Rotational Therapy Assistant

An opportunity has arisen for a Therapy Assistant to join our therapy team at University Hospital Lewisham.

The job offers the opportunity to rotate into different clinical areas, including general medicine, orthopaedics and surgery, care of the elderly and stroke rehabilitation, working to assist with Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy. You will work primarily with therapy staff on the wards and in the gym areas, with some supportive administrative duties also.

Experience of dealing with the public is essential, preferably in a care environment. Good communication skills, common sense and a friendly disposition are important. You must be able to assist in the moving and handling of patients. Car driver essential.

Here at Lewisham, we have a strong focus on our trust values, which we embed in our daily practice.

We deliver care to a diverse community and place huge importance on the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion in all that we do.

You will be working alongside our physiotherapy and occupational therapy team to support in the delivery of treatment plans, some admin tasks for the team.

There will be the opportunity for you to carry your own rehab assistant caseload of patients under the guidance of the qualified therapists.

There is a strong focus on teamwork and ongoing development, with regular opportunities to progress upward.

**Post Title**:
Therapy Assistant (Rotational Post)

**Department**:
Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy

**Responsible to**:
Therapy Manager

**Grade**:
Band 3

**Hours**:
37.5

**Job Summary**:
This position is accountable to the Head of Therapies. The purpose of the position is to assist Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists provide therapy assessment, rehabilitation and management of patients. Also to assist in the administration and clerical duties of the department, according to the specific rotational area of work.

**Key Result Areas & Performance**:

- To assist the therapists in moving and handling patients before, during and after treatments, using appropriate manual handling equipment, eg. hoists, standing frames.
- To assist the therapist with individual and group assessments / treatments / activities, including hydrotherapy, or to treat patients on a 1:1 basis or in a group situation, as directed by the therapists.
- To report back to the delegating therapist relevant information regarding patient management.
- To escort patients to and from wards / departments.
- To escort and assist patients with toilet and dressing requirements as necessary.
- To assist with the patients on home visits as directed by the therapists, giving support and advice as appropriate. Includes collection and return of house keys from/to inpatients.
- To deliver and install simple aids and equipment in the patient's home as agreed by therapy staff and to instruct patients and carers in the use of this equipment, as appropriate.
- To supply patients with appropriate, safe, walking aids and to instruct patients in the use of this equipment.
- To transfer information from patient records to therapy records, including operation notes/details.
- To maintain accurate computer and written records that meet professional and Trust standards
- To write any therapy assessments/reports in consultation with Occupational

Therapists/Physiotherapists, and according to local standards. To ensure any written reports are filed promptly in the appropriate place.
- To use the relevant therapy/hospital computer information system to check and record patient data and attendance details.
- To arrange/change outpatient appointments in the electronic diary, and inform patients and therapists accordingly.
- To undertake general administrative tasks within the department particularly related to record keeping, filing, supplies, errands and message taking, photocopying, and absence cover rota for support staff.
- To organise appropriate transport and interpreting services.

Work force
- To attend relevant therapy assistant training sessions.
- To participate in the individual performance review (appraisal) scheme, and to be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development plan to meet set goals.
- To participate in mandatory and statutory training as required, eg. basic life support, manual handling etc.
- To attend Trust in-house training sessions / programmes and external courses as appropriate.
- To contribute to the training of new / volunteer staff as requested by therapist.
- To attend and participate in staff meetings, case conferences, multidisciplinary team meetings and other meetings as required.

Financial
- To maintain and help administer stock and condition of therapy equipment on the wards and in the departments, reporting any defects or problems with equipment immediately to the senior therapist.
- To assist with the annual Occupational Therapy department stocktaking process

Partnerships Communications and Relationships
- To report back to the delegatin