About this role
Job summary
Are you looking to join a dedicated and caring team who support local patients when they need it the most?
We have a great opportunity for a Therapy Assistant to join the St Leonard's Hospice team to assist in the implementation of therapy programs, supporting generalist palliative patients in achieving their rehabilitation goals.
This is a full-time position working 37.5 hours per week between office hours, Monday to Friday. There will be a requirement to work occasional weekends with advance notice to support clinical needs.
Main duties of the job
Working with our qualified therapists, you will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to achieve the following:
Preparing, carrying out and monitoring assessments, treatments and dischargesCarrying out and contributing to planned programmes of rehabilitation to meet individual patient and family circumstancesSupporting the transfer of care of patients processEnsuring patient records are completed accurately for each visit in a timely manner
In order to fulfil the role of a Therapy Assistant, you will need to:
Have experience of working with palliative care patients in hospice/ healthcare setting and relevant training to support thisHave strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to interact well with patients, families and staffBe reliable, punctual and professional in all interactions and have a compassionate and patient-centred approach to care
What we can offer you in return:
Salary above NHS pay scalesShift enhancements for working unsociable hoursUp to 41 days annual leaveContinuation of NHS pension and annual leave entitlement (T&Cs apply)Attractive pension scheme for non-NHS staffFree car parkingTraining and development opportunitiesA modern IPU with great facilities for patients and their familiesA supportive and friendly working environmentExtensive employee discounts on shops, holidays and lifestyle choices and Blue Light Card discountsDay shifts which allow you to have a great work/life balance
About us
Our mission is to provide excellent care and support to those living with life-limiting illness and to the people they care about, to enrich their lives and to contribute to the ongoing development of end-of-life care. We do this by placing our patients at the centre of everything we do, and through involving patients and their families in all decisions regarding their care.
We can only achieve this with the help of our amazing colleagues, by developing and recognising their contribution, and by sharing our knowledge and skills through education, audit and research.
We do not have sponsorship status and therefore all our offers are made conditional upon our candidates submitting evidence of their right to work in the UK in conjunction with our other pre-employment checks.
Job description Job responsibilities
The Therapy Assistant provides essential support to the multidisciplinary therapy team, assisting in the delivery of high-quality patient care. This role involves implementing therapy programs under the guidance of qualified therapists, supporting patients in achieving their rehabilitation goals, and ensuring a safe and effective therapy environment.
Main duties and responsibilities
Professional
1. Prepare, carry out and monitor assessment, treatments and discharge within therapy/nursing for generalist palliative patients in line with predetermined department protocols.
2. Carry out and contribute to planned programmes of rehabilitation to meet individual patient and family circumstances related to communication, cognition, emotional and physical impairments of both generalist and specialist patients. Modify and progress interventions as and when required.
3. Prepare and develop individual/group activities for patients to meet defined intervention needs.
4. Use appropriate methods of communication with patients, families and carers in order to maximise rehabilitation and understand their conditions.
5. Ensure patient held records are completed for each visit and that the inputting of information into systems is completed concisely, accurately, and timely in line with service standards.
6. Provide basic equipment and be responsible for ensuring that it is used safely, following appropriate training, and that it is maintained. Contribute to the requisitioning of supplies and equipment through electronic ordering systems.
7. Support the transfer of care of patients process; assessment of need, ordering of equipment, home/ access visits as required to support a safe and supported transfer.
8. Complete and send therapy reports for packages of care.
9. Share responsibility for indirect patient contact tasks such as answering telephones, arranging appointments, processing referrals and inputting activity data.
10. Communicate to qualified staff issues relating to unexpected changes with patients, service shortfalls, potential risks and service pressures.
Education
1. Support the education programme by facilitating manual handing training to clinical teams so that staff are safe in their manual handling practice. Ensure it remains evidence based and in response to local practice / incidents.
2. Within scope of competence, support patient education to promote therapeutic outcomes.
Person Specification
Other Essential
Be prepared to assist with Hospice fundraising activities Enhanced DBS check
Desirable
Vehicle owner with full UK driving licence
IT Essential
Good basic IT skills Knowledge of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook)
Desirable
Familiarity with electronic patient records and documentation procedures
Experience Essential
Experience at Band 3 or equivalent working with Palliative care patients in a hospice/ healthcare setting Experience of supporting patients with a range of physical, cognitive, or communication difficulties Experience in assisting with therapy programmes or rehabilitation exercises under supervision Experience working in a multidisciplinary team environment Experience with patient assessment tools or outcome measures
Desirable
Knowledge of health and safety procedures, manual handling and infection control Understanding of basic anatomy, physiology, and common health & palliative care conditions
Personal Essential
Compassionate, patient-centred approach to care Reliable, punctual, and professional in all interactions Ability to work independently and as part of a team Flexibility and adaptability to meet patient and service needs Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and professional standards
Communication Essential
Strong interpersonal and communication skills to interact effectively with patients, families, and colleagues either verbally or written Good observational skills and ability to provide feedback to therapists
Desirable
Formal Communications qualification
Qualifications Essential
Minimum of Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care or equivalent or willingness to undertake the training Completion of relevant therapy assistant training (e.g. physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech & language therapy support modules)
Desirable
NVQ Level 3 in a therapy-related discipline Evidence of continued professional development (CPD) Care Certificate Level 2 English & Maths Basic Life Support (BLS) / First Aid certification
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.
Employer details Employer name St Leonard's Hospice
Address St Leonard's Hospice
185 Tadcaster Road
York
North Yorkshire
YO24 1GL
Employer's website https://www.stleonardshospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)