Physiotherapy Assistant

at  Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

Frimley Health are looking for a Physiotherapy assistant with a ‘can-do’ attitude to join our team at Wexham Park Hospital to work across a range of our departments. Whilst it is desirable for you to have previous experience working in a hospital or care environment, we are looking for an individual who is passionate about delivering excellent standards of care.
In this ward based role you will be primarily assisting the physiotherapy team with delivering rehab to a variety of patients, some of whom may be quite unwell so you may, therefore, be working in demanding environments.
As part of your application we want you to tell us what you think the role of a physiotherapy assistant is and which part of the job you think you would find most challenging, this needs to be entered into the supporting information section of the application form and will form part of the assessment criteria. We also want you to tell us what your understanding on the role of Physiotherapy in a hospital setting is.
Previous applicants need not apply. If successful it is essential you are able to attend this face to face, online alternatives will not be available.
Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
To provide general support in the area of work under the direct/indirect supervision of a qualified physiotherapist. Supervision may be provided on the ward, in the department after treatment or by telephone/bleep access.
To assist in the care of patients within the Rehabilitation Department, Medical, Orthopaedics and Acute Stroke Unit wards.
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust provides NHS hospital services for around 900,000 people across Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey and south Buckinghamshire.
As well as delivering excellent general hospital services to local people, we provide specialist heart attack, vascular, stroke, spinal, cystic fibrosis and plastic surgery services across a much wider area.
We have three main hospitals - Frimley Park in Frimley near Camberley, Heatherwood in Ascot and Wexham Park near Slough.
Our three core values , and the behaviours that support them, guide everything we do and set out what we expect of our staff in the way they treat patients, visitors, service users and each other, Committed to Excellence, Working Together and Facing the Future .
We are also proud to host the Defence Medical Group South East at Frimley Park with military surgical, medical and nursing personnel working alongside the hospital’s NHS staff providing care to patients in all specialties
To give general assistance to the therapist within the area of work.
Supervise patient activities within the area of work i.e. 1 to 1 delegated exercise programmes, assisting in the delivery of patient education and exercise classes.
To assist in the running of the hydrotherapy service, under the
supervision of a senior physiotherapist.
Prepare treatment applications as necessary.
To carry out the portering of patients between wards and department.
To assist patients with personal care including toileting and dressing
To take patient information handover on the Ward from nursing staff
when deemed competent by a Senior Physiotherapist to do so.
Initial assessment and provision of walking aids to patients including
instruction in their safe use, seeking guidance where appropriate when deemed competent to do so by a Senior Physiotherapist.
Cleaning and maintenance of equipment.
Participate in home visits as necessary.
To book, cancel and rearrange patient appointment as necessary using the department electronic diary system
Keep records of work carried out, including daily statistics.
Maintain and administer patient waiting lists.
To assist in the general administration of the area of work.
Check, initiate and maintain stock levels of stationery, equipment,
material, etc., on a regular basis, submit order to senior staff.
Maintain a safe and tidy workplace.
Attend Rehabilitation staff meetings, teaching sessions where
appropriate and participate in the support workers training programme.
To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to
communicate effectively with patients for rehabilitation and treatment programmes, and to ensure an understanding of their condition/problem so that patients are supported in self management of their condition.
To communicate complex patient related information effectively, to
ensure collaborative working with the Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT)
members.
To maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation in line with legal and departmental requirements.
To achieve and maintain a competent level of skills using IT.
To participate in making patient’s new patient and follow up clinic
appointments on the Hospital’s iPM system, providing reception services and answering telephone calls from patients.
To ensure that all iPM clinics are closed within the necessary Trust
timescales and all patient information is recorded accurately.
To ensure that your own practice meets the required professional standards of physiotherapy practice.
To be responsible for organising and planning own caseload under
discussion with physiotherapy staff.
To provide reports on area of work and make recommendations for
change in supervision.
To comply with the organisational and departmental policies and
procedures and to be involved in the reviewing and updating as
appropriate.
To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out physiotherapy
duties and to adhere to departmental equipment policy, including
competence to use equipment and to ensure the safe use of equipment by others through teaching, training and supervision of practice.
To be aware of the Health and Safety aspects of your work and
implement any policies which may be required to improve the safety of your work area, including the prompt recording and reporting of accidents to senior staff and ensuring that equipment used is safe.
To demonstrate a sound understanding of clinical governance and risk
management and apply to work situation and ensure others do likewise.
To take delegated responsibility for specific groups of patients as agreed and organise this efficiently and effectively with regard to patient management and use of time.
To maintain own clinical professional development (CPD). To maintain a portfolio which demonstrates personal development and shows evidence of reflective practice.
To be an active member of Staff Meetings and Team Meetings.
To keep up-to-date with developments within the Physiotherapy field.
Undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of evidence based projects, audit, research and outcome measures

Please refer the Job description for details