Children's Physiotherapy Assistant

We are looking for a physiotherapy assistant to join our welcoming and friendly children’s physiotherapy team. The team provides treatment and support for our children and families with complex or long term medical needs. This post is based at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital site in Chelsea and Park View Health Centre in White City, but you may sometimes provide support to our other main base as required: Jack Tizard Special School. We provide high quality, family-centred care to children and young people attending the Chelsea Children’s Hospital and as part of the Cheyne Child Development Service, working in a variety of locations including the child’s home, educational and healthcare settings. The physiotherapy team works closely with other therapy staff including speech and language therapists, music therapists and occupational therapists, with teachers and classroom assistants. The post provides administrative support for the physiotherapy team but will also include some face to face patient contact. If you have experience of administration, working with babies and children and/or children with complex needs, and want to work in a friendly and supportive team come and visit or give us a call To carry out designated tasks and activities independently as delegated by the responsible physiotherapist. To work under the direction and appropriate supervision of the responsible physiotherapist although initiative is encouraged. To provide administrative support to the physiotherapy team in the community including mainstream and special school settings. To assist in maintaining a safe work environment. To participate in CPD and other developmental activities related to the area of work. Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites—Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital—along with award-winning clinics across North West London. Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children’s services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use. We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex. Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites. **1. Clinical**: (Although this post includes some clinical work, the role includes >50% administrative support for the physiotherapists) - To carry out the appropriate procedures and related tasks that have been selected and delegated by the therapist with the appropriate level of competency. It is the joint responsibility of the therapy assistant and the supervisor to ensure the assistant is competent and confident in carrying out the required intervention and duties. These may involve mobilising and transferring patients, assisting with personal care tasks, undertaking home visits, carrying and installing equipment as well as carrying out and supervising others in carrying out exercise programmes. - To support the paediatric physiotherapists in specific treatment programmes this may involve regular manual handling of clients with considerable physical disability. The post holder will be expected to kneel, sit on heels, move inert young adult limbs and support clients whilst mobilising. They may also be expected to transfer clients; push wheelchairs, use hoists, and carry/install equipment - To provide clients and carers with direction and guidance on a range of physical activities as directed by the physiotherapist. This may include encouraging clients and carers to become actively involved in maximising and maintaining their physical abilities. - Setting up equipment for use by therapists during treatment sessions or for use in the school or home environment. - To provide advice on the safe use of equipment to patients and those appropriate. - To participate in the maintenance, cleaning and recharging of therapy equipment. - To participate in maintenance of treatment areas in accordance with the health and safety policy and departmental procedures. - To cover for absent physiotherapy staff e.g. therapy assistants who work in another area, or support a physiotherapist/ occupational therapist who have staff shortages in their section if the need arises. - To comply with the Trust and school policy on confidentiality, maintaining strict confidentiality regarding any information pertaining to clients and their families. - To attend and actively participate in in-service training as required. - To attend staff and team meetings as required - To travel between sites as required using own, hospital or public transport. - To do home visits with or under direct supervision of a physiotherapis