Therapy Assistant Practitioner- Community Strength

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a therapy assistant practitioner to work within a new, innovative strength and balance service in Gateshead.

This service is being delivered in partnership with Gateshead Council Public Health and aims to improve the independence and confidence of mildly to moderately frail over 65 year old adults at risk of falls.

The successful applicant will be part of a new team, working with the existing Band 7 Advanced Therapist and a new Band 5 Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist.

In this diverse role, you will triage patient referrals, complete basic patient assessments, deliver one to one home based strength and balance exercises and have the opportunity to deliver Otago Strength and Balance group classes across Gateshead.

A newly developed pathway provides progression routes from this service into other community exercise and activity opportunities and we aim topromote 'Healthy Ageing' and encourage lifelong participation.

Training and support opportunities will be provided to develop the necessary skills required for the role, such as the Otago Exercise Programme Leader Training.

The post is also offered as a secondment opportunity.

A full, clean driving license is essential and you must have access to your own vehicle.
- To assist the Strength and Balance Therapy team with the triage, assessment and treatment of mildly to moderately frail over 65’s.
- To deliver home based one to one exercise support and community strength and balance classes in partnership with the Gateshead Council Public Health team.
- To independently manage a caseload using evidence based and patient centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate strength and balance interventions.
- To contribute to multi-disciplinary team working under the guidance and support of the Advanced Therapist and Physiotherapist/Occupational Therapist.
- To be effective at partnership working with the Gateshead Council Public Health Team and a range of local community organisations.
- To be interested in expanding your knowledge and expertise in the areas of frailty, deconditioning and their effects on strength, balance and falls risk in older adults.
- To have an understanding of exercise progression and be able to adapt exercises based on the patients ability and goals.
- To be able to respond flexibly and creatively to challenges.

Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.

Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.
- To assist the Strength and Balance Therapy team in the assessment and treatment of mildly to moderately frail over 65’s with strength and balance deficits
- To carry out clinical duties under the direction of a Clinical Therapist.
- To work closely with therapy staff to provide clinical care and support programmes to help the patient to remain in their own environment, thereby reducing the need for unnecessary hospital admission/ attendance and long-term care.
- The post holder will play a key role in supporting the Strength and Balance team with a range of interventions, including strength and balance exercises, which enable the patient to receive the optimum care health outcomes.
- To implement treatment programmes and interventions for patients at risk of falls and deconditioning.
- To effectively use evidence based outcome measures with individual patients to measure progress.
- To provide exercise and general advice/education to patients, carers and other professionals.
- To deliver 14 week long Otago Strength and Balance classes at various venues across Gateshead, either as the lead instructor or assistant, following training and in partnership with Gateshead Public Health Instructors.
- To promote appropriate local exercise/activity opportunities to both class participants’ and individual home based patients and encourage lifelong participation in exercise.
- To understand the effects of frailty and deconditioning on older patients and deliver a person centred approach to treatment and exercises.
- To ensure optimum health and wellbeing by encouraging nutrition, hydration and medical compliance of patients and maintain daily records according to Trust policy.
- To plan and prioritise an allocated patient caseload and supervise/motivate patients in activities relating to agreed treatment protocols.
- To promote the benefits of ‘Healthy Ageing’ to the older population of Gateshead.
- The duties will be carried out in the community setting under the supervision and guidance of the Strength and Balance Therapists, however the post holder will be expected to work alone with access to professional advice and guidance when required.
- The post holder will provide vit