Therapy Assistant

Here is an exciting opportunity to start you career in patient care within Therapies. Basildon Hospital has a band 2 therapy assistant requirement following internal promotion.

It is an opportunity to participate as a member of the therapy team and assist with the specific duties and to undertake tasks as required after initial assessment of a patient by qualified staff

To use skills and techniques independently once trained and to undertake the treatment/teaching of patients/carers on a daily basis. In particular mobility practise; stair practise and ADL practise.

You will be responsible for the safe use of physiotherapy and occupational therapy equipment and aids by patients in your care and to ensure that the necessary equipment is available in the appropriate places.

You will carry out procedures in which you have been trained and are responsible for adhering to service standards for your own practice. A more senior member of staff on a regular basis will supervise your work.

You will provide and organise the collection of relevant statistical information both mandatory and at the request of the Acute Therapy Lead and senior physiotherapy and occupational therapy staff.

You will assist in identifying opportunities to improve the physiotherapy and occupational therapy service in order to provide the best patient care within the resources available.

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 undertake all mandatory training and will be expected to participate in informal/formal training, i.e. In-service where appropriate.
- To manage and prioritise own caseload and non-client activities on the advice of physiotherapist and occupational therapist, care of stock/equipment, general tidiness and organisation of department/area and induction of new staff.
- To use effective communication skills, both verbal and non verbal, to gain consent for treatment and motivate/persuade patient who may have barriers to understanding, to comply with treatment.
- To carry out specific instructions related to a regime of treatment for patients or group of patients, which will be decided by a physiotherapist and occupational therapist.
- To instruct patients in providing direction and guidance on a range of physiotherapy and mobility activities as part of own clinical work or as directed, as necessary, by the physiotherapist/occupational therapist.
- To ensure that all equipment individually issued to a patient or other member of staff, has been checked against current departmental guidelines.
- To have trained in record keeping skills to become competent in writing data basis obtained from the medical notes and completing Discharge Summary on Physiotherapy note