IPOCH Community Therapy Assistant ED

Mcht; Crewe; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Training and development opportunities

Generous holiday allowance 28 days + 8

Supportive supervision

DBS disclosure support

Vaccination programme

Job summary

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MCHFT) is recruiting a Band 4 Therapy Assistant to join the Integrated Placement of Care Team (IPOCH) Home First service serving the Crewe area. You will work across the Emergency Department, admission avoidance pathways, inpatient wards and community settings to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and support timely discharge.

You will collaborate with multidisciplinary colleagues, undertake initial assessments, support complex home visits and

Qualifications

• Assistant Practitioner qualification (ST0215 Healthcare Assistant Practitioner Level 5) or working towards it.
• Degree qualification in a relevant area.
• Willing to work towards completion if not yet achieved.

Responsibilities

• Make therapeutic contact with newly referred patients identified by qualified therapists.
• Independently complete holistic assessments and rehabilitation programmes.
• Follow departmental protocols and refer to qualified clinicians when needed.
• Hold a caseload, report back within agreed timescales, support band 3 colleagues.
• Work across home, ED, community settings to ensure safe/discharge planning.

Skills

Patient facing role

Transferable band 3 experience

Education

Assistant Practitioner Level 5

Degree qualification

Job description

Want to work somewhere you can really make a difference? Somewhere you’re encouraged to have ideas and empowered to create positive change?

Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership (CCICP) deliver NHS Community Services across Cheshire. With a wide range of clinical disciplines, we are a dynamic, future-facing organisation passionate about delivering the highest quality healthcare whilst collaborating with our community partners.

We foster a culture of continuous improvement, built on compassion.

• Over 83% of staff would recommend CCICP as a place to work
• 90% of staff say the people they work with show appreciation to each other
• 88% staff say that patient care/service users are the organisations top priority
• Over 70% of staff believe there are opportunities for them to develop their career
• If a friend or relative needed treatment 81% of staff are happy with the standard of care provided

We are recognised nationally

• With over 24 Queen’s Nurses (and growing) we have one of the highest percentages proportionate to the size of our team
• Nursing Times Award winners in 2023 and finalists in 2024 for a Bladder and Bowl project. Our specialist Stoma service is currently shortlisted for a Nursing Times and British Journal of Nursing awards.
• Two Specialist clinicians have recently had their work recognised by Wounds UK
• Leighton Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre, run by CCICP, was reviewed by Care Quality Commission and awarded the highest score in the North West

Job overview

An exciting post for a Band 4 Therapy Assistant to work within the Home First Team within the Integrated Placement of Care Team (IPOCH). The post holder will work across the Emergency Department (ED), admission avoidance pathways, inpatient wards and community settings to support in preventing unnecessary hospital admissions, and support patients to receive care in the most appropriate setting.

The post holder will work collaboratively and cooperatively with multidisciplinary colleagues to meet the needs of patients and their families, taking an active role in facilitating safe and timely discharge from hospital, supporting admission avoidance initiatives within ED and Urgent Care pathways and undertaking ongoing assessments within community settings in line with National Hospital Discharge Guidance and Home First principles.

This role offers the opportunity to enhance skills within the ED and community therapy services, linking in with the wider support network and being part of an integrated support system. You will work across ED and our Discharge to Assess beds and across all care communities as required.

The successful candidate will undertake record keeping using an electronic device for which training will be provided.

Applicants must hold a valid UK driving licence.

Main duties of the job

The candidate will support the delivery of Home First Principles across the Emergency Department (ED), admission avoidance pathways, inpatient areas and community services.

Working autonomously and as part of the multidisciplinary team, the candidate will work alongside the therapist in preventing unnecessary hospital admissions and promoting independence, adopting a Proportionate Care and Home First approach. They will work closely with colleagues within ED, Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC), acute wards, community services, primary care, and social care to ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

Responsibilities will include supporting complex home visits, overseeing patient flow through Home First pathways, and ensuring timely reviews and progression of discharge plans.

The IPOCH team is based at Leighton Hospital and provides services across the Emergency Department, acute hospital wards, and patients own homes within the community. The post holder will be expected to work flexibly across these settings and participate in weekend and Bank Holiday working as required.

Working for our organisation

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MCHFT) provides good quality, safe and effective healthcare to the people of Cheshire and beyond. The Trust, which manages Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford, was established as an NHS Trust in April 1991 and became a Foundation Trust in April 2008.

We employ almost 5,000 members of staff, provide around 540 hospital beds, with a range of services including accident and emergency, maternity, outpatients, therapies, and children's health.

The Trust is also part of Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership (CCICP), a unique local health partnership that provides a range of community services for people across South Cheshire and Vale Royal.

At Mid Cheshire, we value our staff and appreciate that in order to give our patients the best quality, compassionate care, we also need to look after our colleagues.

We offer full induction on commencement of the role. Supervision from senior physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist. Setting individual objectives through appraisals and competencies will be provided. All generic therapy assistants benefit from regular supervision sessions which are fortnightly to start. Given equal opportunities to undertake a variety of Continuing Professional development (CPD) and Band 4 competencies to develop and support you in your role.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To make therapeutic contact with newly referred patients as identified by the qualified therapists following admission and triage.
• To independently complete specified holistic assessments, interventions and create rehabilitation programmes either independently or with help of a qualified clinician for community-based patients
• To follow departmental protocols and guidelines referring to the qualified clinician who is available for advice.
• To hold a caseload as delegated by the qualified clinician. Reporting back at agreed timescales, highlighting any necessary actions. Working independently and supporting the band 3 Therapy Assistant’s as required.
• To work with an individual in a variety of settings, such as their home, 24 hours care facility ensuring patient safety and dignity is always maintained.
• To modify interventions and programmes within defined parameters and within their scope of practice
• Complete initial assessments and commission a range of basic equipment and adaptations as appropriate to the service user. To complete necessary risk assessments before prescribing basic equipment and review them on a timely basis.
• To be responsible for the ordering and stock control of materials and equipment as required for the unit.
• Instruct individuals, carers and other professional in the safe use and maintenance of equipment- simple aids such as walking frames, sticks, elbow crutches and functional aids.
• To refer patients to appropriate services and health care professionals where patients are found to have a complex health need.
• Discharge patients within your workload after consultation with qualified member of the team.
• Attend multidisciplinary meetings and participate in clinical decision-making process for individual patients as delegated by the qualified staff.
• To ensure accurate, up to date clinical records are kept, always ensuring their security and confidentiality
• Work within their competency and seek qualified therapist guidance were appropriate.

This job description is an outline of the role and function. It is not intended to describe all specific tasks.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Assistant Practitioner qualification (ST0215 Healthcare Assistant Practitioner Level 5)/willing to work towards completion
• Degree qualification in relevant area

Skills and experience

• Patient facing band 3 role
• Have transferable skills and band 3 therapy assistant experience

Knowledge

• Knowledge of conditions
• Knowledge of community working process

We offer enviable benefits* which include:

• Recognition: monthly ‘Because You Matter’ awards, with an annual awards celebration. CCICP Star of the Month acknowledgements
• Flexible working, tailored to the service, role and individual
• Training and development opportunities
• Mentoring and coaching
• Generous holiday allowance of 28 days plus bank holidays. Increasing with length of service. Option to buy / sell annual leave.
• Fast track physiotherapy access
• Enhanced maternity / paternity / adoption leave pay
• Sick pay
• Access to free counselling service 24/7
• Carers leave
• Free Flu and Covid Vaccinations
• Discounted complimentary therapies
• Access to hundreds of staff discounts nationally and locally
• Cycle to work scheme
• Long service awards for all NHS service

KEY MESSAGES

• Please let us know if you require an adjustment to our recruitment process.
• All correspondence will be sent via the email address you have registered as your TRAC account.
• Selection is based on the Trust's values, and the criteria outlined in the Job Description for the role.
• Employers have a legal responsibility to ensure that their employees have a “right to work” in the UK. Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust hold a Sponsor Licence, which means that we MAY be able to sponsor you IF the role meets the UK Government requirements for sponsorship. Not all NHS roles are eligible for sponsorship. To be eligible for sponsorship, the role must be in an eligible occupation code and must meet the skill level and the minimum salary threshold (usually £38,700 per year for Skilled Worker or £23,200 for Health Care Worker Visa). You can find more information on the Government website .
• Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the entry point (bottom) of the pay band.
• Appointments are subject to a 6-month probationary period. LED Doctors are subject to a 3-month probationary period.
• Please provide a contact email address for referees when you submit your application. We will not request any references until after you have been made a formal job offer.
• You will be required to pay for your DBS disclosure (where the post requires one). This will be done via 3 monthly instalments from your pay. We encourage applicants to join and remain registered with the DBS update service.
• We do not reimburse travel to interview expenses.
• Secondments will be considered for fixed term positions when both parties agree. Candidates should seek approval from their current line manager before application

Key Messages

We are a forces-friendly employers.

Candidates should ensure that all submissions and interactions reflect the candidate’s own skills, experience, and understanding. Any use of AI that compromises the integrity, fairness, or authenticity of the recruitment process may result in disqualification from consideration, withdrawal of offer, or dismissal if this these circumstances come to light post hire.

Candidates that require sponsorship to work in the UK are strongly advised to check the Government website for up-to-date information about whether the role they are applying for (incl. offered salary) is eligible.

Please let us know if you require an adjustment to our recruitment process and we'll be happy to discuss this with you.

We actively promote flexible working so please discuss any requirements you may have with us.

Secondments will be considered for fixed term positions when both parties agree. Candidates should seek approval from their current line manager before application.

• All correspondence will be sent via the email address you have registered as your TRAC account. Selection is based on the Trust's values, and the criteria outlined in the Job Description for the role.
• Appointments are subject to a 6-month probationary period. LED Doctors are subject to a 3-month probationary period.
• You are required to pay for a DBS disclosure where the post requires one, and we encourage applicants to join and remain registered with the DBS update service.
• We do not reimburse travel to interview expenses.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Danielle Dixon Job title IPOCH Home First Therapy Lead Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01270 273025 Additional information

James Billington

Integrated Placement of Care OT

01270 273025

If you have problems applying, contact

Address Leighton Hospital
Middlewich Road
Crewe
Cheshire
CW1 4QJ
Telephone [e-mail]