Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Therapy Assistant (fixed term post) to the Palliative Care Therapy Team based at Salisbury Hospice. We are a small but busy team, with many opportunities for development.
The post will initially be for a period of 12 months. 18 hours a week, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 09:30 - 16:00
Duties will include:
Supporting the occupational therapist and physiotherapist in the assessment and rehabilitation of inpatients at the hospice on the ward, working with Day Patients, Out-Patients and accompanying therapists on their community visits. There is an expectation that the post holder may be asked to work with patients alone in the community
Assisting in the provision of groupwork such as exercise or horticulture groups
Maintenance of therapy equipment stores and supplies
Use of computer skills to order and monitor equipment deliveries, record patient intervention and other administrative tasks such as compliance with MLE
This post will require the post holder to be able to drive and have access to a car and deliver equipment when required
A flexible working approach is essential
Only applicants with previous experience as a therapy assistant, and/or palliative care experience will be considered
Main duties of the job
To assist the therapists in providing a high standard of care to patients.
To treat patients referred by a therapist, according to set treatment goals, monitoring patient progress and adapting treatment as necessary. This could involve working in a variety of locations (including the community setting), reporting patient’s progress and informing therapists of any problems.
The therapy assistant is expected to undertake therapy tasks independently, following written or verbal instructions from a qualified therapist. Access to advice and support from a qualified therapist is available. To undertake routine administrative and departmental tasks to ensure the smooth running of the department.
Working for our organisation
Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust (SFT) is an innovative hospital with a proud heritage and over 250 years of experience behind us. Here we’re driven to deliver an outstanding experience for everyone and have been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment we continue to provide for our patients and also our staff.
We are an acute Trust, rated “Good” by the CQC, with a track record of high performance providing regional and super regional specialist services such as: Burns, Plastics & Reconstructive Surgery, Wessex Regional Genetics Laboratory, Wessex Rehabilitation, Spires Cleft Centre and the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre. We have about 470 beds and employ over 4000 staff.
We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. We think working here is pretty rewarding. You can access a range of NHS discounts, receive a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme. On-site benefits include car parking (fee applies), leisure centre, day nursery and holiday play scheme.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached Job description and person specification for full details of roles and responsibilities.
Person specification
Essential and Desirable
Essential criteria
1. QCF or NVQ level 2 or equivalent qualification, in Maths and English
2. Recent experience of working in a therapy or in a palliative care healthcare assistant role at Band 2 level or equivalent
3. Experience in dealing with the physical and emotional needs of patients or others.
4. Experience of working under indirect supervision.
5. Evidence of working in a supportive or caring role with direct client or patient contact.
Desirable criteria
6. QCF or NVQ level 3 in Therapeutic or Diagnostic Support or related topic, or other relevant training e.g. A levels
7. Recent experience of working in a therapy or healthcare assistant role at Band 3 level or equivalent
8. Evidence of working with patients and families facing a life threatening illness
9. Evidence of working with patients and families facing a life threatening illness Able to assess the patient’s response to treatment and know when to seek appropriate help, recognising and working within the limitations and boundaries of the Band 3 role
10. Awareness of the process of rehabilitation and of the personnel involved
These include but aren't limited to:-
11. Holiday starting at 27 days plus Bank Holidays rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years for Agenda for Change staff
12. Holiday entitlement for Medical and Dental staff starts at 27 days for Junior/Senior Clinical Fellows, Specialty Doctors and rises to 32 days after 5 years. Consultant entitlement starts at 32 days and rises to 34 days after 7 years
13. An additional day's leave to celebrate your birthday (after 12 months & non contractual) pro rata
14. Access to a career average revalued earnings pension scheme
15. Life assurance if a member of the pension scheme
16. An extensive Health and Wellbeing offer to help you deal with life's challenges
17. Exclusive deals and discounts websites saving you money on everyday purchases, treats for the family, eating out and utility bills for home
18. Cycle to work scheme
19. Uniform provided (where required)
20. On site Day Nursery and Holiday Play scheme
21. On site health and fitness club
22. On site car parking (fee's and restrictions apply)
23. Opportunities to get on - take advantage of our ongoing learning opportunities and training, to help you achieve the job and career you want.
Please note - Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered. Candidates requiring sponsorship (or will need sponsorship at the end of a current visa eg those with graduate visa's) should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying