Detailed job description
and main responsibilities
1. To manage a community caseload of patients requiring a supported home from hospital
assessment service.
2. To carry out community care reviews with non-complex patients to modify and update their
goal and care plans and determine their needs of the service.
3. To refer on patients with more complex problems or issues to the registered therapist or nurse
as required.
4. To carry out functional assessments to determine the patient’s level of independence and aid basic clinical decision making within agreed protocols.
These assessments will include, but not be limited to:
Personal care assessments, (washing, dressing, grooming.)
Functional Mobility
Transfers: bed, chair, toilet and car
Domestic Activities.
Environmental home falls assessments
5. To complete assessments requested by a registered clinician. These may include but will not be limited to:
Mood assessments
Clinical observations
Cognitive assessments
Environmental home falls assessments
Gait, strength and balance assessments
Pressure sore risk assessments
Nutritional screening
6. To assess for, demonstrate & issue routine aids and equipment to patients using the most appropriate teaching techniques to enable independence.
7. To ensure equipment ordered is safely and correctly fitted in a timely manner.
8. Deal appropriately with unforeseen clinical and practical difficulties and use problem solving skills to resolve issues as quickly as is practical.
9. To provide personal care to patients as required using trust infection control processes and personal protective equipment.
10. To write and check medication administration records in line with the trust operating policy.
11. To provide patients with information and advice regarding issues of health and social care to ensure patient’s needs are met once discharged.
12. To document the results of Therapy intervention following Trust and departmental guidelines, to ensure continuity of care.
13. Access patient information from the available health and social care information systems to inform therapy process
14. To identify patients where social care issues are a problem and refer them to the appropriate services to ensure a holistic approach to treatment.
15. All of the above is to be completed under the guidance/supervision of a qualified therapist and if identified patients have more complex needs they should be handed over to a qualified Therapist/nurse to continue their assessment/treatment/discharge plan.
16. To keep up to date with clinical knowledge and skills by undertaking self-directed study, attending formal training as available, and liaising with registered clinical staff
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Foundation Degree in health or assistant practitioner diploma qualification equivalent to level 4.
Desirable criteria
2. Attainment of competencies gained from multi-professional team working Trained to deliver OTAGO balance exercises.
Experience
Essential criteria
3. Previous work as a Therapy Assistant or equivalent (e.g. Exercise Physiologist, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physiotherapy Assistant) where direct patient care is involved in a healthcare environment. Working with adult patients with chronic disease or multiple pathologies
Desirable criteria
4. Previous experience working in an acute and community setting Working within a multidisciplinary team. Experience of evaluation, standard setting and evidence based practice within a healthcare/ rehabilitation setting
Technical Skills Competencies
Essential criteria
5. Ability to assess a patient with specific objective assessment tools, without supervision Ability to work independently on own initiative with guidance/supervision from qualified staff, mainly at a distance. Effective time management and organisational skills. Basic driving skills Basic computer literacy and standard keyboard skills Ability to act on own initiative, e.g. responding to an emergency situation
Desirable criteria
6. Ability to fit / adjust basic equipment such as toileting and transfer aids and mobility equipment.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
7. General knowledge of Elderly care pathologies. The effects of physical and cognitive impairment, on skills abilities and lifestyle Basic rehabilitation techniques. Exercise prescription and monitoring e.g. of physiological signs during exercise Health and safety responsibilities. Data protection and patient confidentiality.
Desirable criteria
8. General knowledge of relevant medical conditions. Risk assessment. Audit Project and change management
Other requirements specific to the role
Essential criteria
9. Ability to drive, hold a clean driving license and access to a car for work purposes. Ability to move and handle patients and equipment using approved techniques
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
10. Flexible attitude. Well motivated. Able to work independently when required with rational, safe clinical reasoning skills. Able to take direction from senior staff and work well within a team Empathy with older people. Ability to recognize boundaries of own job role. Highly organised with excellent time management skills and able to organize own workload on a day to day basis. Good verbal communication skills both face to face and over the telephone. Ability to document results of interventions clearly and concisely. Ability to establish rapport. Basic teaching skills. Ability to engage, motivate and inspire patients. Confident in dealing with difficult situations e.g. aggressive behaviour, conflict.
Language requirement
Essential criteria
11. Be able to speak English as necessary to undertake the role