Responsibilities include assisting therapists in implementing treatment plans, maintaining rehabilitation equipment, recording patient information in electronic records, and communicating effectively with patients and their families to motivate them in their rehabilitation journey. The role requires flexibility in a fast-paced environment, management of daily tasks, participation in training and development activities, and adherence to professional standards and Trust policies. The ideal candidate will also engage in data collection for clinical research, support less experienced staff, and contribute to service improvement initiatives.
We are seeking a highly motivated, proactive and enthusiastic, patient-focused Therapy Assistant with a passion for stroke rehabilitation. You must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and well as a caring, compassionate approach to patient care. This post would suit those who thrive as part of a team but are also able to work alone with guidance and support of others. The role combines Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy (60% of role) and administrative duties including entry of patient data into the Sentinel National Audit Programme for Stroke (SSNAP) (40% of role), based on the Hyper Acute Stroke Unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital.
To work as a member of the Therapy Service team across 7 days.
To assist therapists with a range of duties (60% of role).
Plan and provide programmes of therapeutic activity for patients, within the framework provided by the delegating therapist.
Implement and evaluate basic therapy interventions for patients in activities relating to their treatment programme.
To record patient information including electronic notes.
To order, clean and maintain rehab equipment in the Acute Stroke Unit, and communicate with suppliers.
To input patient data onto the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP) and other IT systems (40% of role - 3 hours).
To support therapy assistants informally.
About us
Communication
To participate in regular meetings with other members of the Therapy team and Multidisciplinary team.
To provide and receive routine information to staff, patients and carers.
To communicate information to patients using a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with all patients
To motivate patients to actively engage in their rehabilitation programme using encouragement, reassurance, tact and sensitivity; overcome barriers to understanding with patients whose communication is impaired.
To be able to maintain records and documentation required by work settings in accordance with local policies and Therapy specifications.
On an informal bases, to promote the profile of Therapies in the Trust.
To be able to work flexibly under pressure at a fast pace.
Clinical responsibilities
To support therapists through implementation of a range of assessment and treatment plans, both individually and as a group, following completion of competencies and guided by therapists.
To be able to analyse and feedback on patients progress and response to treatment, raising any concerns to the treating therapist in a timely manner.
To prepare the environment and equipment appropriate for the treatment session.
To provide advice to patients/carers on safe use and care of prescribed equipment.
To assist in maintaining site wheelchair and pressure cushion store including cleaning, storage, maintenance and arranging for ongoing servicing of chairs.
To have a holistic understanding of patient and their condition as well as psychosocial dynamics that may be impacting the patients function.
To work flexibly and be able to adjust to constant changing demands of the ward.
To use initiative when responding to emergency situations and changing patient signs i.e. ceasing treatment if patient unwell, working within procedures and protocols according to service and trust.
To assess patient understanding of treatment proposals to gain valid informed consent according to Trust Policy.
Reporting to the Clinical Lead any risks, difficulties or concerns that they themselves or a patient, may identify.
Liaise effectively by establishing and maintaining professional working relationships with other members of the multidisciplinary team, patients, carers, and relatives. Professional
To work within relevant Professional Standards of Practice (CSP, COT and RCSLT) adhering to Trust procedures and policies.
Planning and Organisational Skills
To manage own day to day work tasks and prioritise delegated workload and be responsible for own effective time management.
To work with professionals within the stroke pathway to support OT/Physio/SALT and Stroke care.
To assist therapists in arranging in-service training, study days etc.
To assist the therapists in ensuring working conditions are kept optimal, where not, raised and dealt with appropriately.
To be proactive and seek support for all clinical and non-clinical tasks.
To be able to manage data collection tasks and arrangement of meetings with data collection leads to meet monthly targets.
Service and Personal Development
To work with therapists to implement policies within the team and the department.
To assist the therapists to actively participate in the education of therapy students on placement on the Hyper Acute Stroke Unit.
To participate actively in sharing and receiving in-service training and development to ensure continuous professional development, as appropriate to grade and experience.
To work with other therapy staff to adhere to policies/protocols for the service, as appropriate.
To demonstrate duties to new starters, and lead on induction of SSNAP data competencies.
To provide general support for less experienced staff.
To follow policies (Trust and Departmental) in own role.
Active involvement in audits and quality improvement projects under guidance of therapists.
To help collect data for informal and formal clinical research activities, underpinned by appropriate methodology and documentation.
To identify training needs and facilitate learning of self.
To be willing to take on extra responsibilities to develop the service e.g. Back Care Facilitator, First Aider, Fire Monitor.
To assist therapists with inducting new staff to the department.
To assist therapist with training new therapy assistant to the department.
Information and Resource Management:
To record any relevant clinical observations within the SOAP note format.
To compile and collate statistics in a timely and accurate manner in accordance with the Therapies guidelines and the need of the service.
To use the Trust Intranet, Electronic Patient Records, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Excel and SSNAP database as appropriate for stroke patients.
Ensure all equipment in the Acute Stroke Unit is used appropriately and safely, according to CSP/COT/S< service guidelines and educate other staff members where necessary.
To be competent in reallocating equipment that has been issued for discharge.
To be able to use email for communications across the sites, and to use the Therapies IT system for sharing/using information.
To ensure all equipment is used appropriately and safely, according to the service guidelines.
To observe a personal duty of care when using equipment.
To maintain stock levels of equipment.
To be aware of criteria for provision of equipment from other organisations in Oxfordshire, and to help the team abide within these criteria.
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