MAIN PURPOSE:
To undertake specific skilled support work to aid the rehabilitation of patients.
To accept patients referred by a physiotherapist, and carry as own patient case load. Treat patients according to set treatment protocols, monitoring patient progression, make minor alterations to patient treatment programmes as required.
Work unsupervised reporting back patient progress and informing physiotherapist of any problems.
To support and assist the physiotherapist in the delivery of a physiotherapy service to all referred patients. The post holder will be required to work in both the inpatient and outpatient setting and this may include hydrotherapy.
Main Duties / Responsibilities
Clinical
1. Assist the physiotherapist in the rehabilitation of patients using a range of delegated exercises and manual physiotherapy treatments.
2. To manage the rehabilitation of patients as delegated by the physiotherapist. To work without direct supervision, be responsible for assessing patient progress and reporting back to physiotherapist and where appropriate undertake the initial assessment.
3. Treat patients individually or in a group in a variety of settings without the direct supervision or presence of a physiotherapist, clinics or one to one
4. Instruct patients and carers, providing direction and guidance on a range of physiotherapy and mobility activities, as part of own clinical work or as directed as necessary by the physiotherapist.
5. Encourage patients and their carers in an active approach to regaining and maintaining personal independence.
6. Use effective communication tools, verbal and non-verbal to communicate treatment programmes to patients who have barriers to understanding or communicating
7. Make accurate records of work undertaken and keep monthly statistics as required, including documenting patient contacts in line with CSP and service standards.
8. To liaise with the physiotherapist as necessary regarding patient care. In particular highlighting any variations to expected outcomes from treatment programmes you deliver.
9. To attend in-service training as required.
10. To actively participate in the delivery of in-service training. Training newly appointed physiotherapy assistants in basic elements of patient care, safety and inducting them into the department.
11. Contribute to development of patient care by attending relevant team, departmental or other appropriate meetings.
12. Collate and enter statistical data onto the departmental database
13. In response to continued service development, the duties of the post may be conducted over a seven day period.
Criteria
Ideally no more than 6-8 criteria in this section
12 months practical experience in providing direct patient/client care or rehabilitation in a voluntary or paid capacity within a health care environment.
4 GCSE's at Grade C or above to include English Language and Mathematics
OR
City and Guilds Part 1
OR
A recognised vocational qualification
OR
NVQ Level 2, complete or in progress
Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post
SECTION 2 : The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:
- Good communication skills
- Willingness to adapt to new working practices within a changing environment
- Able to work as part of a team
- IT knowledge and skills