Therapy/rehabilitation Assistant

An exiting opportunity has arisen to work as part of a large multidisciplinary team in the Sister Winifred Laver Centre as a full time Band 3 Therapy/Rehabilitation Assistant.

This vacancy is full time and will require the post holder to work flexibly to cover a 7 day per week service. The role will involve providing support and appropriate interventions to patients in the Sister Winifred Laver Centre in order to improve their health and maximise their level of independence.

The role will involve working closely with the nursing and therapy team to support programmes of rehabilitation and health promotion to help the patient return to their own environment.

The role will also involve undertaking observations and diagnostic tests and supporting the clinical care of patients. As a therapy/rehabilitation assistant your job will be to ensure that the highest level of patient care is achieved at all times.
- To support Nursing, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists in providing programmes of rehabilitation, following agreed protocols to patients at home or in intermediate care settings.
- Support the team to provide high standards of patient care. Provide clinical care following training and agreed protocols, this may include for eg; simple dressings, diagnostic tests and supporting qualified staff with clinical procedures.
- Integrated working with members of the local authority.
- Assist in assessing peoples health and well being and related needs as agreed with the team e.g. to assist with the dietary requirements of the patient, i.e., preparation of food, cooking light meals, help with feeding or enabling patient to perform these tasks in a safe and controlled environment and monitoring and feeding back regarding nutritional intake of clients.
- Assist in planning, delivering and evaluating programmes to meet peoples health and well being needs e. g. To implement rehabilitation programmes as specified by the key therapist designed to enable the patient to retain / regain maximal functional independence.
- Perform routine tests and tasks related to investigations and reporting e.g. Undertake diagnostic tests, following training which may include: - Venepuncture, BP Monitoring, Pulse Oximetry, blood glucose monitoring.
- Assist in maintaining own and others health, safety and security.

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.

We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.

Our values should be the ‘golden thread’ which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.

We have a number of staff networks including the BAME network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women’s Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our armed forces network is one of our emerging networks.
- Establish and maintain communication with people on routine and operational matters which includes reporting to the nurse/ therapist in charge at agreed times, using appropriate communication systems, identifying significant changes in patient condition. Maintain written records to an agreed standard and display a positive and considerate approach to patients and their families / carers. Liaison with senior staff regarding patients.
- To support Nursing, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists in providing programmes of rehabilitation, following agreed protocols to patients at home or in intermediate care settings, for example practising with and monitoring patients using new therapy techniques, carrying out specific exercise programmes and balance re-education programmes within the client’s home environment.
- Support the team to provide high standards of patient care. Provide clinical care following training and agreed protocols, this may include for eg; simple dressings, diagnostic tests and supporting qualified staff with clinical procedures.
- Develop own skills and knowledge and provide information to others to help their development. Keep up to date with the Trusts policies and procedures and attend statutory training, study days and staff meetings as required.
- Assist in maintaining and developing services including the provision of statistical information in line with service requirements. Work collaboratively as a team member with colleagues, recognising and valuing each person’s contribution to the team.
- Ensure own actions promote quality and alert others to quality issues. Provide a high standard of Health and / or Social Care to patients