Physiotherapy Assistant

Principle Duties and Responsibilities Clinical To gather information prior to seeing client and provide feedback to the therapist. To obtain biographical information and knowledge from relevant sources of information, e.g. medical notes, computer records. To take a simple case history To contribute to the assessment process and provide feedback to the therapist.

To be able to use basic screening assessments competently and to evaluate results with the therapist To implement therapy programmes/approaches, both on an individual basis and for groups, and provide feedback to therapist. To carry out a programme devised by the therapist using a range of delegated exercises and manual physical therapy techniques. To be able to develop a programme from agreed goals with the therapist, to monitor client progress and to recommend possible changes to the therapist. To undertake support work alongside the physiotherapist for highly dependent patients with complex needs.

To be responsible for assessing and managing clinical risk in relation to your own caseload, seeking guidance and help from therapist as appropriate. Will not attempt any procedure without appropriate training and deemed competent to carry out specific instructions To contribute to the evaluation of therapeutic interventions, including discharge planning. To contribute objective comments on observed therapy intervention and use an outcome measurement for a specific goal. To contribute to devising and implementing the outcome measurements for a specific goal and to produce data for evaluation by the therapist.

To be able to prioritise workload following set guidelines, and feed back appropriate work load to the qualified therapist. To plan day-to-day workload. To identify factors involved in prioritisation To support clients / carers / other professionals in dealing with and understanding the care aim and the impact on the persons wellbeing. To use listening skills and be aware of the issues and of how to respond to questions and anxieties, record and inform the therapist.

This requires empathy, sensitivity and good interpersonal skills, especially when individual has barriers to understanding. To provide training for patients and carers, involving 1:1 training and problem solving discussions. To develop a rapport with clients, encouraging interest and participation, and to assist in the hand-over of a specific programme. To contribute to a training session devised by the therapist To participate within a multi-disciplinary team alongside the therapist.

To attend meetings under guidance of the therapist and make previously agreed contributions. To participate independently in MDT discussion To participate in writing progress reports. To participate in the writing of standard progress reports. To write standard reports independently, which are subsequently passed to the therapist for checking and counter signature To participate in audit and clinical governance.

To identify any clinical governance risk, to inform the therapist and gather information as directed by the therapist in line with an audit plan. To identify risk and risk patterns and to identify a clinical area for audit To be involved in service projects and developments. To contribute to and support project work. To implement a project plan in liaison with the lead therapist To maintain up-to-date client records and complete all client documentation to department standards.

To put records and input into pro forma format, continuation sheets and / or medical records as appropriate To organise administrative tasks efficiently To keep clinical skills updated by attending study days and training To maintain personal / professional development. Take part in CPD Attend In-Service training and instruct on in-service training where appropriate. To participate in the organisations appraisal scheme and formulate a personal development plan. To support the therapy teams with the provision virtual appointments To assist patients and therapists in booking carrying out virtual appointments To take part in both telephone and video based rehabilitation sessions, with guidance from a physiotherapist To carry out specific tasks allocated to the post.

To undertake administrative and reception duties in the outpatients department as required. To supervise exercise sessions for the musculoskeletal department. To assist in running the back class and advanced rehabilitation class, on a face to face or virtual basis as required To be responsible for cleaning and maintaining the gym equipment and managing the laundry in the department and gym. To maintain adequate stock levels of physiotherapy aids and appliances.

To be responsible for reordering aids and appliances from NHS logistics via local admin team and accompanying documentation. To order physiotherapy aids e.g. acupuncture needles, corsets etc via local admin team Organisational To fulfil any specific tasks as requested by the supervising physiotherap