Therapy Assistant

We are looking for a new colleague to add to our large, friendly team of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Therapy Assistants. We provide therapy across the complex medical units, short stay wards and an infectious diseases/ tropical medicine ward, all of which are situated within the main John Radcliffe Hospital site.As a Therapy Assistant you will be working under the supervision and guidance of trained Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists to deliver a high standard of therapy care and management.

We need someone who is caring and is passionate in providing high-quality care to our patients, many of whom are older people. Prior experience of working with this specialist client group is preferable, but not essential.

To assist therapists in the safe delivery of high quality of care.

Plan and provide programmes of therapeutic activity for patients, within the framework laid down by the therapists.

To evaluate and progress basic therapy interventions for patients in activities related to their treatment or rehabilitation programme.

To record patient information, interventions, and interactions onto IT systems in accordance with local and national guidelines.

Complete administrative tasks required for the day-to-day functioning of the team.

Active participation in training, development, and clinical governance.

Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) is a world-renowned centre of clinical excellence and one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the UK. We employ approximately 12,500 staff (including over 4,000 nurses and 2,000 doctors and 850 AHP staff). The Trust comprises four main hospital sites: the John Radcliffe Hospital (which includes the Children's Hospital, West Wing, Eye Hospital, Heart Centre and Women's Centre), the Churchill Hospital and the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, all located in Oxford, and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury, North Oxfordshire.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family.

Communication

1. To participate in regular meetings with other members of the Therapy team and Multidisciplinary team

2. To provide and receive routine information to staff, patients and carers.

3. To communicate factual information to patients.

4. To persuade patients to co-operate in their rehabilitation programme using encouragement, reassurance, tact and sensitivity; overcome barriers to understanding with patients whose understanding is impaired.

5. To be able to maintain records and documentation required by work settings in accordance with local policies and Therapy specifications.

6. On an informal bases, to promote the profile of Therapies in the Trust.

7. To be able to work flexibly under pressure at a fast pace.

Clinical responsibilities

1. To implement treatment plans established by therapists.

2. To assess and formulate treatment plans for routine patients as guided by therapists.

3. To assist therapist to carry out identified home assessments in accordance with the Occupational Therapy Service guidelines.

4. To assess patients’ mobility and issue appropriate equipment under guidance of therapists.

5. To provide advice to patients/carers on safe use and care of prescribed equipment.

6. To assess patient’s stamina/understanding during treatment sessions.

7. To update the goals of patient’s bedside goal chart appropriately.

8. To ensure appropriate liaison and follow-up at community level prior to patient’s discharge including family members.

**9. To maintain site wheelchair and pressure cushion store**:

- Trade location of chair/cushion across hospital.
- Cleaning, storage, maintenance.
- Arrange for ongoing servicing of chairs.

10. To have a holistic understanding of patient and their condition as well as psychosocial dynamics as they impact the patient’s function.

11. To plan and provide programmes of therapeutic activity within framework established by therapists.

12. To assess patient’s response to activities and decides on appropriate action, e.g. advise therapist, summon assistance, or cease treatment.

13. To work flexibly and be able to adjust to constant changing demands of the ward.

Planning and Organisational Skills

1. To manage own day to day work tasks and prioritise with reference to therapist.

2. To work with other therapists across the Trust to support speciality groups.

3. To assist therapists in arranging in-service training, study days etc.

4. To assist the therapists in ensuring working conditions are kept optimal, or where not, dealt with appropriately.

Service and Personal Developmen