Physiotherapy Assistant

We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic individual to join our friendly physiotherapy team here at the Princess Royal Hospital. This Technical Instructor post is essential in helping the team provide a high standard of patient care in an environment where staff are supported to innovate and lead improvement.
To treat a delegated caseload of patients on a 1:1 basis (who have been previously been assessed by a Physiotherapist) without being directly supervised by a Physiotherapist, but will have immediate access to a physiotherapist on site or by telephone/bleep.
Support Physiotherapists in our rehabilitation classes and Hydrotherapy service
To adhere to Trust policies and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Code of Conduct, including guidance around maintaining records.
To provide information and advice to patients, carers and other health and social care professions on areas within the grades scope of practice, e.g. advise patients on exercise treatment programmes based on procedures and set protocols..
To feedback to physiotherapists and leadership team regarding how delivery of service and policies impact on patients and the service as a whole, to ensure maintenance and improvement to quality at all times.
To provide support to the physiotherapists with clinical admin.
To actively promote and develop equality and diversity practices and strategic management in this area in order to promote equity of access of care for patients and equity of access to job opportunities and development opportunities for staff.
To be an active member of the evening and weekend on-call service and/or orthopaedic service.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
Please see Job Description and Person Specification for more detail.
1. To be responsible and accountable for all aspects of your delegated work
2. To maintain high standards of clinical care for the patients as defined by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust and the Physiotherapy Department.
3. No clinical decisions regarding appropriateness for treatment should be made and all information regarding the patient status reported back for triage by the physiotherapist.
4. To assist the physiotherapist in moving, handling and treatment programmes and with the running of Cardiac Rehabilitation classes and Hydrotherapy. This may include the use of hoists.
5. To assist with the running of the Hydrotherapy and Exercise group classes
6. To prepare patients and treatment areas for activity including checking the pool chemistry and maintaining a safe pool environment for staff and patient use. Also to include the initial greeting of patients and carers, assisting with dressing, undressing and toileting of patients.
7. To undertake standard treatment programmes on a delegated caseload of patients who have been previously assessed by a physiotherapist and progress within a protocol set by the physiotherapists.
8. To report progress and variances in treatment/patients condition to the appropriate physiotherapist / discipline at the earliest possible opportunity.
9. To organise the delegated caseload effectively and efficiently on a day to day basis with guidance form the physiotherapist when needed.
11. Instruct patients in the use of walking aids and provide advice to patients and carers regarding safety issues associated with walking aids, according to departmental policy.
12. To be responsible for the equipment used in carrying out physiotherapy duties, and to adhere to departmental equipment policy and Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST) standard. To ensure the safe use of equipment and reporting of faults by self and others including patients, carers and other health professionals.
13. To undertake