An exciting opportunity has arisen for a compassionate and enthusiastic Band 4 Therapy Assistant Practitioner to join the expanding Therapy Team at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
This position is to work in the Hospital to Home team based at Aintree Hospital.
The Hospital to Home team is made up of a mixture of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Assistant Practitioners and Therapy Assistants. The team accept referrals from the therapy inpatient teams across Aintree to carry out Discharge to Assess, Same Day/Next day follow up visits and Environmental visits in patient's own homes.
It is highly desirable that the successful candidate has a full driving license and is able to drive trust vehicles or their own vehicle in order to commute to and from patients homes in the Liverpool City region.
The successful candidates should have a minimum of two years’ NHS therapy experience as well as therapy experience in the community.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential to complete comprehensive assessments and to support and motivate patients to participate in therapy assessments and programmes.
This post is subject to a 7-day shift working pattern, staff are required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service.
To take responsibility for own caseload providing direct Therapy intervention for an identified patient group under the supervision of a registered practitioner.
To be accountable for own clinical practice whilst undertaking the assessment and treatment/intervention of identified patient group within agreed parameters and defined protocols of care.
To work independently within the multidisciplinary team setting, reporting back patient progress and informing therapists of any problems .
To support registered staff in the administrative duties required for the functioning of the Therapy Department.
To participate in and contribute to training, audit and service development.
If you do not possess the AP qualification successful candidates will complete the apprenticeship AP training programme. The Apprenticeship will run for approximately 24 months and will involve day release 1 day per week at Hugh Baird College. Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship the staff member will be uplifted permanently to Band 4.
The posts are full time, however requests for part time and flexible working patterns will be considered .
If unsuccessful at interview for this position; there may be other opportunities to offer within the Care Group. This may include working on an alternative Hospital site.
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.
UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.
For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.
Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Women’s Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK’s largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.
For roles at Liverpool Women’s, visit their careers page .
Clinical
Under the instruction of the qualified therapist assist in carrying out care and exercise programmes with patients in a manner that respects their abilities, privacy, dignity and individuality.
To manage the rehabilitation of patients as delegated by the qualified therapist. work without direct supervision and be responsible for assessing the progress of patients, reporting back to the therapist.
To be responsible for specific tasks within the overall treatment programme, e.g. gait assessment, stair assessment, strength and balance assessment and advise / arrange the supply of assistive equipment.
To liaise regularly with the qualified therapist regarding treatment progression and ongoing care. Reporting to therapist and the multidisciplinary team any lack of progression or negative changes in patients ability to undertake treatment session.
Treat patient individually or in a group in a variety of settings with indirect supervision from the qualified therapist.
To work as a member of the therapy team and multidisciplinary team, sharing information with team members and prioritising workload accordingly.
To ensure effective internal and external communication with patients, carers and all other Health and Social Care Professionals regarding all aspects of patient care.
Providing and receiving complex information which requires empathy and reassurance. Communicating where there may be barriers to understanding.
Undertake home visits as directed by the qualified therapist, arranging transport and completing relevant documentation.
To assess patients and carers safety in use and suitability of equipment within patients home environment.
Advise on environmental hazards.
Issue, and retrieve therapy equipment in department, ward or home setting keeping accurate records of this activity.
Ensure equipment is clean and fit for its purpose for individual treatment sessions.
To co-ordinate and undertake the regular maintenance and cleanliness of the working/treatment areas with the co-operation of the Health Care Assistants.
Assist patients to access and use toilet facilities.
Transport patients safely between ward, clinics and treatment areas as requested.
To receive and prepare patients for therapy treatments.
To prepare and maintain equipment and the treatment areas including household duties.
Maintain accurate and timely records of treatments undertaken by self.
To monitor and maintain stock levels of equipment and supplies, within the Therapies department by processing orders as agreed with the Therapy Manager/Team Leader.
Contribute to development of patient care by attending relevant team, departmental or other appropriate meetings and participate in discussions to improve service provision.
To teach and advise carers and other health care staff to ensure provision of good patient care.
To accurately manage the filing system of patient records within team.
Locate record and return therapy treatment records and patients medical records when necessary.
This post will be subject to an enhanced (or standard) disclosure check with the DBS.
This job description is intended as a general guide to the duties and responsibilities of the post and not a rigid, inflexible specification. It may be subject to revision to meet the changing needs of the service, following consultation with the post holder.
Through the course of your employment you may become aware of information concerning patients or staff. All such information must be treated as confidential. Breach of this confidence may result in dismissal.
Clinical Governance / Quality
To comply with the health and safety policies of the trust including attendance at mandatory training sessions as specified by the trust.
To comply with departmental and organisational policies and procedures.
Ensure all accidents, incidents and hazards are reported and dealt with according to Trust requirements.
To gain valid informed consent in line with trust and departmental policy.
To comply with the Data protection Act and Caldicott recommendations.
To maintain accurate documentation in line with local policies and procedures.
Education and Training Development
To participate and contribute in relevant in-service training programmes.
To attend relevant courses as identified and agreed with senior staff and managers.
To participate in staff appraisal sessions.
To contribute to the induction and training of new staff and students assigned to the team.
