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Job summary

Main area
Physiotherapy
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week (This role requires later finish times on Tuesday – Thursday ranging from 5:30 – 6:30pm due to classes)
Job ref
203-SS1031
Employer
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Physiotherapy
Town
Warwick
Salary
£24,071 - £25,674 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
30/12/2024 23:59

Employer heading

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust logo

MSK Outpatient Physiotherapy Assistant

Band 3

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is one of the top performing organisations within the NHS. Our staff think this is a great place to work and we hope you will agree. We have recently been rated as 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following our most recent inspection.

We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the whole county. This includes our Community Teams in North Warwickshire.

We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity. Over 6000 people work for the Trust and many of them have been here a long time. People find they don’t need to go elsewhere to find a fulfilling career in healthcare.Ìý

The first thing you will notice about us is how we take our values seriously. We believe that our values underpin everything we do. If you are interested in a role with us you need to make sure our values match your own.

Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are ‘Trusted to provide inclusive, safe, effective and compassionate care’. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn’t matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.

Probationary Period

All new staff to the Trust will be subject to a standard 6 month probationary period, the details of which will duly follow in your contract of employment.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is committed to creating and sustaining a positive and inclusive working environment for all our employees. Our aim is to ensure that employees are equally valued and respected and that our organisation is representative of all members of society. We define diversity as valuing everyone as an individual – we value our employees, job applicants, students, patients and visitors as people. This is reflected within our values of being Inclusive, Safe, Effective, Compassionate and Trusted.

Agile and Flexible Working

All our staff will have a work base. However the Trust operates as an Agile Working Team therefore staff may be working from home on a regular basis as required by the service. However, occasionally travel around Warwickshire and into your base will be required so access to your own transport would be helpful.

The Trust also welcome staff to work flexibly and we would welcome the conversation at interview regarding flexible working.

Staff Benefits

The Trust offer a wide range of additional benefits to staff. Anyone who joins us on a substantive basis can assess things such as the Lease Car Scheme, Electronics Scheme, Discounted Leisure and Travel, Cycle to work scheme amongst many others available.Ìý

Car Parking

The Trust have recently completed the construction of a multi-storey car park at our Warwick Hospital site which has allowed us to reduce waiting times for car parking passes.Ìý

To keep up to date on our latest recruitment activity follow us on twitter @swftrecruit or look us up on Facebook (Recruitment - South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust).


Job overview

We have an opportunity for a physiotherapy assistant to join our diverse and expanding Outpatient Musculoskeletal physiotherapy team.

This post will be based at Leamington Hospital, however there may be requirement to provide cover at other MSK clinics across south Warwickshire and Rugby.

The successful applicant isÌý required to partake and support various group based exercise classes offering patients verbal encouragement and instruction.

Other responsibilities include undertaking assessments of patients with mobility problems, supervising and developing individual exercise programs for patients with common conditions, conducting housekeeping duties within the department and completing electronic administrative task- all roles are under the mentorship of qualified physiotherapists.

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust’s Physiotherapy department is a large and expanding department which possesses a wealth of physiotherapeutic knowledge and expertise.

The team covers a ‘7 day’ service and so the successful applicant would be required to assist physiotherapy staff working on inpatient wards at Warwick Hospital on some weekend days.

Main duties of the job

To support the Physiotherapist in providing a high standard physiotherapy service in community, outpatient and inpatients settings.

To assess, treat and progress treatment of patients either individually or within groups according to protocols set by Senior Physiotherapists.

Working for our organisation

Come and join a Trust rated Outstanding by the CQC. South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust have been rated as outstanding following our latest inspection by the CQC and we are recruiting new staff to come and help us improve even further.

We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the county. We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity.

Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are ‘Trusted to provide safe, effective and compassionate care’. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn’t matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To perform basic physiotherapeutic assessment, as set by Physiotherapists, of patients by questioning, observing and measuring patients abilities and needs.

To develop and deliver an individualised treatment programme using guidelines set by physiotherapists.

To hold responsibility for own caseload within a defined area of the service, at times, working without direct supervision.Ìý Support available by bleep/telephone or close vicinity.

Support takes the form of regular formal training and feedback sessions.Ìý Access to advice and support from qualified physiotherapists is available on a regular basis.

To be responsible for the safe & competent use of all electrotherapy equipment, gym equipment, patient appliances and aids used by patients. Ensure that Physiotherapy assistants and Physiotherapy students attain competency prior to use.

To maintain a clean, tidy and safe environment and equipment.

To carry out clerical duties as directed by Physiotherapists.

ÌýClinical

To gain informed consent for treatment in accordance with Trust policy. This will frequently be to patients/carers and relatives who have diverse or complex emotional, physical and psychological conditions e.g. deafness, dysphasia, depression, chronic pain, etc. and will require expert use of verbal and non-verbal communication tools.

To undertake a basic physiotherapy assessment of the patient gaining relevant information by clinical examination, observation, questioning and discussion.

Develop and deliver a physiotherapy treatment programme within parameters set by qualified physiotherapists e.g. patient education, exercise programmes, passive movements or classes.

Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment programmes if necessary.Ìý Advice is available from qualified Physiotherapists if required.

To be responsible for the safe and competent use of gym equipment and patient appliances by self and patients. eg, splints, mobility aids and hoists.

To maintain physiotherapy records/reports and follow guidelines, protocols and procedures in accordance with professional (CSP), legal and departmental standards.

Weekend Working

To be an active member of the weekend working rota, assisting the Physiotherapists.

To maintain own competency to practice as a member of the weekend working.

Management

Work within Trust policy and Chartered Society of Physiotherapists guidelines and to have a good working knowledge of national and local standards.Ìý Monitor own and others quality of practice as appropriate.

To set a high personal standard of work and professional attitude and encourage others to do likewise.

To assist in facilitating high quality care by contribution towards development of clinical guidelines or pathways, education, standard setting, audit and research.

To collect activity and clinical data relevant to the service, as required.

To contribute to meeting the requirements of the Trust’s Corporate Governance agenda.

To supervise other staff within the multidisciplinary team as required e.g. assistants, physiotherapy, medical or work experience students.

To maintain high morale and sound staff relations within the department.

To contribute to the performance assessment of assistants and provide protocol driven advise to physiotherapy students.

To contribute towards maintaining tidy and hygienic work and rest areas, specifically the outpatient department and the staff room.

To clean and check equipment and work areas as required and report any defects to the Superintendent or other senior staff.

To use and apply clinical knowledge and experience to assess and manage clinical risk within the limits of own scope of practice.

To order surgical supplies and general stores articles and any other equipment required by the department and the maintenance of adequate stocks of such equipment, liaising with Superintendent for authorisation.

To carry out any clerical duties as required i.e. data input, typing, filing, provide reception cover etc. as required working collaboratively with clerical staff.

To attend any meetings as designated by senior physiotherapists.

To identify opportunities to improve the physiotherapy service in order to provide the best patient care within the available resources.

To be the first point of contact in dealing with minor complaints from patients in line with trust policy.

ÌýEducational

To undertake clinical and personal updating through means identified during appraisal process.

To work towards gaining the Care Certificate.

To develop an individual learning plan, maintain continuing personal development records and provide evidence of how learning is applied to practice.

To provide clinical supervision/mentorship for physiotherapy assistants.

Participate in staff appraisal scheme as an appraisee to be responsible for complying with agreed personal development programmes to meet knowledge and competency.

To be responsible, with guidance from Physiotherapist for maintaining own competency to practice through continuing personal development activities, and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development

Be an active member of the in service training programmes by attendance at and participation in, in-service training programmes, tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses (where applicable) and peer review and personal study.

Communications and Working Relationships

To communicate effectively with patients, carers and relatives on an individual or group basis to maximise rehabilitation potential through verbal and non-verbal methods. This may require explanation, instruction, persuasion, motivation, negotiation and reassurance.

To be committed to a team approach in order to provide continuity and efficiency of service provision.

To liaise with multidisciplinary team/colleagues/medical nursing staff as required.

Take formal handover from wards either verbal/non-verbal and then cascade that information as appropriate e.g. to other physiotherapists/students.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Education to GCSE level or equivalent
  • Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio – including certificates from relevant courses or training
  • Wiliness to work towards the Care Certificate
Desirable criteria
  • Membership of CSP

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Previous experience as physiotherapy assistant
  • Experience of working as part of a team
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working in acute hospital environment

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Competent IT skills (Word, Email)
  • Able to present information, written and orally in an accurate clear and logical manner
  • Ability to organise prioritise and delegate
  • Experience of supervising other staff
  • Ability to comprehend and work within the trust’s policies of data protection, equal opportunities and health and safety and meet the differing needs of the patients
  • Ability to keep accurate and legible patient notes
  • Ability to cope working in a stressful environment and with emotional or aggressive patients and carers
  • Ability to problem solve
  • Excellent command of the English language
  • Good written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria
  • Able to work as a team member
  • Flexible
  • Empathetic
  • Reliable

Other

Essential criteria
  • Passes Occupational Health clearance and police checks.
  • Able to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and carry out concurrent activities
  • Car driver and independent means of transport
  • Available to work at weekends on rota system

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
Gaurav Sharma
Job title
MSK Physiotherapy Pathway Lead
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07557175432