JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Therapy/Rehabilitation Technician

Responsible to:

Post name: Therapy & Support Team Lead

Principal contacts:

(a)  Internal: Patients, relatives and other visitors, all hospice staff and volunteers.

(b)  External: Patients, relatives, carers, other health care providers and care homes.

Based: St Barnabas House

Job purpose:

Principal duties and responsibilities –

·  To undertake specific skilled support to palliative care patients referred to the Therapy and Support team.

·  To assess and treat patients both individually and in groups as required in a variety of settings including inpatients, outpatients, in the community and day hospice.

·  To be able to monitor and progress patient treatment as necessary within established guidelines, referring back to the therapy team when goals have been achieved.

·  To plan and co-ordinate activities in collaboration with the day hospice team to provide a stimulating and therapeutic environment in day hospice.

·  To manage a small group of volunteers.

·  To undertake administrative and household tasks as necessary to maintain the smooth running of the therapy and support team.

·  To Monitor and order stock, mobility aids and supplies for the therapy and support team.

Key responsibilities – professional

·  Observe patients, liaise with multi-professional team and read and understand patient notes in order to safely manage delegated caseload.

·  To gain informed consent for therapeutic interventions and treat patients/clients in a manner that respects people’s choice, privacy, dignity and individuality.

·  Report back any concerns to appropriate therapists or members of the multi-disciplinary team.

·  Plan activities, therapies, entertainment, outings and parties in day hospice.

·  Manage therapeutic activities for patients in day hospice one day per week.

·  To develop and maintain a directory of activities, entertainers and therapy providers.

·  Have an appropriate working knowledge of and comply with all hospice policies.

·  Abide by the rules of Professional Conduct for Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy technicians as laid down by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and College of occupational therapists.

·  Carry out risk assessments and meet health and safety requirements.

Clinical

·  Maintain and improve patient functionality and capability through intervention / education programmes, either jointly with trained therapist or independently following initial assessment of patients.

·  To document patient assessment and treatment using SOAP note format on system 1.

·  Advise trained therapist on patient progress with delegated tasks.

·  Independently carry out general exercise classes for patients or carers under the direction of a physiotherapist.

·  Independently carry out planned activities for patients that promote their independence and maximise ability to self-care.

·  After appropriate training, measure and supply mobility equipment and teach patients how to use it.

·  To assist nursing staff or therapists in identifying appropriate equipment and adaptations required in patients own homes.

·  Handle telephone enquiries and retrieve answer phone messages.

·  Assist in general office tasks such as photocopying and maintaining resource file, ordering of basic supplies.

·  Report faults on any therapeutic physiotherapy or occupational therapy equipment.

·  Ensure all therapeutic physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy equipment is regularly cleaned and therapy areas are kept tidy.

·  Change linen in the outpatient treatment areas after use.

·  Set up day hospice one day per weekend tidy the area after use.

Team

• Work closely with therapists and support team in inpatient, outpatient, day hospice and community settings in the delivery of patient care.

Personal

• Be responsible for maintaining own continuing development by participating in regular performance reviews and supervision sessions.

• Attend training courses identified by learning needs and complete ‘Core Competency List’ to ensure confidence and ability with practical skills.

• Recognise and appropriately address risk factors to patients, carers and staff.

• Ensure inputting and storing of provided information, and that it is kept and used in line with the Data Protection Act and St Barnabas House policies.

Qualifications and/or Experience

• School education to GCSE level or equivalent to demonstrate literacy, numerical and communication skills.

• Minimum of two years’ experience as Physiotherapy Assistant / Healthcare Assistant in related clinical field.

• NVQ III in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Support or NVQ III in care.

Skills

• Good communication and interpersonal skills

• Ability to work within a large team.

• Ability to use own initiative

• Ability to respond to changing situations

• Awareness of own coping strategies

Personal grief resolved sufficiently to work within a palliative care setting.

Knowledge

Awareness of palliative care principles and philosophy within day care.

Other duties

To undertake any other duty within your ability and within reason, as may be required from time to time, at the direction of your line manager.

Confidentiality

You should be aware of the confidential nature of the Hospice environment and/or your role. Any matters of a confidential nature, relating to patients, carers, relatives, staff or volunteers must not be divulged to any unauthorised person.

Data protection

You should make yourself aware of the requirements of the Data Protection Act and follow local codes of practice to ensure appropriate action is taken to safeguard confidential information.

Health & Safety

You are required to take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your acts or omissions and you should ensure that statutory regulations, policies, codes of practice and safety and good house-keeping rules are adhered to, attending safety and fire lectures as required.

Job description

This Job Description is not intended to be restrictive and should be taken as the current representation of the nature of the duties involved in your job and needs to be flexible to cope with the changing needs of the job and the Hospice.