm or abuse of adults and children at risk. You are required to adhere to Phyllis Tuckwell's Safeguarding Policy, which supports the local authority's multi-agency safeguarding policy, the law (Care Act 2014) and Mental Capacity Act 2005 (including Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards). Inform the appropriate PT professional where there is concern that an adult or child may be at risk of harm, abuse, or neglect. Phyllis Tuckwell is committed to an Equal Opportunities approach, valuing, and respecting everyone as individuals, with diverse opinions, cultures, lifestyles, and circumstances.

This job description is underpinned by Phyllis Tuckwell's philosophy, culture, and core values, which actively embrace diversity and inclusion and promote total team spirit. This job description is current and subject to yearly review in consultation with the jobholder. It is liable to reflect and anticipate necessary changes to support the PT strategy.

Person Specification:

• Educated to GCSE Level or equivalent including a pass in English.
• Level 3 in Health or Social care or equivalent.
• Willingness to follow guidance and to use own initiative within areas of competence.
• To be aware of benefits of diversity amongst colleagues and patients and need for inclusion.
• Awareness of own competencies and limitations, and work within those, liaising with team colleagues as appropriate to provide safe and effective care.
• Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• An understanding of palliative care and the benefits of a rehabilitative approach.
• Commitment to providing high quality, person-centred, rehabilitative palliative care to patients, their relatives, and carers.
• Understanding of the importance of Health and Safety and having a commitment to complying with PT policies.
• Have experience in working with groups of patients or have a willingness to develop the skills needed for this.
• At least two years experience of working in a health or social care environment.
• Experience of working with people living with advanced illness or long-term conditions.
• Understanding and experience of caring for people at end of life and with palliative care needs.
• Experience of using electronic patient records.
• Effectively communicate in an accurate, clear and concise way understand the importance of timely record keeping and reporting any changes in a patient's condition to colleagues.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the importance of patient confidentiality.
• IT literacy with skills including word, excel, smartphone technology and electronic diaries or willingness to learn.
• Car driver with a valid driving license, business insurance and able to travel to a patient's home, between sites or to a community venue.

Education, Training and Self Management:

• Good problem solving and organisational skills.
• Ability to work autonomously to plan and prioritise.
• Able to reflect on and appraise own performance.
• Have the ability to cope with stressful and emotionally demanding situations.
• Commitment to personal development and training.
• Competent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise.
• Ability to support patients and their families to express concern and distress.
• To work effectively and efficiently with groups of patients, their families and carers.
• To be self-aware.
• Flexible, motivated, and self-directed.
• Good attendance and punctuality record.
• To be professional in appearance and conduct.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check:

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.