DBTH opportunity: Advanced Apprentice Therapy Assistant

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job Purpose

• To be an Advanced Apprentice Therapy assistant within the speciality working towards completion of the Advanced Senior Health Care Support Worker Apprenticeship over 20 months.
• The prime function of the role is to assist in the assessment and treatment of patients within the specialty under the guidance of a qualified therapist.
• To manage own caseload and to provide a high standard of assessment, management, treatment and advice to meet the needs of patients within agreed guidelines and protocols.
• To undertake specific clinical responsibilities or projects supporting the overall delivery of the service as directed by a qualified therapist.
• To work independently with identified patients, being the first contact from the clinical speciality when determined by a qualified therapist.
• To work collaboratively with colleagues in health, social care, local authority and other agencies to meet the needs of patients.
• To ensure the efficient and effective use of resources available within the team.
• To work with other members of the team in the development of the service.
• To be aware of the importance of Clinical Governance.

Main Duties/Responsibilities

Clinical

• To assist in the assessment of patients within the speciality, being responsible for working independently with patients with non-complex needs when determined by a qualified therapist
• To use acquired skills to plan and deliver therapy treatment programmes with guidance from a therapist and using evidence based practice
• Work collaboratively in the multidisciplinary team to plan and/or provide treatment and care of individual patients.
• Contribute to the achievement of standards/ compliance of targets within their speciality as directed by a qualified therapist.
• Provide advice and support to patients and carers throughout the patient pathway. Liaising with the multidisciplinary teams to provide a high standard of care
• Will participate in service reviews
• Provide appropriate information and education to patients and their relatives / carers.
• Supports patients and carers in coming to terms with their condition, providing ongoing support, encouraging them to promote health and wellbeing
• Establish and sustain excellent communication links with their supervising therapist and other members of the MDT.
• Participate in clinical audit and service evaluation and through evidence-based practice.
• The post holder will have a portfolio of relevant up to date evidence of clinical practice within his/her specialist field
• Use clinical supervision and peer group support to underpin personal professional development
• Take responsibility for driving personal annual appraisal process
• To hold responsibility for managing own caseload within an agreed defined area.
• To ensure assessment / treatment is carried out in the most appropriate environment.
• To assist therapist on home visits and to carry out visits independently as required.
• To be accountable for all aspects of own work within agreed guidelines and protocols.
• To complete a range of written documentation as appropriate.
• To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication methods to communicate effectively with patients and carers to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes.
• To ensure the safe and competent use of any equipment
• To maintain accurate and comprehensive patient records in line with Trust Policy, appropriate Professional body and HCPC.

Management/Organisational

• To assist therapists with service developments through the use of peer review, audit, evaluation of outcome measures etc.
• To help facilitate changes/improvements to the service as required.
• To help in the implementation of appropriate new evidence based techniques and activities.
• Acting as a role model, employ professional behaviour that encourages and coaches their peers to challenge their current competencies, whilst seeking opportunities to enhance their roles.
• To liaise with and provide regular feedback to their line manager on clinical issues.
• To participate in and contribute to a range of meetings/forums as required.
• To actively seek the views of patients and carers on patient experience provided. Reporting their findings to their line manager.

Education and Development

• To work towards completion of the apprenticeship including undertaking 20% off the job training
• To be an active member of the in-service training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes by attendance, participation in and delivery of relevant sessions.
• To contribute to the induction and development of therapy staff/students and other team members within the specialty.
• To demonstrate evidence of completion of therapy protocols and competencies as per departmental guidance.
• To undertake any training opportunities as identified through the Personal Development Appraisal (PDA) process or through service needs.

Clinical Governance, Quality and Standards

• To comply with the Trust’s Clinical Governance and Risk Management Strategy.
• To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal and clinical development.
• To demonstrate evidence of completion of training as per Statutory and Essential Training (SET) Matrix
• To fulfil agreed objectives set as part of the PDA process.
• To contribute to service developments, delivery and evaluation in own specialty.

Professional Ethics

• Ensuring your own clinical practice is patient centred and to be aware of the HCPC’s Code of Practice
• To comply with all Trust Policies and procedures.
• To comply with any future developments designed to ensure patient safety and best practice.
• To comply with all Health and Safety Regulations as required.
• To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and their families / carers and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.

Scope and Range

Specific clinical responsibilities, including additional skills

Percentage of time spent on:

• Clinical/Patient related duties               =   95%
• Education and Development of others =   5%
• Clinical Governance responsibilities       =   5%

• To undertake 20% off the job training during the apprenticeship consisting of 2 days per month at College via blended learning and the equivalent of a further 2 days per month off the job training
• To assist in the therapy assessment and management of adults with musculoskeletal disorder within the community, leisure and hospital settings
• To take instruction from Physiotherapists within the team
• To work independently in the hospital, outpatient, community and leisure settings, using own initiative to progress treatment with reportable controls.
• To assist in the delivery of Pulmonary Rehabilitation services under the guidance of a physiotherapist.
• To advise and support patients with self-management
• Close liaison with the physiotherapist regarding individual pathways of care
• Signposting patients to a variety of community schemes
• To support patients with independent physical activity

Multi-site working

• Hospital sites
• Community Hubs
• Leisure Centres

Physical Effort

• Driving/parking between sites
• Manual handling of equipment
• Specific handling skills for designated clinical duties

Mental/Emotional Effort

• Lone working in a wide variety of locations, in unpredictable environments.
• Working to a busy schedule, managing your own diary and time to be as productive as possible
• Working with a number of therapists who are all making demands on your time
• Support assistant colleagues
• Be flexible and adapt plans at a moment’s notice