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Job summary

Main area
Hand Therapy Service (Physiotherapy)
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Part time - 23 hours per week
Job ref
388-5978790-ACS
Employer
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Crow Thorne Therapies Centre, Torbay Hospital
Town
Torquay
Salary
£22,816 - £24,336 per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
03/07/2024 23:59

Employer heading

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust logo

Therapy Assistant

NHS AfC: Band 3

Job overview

Physiotherapy Band 3 Hand Therapy Assistant

Band 3; 23 hours per week – Crow Thorne Therapies Centre, Torbay Hospital

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 3 MSK Therapy Assistant to work within the Hand Therapy department.  The role is to provide 1:1 patient care and group rehabilitation sessions for patients recovering from musculoskeletal hand injuries and orthopaedic surgery, and also for those with rheumatological hand conditions.    

Experience of working with MSK conditions within healthcare or fitness settings, including supervision of exercise or running group rehab classes is an advantage.

The Hand Therapy team offer regular clinical support and have a strong emphasis on service development.   The service operates a rapid access service with some patients coming directly from fracture clinic, whereas others are routine referrals. We accept referrals from GP’s, consultants, other clinicians and also self-referrals post-injury.

  • To work under the direction of a physiotherapist or occupational therapist but frequently to work without direct supervision.
  • To manage a caseload of MSK hand therapy patients referred by the therapists within the service

For further information, please contact Mrs Suzanne Smith at [email protected] 

Main duties of the job

  • The post holder will support the physiotherapy and occupational therapists to deliver assessment, diagnosis & treatment of a specified caseload within the hand therapy team either on an individual or group therapy basis. This caseload will be allocated and indirectly supervised by the relevant qualified Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist.
  • The caseload will be variable, but will mostly consist of elective and trauma hand patients (adult and paediatric) but will also include cancers, congenital deformities, rheumatological and pathological conditions. Patients will be treated in a range of settings including clinics (Consultant and therapist), the rehabilitation departments (outpatients) and wards (inpatients). Patient management will include exercise therapy, scar management, group rehabilitation, and splinting amongst others.
  • This post may also involve support of students.
  • The post holder will also be involved in maintenance of stock / equipment / leaflets and may also be involved in clerical and administration duties.

Working for our organisation

As an organisation Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT) values staff and the diverse experiences and contributions they bring.  We pride ourselves in being an inclusive organisation where every individual has the opportunity to make a difference.  We are a mindful employer recognising employee health and wellbeing as a fundamental part of our success.

TSDFT is a leader in innovation-integrated health and social care across acute and community services.  Our aim is to provide high quality, safe health and social care at the right time, in the right place to support the people of Torbay and South Devon to live their lives to the full. The Physiotherapy Service is integral to ensuring that this statement of purpose is delivered to our communities. For staff this gives unequalled scope for joint working, skill sharing and learning in a supportive environment.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • 60% of workload is clinical; running groups and 1 to 1 session, 40% patient related non-clinical activity and general administration and stock control
  • Some aspects of work will involve delivery of care as part of a multidisciplinary team
  • To undertake ongoing assessment of patients including those with diverse and complex presentations / multi-pathologies, use basic clinical reasoning skills and assessment techniques to provide a basis for effective intervention
  • Deliver individualised and group MSK hand therapy exercise programmes to adults and paediatrics based on knowledge of evidence-based practice and using agreed exercise protocols. Evaluate patients’ progress, alter treatment plans within designated protocols, and report back to the referring clinician when a change in treatment or review is required
  • To facilitate exercise with an individual and/or group basis and support health education, joint protection and disease awareness.
  • To manage clinical risk within own patient caseload

For a full Job description and role requirements please see the attached Job description & Person Specification.

Person specification

Qualifications and training

Essential criteria
  • NVQ3 in diagnostic and therapeutic support (including X8, X9, X10) or equivalent.
  • Experience and upto date knowledge of databases (MS Excel) and knowledge of microsoft packages
Desirable criteria
  • Allocate Healthroster, Unit 4, ICS knowledge

Knowledge and experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working as part of a team.
  • Experience of conducting group exercise and patient information sessions
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working with MSK conditions

Specific Skills

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working with people who can be distressed, or who have communication difficulties.
  • Competent IT skills.
Desirable criteria
  • Previous experience as a physiotherapy assistant.
  • Previous experience of working within the NHS

Requirements due to work environment/conditions

Essential criteria
  • Carry out treatments of people with severe physical, cognitive, behavioural and sensory impairment and poor mobility with frequent intense physical effort on a daily basis e.g. handling of heavy body parts.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveImproving working livesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.The Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (enei) is the UK's leading employer network covering all aspects of equality and inclusion issues in the workplace.Disability confident committedArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Suzie Smith
Job title
Clinical Lead Hand Therapy (Physiotherapist)
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01803654935
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