Senior Rehabilitation Assistant

Job summary The Colman Centre for Specialist Rehabilitation Services provides post-acute inpatient and community rehabilitation for patients with complex neurological disabilities due to acquired brain injury, spinal injury or other neurological conditions.
Patients are provided with holistic, patient-centred specialist rehabilitation to maximize their physical, cognitive, psychological and social functioning.
We are looking to recruit a Band 3 Rehabilitation Assistant to join our supportive multi-disciplinary team.
The role includes working with patients and their families, under the direction of qualified therapists.
As a Rehabilitation Assistant in the team you will contribute to the assessment and implementation of evidence based treatment programs for patients with a range of impairments and complex health needs.
The needs of this patient group demands physical and mental resilience, and a need to engage in manual handling activities, personal hygiene care tasks, and to work with people who have challenging behaviours.
There are also indirect tasks which support the patient's care and therapy needs, such as administration tasks and management of equipment.
The role is based across both the inpatient and outpatient service, and will involve driving and some weekend working.
Main duties of the job 1.
To assist in the delivery of high standards of healthcare to patients within their own homes, hospital clinics and/or the inpatient unit following prescribed packages of care.
2.
To undertake specific skilled support work to aid rehabilitation of patients in a variety of specialities and settings within the Trust.
3.
To work without direct supervision within the Multidisciplinary team (MDT) undertaking tasks delegated by registered practitioners.
To report back patient's progress and inform the therapist of any issues or concerns.
4.
To be an active member of the MDT to contribute to the smooth and effective delivery of the service.
5.
To participate in seven-day working rotas as required.
6.
To provide administrative support as requested for patient-related activities documents, programme planning and group activities.
7.
To support the MDT with discharge planning, environmental visits, liaising with family and other agencies as required under guidance.
8.
Share responsibility of indirect patient contact tasks, such as answering the telephones, arranging appointments, processing referrals and inputting activity data.
9.
To be able to positively encourage and motivate patients to achieve their optimum potential in respect of their rehabilitation.
10.
Listen and respond appropriately to feedback in relation to communication and interpersonal skills.
11.
Use reflection to develop and enhance patient care.
About us Find out more about working for our organisation here: Job description Job responsibilities Clinical Practice: Apply competency-based treatment techniques/care to patients under guidance of a qualified practitioner following a prescribed plan.
Demonstrate awareness of any barriers to communication such as poor hearing, language difficulties, and physical impairments for example.
Ensure patient held records are completed for each session and that healthcare records are completed in line with Trust policy.
Communicate with patients/carers by exchanging basic factual information, reassurance, tact and empathy.
Feedback observations and concerns to appropriate qualified practitioner in a timely manner.
Establish and maintain appropriate working relationships with colleagues, patients, carers and other health professionals.
Work with qualified practitioners with group work/clinics under guidance.
Provide basic information in order to support health promotion/education as required, diet and exercise, falls etc.
Demonstrate competent IT (texting, Internet, email) and standard keyboard skills as per Trust policy.
There will be tasks delivered via indirect supervision.
This may include group work and clinics.
Carry out specified observation and information gathering to contribute to the clinicians assessment, for example blood pressure measurements, supporting patient when assisting with feeding.
Follow specific behaviour guidelines for management of inappropriate verbal and physical behaviour, seeking clarification and support where necessary.
To have a broad understanding of the various conditions, and associated problems which patients may present with.
Provide holistic and individualistic care to patients.
Recognise rights of patients/people to be consulted about their care and any change to the intervention plans.
Use appropriate methods of communication with patients, families and carers in order to maximise rehabilitation and understand their conditions.
Barriers to effective communication will regularly be evident ( expressive and receptive dysphasia, cognitive impairment, loss of hearing, pain and depression) and a variety of communication methods may be required.
Demonstrate dexterity and coordination when undertaking treatment of patients where accuracy is important, taking blood sugars, taking blood pressures, supervising transfers, passive exercises.
Be responsible for ensuring equipment is used safely, following relevant training, and that it is maintained appropriately.
Contribute to the requisitioning of supplies and equipment through electronic ordering systems.
Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of consent, and gain consent as appropriate following organisational policies.
Share responsibility for maintaining store cupboards, pool cars, cleaning specialist equipment and general housekeeping tasks.
Will be exposed to bodily fluids, infected material, blood products on a daily basis, therefore must utilise universal precautions and adhere to infection control policies.
Professional: The post holder will: Attend and contribute to multidisciplinary team meetings and other meetings where appropriate.
Attend in-house training as required to develop current job role.
Be able to make own travel arrangements to patients, clinics, base and meetings as required.
Be aware of limitations of own scope of practice, and when to involve more senior practitioner, both in daily practice and in emergency situations.
Acknowledge and recognise peoples expressed beliefs, preferences, and choices.
Demonstrate an awareness of clinical governance, quality assurance and risk management, and apply to work situation.
Actively contribute to team working and express ideas on improving services for users and the team.
Will be required to demonstrate own duties to students, all other trainees, new starters and/or less experienced staff; and be involved in induction programmes for new staff/students and trainees as required.
Programs may include washing and dressing practice, kitchen practice, wheelchair practice, splinting, behaviour management, community living skills and readjustment, community visits and integration activities, exercise programs, gait re-education, wheelchair mobility, bed mobility, cognitive function programs, speech and language therapy programs, posture management, group activities.
Contribute to service development.
Service development: To propose development and/or changes to team procedures in relation to own area of work.
Communicate to qualified staff issues relating to service shortfalls, potential risks and service pressures.
To assume delegated activities as requested by senior staff in relation to service development.
To support senior staff across the integrated pathway with service improvement ideas.
Have commitment to work within a changing environment; responding positively to new demands and service changes.
Communication: To communicate effectively and collaboratively with colleagues across health/voluntary and social sectors to ensure the delivery of a coordinated multidisciplinary integrated service.
This will include case conferences, handovers, patient held documentation and documentation in service records.
To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of patients and their families/carers.
To have an understanding of the issues that could affect patient capacity in order to gain valid, informed consent.
Education, Training and Supervision: To continue to develop competencies through reflective practices, clinical supervision and performance reviews.
To attend relevant training and development in order to maintain and develop skills and knowledge required for the role within the team.
Participate in rotation through the other elements of the service, the type and duration to be negotiated on an individual basis according to professional development and service needs.
Person Specification Qualifications Essential Good standard of education up to GCSE or equivalent NVQ Level 2 in care/rehabilitation or equivalent Desirable Equivalent Care related study NVQ Level 3 working towards level 3 or equivalent.
Experience Essential Experience of working in healthcare or rehabilitation setting Experience working independently with people with physical and/or emotional needs arising from a long-term health condition.
Experience with admin duties.
Desirable Previous community experience.
Previous experience of being a generic worker within a multidisciplinary team.
Experience of working as a Therapy or Nursing Assistant/rehab technician.
Experience of working with people with impaired ability to communicate.
Experience working in the NHS.
Skills, Abilities & Knowledge Essential Full and valid driving licence Good communication and organisational skills.
Excellent IT skills, able to confidently use Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and Powerpoint.
Ability to deal with distressing and emotionally difficult situations.
Observation and reporting skills.
Understanding the needs of patients undergoing rehabilitation.
Ability to keep accurate, up to date records.
Desirable Knowledge of the role of other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act (2005).
Able to use SystmOne.
Communication Essential Ability to engage well with people with an impaired ability to communicate.
Able to respond with compassion, sensitivity and empathy to people with emotional needs.
Able to communicate in English Language in both written and verbal modality.
Desirable Ability to communicate with patients with communication difficulties.
Personal Attributes/Behaviours Essential Able to drive a vehicle as this will be required as part of the role Able to identify with the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults Ability to work independently and as part of a team under guidance of qualified professional with clear direction.
Other Essential Flexible and adaptable.
Able to work over a seven-day rota.
Be able to: kneel, bend & stoop, and work in cramped environments.
Manoeuvre limbs of around 5-6 kg.
Manoeuvre patients using moving and handling aids