Detailed job description
and main responsibilities
Communication - To use a range of verbal and non-verbal tools to communicate effectively with patients during assessment and treatment to engage them with rehabilitation plans. This may include patients, family and other agencies. This includes using teaching skills to enable education.
Analytical and Judgement Skills - To assess the patient’s level of functional independence and make decisions on appropriate action such as making changes to the goal and care plan or onward referral to registered clinicians within the team. This includes dealing appropriately with unforeseen clinical and practical difficulties and use problem solving skills to resolve issues as quickly as is practical and communicate and escalate any issues to relevant qualified staff.
Planning and Organisational Skills - Plan and organise rehabilitation and care plans for individual patients, taking into account their individual preferences and wishes and using a strength-based approach. In addition, to exercise good personal time management, punctuality reliability and a consistently reliable attendance record.
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy -
To manage a community caseload of patients requiring a rehabilitation following stroke or other neurological diagnosis, as part of the Early Supported Discharge model. This includes carrying out Welcome Home, Half Way ad Discharge visits with non-complex patients, to modify and update their goal and care plans and determine their needs of the service. All of the above is to be completed under the guidance/supervision of a qualified therapist and if identified patients have more complex needs they should be handed over to a qualified Therapist to continue their assessment/treatment/discharge plans
Responsibility for Policy / Service Development - To adhere to professional standards, codes of practice and policies of the Trust, and to assist with compliance for departmental operating procedures.
Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources - To undertake any non-clinical/clerical duties as necessary. This may include maintain stock levels, filing, dealing with telephone calls, and booking appointments.
Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management -To be responsible for day to day supervision of the therapy assistants within the service with the support of the registered clinicians.
Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties -To be responsible for maintenance of concise and accurate written documentation consistent with legal and organisational requirements.
Responsibility for Research and Development -Undertakes surveys or audits as necessary and requested by the clinical lead.
Mental, Physical, and Emotional Effort -Ability to carry out therapeutic and manual handling activities (involving patients and/or equipment) Ability to deal sensitively with patients who have high levels of anxiety caused by neurological changes, pain, dementia or limited ability with occasional exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances.
Other Specific Tasks - To have full driving licence and business insurance. · Ability to drive within local geographical region and have access to a car for business use as cross-site working will be required.
Person specification
Qualificationa
Essential criteria
1. Minimum of 4 GCSEs or equivalent (one to include English) at grades A-C/5-9
2. Foundation Degree in health or assistant practitioner qualification equivalent.
3. Or another relevant qualification.
Desirable criteria
4. Other relevant qualifications e.g. NHS, social care, exercise/sports science, communication support, GCSE in Biology or Maths.
5. Attainment of competencies gained from multi-professional team working
6. Stroke or neuro related course
7. Completion of STARs competency for Stroke
Experience
Essential criteria
8. Dealing with the public
9. Previous work as a Therapy Assistant or equivalent where direct patient care is involved.
10. Experience working in a hospital or community healthcare setting
11. Experience of dealing with people living with disability in order to promote independence
12. Experience of team working
Desirable criteria
13. Experience in delivering rehabilitation programmes to individuals or groups
14. Experience of working with people in a community setting
15. Experience of teaching
16. Experience of working with people with Stroke/neurological conditions
Technical Skills Competencies
Essential criteria
17. Basic computer/IT skills (keyboard skills, e-mail, internet, word excel)
18. Work under pressure.
19. Ability to write information and results of interventions clearly, legibly and concisely.
20. Ability to prioritise workload.
21. Ability to work independently, on ward and/or in patient’s homes, to continue prescribed rehabilitation programmes with guidance from qualified therapists
22. Ability to move and handle patients and equipment using approved techniques
Desirable criteria
23. Awareness of the different roles within the team
24. Specific IT training courses attended
25. Ability to carry out simple patient cognitive screens
26. Skills in manual handling techniques
27. Skills in goal setting & evaluating outcome measures
28. Skills in using alternative and augmentative communication aids
Knowledge
Essential criteria
29. General understanding of the effects of neurological conditions on a patients physical, cognitive and communication abilities
30. Knowledge of basic rehabilitation techniques and strategies
31. An understanding of illness and aging
32. Understanding of mobility and adaptive equipment
33. General understanding of communication and communication difficulties
Desirable criteria
34. Experience working with hospital IT systems e.g. ecamis, EPR, graphnet.
35. Specific training, knowledge and skills with neurological patients.
36. Specific training, knowledge of communication impairments
37. Understanding the process of risk assessment
38. Understanding the potential sources of support for patients after stroke.
Other requirements specific to the role
Essential criteria
39. Adheres to confidential protocols and policies.
40. Car Driver with full driver’s license and business insurance and access to a car.
41. Ability to use tools to adjust equipment and furniture
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
42. Adaptable to change/flexible and keep calm under pressure
43. Excellent communication skills written and verbal
44. Strong ability to work as part of a team.
45. Able to manage own time effectively and work to deadlines.
46. Compassionate and empathetic communication style and approach
47. Shows initiative and can take direction but knows boundaries.
48. Ability to establish rapport and motivate people
49. To be able to understand the importance of confidentiality
Language requirement
Essential criteria
50. Be able to speak English as necessary to undertake the role