About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, motivated and compassionate individual to join the Therapy Department at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust (RNOH) as a Therapy Assistant within the Amputation Rehabilitation Team.
Working alongside Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists, you will support people with limb loss and limb difference throughout rehabilitation. This part-time role (28.125 hours per week) involves working with individuals who have undergone amputation following cancer, vascular disease, diabetes, failed orthopaedic procedures or congenital limb deficiency.
You will work with patients across the rehabilitation pathway, from the post-operative stage on inpatient wards through to prosthetic rehabilitation within our regional Prosthetic Rehabilitation Unit. While most of the caseload is adult-focused, there will also be opportunities to support children. The service supports individuals with lower limb, upper limb and multiple limb loss.
This is a rewarding and varied role, providing the opportunity to make a meaningful difference during a significant period of adjustment in patients' lives. You will need resilience, empathy and excellent interpersonal skills to support patients in achieving their rehabilitation goals and adapting to life with limb loss.
The role also includes equipment management, administrative duties and referrals to partner services and agencies to ensure the smooth running of the team.
Main duties of the job
As a Therapy Technician within the Amputation Rehabilitation Team, you will provide skilled rehabilitation support to people with limb loss and limb difference, while contributing to the day-to-day running of the service.
Working under the guidance of Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists, you will deliver rehabilitation programmes to adults and children across a range of settings, including inpatient wards, the Prosthetic Rehabilitation Unit, therapy areas and the Aspire Leisure Centre, including hydrotherapy facilities.
You will work with patients individually and support the development and delivery of group rehabilitation sessions. Following referral from a registered therapist, you will manage a delegated caseload, delivering treatment programmes in line with agreed protocols and rehabilitation pathways. You will monitor progress, adapt activities within your scope of practice and provide feedback to the supervising therapist, escalating concerns where appropriate.
You will require excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build effective relationships with patients, families and the multidisciplinary team, including nursing, medical, therapy, prosthetic and administrative colleagues, to ensure high-quality patient-centred care.
The role also includes supporting the management, maintenance and ordering of specialist equipment and materials, together with administrative duties that contribute to the efficient running of the team.
About us
The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) is a national centre of excellence with an international reputation for the diagnosis and treatment of neuro-musculoskeletal conditions. Our specialist services include spinal cord injury, bone and soft tissue tumours, complex joint reconstruction and specialist rehabilitation. In partnership with University College London, we deliver a unique combination of clinical care, education, research and innovation.
You will join a friendly, supportive and experienced team of Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists delivering outstanding rehabilitation for people with limb loss and limb difference. We are committed to providing high-quality, patient-centred care and creating an environment where staff can develop and thrive.
This role offers an excellent opportunity to build your clinical knowledge and skills while working with a diverse patient group. You will be supported to develop responsibility for delegated patients within established rehabilitation pathways, with regular supervision, mentorship and a personalised development plan.
We are committed to staff development and offer a range of learning opportunities, including clinical training, leadership programmes and management development. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to service improvement projects.
At RNOH, we offer a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support a healthy work-life balance and professional growth.
Job description Job responsibilities
The role has both clinical, organisational and general admin tasks to ensure a high quality patient experience.
See supporting job description for full details
PLEASE NOTE: To be eligible for short listing applicants must meet the essential criteria on the personal specification and answer the question detailed in the below.
Please answer this question in the additional information/''supporting Information section on the application form.
In less than 150 words briefly describe what qualities you possess that would make you an effective member of the therapy team. Please use examples from your personal experience.
Person Specification
Communication & Relationship Skills Essential
Experience of demonstrating, structuring and explaining tasks to others. Effective communication, verbal and non-verbal, to communicate treatment programmes to patients some of whom may have barriers to understanding or communication, e.g. blind, deaf, dysphasic or who do not have English as a first language. Able to communicate clearly, succinctly and logically in verbal and written formats with patients and other healthcare professionals To be an effective team member, respecting the work of others and representing the professions suitably at all times.
Desirable
Healthcare coaching skills Experiencing of leading a group
Knowledge, Training & Experience Essential
Good general level of education up to GCSE Equivalent (Minimum GCSE Maths/ English or equivalent) NVQ Level lll or BTEC national diploma in an appropriate area or health related degree Experience of working in an health or social care setting as a rehabilitation assistant/ technician Experience working directly with physically disabled people including children Extensive experience of working directly with people with long term conditions
Desirable
Experience working at or above Band 3 level in a Therapy Department. Awareness of roles of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy. Care certificate Practical experience of manual handling
Analytical & Judgment Skills Essential
Able to use initiative and work independently Ability to recognise own limitations Ability to work as part of a team. Reflective & keen to learn
Desirable
Skilled in use of relevant equipment and materials.
Planning & Organisational Skills Essential
Able to manage and prioritise own workload Good organisational skills Excellent time management skills
Desirable
Able to deal with challenging client groups
IT skills Essential
Basic IT skills
Desirable
Proficient in use of Microsoft Word and Excel.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust
Address RNOH Stanmore
Brockley Hill
Stanmore
HA7 4LP
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.rnoh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)