Senior Therapy Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

• To provide a high standard of clinical assistance to any member of the therapy team and participate actively in a variety of joint sessions with the patient
• To be responsible for independent assessment and intervention planning for a defined group of patients and other patient groups as the service develops under the indirect supervision of the therapy team leader within the team. This skill is underpinned by knowledge of the specified care pathway for these patients following structured training and competency development. Treatment should be delivered in the most appropriate location for the client, e.g. hospital, community location or patients own home, adjusting own clinical interventions based on the patients fluctuating needs.
• To provide a high standard of clinical support and assistance for the therapy service with a degree of autonomy
• To be involved in multi-disciplinary working including (where applicable) handover, meetings, goal-setting and multi-disciplinary team meetings, where appropriate.
• To ensure methods of treatment, its frequency and review are appropriate to the diagnosis/problem of the patient and within the priorities of the Service.
• On instructions from a therapist, to carry out individual and group sessions with patients, without direct supervision but under the direction of a qualified therapist. These may include:
  • Assisting in group treatment
  • Supervised and unsupervised moving,
  • Handling and positioning
  • Joint assessment and treatment sessions
  • Individual exercise programme
  • Assisting with splint fabrication and splint wearing regimes
  • Mobility assessments
  • Provision of minor aids and teaching their safe use (e.g. frames, raised toilet seats)
  • Practising personal and domestic activities of daily living (e.g getting in and out of bed, washing and dressing, toileting and meal preparation)
  • Assisting with home assessments of patients
  • Undertaking basic environmental assessments as deemed appropriate
  • Ordering minor aids and adaptations vis internet, email, fax or telephone
  • Education regarding management of health, safety/lifestyle
  • Monitor patient outcomes and to complete phone calls to ensure recommendations have been completed
• Monitor patient outcomes and to complete phone calls to ensure recommendations have been completed.
• To progress treatment programmes within the boundaries previously agreed with the therapists
• To ensure that all client intervention is documented in a timely, objective and confidential manner via specific therapy notes.
• To ensure a beneficial and positive communication with clients, their families/carers and other professionals involved, respecting individual needs and promoting user involvement/decision making.
• Routinely conduct risk assessments during intervention, the outcome of which may require a change in treatment plan once discussed with the therapist e.g identification of hazards within the ward/home; provision of follow up education and rehabilitation; adaptation of functional activities to minimise risk.
• To ensure all necessary Therapy intervention is undertaken in accordance with departmental policy, and advises the Team Leader or Senior Therapist of an inability to do so.
• To organise and prioritise own daily workload with supervision, as required, and within the scope of the role.
• To use highly developed communication skills to establish good working relationships with colleagues, patients and carers and understanding potential barriers.
• Encourage patients and their carers to actively participate in regaining and maintaining their personal independence through the use of persuasion and motivational skills.
• Deal with sensitive situations or contentious information.
• Use efficient and effective communication methods e.g. appropriate use of electronic communication.

For a full comprehensive list of main responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to job description and personal specification attached.

Job responsibilities

• To provide a high standard of clinical assistance to any member of the therapy team and participate actively in a variety of joint sessions with the patient
• To be responsible for independent assessment and intervention planning for a defined group of patients and other patient groups as the service develops under the indirect supervision of the therapy team leader within the team. This skill is underpinned by knowledge of the specified care pathway for these patients following structured training and competency development. Treatment should be delivered in the most appropriate location for the client, e.g. hospital, community location or patients own home, adjusting own clinical interventions based on the patients fluctuating needs.
• To provide a high standard of clinical support and assistance for the therapy service with a degree of autonomy
• To be involved in multi-disciplinary working including (where applicable) handover, meetings, goal-setting and multi-disciplinary team meetings, where appropriate.
• To ensure methods of treatment, its frequency and review are appropriate to the diagnosis/problem of the patient and within the priorities of the Service.
• On instructions from a therapist, to carry out individual and group sessions with patients, without direct supervision but under the direction of a qualified therapist. These may include:
  • Assisting in group treatment
  • Supervised and unsupervised moving,
  • Handling and positioning
  • Joint assessment and treatment sessions
  • Individual exercise programme
  • Assisting with splint fabrication and splint wearing regimes
  • Mobility assessments
  • Provision of minor aids and teaching their safe use (e.g. frames, raised toilet seats)
  • Practising personal and domestic activities of daily living (e.g getting in and out of bed, washing and dressing, toileting and meal preparation)
  • Assisting with home assessments of patients
  • Undertaking basic environmental assessments as deemed appropriate
  • Ordering minor aids and adaptations vis internet, email, fax or telephone
  • Education regarding management of health, safety/lifestyle
  • Monitor patient outcomes and to complete phone calls to ensure recommendations have been completed
• Monitor patient outcomes and to complete phone calls to ensure recommendations have been completed.
• To progress treatment programmes within the boundaries previously agreed with the therapists
• To ensure that all client intervention is documented in a timely, objective and confidential manner via specific therapy notes.
• To ensure a beneficial and positive communication with clients, their families/carers and other professionals involved, respecting individual needs and promoting user involvement/decision making.
• Routinely conduct risk assessments during intervention, the outcome of which may require a change in treatment plan once discussed with the therapist e.g identification of hazards within the ward/home; provision of follow up education and rehabilitation; adaptation of functional activities to minimise risk.
• To ensure all necessary Therapy intervention is undertaken in accordance with departmental policy, and advises the Team Leader or Senior Therapist of an inability to do so.
• To organise and prioritise own daily workload with supervision, as required, and within the scope of the role.
• To use highly developed communication skills to establish good working relationships with colleagues, patients and carers and understanding potential barriers.
• Encourage patients and their carers to actively participate in regaining and maintaining their personal independence through the use of persuasion and motivational skills.
• Deal with sensitive situations or contentious information.
• Use efficient and effective communication methods e.g. appropriate use of electronic communication.

For a full comprehensive list of main responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to job description and personal specification attached.