Physiotherapy Assistant Band 3 1
JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: Physiotherapy Assistant BAND: 3 RESPONSIBLE TO: Clinical Lead Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy KEY RELATIONSHIPS: Internal Line Manager Physiotherapy Team All NELFT staff including Health Visitors, Consultants, and other medical staff External Children and their families Carers Education /school staff Voluntary Agencies GP s CONTROLS ASSURANCE STATEMENT: The purpose of this job description is to outline the level of responsibility and accountability of this post. This will ensure that all work undertaken by our staff is clearly identified and carried out under clear lines of accountability. Aim of the role: The post holder will be expected to support their team, department and organisation to achieve the Trust s Values in their day to day work. These are the 5P s: Putting people first Prioritising quality Being progressive, innovative and continually improve Being professional and honest Promoting what is possible independence, opportunity and choice The post holder will achieve this by working as a member of the Physiotherapy team working in Waltham Forest. He / She will work using their own initiative with supervision and support available from a designated therapist. He / she will assist the physiotherapist in treatment of children who have diverse presentations and varying physical and psychological conditions under the direction of the supervising therapist. Work may be in clinics or schools and will include demonstrating therapy tasks and setting up therapy sessions. 2
Key Responsibilities: 1. To assist the physiotherapists in providing a high standard physiotherapy service to preschool / school aged children by supporting the therapist in screening and implementation of therapy programmes. 2. To carry out intervention following aims given by the therapist 3. To prepare the clinic/therapy environment, preparation of therapy activities, ensuring the clinic equipment is available and in good condition; photocopying and distributing therapy programmes 4. To carry out administrative tasks including arranging appointments and maintaining clinic organisation of client notes and making statistical returns 5. To work with supervision, this takes the form of regular instruction guidance training and support. Access to advice and support from a physiotherapist is available whenever required. Work is routinely evaluated 6. Duties may be clinical and/or clerical Leadership 1. To work with other physiotherapy assistants and therapists. 2. To assist in the induction/training of a newly employed physiotherapy assistants, students and volunteers after 12 months in post if directed 3. To explain the role of physiotherapy to visitors, students and volunteers if directed 4. To provide peer support to newly employed physiotherapy assistants 5. Work within the physiotherapy service guidelines Clinical Skills 1. The responsibility for the management of each case remains with the physiotherapist. The post-holder will support the agreed intervention under supervision of the physiotherapist. 2. To carry out, under the supervision of the physiotherapist, routine individual or group physiotherapy treatment/management intervention following the aims given by the therapist. 3. To liaise with and report to the qualified therapist/s at intervals as agreed. 4. To assist in the preparation and maintenance of equipment. To safely teach and demonstrate use of equipment or other techniques to optimise patients functional ability and independence under the instruction and supervision of the physiotherapist. 5. To work on specified tasks in specified contexts with support, supervision and direction from the therapist 6. To keep up to date clinical case records in accordance with professional and Trust standards 7. To be aware of and ensure that clinical standards laid down by the service are met, and to make the Line Manager aware if this has not been achieved 8. Share information with others as required, observing data protection guidelines. 9. To adapt practice to meet individual patients circumstances, including due regard for cultural and language differences 10. To work collaboratively with all those involved in developing physical skills/motor skills in children, ensuring children and carers are involved in the care plans wherever possible 11. To manage intervention according to agreed aims adapting and modifying as required, following liaison/clinical supervision from the physiotherapist. 3
12. To be able to work without direct supervision and/or on another site, working and liaising with clients, families and other agencies 13. To adhere to Physiotherapy Guidelines and Guidelines for working with Assistants issued by the Service Lead, working within defined departmental and national protocols/policies 14. Have a working knowledge of the principles of Clinical Governance and their application to practice Computer/Administration 1. To be responsible for maintaining accurate patient care records and recording own personally generated clinical observations in accordance with the Trust standards 2. To prepare therapy materials/programmes 3. To occasionally develop computer based resources, if required, following formal training 4. To adhere to operational, administrative and statistical procedures ensuring the provision of such information promptly within local Trust guidelines 5. Monitor stock levels in own service. 6. Request new equipment as appropriate. 7. To be responsible for the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained. Communication 1. To communicate factual information sensitively and effectively to clients, relatives, carers, therapists and co-workers in all matters related to client care and service delivery, to level of responsibility. 2. To attend meetings as required to maintain lines of communication clinic meetings, team meetings and services meetings 3. To deal with all clients and carers and other colleagues using appropriate methods of communication taking in to account the presenting communication impairment, avoiding escalation of initial complaints where possible 4. To undertake liaison with outside agencies if required to support intervention / promote training etc. 5. To be responsible for negotiating and agreeing decisions regarding intervention with the physiotherapist, other co-workers and client/carer 6. To attend meetings about a client as the physiotherapist representative, following discussion with supervising therapist 7. To provide information on progress within the programme to therapist, and with agreement to involved others, e.g. carer 8. To provide relevant health, education, and social care staff and carers with basic information on good practice regarding communication. To return calls following instructions from a therapist 9. To arrange diary/clinics in liaison with therapist Training 1. To participate in the Individual Performance Review process, ensuring the objectives set reflect the Service and Trust Plans 2. To take part in team meetings and training days as appropriate 4
3. To identify own training needs to the supervising physiotherapist in the area of clients with diverse and complex disabilities and multi pathologies To assist physiotherapist in identifying training needs of others e.g. carers, other professionals 4. To develop links with other assistants from the department, and other teams for peer support and training 5. To actively participate in all mandatory training sessions e.g. Health & Safety Training. Fire, CPR, Manual Handling, etc. and others as required 6. To prepare training materials e.g. handouts 7. To deliver aspects of training according to pre-agreed and designed plan in conjunction with physiotherapist. Additional Information Health & Safety Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed upon them under the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) and subsequently published regulations to ensure that the Trust s Health and Safety policies and procedures are complied with to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees. Infection Control Each staff member has a duty to take personal responsibility for the prevention and control of infection, in accordance with Trust Infection Prevention and Control Policies, which reflect the statutory requirements of the Health Act 2006 Code of Practice for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infection. They must attend mandatory training in Infection Control and be compliant with all measures required by the Trust to reduce HCAIs. Risk Management You will be responsible for adopting the Risk Management Culture and ensuring that you identify and assess all risks to your systems, processes and environment and report such risks for inclusion within the Trust Risk Register. You will also attend mandatory and statutory training, report all incidents/accidents including near misses and report unsafe occurrences as laid down within the Trust Incidents Safeguarding Children and vulnerable adults North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults and to protecting them from the risks of harm. The Trust recognises its responsibility to ensure that safe working conditions and systems are in place for staff working with children, adults and families in their care. Staff are required to comply with Trust policies on Safeguarding. Standards of Business Conduct & Conflict of Interest The NHS Code of Conduct and Standards of Business conduct for NHS Staff require all employees to declare all situations where you or a close relative or associate has a controlling interests in a business [such as a private company, public organisation or other NHS or voluntary organisation] or in any activity which may compete for any NHS contracts to supply 5
goods or services to the Trust. All such interests must be declared in the Trust s register of interests either on appointment or when such interests are gained. As an employee you are required to make yourself aware of and adhere to the Trust s governance policies, such as Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions. Sustainability All staff has a responsibility for delivering high quality healthcare in a low carbon environment, where energy is used wisely and not wasted. It is the responsibility of all staff to minimise the Trust s environmental impact by recycling where possible, switching off lights, computers, monitors and equipment when not in use, minimising water usage and reporting faults promptly. Smoking Policy It is the Trust s policy to promote health. Smoking, therefore, is actively discouraged. It is illegal within the Trust buildings and vehicles. Codes of Conduct North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) requires the highest standards of personal and professional conduct from all of its employees. All employees must comply with the Code of Professional Conduct appropriate to their professional governing body. As an NHS employee, you are required to observe the following principles: Make the care and safety of patients my first concern and act to protect them from risk; Respect the public, patients, relatives, carers, NHS staff and partners in other agencies; Be honest and act with integrity; Accept responsibility for my own work and the proper performance of the people I manage; Show my commitment to working as a team member of working with all my colleagues in the NHS and the wider community; Take responsibility for my own and continuous learning and development Data Protection Personal data is protected under the Data Protection Act (1999) and the post holder will ensure that it is securely held and that the requirements of the Act are followed. It is the responsibility of all staff whose jobs requires them to record information in Trust Computer systems (e. g RIO and ESR) to ensure that the data entered into these systems is of high data quality and that information is recorded correctly and in a timely manner. Failure to adhere to this requirement could be considered a disciplinary matter Information Security and Confidentiality All employees are required to observe the strictest confidence with regard to any patient/client information that they may have access to, or accidentally gain knowledge of, in the course of their duties. 6
All employees are required to observe the strictest confidence regarding any information relating to the work of the Trust and its employees. You are required not to disclose any confidential information either during or after your employment with the Trust, other than in accordance with the relevant professional codes. All person identifiable information must be held in the strictest confidence and should be disclosed only to authorised people in accordance with NHS Confidentiality Guidelines [Caldicott] and the Data Protection Act 1998 unless explicit written consent has been given by the person identified, or where information sharing protocols exist. Failure to comply with these regulations whilst in the employment of the Trust could result in action being taken under the Trust Disciplinary Policy and Procedure. Equality and Diversity North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) is committed to the implementation of the Equality and Diversity at Workplace policy which ensures equal opportunities for all. NELFT is also committed to embracing diversity and eliminating discrimination in both its role as an employer and as a provider of services. It aims to create a culture that respects and values each other s differences, promotes dignity, equality and diversity and encourages individuals to develop and maximise their potential. The Trust will ensure that it provides equal and fairness for all, and not to discriminate on the grounds of gender, marital status, race/ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, religion, transgender or gender reassignment status, age, marriage or civil partnership/same sex marriage, and because of you being pregnant or being on maternity/paternity leave. All staff are required to observe this policy in their behaviour to employees and patients/service users. Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Each individual and service will be set KPIs and achievement against these will be regularly reviewed. Performance against individual and service KPI s will be routinely monitored by your manager. Review of this Job Description This job description is intended as an outline of the general areas of activity and will be amended in the light of the changing needs of the organisation. To be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder. Other Duties There may be a requirement to undertake other duties as may reasonably be required to support the Trust. These may be based at other Trust managed locations. 7
Essential Desirable Measurement Demonstration of Trust Values Putting people first Prioritising quality Being progressive, innovative and continually improve Being professional and honest Promoting what is possible, independence, opportunity and choice Qualifications NVQ Level 2 or equivalent standard of literacy and numeracy Demonstrates a commitment to further learning and development and a willingness to be trained in relevant practice Experience 2 years + experience of working with children in a therapy/nursing/educational/carer role Experience of working with children with special education al needs /special school settings Ability to work as part of a team Knowledge An awareness of NHS Plan, NSF and clinical governance priorities 8 Assessment Awareness of the roles of other professionals Awareness of standards of record keeping Knowledge and understanding of gross motor development in children Skills Basic awareness of IT and IT skills Assessment Excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy
Able to communicate factual information to, carers families and multidisciplinary team members / other professionals, in written and verbal form, including keeping accurate patient records Ability to perform basic administrative tasks Ability to teach practical skills to children and motivate children The ability to vary and modify activities for children taking into account individual needs Ability to work under pressure and with flexibility Ability to work as an effective team member Understand the need for patient confidentiality Commitment to nondiscriminatory practice Other Able to carry out moderate effort throughout the working day and carry out concurrent activities Able to travel efficiently throughout the area 9