Therapy Assistant Practitioner | University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Overview

Advert for Interim Therapy Assistant Practitioner

An exciting opportunity to join the Interim Care Assessment Team as a Therapy Assistant Practitioner. Our highly regarded team is an early supported discharge to assess service based over two sites: Bournemouth Hospital and Christchurch Hospital. We support patients home who are medically ready to leave the acute hospital setting but who require additional support to regain and optimise their independence. We are a therapy-led service and you would be working alongside Nurses and Occupational Therapists. You would support with the supervision of senior therapy assistants.

Responsibilities

1. To provide assessment & therapy interventions to a caseload of patients discharged from the acute hospitals to facilitate effective recovery from acute illness and trauma.
2. To modify and update care and therapy goal plans to reflect patient needs.
3. To provide induction, core training and clinical supervision to a small number of therapy assistants to support the team to deliver a high quality service.
4. To lead on audits as requested by the clinical lead including audits to review compliance with medication administration chart protocols and documentation standards.
5. To manage a community caseload of patients requiring a supported home from hospital assessment service.
6. To carry out community care reviews with non-complex patients to modify and update their goal and care plans and determine their needs of the service.
7. To refer on patients with more complex problems or issues to the registered therapist or nurse as required.
8. To carry out functional assessments to determine the patient’s level of independence and aid basic clinical decision making within agreed protocols. These assessments will include, but not be limited to: Personal care assessments (washing, dressing, grooming); Functional Mobility; Transfers (bed, chair, toilet and car); Domestic Activities; Environmental home falls assessments.
9. To complete assessments requested by a registered clinician. These may include but will not be limited to: Mood assessments; Clinical observations; Cognitive assessments; Environmental home falls assessments; Gait, strength and balance assessments; Pressure sore risk assessments; Nutritional screening.
10. To assess for, demonstrate & issue routine aids and equipment to patients using the most appropriate teaching techniques to enable independence.
11. To ensure equipment ordered is safely and correctly fitted in a timely manner.
12. Deal appropriately with unforeseen clinical and practical difficulties and use problem solving skills to resolve issues as quickly as is practical.
13. To provide personal care to patients as required using trust infection control processes and personal protective equipment.
14. To write and check medication administration records in line with the trust operating policy.
15. To provide patients with information and advice regarding issues of health and social care to ensure patient’s needs are met once discharged.
16. To document the results of Therapy intervention following Trust and departmental guidelines, to ensure continuity of care.
17. Access patient information from the available health and social care information systems to inform therapy process.
18. To identify patients where social care issues are a problem and refer them to the appropriate services to ensure a holistic approach to treatment.
19. 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/nurse to continue their assessment/treatment/discharge plan.
20. To keep up to date with clinical knowledge and skills by undertaking self-directed study, attending formal training as available, and liaising with registered clinical staff.

Additional Information

This advert closes on Sunday 14 Sep 2025

Notes: This role may relocate as part of a planned move. If relocation occurs, employees may not be eligible for excess mileage reimbursement. Travel from the postholder\’s home to the new work base will be considered a normal commute. Any other changes not related to this relocation will be managed according to the relevant Trust or National terms and conditions.