Senior Therapy Assistant

We are seeking enthusiastic and motivated individuals to support the

Carry out specialised programmes of care and related tasks/duties which have been pre-selected and appropriately delegated by a qualified member of staff.

Carry out assessments/therapeutic interventions that do not require specialist skills of a Physiotherapist/Occupational Therapist, but demands greater skills, knowledge, experience and training than that of an Assistant.

Expected to report to the qualified members of the team for redirection and advice as necessary or as per protocols/guidelines

Adequately structured specialist training will have been provided by appropriate qualified staff prior to undertaking these assignments, for which the Assistant has been judged fully ‘competent’ to perform by a qualified member of staff.

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust is one of the largest NHS trusts in the West Midlands providing primary, acute and community services and we are incredibly proud of the diversity of both our staff and the communities we serve. We are building a workforce that can help us to fulfil our values, improve quality of care for patients, and solve the health care problems of tomorrow. We’re passionate about the value that diversity of thinking and lived experience brings in enabling us to become a learning organisation and leader in delivering compassionate care for our patients.

We are delighted that we have been rated as“Good”by CQC. We have achieved numerous awards; The Nursing Times Best Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Best UK Employer of the Year for Nursing Staff in 2020.

The Trust is a supportive working environment committed to creating flexible working arrangements that suit your needs and as such will consider all requests from applicants who wish to work flexibly.

To be the first point of contact for the Therapist when required. For example, when attending meetings, clinics, handovers, etc. provided the situation is deemed appropriate by the Therapist.

Assist the Therapist in the rehabilitation of patients using a range of delegated exercises and/or manual therapy treatments.

To manage the rehabilitation of patients as delegated by the Therapist. Working without direct supervision and responsible for assessing patient progress and reporting back to Therapist.

Treat patients individually or in a group in a variety of setting without the direct supervision or presence of a therapist, e.g. in the clinics or on the ward.

To undertake highly skilled support work.

Instruct patients and carers, providing direction and guidance on a range of therapy/mobility activities, as part of own clinical work or as directed as necessary by the Therapist.

To measure patients for equipment provision as required.

Encourage patients and their carers in an active approach to regaining and maintaining personal independence. This requires empathy, sensitivity and good interpersonal skills.

Use effective communication tools, verbal and non verbal to communicate treatment programmes to patients who may have barriers to understanding or communicating, e.g. blind, deaf, dysphasic, or who do not have English as a first language.

Attend multi-disciplinary team meetings as the therapy representative for individual patients, as delegated by the therapist. Participate in the clinical decision making process at multi-disciplinary meetings.

Make accurate records of work undertaken and keep monthly statistics as required, including documenting patient contacts in line with CSP/COT and service standards.

To liaise with the Therapist as necessary regarding patient care. In particular highlighting any variations to expected outcomes from treatment programmes you deliver.

To supervise other Assistants working in their own team or area.

To attend in-service training as required.

To actively participate in the delivery of in-service training. Training newly appointed Therapy Assistants in basic elements of patient care, safety and inducting them into the department.

Contribute to development of patient care by attending relevant team, departmental or other appropriate meetings and comment on recommended changes to clinical care or service provision.

Collate departmental activity data.

To be responsible for overseeing the overall housekeeping of the designated area to ensure a clean, safe and tidy environment.

Keep the department tidy, clean the therapy equipment regularly and ensure that no damaged or problem equipment is used.

To take responsibility for the re-call of equipment

Be responsible for the safe use of therapy equipment and aids by patients in your care.

To monitor stock levels and arrange re-ordering of equipment.

Manage and prioritise own patient case load delegated by the Therapist.

To participate in the appraisal system as an appraisee and be responsible for complying with the agreed Personal Development Plan.

To maintain a record of learning with support as necessary.

Actively participate