Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Work in collaboration with other team members to provide a service for patients within the specialty, assisting in the implementation of programmes to meet individual needs

Provide therapeutic intervention for individual patients to maintain or improve function in mobility, personal, social and domestic activities including accessing the community, and evaluating the findings, to feed back to qualified therapists.

Work with patients individually or in a group, in a variety of settings as directed by a qualified therapist.

Understand the Assistant’s role in contributing to disease prevention and health promotion

Contribute to patient education using agreed programme in the service area

Organise the identified workload efficiently and effectively regarding clinical priorities and use of time

Plan treatment programmes, adapting and progressing the rehabilitation of patients within the guidelines set by the assessing therapists. This will include modifying treatments to take account of changes in the patient’s physical and mental state.

Identify and manage clinical risk within own clinical caseload, and report to supervising clinician  

Be able to judge when patient is unwell and deteriorating, and call for appropriate assistance in a timely manner

Be aware of problems that could affect the patient’s progress and report back any changes to senior staff

Supply aids and appliances (e.g. walking aids and ADL equipment) ensuring appropriate sizing and education of client in the correct use of appliance, as prescribed by a qualified therapist.

Demonstrate knowledge of a range of manual handling and mobility skills relevant to the management of patients, including safe use of transfer equipment

Understand local referral and prioritisation processes

Contribute to the discharge planning process from the service, completing delegated onward referrals to different agencies where required

Be independently responsible for time management, planning and organisation of daily workloads as delegated by a qualified clinician

Work to the standards of individual speciality areas and ensure that the background knowledge within each area is acquired through independent learning and collaboration during the working day with qualified staff

Maintain the high standards of the service by contributing towards individual, team and service objectives

Advocate for service users, their families and carers, as well as staff

Identify and develop own leadership skills e.g. by volunteering to support broader opportunities

Demonstrate an awareness of your own and others’ health and wellbeing needs and ask for support when needed

Develop, manage and maintain positive, appropriate relationships with service users, families and carers, demonstrating respect and kindness, and promoting dignity, compassion and empathy at all times

Maintain strict confidentiality regarding patient and staff information, adhering to organisational policies and procedures

Maintain accurate and legible records of all interventions and management

Ensure competence in the accurate and effective use of email, and all Trust IT systems to record patient notes and activity

Use a range of verbal, non-verbal, written and presentation skills appropriately with colleagues, patients and carers

Adapt communication methods accordingly for those with barriers to understanding, communication or challenging behaviour

Be able to engage, persuade and motivate patients through effective communication to optimise treatment outcome

Convey information in a sensitive manner taking account of differences in expectations, cultural beliefs or desires

Report back directly to the MDT, particularly re any changes in functional abilities, relevant information gained, or patients’ comments linked to treatment

Attend appropriate team meetings and liaise with other agencies and members of the MDT, participating in the clinical decision-making process to ensure planned, coordinated and effective delivery of care

Demonstrate ability to manage potentially stressful and upsetting or emotional situations in an appropriate and empathetic manner

Attend staff meetings and relevant training, and actively participate

Participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD), including competency-based training programmes, to develop knowledge and skills by attending relevant opportunities and keeping statutory/mandatory training up to date

Take responsibility for and actively record own personal development through educational and experiential learning

Participate in regular meetings with clinical supervisor/mentor to include clinical supervision and appraisal

Provide appropriate advice, demonstrate own activities or workplace routines to new or less experienced employees or students, including during induction of new staff

Be aware of new developments generally within Therapies, and within the area of work particularly

Be aware of and demonstrate boundaries in personal scope of practice

Have an awareness of the importance of Evidence Based Practice

Participate in quality/ development projects, including audit, as directed

Contribute to the evaluation of the service and make improvements and alterations with support