We are looking for a dynamic, forward thinking and enthusiastic Band 4 Therapy Assistant with a specialist interest in older people to join our supportive and friendly integrated physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy team. The job role offers a broad range of experience across both short stay wards as well as specialist complex medicine units.
As a member of our large, friendly therapy team, under the supervision and guidance of qualified physiotherapists and occupational therapists, you will complete assessments, tasks, and interventions throughout the patient’s journey, from ward admission to discharge. You must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, be self-motivated, and well as having a caring, compassionate approach to patient care. We encourage life-long learning and staff receive regular training and supervision for their personal and professional development. 
If you are interested in this role and feel you meet the criteria, please take the time to contact me to discuss it further or arrange a visit using the contact details in the advert.
• To work as a member of the Therapy Service team
• To assist the therapist with a range of duties. 
• Plan and provide programmes of therapeutic activity for patients, within the framework laid down by the therapists. 
• Implement and evaluate basic therapy interventions for patients in activities relating to their treatment programme
• To record patient information including in electronic notes. 
• To maintain rehab equipment in the department. 
• To input patient data onto the IT system. 
To support the ward active recovery support workers and therapy assistants informally
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trustis one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. For more information on OUH please viewOUH At a Glance by OUHospitals - Issuu
Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community.
We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.
These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via theOUH YouTube channel.
Communication and relationship skills
1. To participate in regular meetings with other members of the Therapy team and Multidisciplinary team 
1. To provide and receive routine information to staff, patients, and carers. 
1. To communicate factual information to patients. 
1. To persuade patients to co-operate in their rehabilitation programme using encouragement, reassurance, tact and sensitivity; overcome barriers to understanding with patients whose understanding is impaired. 
1. To be able to maintain records and documentation required by work settings in accordance with local policies and Therapy specifications. 
1. On an informal bases, to promote the profile of Therapies in the Trust. 
1. To be able to work flexibly under pressure at a fast pace. 
Service management and development
1. To work with therapists to implement policies within the team and the department. 
1. To assist the therapists to actively participate in the fieldwork education of therapy students seconded to the service. 
1. To participate actively in sharing and receiving in-service training and development to ensure continuous professional development, as appropriate to grade and experience. 
1. To be aware of and promote cross-site links.
1. To work with other therapy staff to adhere to policies/protocols for the service, as appropriate. 
1. To demonstrate duties to new starters. 
1. To provide general support for less experienced staff. 
1. To follow policies (Trust and Departmental) in own role. 
1. Active involvement in audits and quality initiative projects under guidance of therapists. 
1. To help collect data for informal and formal clinical research activities, underpinned by appropriate methodology and documentation 
1. To identify training needs and facilitate learning of self. 
1. To be willing to take on extra responsibilities to develop the service e.g. Back Care Facilitator, First Aider, Fire Monitor. 
1. To assist therapists with inducting new staff to the department. 
1. To assist therapist with training new therapy assistant to the department.
Clinical skills
1. To implement treatment plans established by therapists. 
1. To assess and formulate treatment plans for routine patients as guided by therapists. 
1. To assist therapist to carry out identified home assessments in accordance with the Occupational Therapy Service guidelines. 
1. To assess patients’ mobility and issue appropriate equipment under guidance of therapists. 
1. To provide advice to patients/carers on safe use and care of prescribed equipment. 
1. To assess patients’ stamina/understanding during treatment sessions. 
1. To update patient’s goals appropriately and in a timely manner. 
1. To ensure appropriate liaison and follow-up at community level prior to patient’s discharge including family members. 
1. Cleaning, storage and maintenance of therapies-owned equipment and equipment for loaning 
1. Assist in the transporting and re-stocking of therapies equipment stores 
1. Arrange for ongoing servicing of chairs as appropriate. 
1. To have a holistic understanding of patient and their condition as well as psychosocial dynamics as they impact the patient’s function. 
1. To plan and provide programmes of therapeutic activity within framework established by therapists. 
1. To assess patient’s response to activities and decides on appropriate action, e.g. advise therapist, summon assistance, or cease treatment. 
2. To work flexibly and be able to adjust to constant changing ward demands.
Planning and Organisational Skills
1. To manage own day to day work tasks and prioritise with reference to therapist
1. To work with other therapists across the Trust to support speciality groups.
1. To assist therapists in arranging in-service training, study days etc. 
1. To assist the therapists in ensuring working conditions are kept optimal, or where not, raised and dealt with appropriately.
Information and Resource Management
1. To record personally generated clinical observations. 
1. To compile and collate statistics in a timely and accurate manner in accordance with the Therapies guidelines and the need of the service. 
1. To use the Trust Intranet, Electronic Patient Records, SEND 2, ORBIT and databases as appropriate for the speciality. 
1. To be competent in ordering equipment for patients’ discharge. 
1. To be able to use email and MS Teams for communications across the sites, and to use the Therapies IT system for sharing/using information. 
1. To ensure all equipment is used appropriately and safely, according to the service guidelines. 
1. To observe a personal duty of care when using equipment. 
1. To maintain stock levels of equipment.  
1. To work with therapists to ensure working within financial limits and referring on to other agencies as necessary.
1. To be aware of criteria for provision of equipment from other organisations in Oxfordshire, and to help the team abide within these criteria. 
This advert closes on Thursday 21 Nov 2024
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