Assistant Therapy Practitioner

**Job overview**:
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a band 4 rehabilitation support worker to join our existing critical care therapy team at Queens Medical Centre campus of Nottingham University Hospitals. They will be instrumental in the delivery of rehabilitation programmes to patients on critical care overseen by registered physiotherapists and occupational therapists. The role will involve the delivery of joint treatment sessions with the qualified staff as well as delivering independent sessions following a prescribed treatment plan.

**Main duties of the job**:
This role is primarily focused on supporting qualified staff with the progression of rehabilitation of critically ill patients in the critical care setting.

The workload is heavily comprised of joint sessions which aim to:

- Facilitate mobilisation of the patient (e.g. helping patient from lying to sitting, gaining independent sitting balance, sit to stand and hoist/standing transfers to the chair),

Enable participation in ADLs (e.g. showering patients, washing, dressing and grooming),

Improve cognition and orientation and insight

Work on upper and lower limb rehabilitation

Independent sessions include:

- Cognitive assessment and rehabilitation

Goal setting

Liaison with the MDT to produce meaningful daily routines which include the patient

MOTOmed exercise sessions

Upper and lower limb rehab exercises

Optimise use of technology for therapeutic activity

Provide Psychological support

**Working for our organisation**:
NUH is one of the largest teaching trusts in the UK and offers excellent opportunities for training and development. The hospital is a regional major trauma centre and receives patients from across the East Midlands from specialities including, neurosurgery, hepatobiliary, vascular, lower GI, maxillofacial and ENT and spinal surgery.

NUH Therapy Services is a supportive department with a robust appraisal process and offers many learning opportunities for our staff.

**Detailed job description and main responsibilities**:
See job description for further information.

**Person specification**:
**training and qualifications**:
**Essential criteria**:

- GCSE (A-C) English/Maths or equivalent
- NVQ level 3 in healthcare or equivalent relevant qualification
- A willingness to undertake further training and learn new skills

**Experience**:
**Essential criteria**:

- Significant experience of working as a therapy support worker (band 3)
- To have a knowledge of assistive equipment and minor adaptations
- To understand the concepts of rehabilitation
- To have experience of working in a relevant healthcare setting
- To have experience of effectively managing own caseload
- To have an ability to deal with pressurised/unexpected situations
- To have evidence of continuing personal and professional development

**Communication Skills**:
**Essential criteria**:

- To have effective written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills
- To have effective rapport building and interpersonal skills
- To have an ability to communicate with patients who have impaired communication abilities
- To have the ability to empathise with and motivate others

**Analytical/Judgement Skills**:
**Essential criteria**:

- To be able to demonstrate a responsible attitude/professional behaviour
- To have the ability to work flexibly as part of a team
- To be able to use initiative
- To be able to seek help and direction when necessary
- To demonstrate problem solving skills

**Planning/Organisation skills**:
**Essential criteria**:

- To demonstrate self management skills (e.g. time management, prioritising)

**Physical skills**:
**Essential criteria**:

- To be able to undertake moving and handling procedures
- To have experience of using Information Technology (e.g. basic word processing skills).

**Additional Duties**:
**Essential criteria**:

- To demonstrate a commitment to support the Trust’s Values
- Willing and able to contribute to weekend rosters
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Bring your whole self to work for us at NUH. We love diversity and we value your difference, your unique skills, knowledge and experience. Becoming one of our people may realise your potential, helping us to raise our performance in delivering world class healthcare to the diverse patient populations we serve.

**Salary**: The quoted salary will be on a pro rata basis for part time workers.

Disability Confidence: All applicants who have declared a disability and who meet the essential criteria for the post will be shortlisted.

At Risk of redundancy: NHS employees within the East Midlands who are ‘at risk’ of redundancy will be given a preferential interview where they meet the essential criteria of the person specification.

ID and Right to work checks: NUH authenticate all ID and right to work documentation such as passports, visa’s and driving license through a system called Trust ID. NUH will scan your ID and right to work documentation