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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1.     MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST:

Overview of Responsibilities

·       To be part of the ward therapy team and implement specific treatment programmes or interventions delegated by qualified therapy staff

·       To manage own clinical caseload

·       To work in close liaison with the qualified staff on the ward (Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists, Speech and Language therapists) to assist them with their duties

·       To carry out rehabilitation as determined by patients’ needs

·       To deal with a varied caseload of patients

·       To undertake non-clinical duties related to the treatment and management of patients, photocopying, filing, ordering/delivering equipment, recording patient contacts on Trust IT system, arranging follow up appointments etc.

Clinical

·       To work in collaboration with team members to provide a rehabilitation service for patients within the speciality, assisting in the implementation of programmes to meet individual needs

·       To provide therapeutic intervention for individual patients to maintain or improve function in mobility, social and domestic activities.

·       To plan, facilitate and evaluate groups on the wards with support from qualified therapy staff

·       To advise on the use and provision of mobility equipment.

·       To plan treatment programmes, adapting and progressing rehabilitation within the guidelines set by the assessing therapists. This will include modifying treatments to take account of changes in the patient’s physical and mental state

·       To work with patients individually or in groups as directed by qualified therapists

·       To work in conjunction with patients and carers on specific issues, as directed by the therapy staff, and to deal with their concerns as they arise

·       To be aware of problems that could affect patients’ progress and report back changes to the therapist

Managerial

·       Manage and prioritise own patient caseload as delegated by the therapists

·       To ensure equipment and treatment areas are prepared for use by therapists

·       To ensure supplies of equipment are maintained and prepare orders when appropriate

·       To participate in the appraisal system as an appraisee

·       To maintain high standards of the service by contributing towards individual, team and service objectives

Communication

·       To develop rapport with patients, encourage their interest and participation, in a manner which promotes dignity, self-esteem and choice. This requires empathy, sensitivity and good interpersonal skills

·       To use effective communication tools, verbal and non-verbal, to communicate treatment programmes to patients who may have barriers to understanding/communicating e.g. blind, deaf, aphasic or English is not a first language

·       To attend appropriate team meetings and liaise with other agencies and members of the multi-disciplinary team, participating in the clinical decision making process to ensure planned, coordinated and effective delivery of care

·       To report back directly to the therapy staff, particularly any changes in functional abilities, relevant information gained or patients’ comments linked to treatment

· To maintain accurate and legible records of all interventions and management, using agreed format, in accordance with standards set by the therapy service

·       To participate in relevant meetings i.e. staff meetings

· To promote an understanding of effective rehabilitation via multidisciplinary work, discussion, information giving

·     Ensure that effective communication both within the Trust and between the hospital, GPs and patients is maintained

· Maintain effective communication links with client, carers and all relevant professional practitioners as appropriate

·       Liaise with other staff to ensure continuity of care, contributing to MDT meetings and other forum as applicable

·     Liaise with all staff concerned with patient services e.g. medical, nursing, medical records, X-ray and management

·       Be an access point for staff, patients and their families who may need to contact the stroke service. Demonstrate an understanding and reassuring manner when dealing with patients and their relatives

·      Exchange information with patients/carers where there may be barriers to understanding or patients may be anxious or have language difficulties

·       Deal with enquiries by letter/email/telephone from patients, visitors, GPs, colleagues at other hospitals and other Consultant, treating callers with dignity and respect

·       Provide non-clinical advice to patients, where appropriate e.g. signposting to information

· Use a range of verbal, non-verbal, written and presentation skills appropriately with colleagues, customers and carers

· Convey information sensitively to patients/carers when it is contradictory to customer and carer expectations, cultural beliefs or desires

·   Take messages for the team and initiate appropriate responses

·  Consult with more experienced staff for advice when required

·  Ensure safekeeping and confidentiality of all records (current and past) by the team 

· Attend appropriate staff/team meetings and liaise with colleagues as necessary to fulfil role

·   Attend relevant training, and actively participate

· Communicate effectively with all disciplines involved in patient care, both those from within the organisation and those outside, to ensure efficient multidisciplinary working

·    Use computer skills competently to support role including e-mail

·    Keep up to date with Therapy developments and new processes

·   Maintain strict confidentiality regarding customer and staff information, adhering to organisational policies and procedures

Education

·  Take responsibility for and actively record own personal development through educational and experiential learning

· To ensure practice is kept up to date by participating in statutory, mandatory and other training programmes identified in personal development reviews, attendance at relevant training and ensuring interventions adhere to any approved guidelines

·  Ensure own competence in the accurate use of the Trust IT system

· Participate in training programmes and continuing professional development activities, including competency based training programmes as set by supervisor/mentor

· Participate in any training sessions as a recipient or facilitator where appropriate, developing knowledge and skills for the role

·    Participate in reflective practice

· Participate in peer supervision/review with other assistants in the service area/Therapies team

·   Participate in regular meetings with supervisor/mentor.

· Provide appropriate advice, demonstrate own activities or workplace routines to new or less experienced employees or students, including during induction of new staff

·    Undertake shadowing with clinicians, and administrators if appropriate, to further knowledge, skills and understanding of the service

· Be aware of new developments generally within Therapies, and within the area of work particularly

Information and reporting

·  Ensure own competence in the accurate and effective use of all Trust IT systems, particularly the use of Cerner which is used to record patient notes and activity

· Competent use of the Stroke Sentinel National Audit Programme (SSNAP) after training in accordance with the required departmental standards of work

· Use new working systems within the Clinical Office  to promote an efficient service,  i.e. IT fast save systems and discharge summary systems

·  Co-operate fully in the introduction of new technology and new methods of working as appropriate to the work of the administrative team

·  Collect & record data accurately, including monthly audits, in accordance with ASPH values

·  Set up and use spreadsheets

·    Demonstrate concentration required for data entry / analysis

·     Assist clinicians with queries relating to IT systems

Research and Development

·      Participate in quality/ development projects, including audit, as directed by the MDT

·      Contribute to the evaluation of the service and make improvements and alterations with support from clinicians/Clinical lead/Admin Ops Lead

·      Keep accurate statistical records in line with departmental procedures

·      Contribute to the completion of activity records to inform planning and service delivery within the service