Therapy Support Worker, Band 3

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic , proactive and compassionate individual to join our musculoskeletal outpatient therapy team as a therapy support worker. You should have relevant prior experience working as a physiotherapy or occupational therapy support worker in the NHS.

You will have the opportunity to work with patients with musculoskeletal problems, to improve function and promote independence using exercise including group classes and hydrotherapy.

You will also undertake administrative, cleaning and housekeeping tasks, complying with health and safety and infection control policies to ensure seamless provision of therapy services.

We are looking for an individual who is motivated, enthusiastic and flexible in all areas of care and their approach to work. You will have the ability to work well individually and as part of a team . You will need to have excellent communication skills, have a positive attitude and be able to motivate and encourage patients with their rehabilitation.

You will work across both hospital sites and at community venues to support the delivery of exercise classes. You will be required to contribute to the therapy weekend working rota. Being able to swim and submerge under water and be confident in the hydrotherapy pool is also important.

Job description

To use the principles of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy to promote independence and improve function, implementing treatment plans and facilitating rehabilitation within agreed limitations through exercise, including group classes and hydrotherapy.

To undertake administrative and housekeeping tasks to support the Therapy team and ensure seamless service delivery.

To prepare the clinical area and the patient, for delivery of safe and effective treatments in a clean environment, complying with health and safety, infection control and water safety standards.

Participate in the weekend working rota where applicable.

Job responsibilities

- To use the principles of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy in an integrated and patient-centred way, to promote independence, improve function and facilitate safe discharge. This will be achieved by implementing treatment plans and facilitating rehabilitation within agreed limitations through exercise including group classes and hydrotherapy, physical modalities and the use of occupation, taking into consideration a persons affect and cognition.

- To instruct and motivate patients in accordance with the treatment plan, in order to achieve the goals, monitoring the patients condition at all times. This will take place in water and on dry land.

- To identify and organise/undertake appropriate treatment within a delegated framework of responsibilities, reporting back to a registered practitioner/MDT and referring on to other agencies, when necessary.

- To implement and progress delegated treatment programmes using clinical reasoning skills to include the teaching of patients on functional exercise, the issuing and fitting of equipment and the practice of activities of daily living.

- The post holder will expect and be willing to work across both hospital sites and off-site locations, as required.

- To provide a collaborative treatment approach to reduce repetition of information and provide a seamless pathway of rehabilitation, with appropriate follow up intervention post discharge.

- To undertake specific unaccompanied work, organise own caseload and prioritise activities to meet the needs of patients, comprising patients with predictable and unpredictable conditions.

- To monitor and report back to the registered practitioner and/or other members of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) regarding progress and changes in the patients condition or deviation in the expected care pathway, to ensure safety, the achievement of agreed goals and planning safe discharge from the service.

- To support the induction of new staff into the clinical area. To support the supervision of less experienced staff and undergraduate students.

- Able to identify ways to promote dignity and is aware of individuals environments and factors that might cause discomfort, particularly in the hydrotherapy pool environment.

Professional Development, Education and Training

- To participate in own continuing professional development (CPD), including supervision, appraisal and training to ensure competency, service quality and meet the clinical governance agenda and organisational goals.

- Actively participates in learning opportunities and demonstrates self-improvement, for example by actively seeking feedback.

- Records own learning and personal development. Identifies areas for self-improvement and actively participates in learning opportunities to maintain and extend knowledge and performance.

Management and Leadership

- To contribute to measuring the treatment outcomes and audit activity related to the service. To use computer systems related to patient care for purposes of recording information and ordering equipment.

- Understands the aims and principles of health promotion, protection and improvement and importance of relevant interventions for individual patients and their families, including making every contact count.

- Understand principles of behaviour change and interventions to prevent ill health and effectively apply these to practice, recognising the individuals right to privacy and choice.

Planning and Organisation

- To undertake administrative, cleaning and housekeeping tasks, organising own diary to monitor and maintain stock levels of equipment and consumables in the hydrotherapy and MSK outpatient areas, to ensure seamless provision of therapy and to support the Therapy team to deliver ongoing care and rehabilitation of the patient.

- Undertake operational processes within the Therapy service e.g. booking and scheduling patients, answering queries, cancelling and re-booking patients. To assist with the screening of patients appropriate for Hydrotherapy including contraindications, which will assist in the management of waiting lists. Liaise with senior support worker and senior therapists/clinical leads, regarding appointment availability and waiting list management.

- To prepare the clinical area and the patient, for delivery of safe and effective treatments in a clean environment, complying with health and safety, infection control and water safety standards. This will include daily cleaning and monitoring of the hydrotherapy pool area, changing rooms and equipment, cleaning pool scum line, channels and hoovering pool and checking hydrotherapy emergency trolley, for example.

- Knowledge of health and safety issues in relation to staff and patients in the hydrotherapy pool area and community-based exercise classes including: emergency evacuation procedures, working knowledge of pool sampling processes, reporting variations, reporting equipment malfunction and safe principles of group exercise. Reports any incidents, accidents or complaints in a timely manner, taking appropriate action where necessary.

- To participate in the weekend working rota where applicable, following a period of induction, training and assessment.

Communications and Working Relationships

- To use verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients/carers. This may include education, motivation, persuasion, and empowerment. This will include patients/carers who may or may not have barriers to communication through cognitive or physical impairment e.g., hearing or visual impairment, confusion and depression.

- Understands and gains valid consent prior to action or providing care, and records this appropriately. Keeps complete, clear, accurate, legible and timely records, utilising digital platforms as required. Understands role requirement and the importance of accessing, maintaining and storing documentation relating to care, in accordance with local guidance and legal requirements for maintaining confidentiality and data protection.

Additional Contact Details

Kim Chapman

kim.chapman5@nhs.net

About the organisation

We take pride in placing people at the centre of everything we do, working together as a united team. Driven by a shared ambition to continually grow, develop, and learn, we recognise and value every contribution. By combining our experience and skills, we not only support our vibrant, diverse communities, but also support one another.

With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience in one or both of our innovative hospitals.

As well as generous annual leave allowance, you will have access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, discounts at local shops and restaurants, access to two on-site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is crucial to ensuring fairness, celebrating differences and creating environments where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute.

Person specification

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• GCSE level C Maths and English
• NVQ level 3 or equivalent and experience/skills
• Proven experience as a physiotherapy or occupational therapy support worker working in the NHS in the UK
• Demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills, both verbal and non-verbal and written when interacting with staff, patients, relatives and carers
• Work flexibly in response to the changing demands of the service.
• Manage appropriately in difficult emotional or physical environments e.g. upset patients/relatives and difficult physical environments e.g. home circumstances
• Demonstrate an ability to act on own initiative when working independently in challenging environments.
• Take a responsibility for abiding by Health and Safety policies and regulations and act in accordance with any risk management policies.

Desirable

• Valid UK Driving License

Supporting documents

• 318-26-T0600-A_JD.docx (DOCX, 593 KB)