Job summary
- Main area
- Clinical Assistant
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday-Friday)
- Job ref
- 196-LIS9955M
- Employer
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Pulross Centre
- Town
- London
- Salary
- £30,546 - £32,207 per annum incl. HCA
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 19/10/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Rehabilitation Support Worker
NHS AfC: Band 3
Guy’s and St Thomas’ is among the UK’s busiest and most successful NHS foundation trusts. We provide a full range of hospital and community services for people in south London and as well as specialist care for patients from further afield including cancer, renal, orthopaedic, respiratory and cardiovascular services.
Guy’s is home to the largest dental school in Europe and a £160 million Cancer Centre opened in 2016. As part of our commitment to provide care closer to home, in 2017 we also opened a cancer centre and a kidney treatment centre at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup. St Thomas’ has one of the largest critical care units in the UK and one of the busiest emergency departments in London. It is also home to Evelina London Children’s Hospital.
Evelina London cares for local children in Lambeth and Southwark and provides specialist services across south east England including cardiac, renal and critical care services. We lead a number of specialist service networks aiming to ensure children are treated locally where possible, but have access to specialist expertise when they need it. Our community services include health visiting, school nursing and support for families of children with long-term conditions.
Our adult community services teams deliver care at the heart of the local communities we serve, working in partnership with GPs, local authorities and other healthcare and voluntary sector organisations. Working with our partners in Lambeth and Southwark, we are focusing on new ways of working to improve care for local patients.
In February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield joined Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, bringing together world-leading expertise in the care and research of heart and lung disease. Our merger provides a once in a generation opportunity to build a lasting, world-renowned heart and lung centre, providing the highest quality care for patients and conducting world-leading research.
We have a reputation for clinical excellence and high quality teaching and research. We are part of King’s Health Partners, one of eight accredited UK academic health sciences centres. In partnership with King’s College London we have dedicated clinical research facilities including an MHRA accredited Phase I clinical trials unit.
Patients are at the heart of everything we do and we pride ourselves on ensuring the best possible patient experience as well as safe, high quality care. We are proud to have one of the lowest mortality rates in the NHS. Following a comprehensive Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in 2019 we maintained our overall rating of ‘good’. Our adult community services achieved a rating of ‘outstanding’.
The commitment of our 23,500 staff is key to our success. We are one of the largest local employers and we aim to develop and support all our staff so they are able to deliver high quality, safe and efficient care. The 2019 NHS staff survey results show that we have one of the most engaged and motivated workforces in the NHS. We know this has a positive impact on the care provided to our patients.
We have one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes anywhere in the NHS.
Job overview
This role will be based across primarily in Lambeth Community Stroke Team, with a requirement sometimes to travel across Southwark to alternative community sites within the trust.
The purpose of this service is to provide community rehabilitation for patients, who are 18 years and over, to maximise rehabilitation and post Stroke recovery. Patients will have a wide range of impairments and functional difficulties as a consequence of their Stroke, co-morbidities and pre-morbid level of independence.
Short-term outcome focused interventions are delivered in client’s homes for a period of up to six weeks. This is achieved through multi-disciplinary (MDT) assessment and rehabilitation coordinated by Senior Therapists (Specialist Practitioners) and Nurses, supported by Rehabilitation Support Workers (RSWs).
The MDT comprises of: Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech & Language Therapists, Clinical Psychologist, Neuropsychology Assistant, Stroke Nurse Practitioner, Rehabilitation Assistant, Rehabilitation Support Workers, Stroke Care Advisor, Six Month Strove Reviewers and access to Consultant Stroke Physicians.
Main duties of the job
- To support senior clinicians in the assessment, planning, implementation and review of individual rehabilitation programmes for patients.
- To independently implement these rehabilitation programmes as appropriate.
- Tasks may include (but are not limited to) teaching or supporting prescribed exercise programs, practicing transfers and mobility, assisting and promoting independence in personal care or domestic tasks and supporting cognitive and communication strategies and exercises.
- To treat patients, often unsupervised, according to agreed rehabilitation plans and protocols.
- To report back to the relevant professional or team leader as required, regarding any changes in the patient’s condition.
- To seek timely advice and support as appropriate.
- To work as part of a flexible multidisciplinary team and undertake tasks delegated by the Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Speech & Language Therapists in a variety of settings primarily in the patient’s home, residence or community site.
- To communicate effectively with patients and their carers; particularly patients with impairments, which may affect their ability to communicate their needs and/or give informed consent to treatment.
- To participate in clinical governance and service development activities and take roles such as champion in an area of interest to the individual and the service.
Working for our organisation
Guy’s and St Thomas’ is among the UK’s busiest and most successful NHS foundation trusts. We provide a full range of hospital and community services for people in south London and as well as specialist care for patients from further afield including cancer, renal, orthopaedic, respiratory and cardiovascular services.
Our adult community services teams deliver care at the heart of the local communities we serve, working in partnership with GPs, local authorities and other healthcare and voluntary sector organisations. Working with our partners in Lambeth and Southwark, we are focusing on new ways of working to improve care for local patients.
The commitment of our 23,500 staff is key to our success. We are one of the largest local employers and we aim to develop and support all our staff so they are able to deliver high quality, safe and efficient care. The 2019 NHS staff survey results show that we have one of the most engaged and motivated workforces in the NHS. We know this has a positive impact on the care provided to our patients.
We have one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes anywhere in the NHS.
Our values
Our values help us to define and develop our culture, what we do and how we do it.
It is important that we all understand and reflect these values in our work. We are:
Caring – we put patients first
Ambitious – we innovate and strive for excellence
Inclusive – we respect each other and work collaboratively
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical
- To implement rehabilitation and / or care interventions to patients in their homes. Tasks may include (but are not limited to) teaching or supporting prescribed exercise programs, practicing transfers and mobility, assisting and promoting independence in personal care or domestic tasks, supporting cognitive and communication strategies and exercises and an occasional requirement to take basic observations and vital signs.
- To work as part of a flexible, multidisciplinary team and undertake delegated tasks from allocated therapists and qualified practitioners across all disciplines of allied health.
- To communicate effectively with patients, their carers and family members, particularly patients with impairments which may affect their ability to communicate their needs and/or give informed consent to treatment.
- To maintain close working relationships with multiple health and social care practitioners to enable effective and timely communication regarding patient care.
- To work as an autonomous Rehab Support Worker implementing and evaluating holistic pre-formulated rehab and exercise programmes to patients in the community.
- To be aware of limitations of own practice and seek advice and guidance from therapists/clinicians as needed.
- To assess and manage clinical, physical and/or environmental risk to ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff and clients at all times. To adhere to incident reporting procedures.
- To support the running of and facilitate group therapy across various group types and settings.
Professional
- Actively participate in regular structured supervision including one-to-one, shadowing opportunities and group supervision. Produce regular reflective logs as required and maintain a learning log of all CPD activities.
- Be responsible for identifying own training and development needs in line with service needs and Rehab Support Worker competencies with regular guidance from supervisors, by attending regular in-services in addition to ad-hoc training as appropriate.
- Participate in annual appraisal and performance development reviews (PDR) maintaining records to evidence development.
- Work within local and national Allied Health professional code of ethics, code of conduct and standards of practice for support staff.
Communication
- To be skilled in the use of verbal and non-verbal communication to develop a rapport and build trusting relationships with patients and those involved in the patients’ care i.e. family members, carers where a range of physical disabilities or other barriers to understanding i.e. cognition, mental health problems.
- To demonstrate compassion, empathy and sensitivity in all interactions with the patient and their carers and family members.
- To notify the appropriate senior clinician immediately of any changes in health of patients to ensure their safety and wellbeing at all times.
- To be able to respond calmly and patiently to patients, carers and family members who may be distressed and sometimes aggressive. To offer support, reassurance and advice as required in order to diffuse potentially difficult situations.
- To report any changes in progress of clients to ensure that favourable outcomes are met.
- To attend weekly multi-disciplinary meetings when required and to present relevant information about client/caseloads in a clear and concise manner.
- To participate in weekly Rehab Support Worker peer group sessions which aims to review collective Rehab Support Worker caseload and communicate capacity to the wider MDT.
- To maintain comprehensive and accurate client records (electronic and paper) and complete all mandatory documentation in line with the trust legal standards.
Organisational
- To contribute to the clinical governance agenda and actively participate in service development activities e.g. development of systems and resources.
- Ensure risk is managed for self, patients, colleagues and the work environment in line with trust and local guidelines/policies including reporting any concerns using trust processes.
- To comply with all data requirements regarding all clinical and professional activities i.e. completing Epic (equivalent electronic health record system documentation, diary appointments and outcomes).
- Complete general department duties e.g. therapy equipment stock supply orders and administrative tasks (processing completed multi-disciplinary discharge letters).
- Undertake any other appropriate duties as required by the service leads.
Person specification
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Evidence of literacy / numeracy to GCSE (Grade C or above) or equivalent in Maths & English. and NVQ II or equivalent skills in relevant subjects e.g. biology, social care And/ Or Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care And/Or Similar relevant work experience
- Care Certificate or willingness to complete within initial 12 weeks of employment
Desirable criteria
- Minimum of 18 months of relevant work experience
Experience
Essential criteria
- Previous experience of working with adults with disabilities or significant health needs.
- Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team.
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience in the provision of care and/or rehabilitation interventions
- Experience of working in the community/of lone working.
Skills (planning and organisational)
Essential criteria
- Ability to use initiative within limitations of own skills and qualifications.
- Ability to identify when a situation requires escalating and act on this.
- Ability to work autonomously and be accountable for own work
- Excellent organisational and time management skills.
- Ability to work flexibly; to prioritise and respond to changing demands in workload
Skills (Information resources)
Essential criteria
- IT literacy i.e. Microsoft Windows, internet, email, Word, Excel.
- Able to use mobile electronic devices to the standard required
Skills (communication)
Essential criteria
- Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills in English, and ability to adapt communication to a range of staff and patients.
- Ability to communicate with clients and their families with barriers to communication and in challenging situations.
Skills (personal skills)
Essential criteria
- Ability to recognise and respect different cultural, religious and personal beliefs/experiences of colleagues and clients
- Able to demonstrate empathy with clients, carers, families and colleagues
- Demonstrate active commitment to self-development
Skills (Team collaborative working)
Essential criteria
- Understanding of the role of a rehabilitation assistant and its contribution to the work of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team
- Ability to understand the roles of other team-members
Clinical skills
Essential criteria
- Knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities and confidentiality and how it relates to this post
- Ability to identify symptoms of changing condition among clients and take appropriate and timely action.
Physical requirements
Essential criteria
- Fit and able to perform duties requiring a moderate to intense level of physical activity over a sustained period of time including travel around the borough (with equipment/mobile devices) and complete clinical tasks.
- Able to move clients and equipment in line with Manual Handling Guidelines.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Hannah Hopkins
- Job title
- Specialist Occupational Therapist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07770584604
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