Detailed job description
and main responsibilities
The Senior Therapy Assistants (STA) provide a 7 day service 7am-10pm to enable patients from the acute hospital to return home through a discharge to assess approach.
The STA can visit each patient from OD to QDS depending on their care needs. They assess, support and rehab patients in activities of daily living which include; personal care, meal preparation, transfers, toileting and medication.
The first visit, meet & greet, is usually completed by a STA where they check they are presenting as referred, settling at home and checking medication.
They are supervised and supported by a MDT which includes Occupational Therapists, nurses, Therapy Assistant Practitioners and coordinators.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. NVQ III Care or equivalent
Experience
Essential criteria
2. Recent experience working in a health or social care setting
3. Experience of working with older people at Band 3 level.
Desirable criteria
4. Evidence of recent study relevant to the role.
5. Previous work as a Therapy Assistant or equivalent where direct patient care is involved.
6. Experience in working with palliative and end of life patients.
7. Experience of working within a team
Technical skills competences
Essential criteria
8. Use own initiative with guidance/supervision from therapists.
9. Manage own caseload with support from therapists
10. Basic IT skills
Desirable criteria
11. Experience with IT programs such as outlook, excel and word.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
12. Awareness of holistic patient needs
13. Understanding of the basic principles of rehabilitation
14. Manual Handling Techniques
15. Willingness to learn and complete the Competency Based Training.
Desirable criteria
16. General knowledge of relevant medical conditions
17. Basic rehabilitation techniques
18. Basic life support skills
Other requirements specific to the role
Essential criteria
19. Ability to drive, potentially spending prolonged periods driving as a part of the role across South Dorset and West Hampshire.
20. Use of own car for job role
21. Prepared to work on a shift basis including weekends
22. Ability to speak, understand and write in English to the required standard for the role.
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
23. Flexible attitude
24. Ability to use time effectively
25. Well motivated -Able to take direction from senior staff
26. Empathy with older people
27. Ability to recognize boundaries of own job role
28. Patience