Therapy Assistant

Job content

This post holder will be a Therapy Assistant Practitioner within the children’s Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy team. This post involves working within the hospital both inpatients and outpatients and in community settings such as patients homes and schools. The successful applicant will assess and treat patients and manage their own caseload under the supervision and guidance of a qualified therapist.

The post holder is accountable to two professions, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy.

To provide assessment of children and young people within a defined scope of practice and to provide and progress a therapy management programme where appropriate. This may involve being the only point of therapy contact during an episode of care and will include the responsibility for discharge planning with the multi-disciplinary/multi agency team.

To be responsible for getting report from the children’s wards and prioritising patient management, including delegation to therapists and therapy assistants

To work independently in the community, outpatient and inpatient settings.

To have heightened awareness of child protection issues around working with children.

To represent therapy at clinics/school reviews and multi-disciplinary meetings, to discuss all aspects of a child’s needs, management and care.

To have a wide knowledge of paediatric specialist equipment including seating, bathing, mobility, standing, sleeping and postural management

The children’s therapy team is a welcoming, supportive and friendly team. We have a structured support network within the team and into the wider clinical therapies community.

• To be a therapy assistant practitioner within their speciality
• The prime function of the role is to conduct the assessment and treatment of patients within their specialty under the guidance of a qualified therapist.
• To manage own caseload and to provide a high standard of assessment, management, treatment and advice to meet the needs of patients within agreed guidelines and protocols.
• To work independently with identified caseload with minimal supervision and delegate work appropriately to other members of the team,
• To be the first point of contact for assessment from the clinical speciality when determined by a qualified therapist.
• To work collaboratively with colleagues in health, social care, local authority and other agencies to meet the needs of patients.
• To undertake specific clinical responsibilities or projects supporting the overall delivery of the service as directed by a qualified therapist.
• To ensure the efficient and effective use of resources available within the team.
• To work with other members of the team in the development of the service.
• To be aware of the importance of Clinical Governance

1. MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1 Clinical

• To conduct specific assessments of the patient within the post holders competence, being responsible for working independently with patients with a range of needs when determined by a qualified therapist
• Under the guidance of a qualified therapist, plan, implement and evaluate the patient’s progress. Utilise skills within the level of the post holder competence to ensure the delivery of safe and effective care. Escalating any concerns in accordance with local protocol.
• To be responsible for planning and prioritising own workload, and to be accountable for all aspects of the post holders working, seeking guidance from qualified therapist when required
• To play an active role in risk management associated with complex discharge/transfer planning, which will require communication and negotiation with senior members of the multi-disciplinary team, with the support of the therapist
• Work collaboratively in the multidisciplinary team to plan and/or provide treatment and care of individual patients.
• Contribute to the achievement of standards/ compliance of targets within their speciality as directed by a qualified therapist.
• Provide advice and support to patients and carers throughout the patient pathway. Liaising withthemultidisciplinary teams to provide a high standard of care
• Contribute to service reviews
• Provide appropriate information and education to patients and their relatives.
• Supports patients and carers in coming to terms with their condition, providing ongoing support, encouraging them to promote health and wellbeing
• Establish and sustain excellent communication links with their supervising therapist and other members of the MDT.
• Contribute to clinical audit and service evaluation and through evidence-based practice.
• The post holder will have a portfolio of relevant up to date evidence of clinical practice within his/her specialist field
• Use clinical supervision and peer group support to underpin personal professional development
• Take responsibility for driving personal annual appraisal process
• To ensure assessment / treatment is carried out in the most appropriate environment.
• To carry out home visits independently as required within defined agreed competence.
• To be accountable for all aspects of own work within agreed guidelines and protocols.
• To complete a range of written documentation as appropriate.
• To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication methods to communicate effectively with patients and carers to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes.
• To ensure the safe and competent use of any equipment
• To maintain accurate and comprehensive patient records in line with Trust Policy, appropriate Professional body and HCPC.

4.2 Management/ Organisational

• To assist therapists with service developments through the use of peer review, audit, evaluation of outcome measures etc.
• To help facilitate changes/improvements to the service as required.
• To help in the implementation of appropriate new evidence based techniques and activities.
• Acting as a role model, employ professional behaviour that encourages and coaches their peers to challenge their current competencies, whilst seeking opportunities to enhance their roles.
• To liaise with and provide regular feedback to their line manager on clinical issues.
• To participate in and contribute to a range of meetings/forums and case conferences as required.
• To actively seek the views of patients and carers on patient experience provided. Reporting their findings to their line manager.

4.3 Education and Development

• To be an active member of the in-service training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes by attendance, participation in and delivery of relevant sessions.
• To contribute to the induction and development of therapy staff/students and other team members within the specialty.
• To demonstrate evidence of completion of training as per Statutory and Essential Training (SET) Matrix
• To demonstrate evidence of completion of therapy protocols and competencies as per departmental guidance.
• To undertake any training opportunities as identified through the Personal Development Appraisal (PDA) process or through service needs.
• 4.4 Clinical Governance, Quality and Standards
• To comply with the Trust’s Clinical Governance and Risk Management Strategy.
• To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal and clinical development.
• To fulfil agreed objectives set as part of the PDA process.
• To contribute to service developments, delivery and evaluation in own specialty.

4.5 Professional Ethics

• Ensuring your own clinical practice is patient centred and to be aware the HCPC’s Code of Practice
• To comply with all Trust Policies and procedures.
• To comply with any future developments designed to ensure patient safety and best practice.
• To comply with all Health and Safety Regulations as required.
• To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and their families / carers and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.

SCOPE AND RANGE

Specific clinical responsibilities, including any additional skills

• The post holder is accountable to two professions, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy
• To provide assessment of children and young people within a defined scope of practice and to provide and progress a therapy management programme where appropriate. This may involve being the only point of therapy contact during an episode of care and will include the responsibility for discharge planning with the multi-disciplinary/multi agency team.
• To be responsible for getting report from the children’s wards and prioritising patient management, including delegation to therapists and therapy assistants
• To work independently in the community, outpatient and inpatient settings.
• To have heightened awareness of child protection issues around working with children.
• To represent therapy at clinics/school reviews and multi-disciplinary meetings, to discuss all aspects of a child’s needs, management and care.
• To have a wide knowledge of paediatric specialist equipment including seating, bathing, mobility, standing, sleeping and postural management

Percentage of time spent on:

• Clinical/Patient related duties = 90%
• Education and Development of self and others = 5%
• Clinical Governance responsibilities = 5%

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
1. Core Attributes

Provide The Safest Most Effective Care Possible

• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of quality of care
• Be accountable for own actions and those of their team

Develop Responsibly, Delivering the Right Services with the Right Staff

• Have an ability to work efficiently, effectively and professionally in a multidisciplinary team
• Demonstrate that everyone’s contribution is valued

Control and Reduce the Cost of Healthcare

• Work to ensure the care group/directorate improves efficiency and reduces waste
• Demonstrate that you will be open to improving everything that you do

Focus on Innovation for Improvement

• Have an ability to consider and implement new solutions
• Displays networking skills

Multi-Site Working

Hospital wards

Home /Community

Mainstream and special schools

Physical effort

• Large amount of time spent assessing and treating children on the floor, often with limited space.
• Manual handling of children with unpredictable movements and behaviour of different sizes and abilities throughout the day. Working in sustained and awkward postures.
• Driving/parking between sites/significant travel element

Mental/Emotional Effort

• Lone working in a wide variety of locations, in unpredictable environments.
• Working with children who frequently have seizures or respiratory difficulties with no medical backup on site.
• Support families through the diagnosis and treatment of long-term conditions.
• Constantly adapt communication when dealing with children and families with hugely varying levels of understanding and communicating ability.
• Working with families where there are safeguarding concerns and investigations.
• Support therapy colleagues
• Be flexible and adapt plans at a moment’s notice