LD Therapies Assistant

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills.

 To establish and maintain effective relationships with clients with complex learning, emotional and behavioural needs and their carer’s/parents, other professionals and agencies; to ensure a comprehensive and consistent approach to client care

 To utilise varied communication techniques and resources to ensure that you are understood by and that you understand clients with communication difficulties eg non-verbal, hearing and visual impairments, cultural/language differences

.To form professional relationships with clients and their families and carers and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture

To adjust communication methods in response to learners needs including the use of Alternative and Augmented Communication, (AAC), interpreters, Assistive Technology and talking mats

To provide and receive personal and confidential information of a sensitive nature relating to residents, service users and carers demonstrating empathy and reassurance.

 To report effectively to the teams on client’s performance/progress or regression.

To attend Multidisciplinary meetings, reviews and case conferences including adult and child protection meetings and report on client progress.

To liaise with other disciplines and agencies in health, social services, public, private and voluntary sectors on behalf of the service and to foster effective community relationships. 

Under the supervision/direction of registered health care professionals, perform delegated interventions and care tasks, for which they have received training, seeking support as and when necessary.

 To participate in risk management and the assessment of clinical risk.

 To maintain a safe working environment in liaison with the PBS Project Team and Lead Clinical Psychologist in accordance with health and safety standards

 The post requires the use of equipment and skills that necessitates training in specific handling and management techniques, Physical Intervention, Systematic Instruction

 To demonstrably improve the quality of life for each client with learning disabilities through use of Positive Behaviour Support and other specialist and highly specialist approaches

To confidentially handle and liaise regarding sensitive issues and information with other services

. Clinical Responsibilities 

1. To complete face-to-face appointments with clients, carers & families in the office or community as appropriate
2. To engage, deliver and evaluate specialist clinical interventions using technical & behavioural activities to promote independence and wellbeing that support the client to achieve agreed goals.
3. To monitor client’s progress, taking account of their environment and adjust own clinical interventions accordingly using supervision as appropriate.
4. Contribute to formal assessments and provide feedback on clients’ occupational functioning
5. According to service needs, to be responsible for designated caseload under supervision
6. To work independently, facilitating group or individual work, with supervision of a registered therapist.
7. Exercise a degree of independence, initiative and judgement and consider different approaches when delivering tasks. Assess situations, eg following falls prevention guidance identify and resolve potential problems, within own competence

8.     ensure the care experienced is positive and service user safety is maintained. Treat everyone eg, service users, their relatives, visitors, colleagues etc, with respect, dignity, courtesy and in accordance with the Trust’s Values.

9. Feedback their observations to the registered professional/ clinical team to contribute to the care/treatment planning process. Understand the principles underlying care planning eg, enabling the service user to reach an optimum level of functioning/ independence/recovery.
10. implement treatment/care within well-established policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines and established clinical care plans within own competence and skill set.
11. Assisting in the organising and participating in a range of therapeutic groups and activities as delegated by the registered practitioner working within own competence and skill set.
12. Undertake the physical aspects of care eg, moving and handling of service users. Use items of equipment in delivering care eg, hoists, wheelchairs etc. (as appropriate to the role), ensuring appropriate instruction on their use has been received.
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2. Operational Responsibilities 

1. Undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.

3. Policy / Service Development

1. The post holder will work at part of the PBS & Physiotherapy Teams, along with the wider Psychology, Therapies and wider ILDS Teams and as such will be expected to contribute the day to day running and development of the service
2. The job holder will be responsible for managing their own workload and using their own initiative in meeting the needs of the client
3. The post holder will review their work & caseload with their own supervisor regularly to manage the risk and complexity of workload
4. Along with other staff you will be expected to keep up to date with current practice & guidance and contribute to changes to the service policies & processes
5. Along with other staff you may be required to work alongside other staff/ teams to complete projects or enable pathways

4. Research And Development

1.     To participate in Psychology & Therapies teams along with ILDS Service audits and evaluation activities as agreed with your supervisor

2.     To be part of or undertake research tasks as part of role or service development

5. General

1. Be required to concentrate for periods of time, depending upon the care intervention/care plan This may include areas of work requiring physical effort, with regard to risk, following the risk assessment and health & safety
2. To ensure that areas are well maintained and comply with health and safety guidelines, ensuring the safe use of equipment and storage of materials
3. Be responsible and accountable for clinical administration tasks and management of resources within the clinical area e.g. stock control, basic equipment cleaning, specific clinical tasks to support the smooth running of the services
4. All staff are responsible for the continual compliance with CQC standards and outcomes.
5. The postholder must be aware of, and work in line with, the Trust’s Safeguarding Adults and Children procedures.

Many adults with learning disabilities present with communication, emotional, social and psychological difficulties and can also have complex physical and mental health needs, e.g. dementia, forensic mental health histories, psychosis, cerebral palsy and epilepsy.  Whilst providing intervention in the community you will be responsible to plan and risk assess the individual and their circumstances to minimise risks.  This is to ensure the safety and security of you, the client and the public, as clients may be vulnerable and present with behaviours that prevent them from safely accessing ordinary community facilities.

6. Personal Development

1.     To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.

2.     To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities,

3.     To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of clients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.

All staff are required to be appraised by their line managers at least once a year at a personal development review meeting where progress made over the last year is discussed and agreed. Focus on the following year’s departmental and personal objectives will be identified, discussed and agreed. Where necessary, help and support will be provided and development opportunities agreed in line with service provision and the knowledge and skills competency framework. 

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