Therapy Assistant (NHS AfC: Band 3) - Therapy Team - Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospit[...]

Merseywestlancs; Liverpool City Region; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking a dedicated therapy assistant to support the occupational/physiotherapy team in the Hyperacute Stroke Unit. Ideal candidates will demonstrate adaptability, effective communication, and a commitment to patient-centered care. Join a pioneering team contributing to exceptional patient outcomes.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

Employee of the month recognition

27 days annual leave on commencement

Access to NHS discounts

Staff Health and Wellbeing programme

Qualifications

• Willingness to undertake continuing professional development.
• Experience within the NHS or caring employment.
• Able to work under supervision and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Implement rehabilitation treatment plans under supervision.
• Flexibly adapt to 7-day working patterns.
• Administrative duties including maintaining audit information.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Problem Solving

Prioritization

IT skills

Education

NVQ Level 2/3 in Health Care

Clerical/administrative qualification

Job description

We want talented and enthusiastic people from all backgrounds to join #TeamMWL, with us you can learn, grow and develop yourself and your career, realising your true ambitions and aspirations.

Whatever you’re looking for in your career, you’ll find it here at MWL.

After applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into our preferred Third-party recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs. You will not be able to track the progress of your application or receive messages through the NHS Jobs website, and furthermore, as an employer, we will not be able to respond to any e-mails sent to us via the NHS Jobs website. By applying for this post you are agreeing to "name of trust" transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are appointed to a post information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a therapy assistant who has the appropriate skills and knowledge to join the occupational/physiotherapy team.

The Hyperacute Stroke Unit and the Acute Stroke Unit at Whiston Hospital are consistently rated in the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme as two of the leading Stroke Units in the country. The ideal candidate will have the ability to work both individually and as a valued member of the MDT.

In return for your hard work and dedication we can offer a friendly and welcoming team and all the support and continuing professional development you will need to make a difference to patients and staff.

We have an innovative service of AHP’s with an excellent staff supervision system enabling our staff to be committed to developing both their service and themselves. Clinical Governance, research and audit activities are encouraged within the service.

Main duties of the job

The main duties include:

• Supporting qualified therapists with the implementation of rehabilitation treatment plans and interventions for patients on the stroke unit.
• Have the ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing working patterns as the team work their hours across a 7 day rota.
• Gathering information from the patients or families, following treatment plans under supervision, providing education and practice in activities of daily living, mobility and cognitive rehabilitation.
• Administrative duties, including photocopying and filing, maintaining audit information, and completing statistics, of which is computer based.
• The role will require you to assist with moving and handling of patients using appropriate equipment.

Our philosophy is to keep the patient at the heart of everything we do.

Working for our organisation

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 10,500 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.

We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.

Our services:

Acute Care

Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.

Primary Care

Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.

Community Services

Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.

Specialist Regional Services

We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements:

• Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
• Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
• National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

• To assist in/support the identification of health needs and participate in the planning, implementation and evaluation of individual care interventions under the direct/indirect supervision of a registered Practitioner depending upon competency/complexity of work.
• To provide advice to clients and carers in relation to any needs and the wider public health remit of the Health and Social Care organisation under the direct/indirect supervision of a registered practitioner.
• To maintain accurate, clear, concise and contemporaneous records as per trust policy and communicate information to members of the Team as necessary.
• To be aware of the role limitations of practice and when to seek further advice from a supervising Registered Practitioner.
• Provide concise handover and information updates to other members of the Team as required.
• To demonstrate a knowledge of external agencies who could be involved in patient care and work in partnership with these agencies under the direct/indirect supervision of a registered practitioner with regards to follow up and provide feedback to Registered Practitioners as appropriate.

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Communicate routine service user information effectively and in accordance with local guidance with other health and social care professionals for the benefit of the service user.
• To demonstrate skills in adapting personal communication to overcome barriers to communication and understanding.
• Utilise Information Technology and Clinical Assessment Systems as required in the execution of your duties.
• Maintain confidentiality within national and local guidelines.
• Ensure organisational and professional codes of conduct are adhered to at all times when representing the Integrated Health and Social Care organisation.
• Work collaboratively across teams, agencies, and organisational boundaries to ensure the delivery of an integrated service through effective communication.
• Identify and use opportunities to promote healthy lifestyles e.g. nutrition, physical activity, individuals and groups.
• To carry out a range of diagnostic/assessment techniques to identify and respond to clients’ needs in a range of settings under the direct/indirect supervision of a registered practitioner.
• To deliver a range of intervention techniques and skills to meet clients’ needs in a range of settings under the direct/indirect supervision of a registered practitioner.
• To evaluate and feedback clients’ responses to interventions in discussion with registered practitioners and modify under the direct/indirect supervision of a registered practitioner.
• Communicate sensitive service user information appropriately and in accordance with local guidance with other health and social care professionals for the benefit of the service user.
• Adapt personal communication skills to overcome barriers to communication and understanding.
• Utilise Information Technology and Clinical Assessment Systems as required in the execution of your duties.
• Maintain confidentiality within national and local guidelines.
• Ensure organisational and professional codes of conduct are adhered to at all times when representing the Integrated Health and Social Care organisation.
• Work collaboratively across teams, agencies, and organisational boundaries to ensure the delivery of an integrated service through effective communication.
• Staff will be trained to a leave appropriate to their responsibilities in this respect in line with current KSF post outline and the on-going PDR process.
• To establish maintain and develop professional working relationships with colleagues
• To personally contribute to the Trust health promotion strategies both internally and externally.
• To be aware of, and responsible to, the changing nature of the Trust and adopt a flexible and pro-active approach to work.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date documentation, in line with legal and local requirements, and communicate assessment and treatment results to the appropriate disciplines in the form of reports and letter
• To undertake as directed the collection of appropriate data and statistics for the use of the department
• To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service. This will include participating in a variety of MDT, internal and external agency meetings and forums plus other forms of verbal/written communication as necessary including report writing and referrals to other agencies

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSBILITIES

• Evaluate the effectiveness of learning opportunities and alerts others to benefits and problems
• Maintain a personal development plan and competency portfolio, in line with requirements for the job role .
• Participate in individual and group supervision in line with organisational policy.
• Participate in an individual performance review on an annual basis and be proactive in Continuous Professional Development.
• Utilise informal and formal learning opportunities both independently and with others.
• Participate in the delivery of Learning and Development opportunities to all bands of staff.
• To personally contribute to the Trust health promotion strategies both internally and externally.

LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

To demonstrate leadership by means of:

• Effecting change within own sphere of practice when and where indicated
• Making recommendations to improve services
• Influencing, motivating, supporting and enabling others to contribute towards the effectiveness and success of the Trust.
• To attend, contribute and represent at relevant meetings, including briefings.
• To demonstrate an understanding of policies relevant to the role including the application of clinical governance and risk management.
• To plan and prioritise own and others designated duties, with tact and diplomacy, in line with clinical and non- clinical responsibilities taking account of priorities and responding to additional delegated tasks as appropriate.
• To support Band’s 1-3 in all areas of their clinical duties, within own scope of competence.

CLINICAL GOVERNANCE, RESEARCH & AUDIT

• Works within the limits of own competence and levels of responsibility and accountability in the work team and organisation.
• Ensure identified risks are reported and acted upon in line with organisational policy.
• To complete and maintain all Trust mandatory training requirements.
• To be responsible for one’s own safety and security through the understanding and application of organisational and departmental policies and procedures.
• To participate in and support research, audit and practice development activity within the Team.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Willingness to undertake continuing professional development and lifelong learning
• NVQ Level 2/3 in Health Car or equivalent experience/qualification
• Experience within the NHS or caring employment
• Clerical/administrative experience or qualifications

Knowledge & Experience

• Awareness of own strengths and limitations
• Able to work under supervision and as part of a team
• Evidence of effective working within an MDT
• Demonstrate experience of problem solving approaches
• Demonstrates continuous Professional Development
• Ability to demonstrate a good level of knowledge and skills in Therapeutic interventions

Skills

• Ability to prioritise and work to deadlines
• Ability to communicate effectively in a variety of settings
• Accurate record keeping, report writing, manual dexterity and IT skills
• Have a flexible approach to working with good time management

Other

• Ability to travel to various hospital locations by own car/ assisted driver

Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. MWL is an exciting and forward-thinking NHS Trust who are one of the best places to work for in England.

Given sometimes we receive a high volume of applications to work for us, please be aware, that we may close a vacancy earlier than stated should a sufficient number of applications be received from which a shortlist can be confirmed. Therefore, you are advised to apply at your earliest convenience.

The Trust may contact you during the recruitment process for your feedback on your experience. We always aim for continuous improvement in our practice.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring. We are grounded in the belief that diversity enhances our collective strength, fostering innovation and excellence within our workforce. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.

As a Disability Confident Leader , we commit to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.

If you are having difficulty completing an online application, or require any disability reasonable adjustments, to the application process, please contact [e-mail]

We also commit to offering an interview to all armed forces veterans who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.

The Trust operates anonymous shortlisting where no personal information about you, including your name or personal details are shared with the recruiting manager. No equality information is shared at any time during the recruitment process with the recruiting manager or other people involved in the decision-making process.

The equality monitoring information you provide is used in the following situations: to review our recruitment practices; where a job is limited to a specific person to verify their eligibility to apply; and to offer disability reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.

Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click here to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

If this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 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.

Please note if applicable, applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment.

If you have not already done so, you are therefore encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service to which a small annual fee of £13 per year applies.

Flexible Working

We actively support flexible working patterns throughout MWL. Changes made to the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook mean that:

· All employees have the right to request flexible working from day one of employment.

· There is no limit on the number of requests they can make.

· Employees have the right to make requests, have them considered, regardless of the reason.

At Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, we will consider requests for flexible working. We would also encourage you to also discuss flexible working options at interview stage.

Working for Team MWL

Staff recognition is especially important to us; as well as performance reviews and appraisals, we recognise staff through Employee of the month. Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

The Trust is a non-smoking across all our sites. Failure to follow this rule could lead to disciplinary action. For more information, see the Smoke Free NHS website

You must ensure that your application, including personal statements and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.

The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated and will check all applications against AI detection software.

Additional Information

Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and Behaviours which are We are KIND, We are OPEN, We are INCLUSIVE, which can be found here .

An applicant guide to help and support you with your application and what to expect during your recruitment journey can be accessed in the supporting documents.

Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team MWL very soon.

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.