Specialist Therapy Assistant

The Methodist Church in Britain; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Commitment to professional development

Work-life balance policies

Job summary

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a fixed-term Specialist Therapy Assistant to cover maternity leave in the Integrated Care Team, Therapy. The role involves working with physiotherapists and occupational therapists to assess and manage caseloads in patients aged 16 and over at home.

Candidates should be educated to diploma level with relevant NVQ/Health & Social Care qualifications and have experience in community rehabilitation.

Qualifications

• Education to diploma level or equivalent knowledge with core literacy and numeracy.
• Level III NVQ in diagnostic and therapeutic support, or Health and Social Care with therapy units, or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of lifelong learning in a personal development file.
• Experience as a therapy assistant with physiotherapists and occupational therapists in community rehabilitation.

Responsibilities

• Carry out assessments with physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
• Manage own patient caseload.
• Assess and treat people referred by the hospital, GPs, district nurses and other health and social care teams, in their homes.
• Plan and implement treatment programmes.
• Undertake visits and transport non-portable equipment.
• Work with the team and receive regular training and supervision.

Skills

Confidentiality

Assessment & planning

Moving & handling

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Coaching/mentoring

Motivation techniques

Reflective practice

Workload management

Education

Diploma level

NVQ Level III / H&SC

Lifelong learning

Job description

A fixed-term Specialist Therapy Assistant post covering maternity leave, listed as seven months with a twelve-month maximum, within the Integrated Care Team, Therapy, at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The post-holder works alongside physiotherapists and occupational therapists to carry out assessments and manage their own caseload. The work is community-based, treating people aged 16 and over in their homes for a range of conditions and therapy needs. Existing NHS staff can only be considered on secondment, agreed first with their line manager.

What the job involves

• Carry out assessments with physiotherapists and occupational therapists
• Manage own patient caseload
• Assess and treat people referred by the hospital, GPs, district nurses and other health and social care teams, in their homes
• Plan and implement treatment programmes
• Undertake visits and transport non-portable equipment
• Work with the team and receive regular training and supervision

What’s required

Qualifications

• Education to diploma level or equivalent knowledge, with core literacy and numeracy
• Level III NVQ in diagnostic and therapeutic support, or Health and Social Care with therapy units, or equivalent experience
• Evidence of lifelong learning in a personal development file

Experience

• Working as a therapy assistant with physiotherapists and occupational therapists at Band 3 in community rehabilitation
• Working with patients who have mobility, balance and long-term conditions
• Managing own clinical caseload independently of a qualified therapist
• Liaising with other agencies and working in a multidisciplinary team
• Coaching, mentoring or training other staff

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge of the duty of confidentiality and the Trust's policy on it
• Assessment, planning and treatment, including uncomplicated mobility and functional assessments
• Using coping strategies to motivate people, and prioritising and managing own workload
• Reflective practice, with awareness and experience of using it
• Moving and handling skills

Checks & eligibility

• Car driver with a valid UK driving licence, or access to alternative transport

Other

• Basic computer skills: email, internet and Word
• Innovative and flexible approach, with awareness of cultural diversity

Nice to have

• Later Life Training qualification or equivalent experience
• IT training or qualification to ECDL level or equivalent, and computer literacy
• Experience of supervising staff
• Knowledge of health and social care policy relating to older people
• Ability to take baseline observations
• Experience of delegating work to other staff

What’s offered

• Commitment to professional development
• Policies supporting work-life balance