Job Overview
We are excited to announce an opportunity for a Band 4 Therapy Assistant Practitioner to work within our Acute and General Medicine Team based at the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch. You will support the recently integrated Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy services on the Acute and General medical wards. Following appropriate training and completion of competencies you will access and treat patients. Working as part of an integrated therapy team, you will work with qualified therapists and other assistants, as well as independently with patients within your scope of practice. This role requires excellent assessment and communication skills, together with the ability to prioritise workload and thrive in a busy environment. You will implement and monitor treatment interventions and care plans, putting patients first. The therapy team follows a Home First ethos, supporting safe discharge at the earliest opportunity. You will become confident in making discharge decisions within your role and liaise with all stakeholders to ensure timely and safe discharges. You will also contribute to service development and supervise support workers.
Key Responsibilities
* Assess, treat and progress treatment of patients in line with competencies set and assessed by the Senior Therapist and use this knowledge to contribute to effective discharge planning as part of the Multi‑disciplinary Team.
* Coordinate, supervise and assist with the training and management of other Therapy support workers, providing a quality and effective support service to the Therapy Team.
* Work part‑time, 30 hours per week in core hours across Monday‑Friday with flexibility around working 7‑day schedules as required.
* Hold responsibility for own caseload within the defined area of work, at times working without direct supervision; support available by bleep.
* Work unsupervised to assess patients with mobility and functional impairments following appropriate training and competency demonstration.
* Obtain an accurate and full social history to facilitate early discharge planning, liaising with family/care agencies as needed.
* Accurately assess range of movement, muscle power, sensation, sitting and standing balance and transfer abilities.
* Assess and progress patient mobility, including issuing and training in the use of walking aids as appropriate.
* Safely assess a patient’s ability on the stairs where needed and correct technique as appropriate.
* Develop and safely deliver individualised treatment programmes.
* Prepare patients for treatment including undressing/dressing and toileting.
* Analyse the patient’s condition and needs, modifying treatment accordingly using own knowledge and reasoning.
* Monitor the effectiveness of treatment and use clinical knowledge to progress the patient within defined protocols.
* Identify the need for ongoing rehabilitation/support, and liaise with the MDT and patient flow centre to recommend the appropriate level of care on discharge.
* Assist and encourage patients with routine breathing exercises and chest clearance techniques after completing required competencies.
* Maintain accurate and contemporaneous treatment records, including valid consent to interventions.
* Ensure that patient confidentiality is always maintained.
* Be aware of limitations of own knowledge and refer to the supervising therapist where appropriate.
Qualifications and Experience
* Evidence of enthusiasm and commitment to the role in Worcestershire.
* Proactive in self‑development.
* Able to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
* Compassionate.
* Evidence of appropriate personal attributes such as responsible, reliable, flexible, well‑organised, initiative.
* Evidence of good team working.
* Ability to problem‑solve, knowledge of basic aims and principles of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy.
* Evidence of managing/ prioritising own caseload/working independently.
* Ability to work autonomously using own knowledge/skills and initiative.
* In complex situations, acknowledging role boundaries.
* Effective and appropriate written and verbal communication/interpersonal skills.
* Evidence of thorough, relevant self‑development/CPD activity.
* Completion of broad‑based competencies in therapy related skills.
* Evidence of patient handling skills.
* Computer literate (e.g., Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook); evidence of activities involving leadership/management skills.
* Understanding of professional, legal and clinical governance issues.
* Previous experience of electronic patient records, functional skills (Level 2) or Maths & English GCSE (grades 9‑4 or A‑C).
* National Care Certificate.
* A foundation degree in Health and Social Care or equivalent Level 5 qualification plus A‑Levels and GCSEs or equivalent; or a Level 5 apprenticeship (e.g., Assistant Practitioner apprenticeship); or equivalent clinical experience/expertise within an AHP profession underpinned by theoretical and practical experience; evidence of attendance at healthcare related courses (e.g., dementia awareness, stroke specialist seating).
* A relevant further education qualification (e.g., BTEC Therapy Support Worker or NVQ 3 in Healthcare or equivalent).
* Proven experience as a Senior Therapy Assistant or equivalent working with different patient groups/conditions.
* Experience of working in an acute/healthcare setting with direct patient contact.
* Evidence of using a wide range of therapy related skills including grading, adaptation and progression of interventions.
* Evidence of supporting other staff to develop, experience of organising and/or providing training to others.
* Experience of group working.
* Experience of using/fitting adaptive equipment.
Desirable
* Able to meet the moving and handling requirements of the post.
* Able and willing to work contracted hours over 7 days, extended daily hours pattern as required.
* Able to contribute to the Therapy Weekend and Bank Holiday rota.
* Able to fulfil the travel requirements of the post – Full driving licence and access to a vehicle (or alternative mode of transport).
* Able and willing to commute between sites.
Application Requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service Check. Please ensure you can provide the necessary documentation during the application process.
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