Therapy Assistant (Medical Rehabilitation)

• To carry out the appropriate procedures and related tasks that have been selected and delegated by the therapist with the appropriate level of competency. It is the joint responsibility of the therapy assistant and the supervisor to ensure the assistant is competent and confident in carrying out the required intervention and duties. These may involve mobilising and transferring patients, assisting with functional tasks, cognitive rehabilitation programmes set out by a therapist, undertaking home visits, assisting with groups, carrying and installing equipment and supervising exercise programmes.
• To provide patients and carers with direction and guidance on a range of rehabilitation activities as directed by the physiotherapist or occupational therapist. This may incorporate encouraging patients and carers to actively become involved in regaining and maintaining their independence.
• To carry out access or joint home visits with patients, supervising and assisting patients with treatment programmes as directed by the therapists.
• Setting up equipment for use by therapists during treatment sessions or for use in the home environment to assist patients independence.

• To keep regular and up to date records written or electronically data and assist the therapists as necessary with departmental statistics.
• Maintain appropriate levels of stock within the therapy team.
• Arranging transport for patients.

• To communicate with other members of the multidisciplinary team, carers, external agencies and those related to the patients care. To use effective communication with patients or relatives who have barriers of understanding or communicating. e.g. visually impaired, cognitive impairment, hearing or speech disability and to be aware of any device e.g. hearing aids which may hinder communication.
• To deal sensitively with patients and carers who have a high level of anxiety or aggression due to for example, pain, fear or failed expectations.
• To work on a daily basis with patients/carers/relatives who have a high level of emotional stress due to awareness of diagnosis or poor prognosis

• There may be daily exposure to unpleasant working conditions for example, body fluids including urine, faeces and sputum and hazardous substances such as contaminated body fluids and chemotherapy. There may also be contact with patients who have highly infectious conditions e.g. multi resistant Tuberculosis.
• To work in an environment where the work pattern may be disrupted by frequent demands from staff, patients, students, relatives and telephone calls.
• To comply with the trust manual handling policy at all times.

Desirable

• Experience in working with elderly patients or patient with acute medical conditions
• Experience of working as a therapy or other health/social care assistant role
• Experience working in the NHS

Essential

• Evidence of verbal and written communication skills in English
• Demonstration of initiative/ proactive/ work without direct supervision
• Demonstration of ability to work in a team
• Demonstrates effective planning/ organisational skills/ prioritise
• Ability to cope with stressful working situations/ emotional or aggressive people
• Strong communication skills over telephone or email and basic computer skills
• Knowledge of physiotherapy and occupational therapy and Broad understanding of elderly medical conditions or principles of rehab

Essential

• Able to work collaboratively with professional staff/ MDT
• Confident and enthusiastic
• Neat and tidy presentation
• Commitment to patient confidentiality and data protection.