Could you be our new senior therapy assistant? Could you work with our therapy team to provide truly person-centred care for people with life limiting illness in Kirklees?
Are you a caring individual, passionate about delivering exceptional care and connecting with people at some of the most difficult times of their lives?
As a clinical service we provide community and in patient care for people with life limiting illness as well as support for carers and are looking for a dynamic motivated person who can work with our therapy team across in-patient and community service, working with individuals and groups.
Main duties of the job
The role will involve supporting people to achieve their goals, maintaining and enhancing function and ensuring people are able to prioritise the things that are most important to them.
This is an exciting role assisting qualified physiotherapists and occupational therapists, taking on competency-based work, assisting with assessment and treatment of patients with a focus on quality of life. This role is based over 5 days but could be developed to provide 7 day working opportunities.
About us
As an employee, you will be offered a range of benefits, including 27 days holiday (pro rata for part time staff), access to our Employee Assistance Programme, high-quality, low-cost meals at our Dalton site and complementary therapies. NHS Pensions are also transferable for those already contributing.
The Kirkwood provide specialist care, free of charge, to adults in Kirklees with advanced, progressive illnesses at any time from diagnosis to the end of life, respecting their individual needs and wishes. Care and support are also provided for their family members, friends, and carers, both during the illness and after death. Through education, training, and partnership with others, we improve care for everyone affected by a life limiting illness.
Job responsibilities
Location: The Kirkwoods main site & throughout Kirklees
Reporting to: Senior Occupational Therapist
Accountable to: Director of Clinical Services
Role Summary
This is an exciting role working alongside our therapy team, assisting qualified physiotherapists and occupational therapists in the delivery of interventions to improve, maintain or identify changes in function, well-being and quality of life for patients on the in-patient unit and in the community.
The postholder will take on competency-based work, assisting with assessment and treatment of patients, making changes to therapy treatment plans within agreed scope of practice, enabling patients to achieve their agreed therapy goals, with a focus on quality of life.
This role is based over 5 days but could be developed to provide 7 day working opportunities.
The postholder will hold their own caseload and provide support to the rest of the therapy team.
Work independently and report back to the therapy team for support, escalation and case review.
Use of creative, analytical and investigative skills to assess and support patients with treatment plans, ensuring progress toward goal attainment and review of goals, utilising person-centred approaches.
To follow departmental protocols and guidelines, referring to a qualified clinician as required.
To monitor and report progress of patients to qualified staff during the implementation of planned interventions and programmes.
To work with an individual or group in a variety of settings appropriate to the patients needs.
To always ensure patient safety and dignity, using relevant methods to manage patients with challenging behaviours.
To ensure accurate, up-to-date clinical records are kept, always ensuring their security and confidentiality.
Use of lone working, travelling across Kirklees to visit community patients.
Education
To take an active part in the PDR process, and engage in development and learning opportunities.
To develop and maintain knowledge and skill base through participation in and delivery of information at appropriate training.
To complete and maintain mandatory training.
To support colleagues through delivery of coaching and teaching where appropriate.
Communication
To utilise effective communication skills to ensure clinical advice and treatment programmes are delivered sensitively.
To liaise with, and feedback regularly to supervising therapist(s).
To use effective verbal and non-verbal communication tools, to communicate therapy programmes and obtain consent from patients who may have barriers to understanding. To use coaching and reassurance skills to gain patient participation and develop therapeutic relationships.
To always maintain confidentiality and ensure patient records are completed accurately in a timely manner.
Other Responsibilities
To work in accordance with the values of The Kirkwood. Patients, Families and Carers are the focus of everything we do. Our values are what we live and work by.
We are:
Respectful and Inclusive
Passionate and Determined
Open and Honest
Kind and Compassionate
Forward-thinking
We strive for Quality and Excellence
To participate in The Kirkwoods performance and development review process.
To undertake any other duties required by The Kirkwoods Management team commensurate with the post.
To undertake annual mandatory training provided by The Kirkwood.
To maintain complete confidentiality as a condition of employment. Information relating to patients, other members of staff and volunteers or which is acquired for the purposes of employment may only be disclosed with the express permission of the appropriate manager.
To respect the ethos and values of The Kirkwood and its services and comply with its policies, procedures and regulations.
This job description is not exhaustive therefore the employer and employee share responsibility to review and amend this job description to reflect any changes in role/development.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Skills
* Able to demonstrate knowledge of a range of health conditions that impact on occupational function.
* Understanding of the impact of long-term, life limiting conditions on quality of life and function.
* Understanding of the role of Occupational & Physio Therapists.
* Willingness to learn the role of a Hospice within Palliative Care.
* Ability to work effectively in a team environment and individually.
* Able to apply knowledge of moving & handling and equipment & adaption training.
* Organisational and time management skills, as well as evidence of good initiative skills.
* Ability to use and experience with electronic patient records and / or sound IT skills.
* Able to deliver therapy interventions delegated by Occupational / Physio Therapists and have the ability to adjust clinical interventions based on patients needs.
* Good verbal and written communication skills.
* A full, clean UK driving licence with regular access to a vehicle.
* Awareness of own competency limitations.
* Able to work using person centred approaches.
* Able to provide appropriate interventions for distressed patients or those with challenging behaviours, as well as the ability to adapt to changes in work routine.
* Support patients in activities that enhance their quality of life and encourage self-management and self-care strategies tailored to each patients abilities / preferences.
Qualifications
* NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social care or equivalent.
Experience
* Experience of working in a health and social care, inpatient and / or community environment.
* Experience in a therapy or rehabilitation role.
* Experience of working autonomously, managing and prioritising own caseload.
* Experience in supporting patients with goal setting and self-management strategies.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such 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.
£21,460.80 a yearPro-rata to the full-time salary of £26,826 per annum
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