Senior Therapy Assistant inBolton inBolton PUBLISHED FRI 6 DEC 2024

Band 3: £24,071 to £25,674 a year per annum PERMANENT GOOD SALARY

MUSCULOSKELETAL NHS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust rEn7pDMh

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust is looking for a motivated Senior Therapy Assistant to join their Paediatric Occupational Therapy and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy teams. This full-time position (37.5 hours per week) involves working 15 hours in the Paediatric MSK Therapy team and 22.5 hours in the Paediatric Occupational Therapy team. The successful candidate will play a key role in providing high-quality, patient-focused services, assisting with specialist equipment provision, handling therapy treatments, and ensuring effective communication with service users, carers, and multidisciplinary team members.

The role encompasses diverse responsibilities, including supporting the delivery of intervention programs, monitoring and maintaining equipment, managing clinical administrative duties, and recognizing changes in clients' conditions. The Senior Therapy Assistant will also provide training and instruction to children, young people, and their caregivers, ensuring adherence to health and safety guidelines. Excellent organisational and time management skills are essential, along with the ability to work autonomously while supporting service development initiatives.

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust Paediatric Occupational Therapy and MSK Physiotherapy Teams

Senior Therapy AssistantBand 3

Full time 37.5 hours per week (made up of 15 hours within the Paediatric MSK Therapy team and 22.5 hours within the Paediatric Occupational Therapy Team)

We are seeking to appoint a motivated individual with excellent communication and organisational skills to join the Paediatric Occupational Therapy and Paediatric Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy teams at Bolton NHS foundation trust.

The successful candidate will be integral to the continued delivery of a high quality and patient focused service whilst demonstrating our trust values of:

VISION
OPENNESS
INTEGRITY
COMPASSION
EXCELLENCE

Within the Paediatric Occupational Therapy team, the post holder will work primarily with specialist equipment provision.

The candidate will carry out work alongside, and under the guidance of, occupational therapists and technical instructor. They will assist with the provision, monitoring and maintenance of equipment, to support and enable a child's function and independence. This includes minor and complex specialist seating, moving and handling equipment and aids to support activities of daily living.

Within the Paediatric Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Team, the postholder will support the team with the delivery of therapy treatments, hydrotherapy and group sessions.

Across both teams, there will be an element of clinical administrative duties. The candidate will have an agreed level of autonomy and responsibility for their agreed workload. Motivation to assist and support service development is essential. Excellent time management skills are required to manage your own work plan.

About us

To use a range of communication tools to effectively communicate with and gather information from service users/carers. Then feedback accurately to therapy colleagues, in order to progress any treatment programmes. This will include clients who may have difficulties understanding or communicating e.g. speech and language difficulties or learning difficulties.

To carry out specific care and treatment under the guidance and delegation of Band 4 and qualified staff.

To be able to recognise improvements or adverse developments in the clients condition, report to senior staff and document it using the Trusts electronic patient record system.

To implement intervention programmes either in groups, or on an individual basis, under supervision of a registered therapist.

To prepare the child/young person and environment for therapeutic intervention when required.

To use risk assessment skills when delivering therapy programmes and monitoring equipment.

To maintain hygiene and cleanliness of all relevant clinical areas.

To monitor, maintain, store and dispose of equipment in accordance with health and safety procedures.

To physically move and handle patients or equipment within health and safety guidelines, in a variety of settings.

To liaise directly with the wider multi disciplinary team in order to gain clinical information relating to a child/young person.

Under the guidance of a therapist or senior therapy assistant; provide instruction, information and training to the child/young person and carers or education staff to support them in achieving identified goals and/or safely use equipment.

To possess basic IT and keyboard skills; enabling the use of relevant organisational IT systems necessary to fulfil the role e.g. booking appointments, writing clinical notes or accessing emails.

To work within own limits of competence, levels of responsibility and accountability within the team and organisation.

To manage time effectively in order to fulfil needs of own workload as well as team priorities.

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More about the NHS

The National Health Service (NHS) is a cornerstone of healthcare in the United Kingdom, established in 1948 with the simple yet profound principle of providing healthcare to all citizens, free at the point of use. This revolutionary system aimed to ensure that access to medical services would not depend on an individual’s financial situation, a concept that has since become fundamental to British societal values. Learn more...

Useful skills for a Senior Therapy Assistant: Click to view

To work as a Senior Therapy Assistant in the UK, you will need a combination of essential skills, knowledge, and personal attributes. Here are some key skills and qualifications typically required for this role:

Educational Qualifications:

1. Relevant Qualifications: Typically, a Level 3 qualification in health and social care, or equivalent, is required. Some positions may prefer or require a degree in a related field.

2. Therapeutic Knowledge: Understanding of psychology, rehabilitation techniques, and the specific needs of various patient groups.

Key Skills:

1. Clinical Skills: Ability to assist with therapy techniques under the supervision of qualified therapists, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or speech and language therapy.

2. Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication abilities to interact effectively with patients, families, and healthcare professionals.

3. Interpersonal Skills: Empathy, compassion, and the ability to build rapport with patients from diverse backgrounds.

4. Organizational Skills: Ability to manage time effectively, prioritize tasks, and coordinate care under the guidance of senior therapists.

5. Observational Skills: Keen observational skills to assess patient progress and report changes in condition to therapists or supervisors.

6. Team Collaboration: Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, contributing to patient care plans and therapy sessions.

7. Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to think critically and adapt to changing situations or patient needs.

8. Record Keeping: Competence in maintaining accurate records of patient treatments, progress notes, and other relevant documentation.

Personal Traits:

1. Resilience: Ability to handle the emotional and physical demands of working with patients who may be dealing with trauma, disability, or illness.

2. Patience: A patient approach to working with individuals who may require time to learn new skills or recover.

3. Flexibility: Willingness to adapt to different working environments or changes in patient needs.

Experience:

1. Relevant Work Experience: Previous experience in a healthcare or therapeutic setting is often required. This could include roles as a therapy assistant or similar positions.

2. Leadership Skills: Ability to guide and mentor junior staff or students on placement.

Professional Development:

1. Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Engagement in ongoing training and professional development opportunities related to therapy practices.

Additional Considerations:

- Familiarity with relevant legislation, guidelines, and best practices within the UK healthcare system.

- Certification in basic life support and first aid may be beneficial.