Senior Therapy Assistant (Acute) in Wigan

We are looking for an enthusiastic Therapy Assistant who would like to join our friendly and supportive In-patient team at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary. The role involves working alongside the Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy Team. Experience of working in a relevant health related area in an acute hospital setting is essential for this post. The post is for 37.5 hours per week and would be worked over 7 days Monday to Sunday. Please note this vacancy may close before the advertised closing date if a sufficient number of suitable applications are received.

Main duties of the job

• Have varied duties (both clinical and non-clinical) and will be involved directly in the immediate assessment, care and treatment of patients under the supervision of qualified therapists.
• Have a caring and considerate manner, which is essential to the post.
• Be expected to have a good level of general education, basic computer literacy and knowledge of Therapy interventions.
• Have previous experience of working in a Therapy or healthcare rehabilitation environment or relevant area.

Working for our organisation

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that ‘happy staff, makes for happy patients’. WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To contribute to the overall Therapy process by carrying out routine assessments and procedures within agreed competency levels.
• To carry out information collection from patients/relatives as requested by Therapy staff.
• To follow treatment plans as prescribed by Therapy staff and identify and select activities that meet treatment goals.
• To work independently in a clinical setting with an assigned routine caseload, under the direction of a therapist.
• Instruct patients in the use of equipment and techniques to promote independence.
• To be responsible for preparation of materials and equipment in order to carry out treatment sessions.
• To contribute to the day-to-day organisation of activities within the team which contributed to the smooth running of the service.
• To be responsible for specific routine tasks as delegated.
• To attend regular meetings e.g. staff meetings, support and development groups.
• To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent and reliable attendance.

Communications and Key Working Relationships

• To work as a member of the Therapy team and communicate relevant information to team members.
• To be able to communicate effectively in a variety of ways with patients to gain co-operation and understanding of treatment programmes.
• To maintain good working relationships.
• To establish therapeutic relationships using negotiating skills in order to complete treatment activities.
• To report back to Therapy staff on all treatment activities either verbally or in writing as required.
• To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of clients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.

Responsibility for Finance

• To identify deficits in resources required to carry out the job and bring to the attention of the Therapist.
• To be responsible for the monitoring of materials and equipment and maintain stocks.
• To maintain timely statistics and other records as requested by the Therapy Service and the Trust.

Responsibility for Human Resources

• To maintain portfolio of competencies showing evidence of life long learning.
• To participate in clinical supervision sessions highlighting development needs.
• To comply with annual IPR and appraisal system.
• To contribute to the induction of new staff.

Responsibility for Health & Safety

Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 – the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

Responsibility for Teaching

• To participate in and contribute to the training and education of students and other staff.

Person specification

• Demonstrate a commitment to personal development.
• Willingness to work flexibly over 7 days.
• Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, i.e. with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation.
• Able to move around the borough as part of Job role.

Knowledge

• Demonstrate understanding of therapy interventions and the role of the assistant.
• Health and Safety Risk awareness.
• Knowledge of appropriate Moving and Handling methods.
• A basic understanding of relevant medical conditions and appropriate therapeutic interventions.
• Awareness of confidentiality.
• Understanding of the use of mobility / aids for independence.

Skills

• Able to teach practical skills to patients.
• Able to work single-handed with individuals or groups.
• Able to conduct self in a professional manner.
• Able to problem solve.
• Able to participate in aspects of personal care with patients/clients.
• Have good written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
• Able to engage patients/clients in activities.
• Ability to use own initiative within designated role.
• Able to empathise with people in difficult situations.
• Able to recognise and work within own personal limitations.
• Able to use basic Microsoft Office programmes.
• Able to utilise NHS databases/patient information systems.
• Able to fit/adjust mobility/aids for independence.
• Able to work confidently within a hospital environment.

Experience

• Working as part of a team.
• Experience working in a relevant health related area.
• Experience of working with the effects of illness and disability on adults.
• Experience of working in a therapy/rehab service.
• Experience of working in patients/clients' own homes.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level III/QCF training or equivalent course in relevant area.
• Evidence of basic level qualifications in both Maths and English.
• Evidenced training/competencies achieved through current practical experience.
• GCSE or equivalent in English.