Community Therapy Assistant | Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

An exciting post is now available for a Band 4 Therapy Assistant to work in multidisciplinary community setting and support therapist in delivering high quality therapy interventions to patients.

This post will be essential in order to support the ongoing care and management of clients within the community.

This role offers the opportunity to enhance skills within the community therapy services, linking in with the wider support network and being part of a integrated support system. You will work across our Discharge to Assess beds and across all care communities to support patients rehabilitation and therapy needs.

It is expected that the location of this post will be within the SMASH areas but with an assumption of supporting our colleagues across the CCICP footprint when needed.

The successful candidate will have Assistant Practitioner qualification (ST0215 Healthcare Assistant Practitioner Level 5) or equivalent. However, if you do not possess the qualification there is the opportunity to work towards completion of the course, paid at band 3, and then move into band 4 pay scale on successful completion.
Band 4 Therapy Assistant will take responsibility for the management of a defined workload of patients within their Care Community following triage by the qualified therapist.

This will include independent assessment & formulation and progression of a person-centred rehabilitation plan. To work as part of the team providing a comprehensive rehabilitation service under the guidance of qualified staff for patients in their Care Community Therapy Services.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MCHFT) provides good quality, safe and effective healthcare to the people of Cheshire and beyond. The Trust, which manages Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford, was established as an NHS Trust in April 1991 and became a Foundation Trust in April 2008.

We employ almost 5,000 members of staff, provide around 540 hospital beds, with a range of services including accident and emergency, maternity, outpatients, therapies, and children's health.

The Trust is also part of Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership (CCICP), a unique local health partnership that provides a range of community services for people across South Cheshire and Vale Royal.

At Mid Cheshire, we value our staff and appreciate that in order to give our patients the best quality, compassionate care, we also need to look after our colleagues.

We offer

Full induction on commencement of the role. Supervision from senior physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist. Setting individual objectives through appraisals and competencies will be provided. All generic therapy assistants benefit from regular supervision sessions which are fortnightly to start. Given equal opportunities to undertake a variety of Continuing Professional development (CPD) and Band 4 competencies to develop and support you in your role.

SERVICE DELIVERY
1. To make therapeutic contact with newly referred patients as identified by the qualified therapists following admission and triage.
2. To independently complete specified holistic assessments, interventions and create rehabilitation programmes either independently or with help of a qualified clinician for community-based patients
3. To follow departmental protocols and guidelines referring to the qualified clinician who is available for advice.
4. To hold a caseload as delegated by the qualified clinician. Reporting back at agreed timescales, highlighting any necessary actions. Working independently and supporting the band 3 Therapy Assistant's as required.
5. To work with an individual in a variety of settings, such as their home, 24 hours care facility ensuring patient safety and dignity is always maintained.
6. To modify interventions and programmes within defined parameters and within their scope of practice
7. Complete initial assessments and commission a range of basic equipment and adaptations as appropriate to the service user. To complete necessary risk assessments before prescribing basic equipment and review them on a timely basis.
8. To be responsible for the ordering and stock control of materials and equipment as required for the unit.
9. Instruct individuals, carers and other professional in the safe use and maintenance of equipment- simple aids such as walking frames, sticks, elbow crutches and functional aids.
10. To refer patients to appropriate services and health care professionals where patients are found to have a complex health need.
11. Discharge patients within your workload after consultation with qualified member of the team.
12. Attend multidisciplinary meetings and participate in clinical decision-making process for individual patients as delegated by the qualified staff.
13. To ensure accurate, up to date clinical records are kept, always ensuring their security and confidentiality
14. Work within their competency and seek qualified therapist guidance were appropriate.
15. To participate (pro - rota) in 8 am to 8 pm service, 7 days a week to support Urgent Care Response service.