Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

• To assist the therapy service in the assessment and treatment of patients for diverse range of complex clinical conditions.
• Utilise judgement skills, the post holder will be required to assess and evaluate patient conditions and within parameters set by the Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists to make relevant alterations to existing treatments/equipment or progress a patients rehabilitation programme onto a different stage within agreed protocol based clinical care. This could be done without prior consultation with the therapist and may include discontinuing rehabilitation program if judged unsafe or modifying activities or equipment.
• Conducting initial interviews to gather information prioritise and analyse for the therapists.
• Assist the Community Therapy Team in providing an effective and efficient service to patients within the overall policy service.
• Administer an exercise programme to patients, either individual or in a group setting, with or without direct supervision from the therapists, including devising and adapting treatment plans as needed, encouraging and monitoring patients progress, making any onward referrals and liaising with the patient and family regarding progress.
• Take responsibility for organisation and planning of a designated patient caseload, including basic evaluation and progression of treatments, reporting changes and responses to treatment in verbal and written format to the qualified therapists.
• Liaise closely with supervising therapist, updating and reporting any significant changes in the patient’s condition, to facilitate modification of the treatment programme to the therapist.
• Promote safe moving and handling practices, according to patients needs within the manual handling policy.
• Ensure all patients are treated with respect, paying attention to their comfort, wellbeing and safety. To deal sensitively with patients who are anxious or aggressive for whatever reason.
• Assist patients as necessary, before, during and after treatment.
• Ensure patient and record confidentiality at all times in accordance with Local and National guidelines.
• Work in a variety of settings independent from qualified therapist off site (telephone advice available at all times).

Planning and Organisational Duties

• Plan and prioritise own workload in accordance with service agreement.
• Follow Organisational and Department standards, policies and procedures.
• Exercise good personal time management for completion of allocated work load.
• Actively participate in own continuous personal development.
• Be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice at Rehabilitation Practitioner level, through CPD activities and to maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development.
• Communicate the role and purpose of the Rehabilitation Practitioner to patients, carers and others.
• Follow guidelines with regards to client sharing of information and consent.
• Positively promote the service provides to service users, and other colleagues.
• Participation in standard setting and updating of the Department resources in conjunction with colleagues.
•  Assist in the production of resources, teaching packs and audio-visual aids.
•  Active involvement with clinical governance activities of the Department
• Work in a flexible manner as directed and as service dictates.
• Adhere to the service’s Lone Working Policy in the community.
•  Attend all  mandatory training
•  Comply with the Manual Handling Policy and local therapeutic handling guidance at all times.
•  Attend staff/MDT meetings as required
• Exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.
• Be responsible for ensuring all physiotherapy equipment is maintained in a clean and safe state to meet Health and Safety requirements
•  Be responsible for ensuring any faulty equipment is immediately removed from use and reported to line manager.

Communications and Key Working Relationships

• Develop rapport with the client before applying other technical/therapy skills where appropriate.
• Communicate information in an understandable form to patients, carers and others.
• Consideration & understanding of barriers to communication e.g. stroke/dementia/cognitive defect patients. To use effective communication requiring tact and persuasive skills to encourage patients to take an active role in their rehabilitation.
• Communicate effectively with other members of the MDT.
• Act as a liaison between therapist and others e.g. patients, families, carers
• To ensure records/documentation are maintained to required standard and report accurately when providing feedback to others

• To attend relevant care planning meetings, case conferences and MDT meetings as required

Responsibility for Health & Safety

Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 – the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. 

Responsibility for Teaching

• Take an active role in supporting the work of Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapist in the management of patients requiring rehabilitation and support the work of the Multidisciplinary team.
• Be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice at Rehabilitation assistant level, through CPD activities and to maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development.
• Demonstrate a commitment and evidence of Continuous Professional Development (e.g. short courses and reflection on previous experience) and to participate in departmental projects/audits
• Participate in the dissemination and sharing of information and skills with students and other staff, including supervision and training of new assistants
• Participate in departmental clinical audits as required.

Work Circumstances & on-call

• Comply with Department and Health Board policies and procedures, e.g. to maintain records and participate in data collection
• Register training session activity.
• Register all referrals/activity manually / IT system. Collation of statistical data/reports as requested.
• Document patient activity data in accordance with professional and organisational standards.
• Collation of statistical data/reports as requested.
• Be responsible for maintaining accurate and comprehensive patient treatment records in line with Local and National policies and guidelines.
• Assist with basic administrative duties in relation to the service.