Band 4 Therapy Assistant Practitioner in Trauma and Orthopaedics

Band 4 Therapy Assistant Practitioner in Trauma and Orthopaedics James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

BAND 4 THERAPY ASSISTANT PRACTITIONER - TRAUMA AND ORTHOPAEDICS (Up to 37.5 hours per week)

An exciting opportunity has become available for several additional therapy assistant practitioners to join our supportive, forward-looking Orthopaedic Therapy Team as we expand for our brand new Orthopaedic Elective Hub.

We are seeking individuals to provide delegated treatment and rehabilitation to patients with both elective and traumatic orthopaedic injuries. You will have your own clinical caseload and undertake assessments under direction of both physiotherapists and occupational therapists. You will rotate between our trauma and elective wards and our outpatient therapy clinic, completing assessments for patients awaiting elective surgery.

We are an innovative team and early adopters in stopping the use of hip precautions for total hip arthroplasties, with a well-established Enhanced Recovery Programme for our elective patients, to which our therapy assistant practitioners are vital. We are particularly interested in candidates who share our passion for service development and increasing the profile of therapy assistant practitioners in the speciality of orthopaedics to improve patient outcomes.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for positive, proactive candidates who can work flexibly and help us build a strong future for Therapy. You would play a key role in gathering information from patients and their relatives/carers to understand their social, environmental and living circumstances, and the impact of their injury or surgery on daily activities. You will be responsible for managing a caseload of patients, providing therapy and rehabilitation following orthopaedic elective and traumatic injury which may impact patients physically and psychologically. You will plan and implement functional and cognitive interventions to support patients in achieving their goals, providing adaptive equipment and aids and evaluating outcomes of treatments.

You will also support flow throughout the hospital with timely assessments and planning discharges as part of each individual patient's recovery journey to prevent delay. This will include liaison with and referring onto appropriate agencies as needed. You will also undertake administrative duties to support the functioning of the department.

In return, we would strive to offer suitable candidates a supportive, friendly working environment within a team who are open to new ideas. Opportunities for learning and working with the wider multidisciplinary team will be available and strongly encouraged.

Core working hours are 8.00am-4.00pm but flexibility can be discussed, and you will work as part of our seven-day roster.

Job responsibilities

In order to apply for this post, applicants will ideally possess a Degree/Foundation Degree or be able to evidence equivalent knowledge and skills in a similar post. For applicants who do not meet this criteria, the minimum qualification requirement would be an NVQ III in Health and Social Care or equivalent, with the ability to complete the Foundation Degree being a condition of employment.

Person Specification Education and Qualifications

• Degree/Foundation Degree or evidenced equivalent knowledge and skills in a similar post. There will be a requirement to complete a Foundation Degree if these cannot be met.
• NVQ III in Health and Social Care or equivalent - minimum qualification required for consideration for the position.
• Numeracy/literacy skills - Level 2 or Grade C at GCSE.

Experience and Knowledge

• Experience of working in health and therapy teams/working with people.
• Experience of working as a therapy or rehabilitation assistant.
• Clear understanding of therapy role/concepts of therapy and the enabling approach.
• Understands the health system and acute care.
• Experience working in orthopaedics or musculoskeletal care.

Skills, Abilities and Competencies

• Good verbal and written communication skills/basic IT skills.
• Therapeutic and rehabilitation skills.
• Able to work independently and use own initiative.
• Team worker/confident/able to recognise self-limitations.
• Role requires the ability to travel within the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area. Should hold a full current driving licence or be able to make own travelling arrangements to fulfil the duties of the post, including visits to patients' homes with and without patients, delivery of equipment etc.

Other

• Physically fit and able to comply with Trust Manual Handling Guidelines.
• Evidence of motivation for the Therapy Assistant Practitioner role.
• Professional demeanour and appearance.
• Ability to take on responsibilities and additional duties.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.