Therapy Assistant (Acute)

Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust; Wigan; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 18,000; Part time

Job summary

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an enthusiastic Therapy Assistant to join the Acute Stroke Therapy Team at Royal Albert Edward Infirmary. The role supports physiotherapy and occupational therapy teams in immediate assessment, care and treatment of patients.

Experience in a health-related area (stroke or neuro) in an acute hospital setting is essential. The post is 30 hours per week, working across 7 days, with duties spanning clinical and

Qualifications

• Experience of working in a relevant health-related area (stroke or neuro) in an acute hospital setting is essential.
• The post is for 30 hours per week and would be worked over 7 days Monday to Sunday.
• Good general education, basic computer literacy and knowledge of therapy interventions expected.
• Previous experience in a therapy or healthcare rehabilitation environment or relevant area is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the overall Therapy process by carrying out routine assessments and procedures within competency levels.
• Collect information from patients/relatives as requested by Therapy staff.
• Follow treatment plans and identify activities meeting treatment goals.
• Work independently in a clinical setting with an assigned routine caseload under therapist direction.
• Instruct patients in the use of equipment and techniques to promote independence.
• Prepare materials and equipment for treatment sessions and maintain stocks.
• Attend staff meetings and contribute to team organisation.
• Report back to Therapy staff on all treatment activities.
• Respect diverse patient backgrounds and support culturally sensitive care.

Skills

Clinical assessments

Information collection

Independent work

Patient instruction

Communication

Job description

Key results from the job holder

• To contribute to the overall Therapy process by carrying out routine assessments and procedures within agreed competency levels
• To carry out information collection from patients/relatives as requested by Therapy staff
• To follow treatment plans as prescribed by Therapy staff and identify and select activities that meet treatment goals
• To work independently in a clinical setting with an assigned routine caseload, under the direction of a therapist
• Instruct patients in the use of equipment and techniques to promote independence

Planning and Organisational Duties

• To be responsible for preparation of materials and equipment in order to carry out treatment sessions
• To contribute to the day-to-day organisation of activities within the team which contributed to the smooth running of the service
• To be responsible for specific routine tasks as delegated
• To attend regular meetings e.g. staff meetings, support and development groups.
• To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent and reliable attendance

Communications and Key Working Relationships

• To work as a member of the Therapy team and communicate relevant information to team members
• To be able to communicate effectively in a variety of ways with patients to gain co-operation and understanding of treatment programmes
• To maintain good working relationships
• To establish therapeutic relationships using negotiating skills in order to complete treatment activities
• To report back to Therapy staff on all treatment activities either verbally or in writing as required
• To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of clients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.

Responsibility for Finance

• To identify deficits in resources required to carry out the job and bring to the attention of the Therapist
• To be responsible for the monitoring of materials and equipment and maintain stocks.
• To maintain timely statistics and other records as requested by the Therapy Service and the Trust.

Responsibility for Human Resources

• To maintain portfolio of competencies showing evidence of life long learning
• To participate in clinical supervision sessions highlighting development needs
• To comply with annual IPR and appraisal system
• To contribute to the induction of new staff.

Responsibility for Health & Safety

• Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 - the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

Responsibility for NHSLA

• To support Therapy services, as requested, in quality activities within the team
• To comply with professional, organisational and departmental standards, policies and procedures.
• To maintain accurate and comprehensive patient treatment records in line with Trust Policies and Therapy Standards of Practice

Responsibility for Teaching

• To participate in and contribute to the training and education of students and other staff.

We are looking for an enthusiastic Therapy Assistant who would like to join our friendly and supportive Acute Stroke Therapy Team at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary. The role involves working alongside the physiotherapy and occupational therapy team.

Experience of working in a relevant health related area (stroke or neuro) in an acute hospital setting is essential for this post. The post is for 30 hours per week and would be worked over 7 days Monday to Sunday. Please note this vacancy may close before the advertised closing date if a sufficient number of suitable applications are received. The successful candidates will: Have varied duties (both clinical and non-clinical) and will be involved directly in the immediate assessment, care and treatment of patients. This will be under the supervision of qualified therapists. Have a caring and considerate manner, which is essential to the post. Be expected to have a good level of general education, basic computer literacy and knowledge of Therapy interventions. Have previous experience of working in a Therapy or healthcare rehabilitation environment or relevant area.

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is proud to provide high-quality acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, our staff are central to everything we do - we believe thathappy staff make for happy patients, and this ethos underpins our culture and our success. We have a strong, recognised track record in staff engagement and in living our values:

• People at the Heart
• Listen and Involve
• Kind and Respectful
• ONE Team

We are committed to placing patients at the heart of every decision and delivering safe, effective care that protects dignity and enhances experience. We seek to recruit people who share our values, our passion for high-quality care, and our belief in working together as One Team.