Senior Therapy Assistant - Medicine & Surgery

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity for a keen and dynamic Therapy Assistant to join the Discharge to Assess Therapy Team.

The post holder will assist the qualified therapists in rehabilitation and returning safely home.

They will be responsible for managing their own delegated clinical caseload as well as completing housekeeping tasks, undertaking treatments as required by the HCPC registered therapists and maintaining accurate records.

The successful candidate will have opportunity to work within our new discharge to assess initiative within a community bed base to promote the Home First pathway.

This is an exciting position that contributes to excellent patient care and outcomes in a dynamic team that offers many training and development opportunities.

Previous applicants need not apply.

Due to current service demands, we are only able to consider applicants who have relevant UK experience. Candidates must also be available to commence employment immediately or within a very short timeframe. We regret that we cannot progress applications that do not meet these essential requirements.

Interviews will take place week commencing 7th September

Main duties of the job

To establish a therapeutic relationship with patients under the direction of the registered therapists.

To report back to supervising staff regarding the individual needs/abilities of patients.

To liaise with members of the MDT and external agencies to ensure the effective management of patients care

To accept responsibility for delegated workload and manage own time effectively.

Undertake environmental visits, HomeFirst and Outreach visits within the community as instructed by the registered therapist, providing and fitting equipment as required.

To assist patients functionally with their mobility and personal care under the direction of senior staff.

To issue therapy equipment as directed.

To record and report findings accurately and in a timely manner according to standard procedure.

To participate in 7 day service.

About us

The Secretary of State has approved the partnership between St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals and Southport & Ormskirk Hospitals.

From 1st July we have come together as a single organisation under the name Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Trust delivers acute hospital care, intermediate care, community, and primary care services to a population of over 600,000 people with a combined workforce of around 9000 dedicated and skilled staff from 17 locations including Whiston, Southport & Formby, St Helens, Ormskirk and Newton hospitals.

The Trust provides regional services for burns, plastic surgery and spinal injuries to more than 4 million people across Mersey and West Lancashire, Cheshire, the Isle of Man and North Wales.

Our Vision is to deliver 5 Star Patient Care:

• CAREthat is evidence based, high quality and compassionate
• SAFETY that is of the highest standards
• COMMUNICATION that is open, inclusive and respectful
• SYSTEMS that are efficient, patient centred and reliable
• PATHWAYS that are best practice and embedded, but also respect the individual needs of patients

Our achievements include:

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

Please see our Wellbeing & Benefits booklet for more information on our staff benefits.

Job responsibilities

Please see job description and person specification further details on role responsibilities.

Please note this vacancy may close once we have received sufficient applications.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Willingness to undertake NVQ Level III in a health related subject (or equivalent qualification)
• Care Certificate or willingness to undertake

Desirable

• NVQ Level III in a health related subject (or equivalent qualification)

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience within a personal care setting
• Awareness of confidentiality and data protection procedures in relation to the recording of patient information
• Awareness of health and safety issues relevant to role and reporting mechanisms
• General understanding of clinical conditions relevant to specialty
• Demonstrate a commitment to personal development and the development of others

Desirable

• Demonstrate understanding of this role and how it may contribute to clinical outcomes
• Awareness of current NHS issues and Trust Policies
• Awareness of external agencies including Voluntary and Social Services
• Knowledge of stock control and referral processes for therapy equipment

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Understanding of information technology and administrative systems
• Good interpersonal skills with effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrate a professional approach to their duties
• Ability to demonstrate problem solving approach but seeking guidance as required
• Ability to work flexibly to meet the demands of the service
• Maintain confidentiality in relation to patient identifiable information in line with policies and data protection

Physical Effort

Essential

• Ability to carry out moving and handling with patients and equipment
• Frequent periods of concentration required to obtain patient information that will inform the treatment plan
• Regularly be able to demonstrate tact, diplomacy and empathy in managing situations with distressed patients or their relatives, who may be terminally ill, chronically sick, disabled patients.
• Ability to cope with and assist in situations that could be unpleasant e.g. bodily fluids
• Ability to fulfil the travel requirements of the post

Our Values

Essential

• We are Kind
• We are Open
• We are Inclusive