Band 4 - Assistant Practitioner (Therapies), Inpatient Physiotherapy in Watford

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Therapy Assistant Practitioner to join the Acute Stroke Unit at Watford General Hospital. This role involves supporting stroke patients and progressing their early rehab towards discharge into the community. This is a part time post (20.25 hours), working Monday to Friday (days service dependent), but also has a commitment to participate in 7 day working providing therapy over the weekend, with a ratio of approximately 1:6 weekends. This post does not include any evening/overnight responsibilities, but the successful post holder would have a responsibility in participating in the weekend and Bank Holiday seven day working rotas (1:4 – 1:6 weekend working frequency). This post will meet the ever-growing demand for stroke rehabilitation in the acute setting, to shorten length of stay and improve patient outcome. It is an exciting time to join the team with extensive changes in service provision as delegated by the recent SSNAP changes.

Main duties of the job:

• The successful applicant must have significant experience as a therapy or nursing assistant in the NHS and have a passion for rehabilitating patients on the stroke wards.
• The role includes supporting our qualified members of staff, both Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists.
• The post holder will be assessing patients, delivering group sessions and complex treatments to dependent patients under the guidance of the qualified staff.
• The role is a mixture of clinical and non-clinical duties; some non-clinical duties involve assisting with the running of the department including data collection and equipment ordering.
• The successful candidate will work independently making treatment and discharge decisions autonomously for a select group of patients.
• You will be line managed by a Physiotherapist and will work with and be supported by the Inpatient Therapy team based on the medical wards at Watford General Hospital.
• Regular supervision will be provided, and we have a training programme that we run for our support worker staff to aid your personal development.

Working for our organisation:

With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.

If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for a full list of duties and details about the role.

Person specification:

• Education and qualifications: Good general education up to GCSE or equivalent. NVQ level 3 in health-related subject or equivalent qualification. No HCPC required. Evidence of recent study in field of health care and/or rehabilitation.
• Knowledge: Understanding of the therapy assistant role within rehab and discharge planning. Knowledge of local services for onward referral.
• Experience: Significant experience as a therapy assistant in the NHS. Experience in an Acute environment. Experience of managing and prioritising own caseload. Experience of outcome measures and common rehab techniques. Experience of working with medical patients.

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust provides acute healthcare services to a core catchment population of approximately half a million people living in west Hertfordshire and the surrounding area. The Trust also provides a range of more specialist services to a wider population, serving residents of North London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and East Hertfordshire. As an employer of nearly 6,000 people the Trust is one of the biggest employers in the area and sees nearly a million patients each year.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.