Job Summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 4 Therapy Support Worker to join our neurological therapy service at Barnet Hospital. We are looking for an individual who demonstrates an energetic, enthusiastic and flexible approach to their work, and who has previous experience of working as a support worker within therapies. The ability to work well with all members of the multi-disciplinary team is essential. You will need to have excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills, be able to work as part of a varied team and be able to motivate service users.
The successful applicant will join our experienced therapy team, working alongside occupational therapists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team. The ethos of the service is on patient-centred care, and enabling service users to reach their potential. You will play a key role in supporting the rehabilitation of patients with stroke and other neurological conditions from the acute stage of their care through to discharge.
Please note that we will be holding in-person interviews for this post.
Main duties of the job
The clinical elements of the Band 4 Therapy Support Worker role will include:
- Assisting Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists with assessments and joint sessions
- Assisting and progressing exercise programmes
- Supporting functional tasks + activities to promote independence with personal care (washing / dressing / cooking / feeding)
- Upper limb rehabilitation
- Cognitive rehabilitation
- Gait + balance rehabilitation
- Assisting specialist seating and wheelchair assessments
- Supporting group activities
- Supporting specialist interventions e.g. splinting, FES
About us
The Therapies Team are passionate about developing and delivering a world class care service, and are committed to supporting CPD with staff training identified through an appraisal system, in-service training, external courses and clinical supervision.
The post holder will uphold the Royal Free World Class Values when interacting with service users, staff, colleagues, clients and patients alike so that everyone at Barnet Hospital can feel:
- Welcome all of the time
- Confident because we are clearly communicating
- Respected and cared for
- Reassured that they are always in safe hands
Our catchment area spans diverse communities and we are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them. Enthusiasm for advancing equality for LGBT+, BME and people with disabilities is essential.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To work as a team member within Therapy Services and with multidisciplinary colleagues in the Neurological Therapy Team
- This job involves working with qualified therapists to assist in facilitating the safe and effective treatment and discharge of patients with a variety of conditions.
- Key responsibilities include assisting therapy staff in carrying out assessments and treatment programmes as well as delegated therapy duties in the allocated clinical area, under the direct and indirect supervision of an allocated therapist. This will include working on the acute stroke unit, and with neurological patients across all inpatient wards.
- To provide goal directed clinical intervention to patients with direct supervision from any of the following: Physiotherapist; Occupational Therapist; Speech and Language Therapists; Dietitians
- To record and report back the assessments or treatment provided and the patients response in the relevant records in line with national and local standards.
- To assist in the administration, clerical and maintenance duties for the therapy team within the Therapy Department.
- Good communication skills are required for liaison with the therapy team, patients and carers or family & the wider multi-disciplinary team. Documentation must be comprehensive and fulfil legal requirements. Additional administrative duties will be required.
- To undertake routine maintenance checks of clinical areas and equipment within designated clinical areas
- To undertake routine equipment stock checks & ordering under the direction of a therapist
- The post holder will be required to work as a lone Therapy practitioner at times.
- To carry out equipment delivery and installation in patient homes or basic assessment of patient home environments
- To participate in weekend duties
Person Specification
Education & professional Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE English and Maths or equivalent
Desirable
- Formal qualification in relevant area e.g. City and Guilds/NVQ/ Exercise Instruction for Older People
Royal Free World Class Values
Essential
- Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values
Experience
Essential
- Significant relevant experience
- Experience within an acute hospital/healthcare environment
- Competent of working in a therapy setting
Desirable
- Experience of using aids and adaptations
- Previous experience of supervising/teaching individuals
Skills and aptitudes
Essential
- Good observational skills
- Is able to document written and verbal information in a clear and logical manner
- Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with patients, family and colleagues
- Has practical computer skills including data entry and use of Word and Excel
- Is able to organise and prioritise own workload and delegate tasks appropriately
- Can use initiative and work single -handedly in a supportive environment
- Is able to work as a team member and lead a team motivating self and others
- Good time management skills
- Demonstrates commitment to lifelong learning
Desirable
- Ability to demonstrate understanding of relevant health conditions & the impact of these on an individual’s health & functioning
- An understanding of the impact of disability and issues related to promoting independence
Personal Qualities & attributes
Essential
- Can apply the concepts of diversity and equality
- Is aware of own limitations
- Good organisational skills
Others
Essential
- Has awareness of current health issues
- Can demonstrate a good understanding of the role of a support worker in Therapy Services
- Can understand the need for and maintain confidentiality
- Can identify and act on health and safety issues in the work place
- Able to comply with trust manual handling guidelines
Desirable
- Has knowledge of manual handling equipment and/or assistive devices
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Closing Date: 15 July 2024
