Job Summary
Location: Farnham, Beacon Centre, patient homes and wider community settings
Are you looking for a job where you can make a real difference? At Phyllis Tuckwell, we pride ourselves on offering exceptional care to our patients and their families and carers. We are looking to appoint a full‑time Rehabilitation Assistant who will support high‑quality rehabilitative palliative care for patients of Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice.
The successful applicant will be an integral member of the physiotherapy and occupational therapy teams and the wider multidisciplinary team, working in any of our settings across both sites as well as in patients' homes, in community venues and on the in‑patient unit. The role will involve one‑to‑one and group work, moving and handling patients and equipment (training provided), and using a range of interventions to enable patients to develop skills, knowledge and confidence to manage their condition and engage in meaningful activities.
Key Responsibilities
* Drive and use own car with business insurance to carry out work in the community, including loading and transporting rehabilitation equipment.
* Always adhere to safe moving and handling practices when moving patients and equipment, in line with organisational policy and training.
* Support patients, carers and families on site and in the community, facilitating development of skills, knowledge and confidence in managing their condition.
* Assist colleagues to assess a patient's functional ability and establish goals.
* Support a rehabilitative palliative care approach.
* Manage own caseload of patients as delegated by the therapy leads.
* Motivate patients to be as independent as possible and support their ability to engage in important activities, including personal care, movement, domestic, social and leisure activities.
* Report changes in a patient's condition, treatment plan or progress to members of the multidisciplinary team and to physiotherapists or occupational therapists when additional assessment is required.
* Understand the physical, emotional, psychological, social, spiritual and cultural needs of the patient and utilise these to support improvements.
* Following training and supervision, assess and teach patients to use adaptive equipment, both on site and within their homes.
* Develop knowledge in falls prevention.
* Support a patient's autonomy by using a range of solutions including information, assistive technology and skills in motivating and facilitating behaviour change.
* Screen patients' needs including assessing their home environment to identify potential risks, inform goal setting and advanced care planning in collaboration with registered staff.
* Support the planning and organisation of group work, including transport arrangements and setting up the rooms appropriately.
* Regularly move and handle equipment and exercise apparatus for group or 1:1 sessions.
* Deliver patient information and symptom management group work, modifying in accordance with own competency level.
* Know own limitations and seek advice from appropriate professionals when required.
* Work alone in the community whilst understanding own competency levels and scope of practice.
* Ensure equipment is clean, well maintained and stored appropriately; report faults to appropriate colleagues.
* Move equipment between rooms and from the storeroom to the car, in line with safe moving and handling guidance.
* Liaise with the multi-professional team, including attendance at MDT meetings as required.
* Read and contribute to patient clinical records to effectively manage delegated caseload.
* Risk assess and manage moving and handling situations both jointly and on own as appropriate within competency level, reporting any concerns.
* Facilitate patients during rehabilitation sessions, in line with safe moving and handling guidance.
* Carry out onward referrals to external and internal agencies under the supervision of registered staff and monitor their progress.
* Support registered staff to order and monitor prescribed equipment.
* Answer telephone calls, make appointments and room bookings, schedule, file, take and relay messages, photocopy and print.
* Monitor stock and order supplies as required; oversee equipment peripheral stores across sites.
* Clean and maintain equipment and maintain infection control standards in the working environment.
* Have effective IT skill across a range of platforms; review team tasks and emails, ensuring timely and appropriate actions.
* Communicate effectively with patients and their families and carers with compassion, using skills that help motivate and empower.
* Utilise communication skills to work with people with communication difficulties, including hearing, sight and speech and language impairment.
* Gain consent and act in accordance with patients' choices.
* Work within the multi-disciplinary integrated team, communicating appropriately and fostering collaborative working.
* Proactively seek opportunities to support the team and enhance workflow across the service.
* Escalate situations in a timely manner.
* Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date patient notes in line with professional standards and Phyllis Tuckwell policy.
* Work efficiently, managing time and resources effectively to meet service and budget needs.
* Work within established standards and policies to deliver high quality patient care.
* Be responsible for ensuring a safe working environment in all care settings.
* Participate in surveys and audits as directed by the line manager.
* Be responsible for time management and organisation of daily workload and schedules as allocated by senior staff.
* Maintain confidentiality according to the Caldicott principles.
* Always work and communicate in alignment with Phyllis Tuckwell values and professional behaviour standards.
* Participate in statutory and mandatory training.
* Participate in clinical supervision, one‑to‑one support meetings, appraisals / performance review and look for opportunities for self and professional development ensuring skills are developing.
* Contribute to service planning.
* Develop competencies in falls prevention, moving and handling, provision of adaptive equipment, and engaging patients in and providing opportunities for meaningful activities.
* Support registered staff in the delivery of teaching sessions.
* Adhere to Phyllis Tuckwell Safeguarding Policy, the local authority multi‑agency safeguarding policy, Care Act 2014 and Mental Capacity Act 2005 (including Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards).
* Inform the appropriate PT professional where there is concern that an adult or child may be at risk of harm, abuse, or neglect.
* Phyllis Tuckwell is committed to an Equal Opportunities approach, valuing and respecting everyone as individuals, with diverse opinions, cultures, lifestyles, and circumstances.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential Qualifications
* Educated to GCSE level or equivalent including a pass in English.
* Level 3 in Health or Social Care or equivalent.
Desirable Qualifications
* Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Essential Experience
* An understanding of palliative care and the benefits of a rehabilitative approach.
* Commitment to providing high quality, person‑centred, rehabilitative palliative care to patients, their relatives, and carers.
* Understanding of the importance of Health and Safety and a commitment to complying with PT policies.
* Have experience in working with groups of patients or have a willingness to develop the skills needed for this.
Desirable Experience
* At least two years experience of working in a health or social care environment.
* Experience of working with people living with advanced illness or long‑term conditions.
* Understanding and experience of caring for people at end of life and with palliative care needs.
Essential Written Communication
* Experience of using electronic patient records.
* Effectively communicate in an accurate, clear and concise way, understand the importance of timely record keeping and reporting any changes in a patient's condition to colleagues.
* Demonstrate awareness of patient confidentiality.
* IT literacy with skills including Word, Excel, smartphone technology and electronic diaries or willingness to learn.
* Car driver with a valid driving licence, business insurance and able to travel to a patient’s home, between sites or to a community venue.
Essential Education, Training and Self‑Management
* Good problem solving and organisational skills.
* Ability to work autonomously to plan and prioritise.
* Able to reflect on and appraise own performance.
* Have the ability to cope with stressful and emotionally demanding situations.
* Commitment to personal development and training.
* Competent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise.
* Ability to support patient and their families to express concern and distress.
* To work effectively and efficiently with groups of patients, their families and carers.
* To be self‑aware.
* Flexible, motivated, and self‑directed.
* Good attendance and punctuality record.
* To be professional in appearance and conduct.
Benefits
* Six weeks paid holiday plus public holidays.
* Continuation of NHS Pension or Phyllis Tuckwell Group Personal Pension Plan (matched contributions up to 7.5%).
* Clinical supervision.
* Health Cash Plan Scheme.
* Employee Assistance Programme.
* Staff Benefit Scheme.
* Blue Light Discount Card.
* Access to learning and professional development opportunities (on‑site education team).
* Professional growth and upskilling.
* Diverse training courses.
* Equal opportunities employer.
* Flexible hours and flexible working.
* Supportive colleagues.
* Clinical supervision and support.
Application Information
For further information regarding the role or to arrange an informal visit please contact Ruth Hale, Physiotherapist Team Lead on ruth.hale@pth.org.uk or Kirsten Holt, Occupational Therapy Team Lead on Kirsten.holt@pth.org.uk.
Please note that we do not hold a sponsor licence and therefore are unable to provide sponsorship.
Equal Opportunities
Phyllis Tuckwell is an equal opportunities employer, who values and respects the diverse knowledge, skills and experiences of all employees. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and all appointments are made following a fair and equitable process.
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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer Details
Phyllis Tuckwell Memorial Hospice Ltd
Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, Crosby Way, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7XG
Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, Gill Avenue, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7WW
Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, 122 Kings Ride, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 4LZ
Website: https://www.pth.org.uk/
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