Home First Health & Therapy Assistant

NHS; Lewes; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A major healthcare provider in the UK seeks a Health and Therapy Assistant to support patients in their homes by providing direct care under the supervision of qualified health professionals. The role involves working with a multidisciplinary team, ensuring high standards of care in alignment with care plans. Ideal candidates will have experience in a health or social care setting, possess excellent communication skills, and be adaptable to various environments. The position promotes flexible working and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Excellent training and development opportunities

Accredited Living Wage Employer

Qualifications

• Experience of working in a health or social care setting.
• Experience of working as a care assistant either with nursing or therapy services.
• Experience of working with adults in the community.

Responsibilities

• To assist the multidisciplinary team in delivering high quality individualised care.
• To assist with provision of assistive/mobility and ADL equipment.
• Monitoring and recording dietary and fluid intake in accordance with a care plan.

Skills

Basic understanding of statutory health and social services

Basic numeracy and ability to write simple reports

Strong interpersonal skills

Effective communication

Education

General standard of education to GCSE level

NVQ level 2 or equivalent

Job description

The Home First Service provides clinical interventions (including intravenous therapy), by a team of Nurses, Paramedics, Physio and Occupational Therapists alongside reablement support following an assessment of needs, to support Pathway One discharges following a hospital admission.

Operating 365 days per year, the service receives referrals from a range of health and care professionals and triages, assesses, and delivers care to the patient over several days to ensure the patient can remain safely at home.

As a Health and Therapy Assistant the post holder is to work across the disciplines of nursing, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy, carrying out assigned tasks involving direct care to patients as part of the community based multi-disciplinary team. This role will involve working with patients in their homes within the policies, procedures and philosophy of Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, in support of and supervised by registered nurses and therapies staff.

The post holder will be aware of own competency and be willing to develop knowledge and skills in order to deliver high standard of care to patients. The post holder will be expected to work as part of a 7-day a week rota.

Main duties of the job

To work in a multidisciplinary team with qualified nurses, therapists, social workers, medical and other support staff.

To report all incidents/accidents involving patients and staff to a qualified health professional and to assist in any enquiries.

To assist in the on-going recording of patient information under the supervision of qualified Staff.

To participate in clinical supervision sessions as directed.

About us

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.

Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.

Why work for us?

• Positive 2024 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing
• Varied environments: community hospitals, patients' homes, and bases across Sussex
• Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retirement
• Excellent training, development, and research opportunities
• Accredited Living Wage Employer, we ensure fair pay for all our staff
• Cost‑effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton
• Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networks
• Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust

Our values

Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence

We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.

This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.

Job responsibilities

1. To undertake in‑house, across disciplinary training, induction and assessment in practical nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and other professional related practice.
2. To carry out care of patients in their own homes in accordance with individual nursing, physiotherapy and occupational therapy care plans without the direct supervision of registered nursing and AHP staff.
3. To assist the multidisciplinary team in delivering high quality individualised care to patients with a focus on rehabilitation and improving function and independence with activities of daily living.
4. To assist the Home First based therapy team to implement treatment plans in patients' own home which could involve supervision of exercises and indoor or outdoor mobility practice, transfer practice, washing and dressing, and kitchen observations, interviewing to gather background information and visits to patients' property under the guidance of a qualified Therapist.
5. To assist with provision of assistive/mobility and ADL equipment.
6. To observe patients' performance and report in writing on SystmOne (S1) and verbally to the registered professional who holds responsibility for the delegated care.
7. To assist in the safe moving, handling and assessment of patients once appropriate training has been given.
8. To assist a registered health professional in supporting a patient to get up off the floor using the raiser chair.
9. To assist patients with eating and drinking in accordance with a care plan and report any observations to a registered professional.
10. To assist patients with personal and oral hygiene as instructed and in accordance with a care plan.
11. To assist patients with taking their medication in accordance with a care plan.
12. Monitoring and recording of dietary and fluid intake in accordance with a care plan.
13. Collecting and testing urine and stool specimens and recording results in accordance with a care plan. Monitoring and recording output and appropriately reporting any abnormalities to the nurse in charge.
14. To provide venepuncture support to the service in accordance with a care plan or on instruction from a registered health professional, take specimen to designated collection point.
15. Taking and recording of temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respirations and other screening tools in accordance with a care plan or on instruction from a qualified nurse or other registered professionals recording the results appropriately on S1 and reporting back.
16. To support in the care of wound management under the supervision of the registered nurse in accordance with a care plan.
17. To assist in the care of the dying and in supporting carers according to the trust policy.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• General standard of education to GSCE level or equivalent.
• NVQ level 2 or equivalent (in health and social care applicable subject), or be willing to undertake.
• Evidence of consistent pattern of learning from education, training and experience.
• Experience of working in a health or social care setting.
• Experience of working as a care assistant either with nursing or therapy services.
• Experience of working with adults in the community.

Skills and Knowledge

• Basic understanding of statutory health and social services.
• Basic numeracy and ability to write simple reports.
• Able to work with minimal supervision either in isolation or as a member of the team.
• Able to use time effectively and prioritise work through good organisational skills.
• Able to maintain confidentiality and deal with sensitive information.
• Able to use IT systems and keyboard skills including accurate data recording skills.
• Able to use strong interpersonal skills and appropriate empathetic and tactful manner.
• Able to communicate effectively with customers, carers and health and care specialist services and colleagues.
• Able to work effectively as individual but also as part of larger team.

Other Requirements

• Car driver (Valid Driving License for use in the UK).
• Access to a vehicle for work purpose.
• Willingness to undertake training to develop within the role.
• Flexible approach to working.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.