Therapy Assistant (Orthopaedics)

at  Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Therapy Assistant - Orthopaedics
West Middlesex University Hospital
There is an exciting opportunity for a Band 3 Therapy Assistant to join our Therapy Service at West Middlesex University Hospital.
You will be working in the Orthopaedic Therapy Team which consists of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Therapy Assistants. We provide therapy to adults who are in hospital as a result of an injury or recent surgery assisting them to regain mobility and independence with day to day tasks. You will work with a varied mix of patients including older patients.
You will require some background and experience in a health care setting as this post requires you to work in a busy hospital environment with patients, families and other professionals.
The position is part time up to 18 hours and 45 minutes. The working pattern can be discussed further if you are successful at interview, however the post holder will be required to work on a Friday
T his advert m ay close earlier than the closing date if sufficient applications are received.
The job description provides details on the clinical, administrative and communication requirements and responsibilities of this post. However, the key role will be to support the Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists to deliver therapeutic care to the patients following admission to hospital.

You will also be responsible for -

• Delegated administration duties for individuals and the clinical team in which you are working
• Liaison and communication with therapists and other professionals
• Dealing sensitively with patients and their families
• Maintaining treatment areas and equipment
• Maintaining accurate documentation and written feedback of therapy sessions.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England’s top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites—Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital—along with award-winning clinics across North West London.
Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children’s services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us ‘Good’ in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and ’Outstanding’ in leadership and resource use.
We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.
We welcome applications for flexible working arrangements, accommodating requests where possible to support our staff and patient needs.
The Trust is committed to equality and welcomes applications from all, regardless of background. Adjustments can be made for disabled candidates. Early application is advised as vacancies may close once sufficient applications are received. If you haven’t heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.
Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.
Clinical
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.
To support therapists in specific treatment programmes which may involve regular manual handling of patients who may have considerable physical disability. The post holder will be expected to kneel, sit on heels, move inert adult limbs and support patients whilst mobilising. They may also be expected to transfer patients; push wheelchairs, use hoist, measure and cut sticks, and carry/install equipment i.e. bath seats, frames and commodes on a daily basis.
Setting up equipment for use by therapists during treatment sessions or for use in the home environment to assist patient’s independence.
To provide advice on the safe use of equipment to patients and those appropriate.
To participate in the maintenance, cleaning and recharging of therapy equipment.
To participate in maintenance of treatment areas in accordance with the health and safety policy and departmental procedures.
To cover for absent staff e.g. therapy assistants who work in another area, or support a physiotherapist/ occupational therapist who have staff shortages in their section if the need arises.
To comply with the Trust policy on confidentiality, maintaining strict confidentiality regarding any information pertaining patients and their families.
To attend and actively participate in-service training as required.
To attend staff and assistant meetings and actively participate in-service training as required.
To travel between sites and patients’ homes as required using own, hospital or public transport and to take responsibility for the safety of patients and equipment whilst on these visits.
Administrative
To participate in the smooth running of work areas by undertaking administrative tasks e.g. making appointments, telephone calls and other clerical activities.
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.
Directing patients to appropriate locations within the Trust.
Booking GRIP interpreters by fax, phone or online.
To be able to use good communication skills with patients of all age groups and carers including those with communication difficulties.
Dealing with patients/ relative’s queries both in person and on the telephone courteously and efficiently.
Communication
To liaise with the occupational therapist /physiotherapist regarding patient care and report to the supervising therapist any change in the patient’s condition.
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.
The post holder is expected to concentrate frequently on a daily basis during sessions and ensure effective communication with those who have impaired understanding or communication difficulties. There may be unpleasant exposure to verbal or physical aggression.
To actively participate in the trust’s performance appraisal and to have supervision with an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist to review own performance and identify training and development needs.
Working Conditions
May be exposed to confined working conditions within patients homes or within hospital environment.
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

• Delegated administration duties for individuals and the clinical team in which you are working
• Liaison and communication with therapists and other professionals
• Dealing sensitively with patients and their families
• Maintaining treatment areas and equipment
• Maintaining accurate documentation and written feedback of therapy sessions