Senior Therapy Assistant

Senior Therapy Assistant - band 3 - Full time and part time

Therapy Services, Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford

Following a recent promotion we now have vacancies for Senior Therapy Assistants, both full time or part time.

As part of our integrated team of Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists you will be working with patients on the hospital wards in a busy acute hospital. Your work will be directed and supervised by qualified therapists.

This role involves working closely with patients during their hospital admission to assess and improve their skills in mobility and self care. Many patients are frail and very elderly, or recovering from surgery or illness, and initially need full physical assistance with all basic tasks. Our aim is to improve their mobility and independence and get them back home with equipment and care support. There are also administrative tasks, equipment cleaning and record keeping.

Ideally you will have previous experience of working in a therapy, hospital, or care environment, however no professional qualifications are required and appropriate instruction and support will be provided.

To assist the qualified therapists in delivering an excellent
Occupational and Physiotherapy service to patients in the acute
hospital setting.
To contribute to the assessment and treatment of patients both
individually and in groups, undertaking therapeutic work and
supervising patients in activity relating to their treatment.
To undertake general departmental duties such as cleaning, collation
of statistical information and ordering equipment.
To undertake clerical and household tasks as necessary to maintain
the smooth running of the department.

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest in the country, with a workforce of approximately 15,000 who serve a population of 1.2 million people.

We work together, and in conjunction with MSE Health and Care Partnership, to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients in a compassionate way, and provide a respectful, but vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

From facilities through to consultant specialists we want to be the best, to achieve this we need to recruit not just those who are the finest in their field but also those who have the potential to be. Yes, experience is important but so is outlook - if you are dynamic, forward-thinking and enthusiastic we want you to join us.

We not only offer you a good working environment with flexible working opportunities, but also the opportunity to develop your career with access to appropriate training for your job and the support to succeed and progress

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description, but some of the responsibilities include
- To assist the qualified therapists in delivering an excellent service to patients in a variety of settings.
- To contribute to the assessment and treatment of patients both individually and in groups, undertaking therapeutic work and supervising patients in activity relating to their treatment.
- To undertake general departmental duties such as cleaning, collation of statistical information and ordering equipment.
- To undertake clerical and household tasks as necessary to maintain the smooth running of the department.
- To organise and prioritise own delegated workload, under supervision of qualified staff, using effective time management skills responding flexibly to changing priorities.
- To be able to progress patient treatment within established protocols and guidelines.
- To assess patient’s progress, taking account of their environment, and adjust own clinical interventions accordingly and report back to the Therapist.
- To participate in and contribute to the Therapists’ assessment and treatment planning.To complete delegated interventions in the appropriate setting once trained to do so.
- To liaise with the qualified staff member as necessary regarding patients therapeutic interventions, highlighting any variations to expected outcomes from the treatment programmes.
- To be skilled in the safe use of a broad range equipment and therapeutic skills once trained.