Physiotherapy Assistant

Job overview

This is an ideal opportunity for someone with experience of working with patients in a health, social or customer care setting.

You will be an essential part of a large team of therapists based at Fairfield General Hospital. The role will involve working on the inpatient wards.

The department is currently developing an integrated approach to acute rehabilitation and as such you will work closely with physiotherapists and occupational therapists on a daily basis. You will be supported by a team which takes a proactive and innovative approach to continuous professional development, evidence based practice and service development.

Main duties of the job

To assist in the delivery of high quality, evidenced based rehabilitation in the acute setting at Fairfield General Hospital. Managing a delegated caseload with a range of registered clinicians available for support and direction as required.

Support with the implementation of therapy programmes devised by registered clinicians, working towards individual patient goals.

To work towards the completion of a specialised competency framework, supervised and evaluated by the registered clinicians.

Supporting with identified audits and quality improvement projects to ensure a continuous review and development of our services.

Carrying out a range of non-clinical duties related to the role as required.

Ability to work over 7 days, with the ability to be flexible in terms of working patterns including weekends, bank holidays and extra hours if necessary.

Support to wards/specialities outside of the normal work area may be required. This will never involve being asked to work outside scope of practice and the appropriate training will be provided.

Working for our organisation

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford, to save and improve lives.

As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and working closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to **make a difference** and we’re always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values - **care**, **appreciate** and **inspire** - to join our team.

In return, we can offer you a job role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a competitive benefits package, including, a fantastic annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and protected hours for health and wellbeing activities, helping you to achieve more personal downtime and a better work-life balance.

Detailed job description and main responsibilitiesPerson specification

Knowledge, Training & Experience

Essential criteria
- Experience in the care & responsibility of others
- Able to work on own initiative
- Experience of working within a team and independently with support
- Experience of working within a team

Desirable criteria
- Previous experience working in the NHS
- Previous work as a therapy assistant; or
- Previous experience working in a social care, nursing or customer care setting
- Previous experience working with Stroke and/or neurological patient group

**Qualifications**:
Essential criteria
- NVQ level 3 or equivalent level of experience in customer service or health/social care relate related fields

Skills & Abilities

Essential criteria
- Good organisational skills
- Good communication (written and verbal skills)
- Ability to work without supervision appreciating the need to consult qualified staff in appropriate circumstances
- Ability to empathise with the patient’s needs
- Basic IT skills
- Ability to work under pressure
- Able to travel between sites where the post involves community work
- Flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the service

Desirable criteria
- Dealing with confrontation
- Persuasive and motivational skills

We understand the importance of balancing work and home life. We are committed to supporting flexible working for our people wherever possible and all our colleagues are given the opportunity to discuss potential for flexible working. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement.

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) serves a diverse population, and each Care Organisation works hard to ensure all services are accessible and fair.

We respect the value of difference. So, our aim is to employ a workforce representative of the communities we serve. Regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, trans status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation