Macmillan Technical Instructor

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a part-time (18.75hpw) Band 3 Technical Instructor to join the Specialist Community Palliative Care Service. The post is to work in the South East/Central Northumberland area, however, may at times of service need be asked to support in other areas. The post will be working for Northumbria Healthcare Trust in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support and will be part of the existing Macmillan Palliative Care team.

This will be a job share post working 3 days one week and 2 days the next opposite the other post holder.

The post holder will support both Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy colleagues. You must have excellent communication, assessment, decision making, advocacy skills and IT skills. There will be an expectation to transport and deliver minor aids/equipment and will cover all areas of North Tyneside. The post holder will need to be able to meet the transport requirements of the posts.

**The post holder will be expected to**:

- be responsible for own caseload.
- assist the qualified Therapists with providing home based assessments and treatments to patients with complex and highly complex needs with cancer and other life threatening illnesses of limited prognosis.
- provide administrative support to the Therapists to obtain resources and maintain information on resources.
- undertake appropriate training as indicated by the Therapist specific to the client group encountered
- perform any other reasonable duty as directed by the therapist.

Assist the Therapists in maintaining patients with complex palliative care needs in their own home including the fitting of appropriate items of equipment as assessed for by the Therapists.

Carry out assessments and other tasks that have either a) been screened by an OT or physiotherapist or b) where the work boundaries are clearly defined (excluding complex assessments) with direct and indirect supervision of a registered Therapist.

Undertake appropriate training specific to client group

Assist qualified staff in administrative tasks including requisitioning resources and maintaining updated resource information

Liaise and feedback to other members of the Specialist Palliative Care Team

Review and reflect on your own practice and performance through regular participation in supervision and appraisal

Assist in the development of Therapy service provision in Specialist Palliative care.

Participate in clinical governance and quality improvement projects as allocated by the Therapist or Operational Management Team.

As a part of a team, incorporate up to date techniques and ideas of positive practice into your interventions.

To participate in team audit projects and evaluation activities as agreed with supervisor

To form professional relationships with clients and carers and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture.

To demonstrate effective listening skills when receiving sensitive information e.g. upset relative conveying personal situation and offer appropriate response.

To develop and use empathic and sensitive communication skills with clients and carers to encourage clients to engage in the Therapy process. Clients may have obstacles to understanding or expression due to physical or emotional distress

To report effectively to the Therapist and MDT Team to update them on assessments, client’s progress and abilities where appropriate

To liaise with Health and Local Authority organisations regarding provision of adaptations for clients

To use verbal, written and electronic communication tools as appropriate

To participate in regular clinical supervision and appraisal with the Senior Therapist

To ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional, Macmillan and Trust standards.

To participate in the induction, training and education of students and other staff in this setting

To assist the Therapists in preparing and delivering in-service training

As part of the Specialist Palliative Care team to participate in clinical governance and quality improvement projects as allocated by the Senior Therapist

To participate in team audit, evaluation and research activities as agreed with your supervisor