Role Overview
Therapy assistants work alongside clinicians assisting patients in their rehabilitation and recovery across many areas. Assistants also provide treatment independently under guidance from qualified staff. The post is based at Aintree University Hospital with the Therapies MSK Outpatient Team. All posts are subject to a 7‑day shift working pattern and staff are required to work flexibly. Training will be provided to gain the required skills and competencies, including housekeeping and equipment maintenance duties. Experience working with therapists is beneficial and previous customer care or health‑care experience is essential.
Key Responsibilities
* Assist in carrying out care and exercise programmes with patients under the supervision of a qualified therapist.
* Treat patients individually or in groups in a variety of settings (outpatient, ward, hydrotherapy, critical care) with supervision.
* Liaise regularly with the qualified therapist regarding treatment progression and ongoing care.
* Report to the therapist any lack of progression or negative changes in a patient’s ability to undertake treatment sessions.
* Work as a member of the therapy team and multidisciplinary team, sharing information with team members.
* Assist on home visits under direction of a qualified therapist or technical instructor, arrange transport and complete relevant documentation.
* Issue, fit and retrieve therapy equipment under supervision of a qualified therapist, keeping accurate records of these activities.
* Ensure equipment within the department is clean, safe and fit for purpose.
* Assist patients to access and use toilet facilities.
* Transfer patients safely between ward, clinics and treatment areas as requested.
* Receive and prepare patients for therapy treatments.
* Prepare and maintain equipment and therapy treatment areas, including household duties.
* Ensure effective two‑way communication with patients, carers and other health and social care professionals, providing and receiving complex information that requires empathy and reassurance.
* Maintain accurate and timely records of treatments as directed by the qualified therapist.
* Order therapy equipment and supplies under the direction of the technical instructor/therapist and authorised signatories.
* Participate in departmental planned out‑of‑hours working (optional).
* Comply with health and safety policies, incident reporting, Data Protection Act, Caldicott recommendations and local policies.
Qualifications
* Reliable
* Willingness to work flexibly
* Ability to meet physical requirements of the job role and capable of working on own initiative
* Able to communicate written information clearly
* Basic IT skills
* Able to work as a team member
* Excellent communication skills
* Evidence of organisational abilities
* Understanding of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, and awareness of current NHS issues
* Experience of dealing with the public in service delivery
* Experience of working in the public sector
* NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
Training & Development
Actively participate in mandatory and in‑service training programmes, attend relevant training courses identified by senior staff, and participate in staff appraisal sessions. Participate in the therapy assist rotational scheme across the Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Trust and contribute to the induction and training of new staff and students assigned to the team.
Workplace and Working Hours
All posts are subject to a possible 7‑day shift working pattern. Staff are required to work flexibly from the outset.
Other Key Policies
Applicants are required to meet UK Visas & Immigration criteria for right‑to‑work visa sponsorship for Band 2 and 3 roles. DBS checks will be required after commencement of employment, with standard or enhanced disclosure deducted from salary in instalments. All employees must comply with safeguarding policies and complete mandatory safeguarding training.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The Trust is committed to promoting equality and diversity; we value the contribution of individual talent, skills, knowledge and experience and aim for a workforce demography representative of the local community. We encourage applicants from the following groups that are currently under‑represented in our workforce: black, Asian and minority ethnic, lesbian, gay, bisexual and Transgender (LGBTQ+), disabled, male and age 16‑24.
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