Physiotherapy Assistant Practitioner

Job summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic Assistant Practitioner to join our In Patient Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Team at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. This team provides pre-op, in-patient and out-patient therapy for patients with a wide range of orthopaedic conditions and surgeries. To be successful in this role you will be an experienced and competent individual, with knowledge and enhanced skills of working within Orthopaedic therapy, within a healthcare setting, alongside a multi disciplinary team and be able to demonstrate good communication skills. The team includes physiotherapists, occupational therapists and therapy support workers and works closely with a wider MDT of medics, nurses, nursing support workers, social workers, voluntary sector and care staff. The team provides a 7 day service. We have a strong commitment to supervision, PDR and staff training/ development.

Applicants will have a minimum of level 5 foundation degree in Health and Social Care or equivalent, require good moving and handling skills, good problem solving and prioritisation skills and excellent communication skills.

We are committed to the continuing professional development of all our team members and offer a supportive environment with regular supervision, training and peer support.

Main duties of the job

Independently plan and provide programmes of therapeutic activity for patients, within protocols/procedures/guidelines; modifying within agreed parameters

Implement and evaluate basic therapy interventions for patients relating to their treatment in line with specific condition pathways

To assist the qualified therapists with a range of duties and provide enhanced skills of direct care and support for patients

To input accurate patient data onto the IT system

To organise and plan own caseload and others to meet service and patient priorities.

Readjusting plans as situations change/ arise in consultation with qualified staff where appropriate

About us

Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a caring and compassionate organisation that is both ambitious and innovative. We are committed to delivering the best outcomes for our patients and providing a positive experience of our staff. We aspire to be outstanding for our patients, our communities and our staff and are committed to being a great place to receive healthcare, work and learn.

Straddling the neighbouring boroughs of Warrington and Halton we are part of the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care system. Our hospitals are ideally situated to meet the growing healthcare needs of the 330,000 population of these boroughs.

Warrington Hospital is home to our emergency, critical care and maternity services, Halton Hospital is focused on elective procedures and the Runcorn Urgent Treatment Centre, although many services are offered at both sites and in community hubs.

A CQC-rated 'good' organisation with 'outstanding' features, we are working towards university hospital status, having achieved teaching hospital status in 2019.

Our workforce of nearly 5,000 across both sites comprises more than 50 nationalities. We strive to be an equal, diverse and inclusive employer, which is recognised as a pioneer in its equality, diversity and inclusion work. The Trust is proud to have achieved numerous external accreditations and is working towards achieving the Anti-Racist Organisation Framework, recognising the importance of anti-racism in all that we do.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main tasks and responsibilities

Patient /Clinical care

1. To implement Therapy treatment plans for individual patients and groups of patients.

2. To work with a delegated caseload of patients, within agreed guidelines to progress patients treatment and to report back to the qualified therapist on the patients progression.

3. To carry out clinical assessments, and subsequently implement a relevant treatment programme, including therapeutic handling and the use of specialist equipment or tools.

4. To carry out assessments for the provision of standard assistive equipment including walking aids, which can include assessment in the patients own home and the carrying out of follow-up home visits.

5. To implement all aspects of the trusts infection control policy.

6. To contribute to weekend and evening working initiatives as appropriate

7. To understand and comply with the trust policies relating to working with vulnerable adults and children.

8. To plan, provide and evaluate therapeutic activities for groups and individual patients working within a framework of guidance developed with a qualified therapist.

9. To carry out delegated therapeutic interventions.

10. To assist in administration and clerical duties relating to the area of work.

Management responsibilities

1. To ensure that patient activities can be carried out in a safe environment by contributing to the general

1. housekeeping of the department, including preparation of activities, stock maintenance, handling of petty cash, etc.

2. To maintain stock and advise on resources necessary to carry out the job, taking a lead role in ensuring orders are processed.

3. To organise and prepare treatment sessions, classes and activities.

4. To contribute to the health and safety agenda by promoting a safe culture and undertaking specific tasks ( COSHH), as part of the wider team and specifically for the area of work.

5. To demonstrate own duties to inexperienced staff and students.

6. To take a lead role in the maintenance of a clean and tidy work environment.

Communication and relationships

1. To communicate effectively with patients, with due regard to physical, sensory and cognitive difficulties, respecting their views, autonomy and culture.

2. To be able to reassure and persuade patients to undertake the necessary therapeutic activities.

3. To work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team forming and sustaining professional relationships.

4. To monitor patients progress, recognise when adjustment to clinical intervention is necessary and act accordingly, including liaison with the qualified therapist.

5. To report effectively in both written and oral formats, both to the team and your supervising therapists on patients performance and progress.

6. To occasionally deal with upset patients and their relatives in a tactful and supportive way.

Governance

1. To review and reflect on your own practice and take an active part in your own personal appraisal and development programmes, including the ongoing development of a portfolio.

2. To contribute to the ongoing improvement and modernisation of the service by contributing to training and induction programmes and being involved in audit and evaluation activities.

3. To work to local policies and procedures, for example those regarding manual handling, lone working, etc.

This job description outlines the current main responsibilities of the post. However, the duties of the post may change and develop over time and this job description may, therefore be amended in consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Minimum of Level 5 Foundation Degree Health and social care or equivalent

Desirable

Additional Learning in Orthopaedics

Experience

Essential

Working as a senior therapy assistant, in a therapy setting with an in depth knowledge of therapeutic principals

Desirable

Experience of working in NHS environment.

Skills, knowledge and competencies

Essential

oAn understanding of therapy, which can be demonstrated by having a facilitative approach to patient care.

Desirable

oAn understanding of the therapeutic model of care.

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