Senior Therapy Assistant

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

Therapy Services, Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford

Following recent resignation and additional funding we now have vacancies for Senior Therapy Assistants, both full time or part time.

You will be part of our integrated team of Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists in a busy acute hospital environment.
This role involves working closely with patients to assess and improve their skills in activities of daily living, mobility and self care but there are also administrative tasks, equipment cleaning and record keeping.

Your work will be directed and supervised by qualified therapists.

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.

Part of the Mid and South Essex clinical pathway redesign, Broomfield Hospital is an innovative, dynamic environment. Our integrated Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Therapy Assistant service has a high profile within the Trust.

You will have experience of working in an acute hospital and facilitating discharges using problem solving skills. Therapy Services is a friendly and supportive department with a strong focus on professional and personal development, and a commitment to regular clinical supervision for all staff, as well as rotational and annual appraisal

Clinical
1. To participate in and contribute to the Therapists’ assessment and
treatment planning.
2. To complete delegated Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy
interventions in the acute hospital setting once trained to do so. This
includes personal care, mobility assessments, domestic activities and
exercise programmes.
3. To liaise with the Therapist as necessary regarding patients therapeutic
interventions particularly highlighting any variations to expected
outcomes from the treatment programmes.
4. To be able to progress patient treatment within established protocols
and guidelines.
5. To monitor patient’s progress, taking account of their environment, and
adjust own clinical interventions accordingly and report back to the
Therapist.
6. To be skilled in the safe use of a broad range of manual handling
equipment and therapeutic handling skills once trained.
7. To undertake moving and handling that requires intense physical effort
throughout the working day.
8. To liaise with other members of the multi-disciplinary team on behalf of
the Therapist regarding a patient’s therapy.
9. Under the direction of the Therapists to be responsible for liaising with
patients, relatives, carers, equipment services, social and health care
professionals and other voluntary organisations and statutory bodies.
10.To demonstrate an understanding of both Physiotherapy and
Occupational Therapy.
11.To demonstrate evidence of sound theoretical knowledge of clinical
and technical procedures with guidance.
12.To appropriately measure, supply and adapt mobility aids and
equipment once trained to do so.
13.To assist in identifying appropriate equipment and adaptations required
in patients own homes.
14.Under supervision to order equipment identified by Therapists and
contribute to ensuring its timely delivery.
15.To complete records ensuring they are accurate, timely and in
accordance with Trust, Professional and Departmental standards and
procedures.
16.To contribute to the induction of newly appointed Therapy Assistants,
qualified Therapists and students
17.To organise and prioritise own delegated workload, under supervision
of qualified staff, using effective time management skills responding
flexibly to changing priorities.
18.To work effectively with various members of the therapy team,
including demonstrating the ability to work flexibly under the guidance
of a number of different staff or across different teams.
PAS, word processing and intranet/internet.
Communication
1. Communicates in an effective way to encourage and motivate patients.
2. Communicates in a confident and assertive manner in a MDT.
3. Demonstrates an understanding of social, psychological and emotional
issues that may impact on patient care and compliance.
4. To form therapeutic rapport with clients/patients and their
families/carers to effectively communicate in a way that respects users’
autonomy and culture.
5. To use effective verbal and non-verbal communication during delive