Job overview

This position will not be supported for visa sponsorship. All applicants are expected to have valid right to work document to work in the UK when applying for this position.

Working 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday (with one additional weekend day shift per month)

We have an exciting opportunity for a suitable candidate to join our Stroke Therapy Team working in the Acute Stroke service i.e. HASU / ASU across Spruce and Ebony ward

The role is:

To provide an Assistant Practitioner role to the Integrated Stroke Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physiotherapy (PT) services, and other specialties as delegated like Speech and Language Therapy and Dietetics service within Stroke Therapy Multidisciplinary Team working at Darent Valley Hospital.

To manage and prioritise a designated integrated Stroke therapy caseload, working without direct supervision, carrying out assessment and treatment planning of patients who have not previously been assessed by a qualified therapist. However, a qualified therapist will always be available for advice and guidance when necessary

To hold a defined area of responsibility within the Stroke OT & PT services and the ability to support the extended Stroke Therapy team when the need arises.

All relevant training (additional to what is required within Job Specification) will be provided.

The Stroke service includes a 7 day working and hence this job requires to cover one day of the weekend, in a month as part of its remit.

Main duties of the job

We can offer you:

An excellent working environment in a newly established Acute Stroke Center.

A supportive management structure

A positive and well-established appraisal and development system

Encouragement to develop clinical skills

Clinical leadership is through the established structure of Senior Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapist.

Candidate - see JD too

To fully assess patients on admission, be able to create SMART goals, to be able to plan and carry out intervention appropriate to the patient’s needs under indirect supervision.

To support the team in meeting current and relevant SSNAP criteria.

To prioritise and create a new patients list according to SSNAP criteria for OT/PT 

To work unsupervised with identified patient caseload with OT/PT integrated Therapy goals and report appropriately

To progress patient in rehabilitation intervention by following appropriate assessment and follow up sessions, and discussion with the qualified therapists. This may include provision of appropriate walking aid or use of transfer equipment and modifying treatment recommendation for Stroke rehabilitation.

To deliver and fit equipment in patients’ homes and instruct them in its safe use

To carry out Access assessment visits to patients’ homes either alone or with another member of staff.

To carry out Home Visits either as the lead or as ‘2^nd person’. 

Working for our organisation

We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you’ll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we’ve achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.

We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.

If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.