DIRECTORATE OF OPERATIONS
Community and Therapies
JOB DESCRIPTION
POST Therapy Assistant
PAY BAND Band 3
RESPONSIBLE TO Therapy Team Lead
ACCOUNTABLE TO Operational Lead
BASE
ABOUT US
Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust is on an improvement journey, with a strong
focus on delivering quality care to our population of around 440,000 people. We provide a
comprehensive range of secondary care services from three main centres, Grimsby, Goole and
Scunthorpe, as well as community services in North Lincolnshire.
We aim to combine our patient first approach with innovation and creativity against a backdrop of
holistic team working, as encapsulated in our vision and values – kindness, courage, and respect.
ABOUT THE POST
This post centres on the provision of occupational therapy and physiotherapy but may include aspects
of care relating to speech therapy, dietetics and nursing. This post will also include general
administrative and housekeeping tasks. There will be frequent use of computers to place information
and data into relevant systems, including patient records.
The post holder will manage a delegated caseload of clients referred to the service, when they have
completed the relevant competencies to do so. The caseload of clients treated will have been triaged
or assessed by registered practitioners prior to allocation. They will also work jointly with the therapists
or other assistants to provide interventions with clients who have more complex needs.
The post holder will manage their delegated caseload of clients under the supervision of registered or
competent practitioners of appropriate disciplines in order to deliver patient centred care. They will
work within a competency based framework to build their knowledge and skills. The level of clinical
care provided by this role will be dependent on the competencies gained. It will range from supporting
assessment, following and modifying individual treatment plans, to undertaking low level assessment of
specific clients where there are defined assessment competencies gained and clear boundaries of care.
The postholder will evaluate outcomes and provide supportive discharge information to the client and
supervising practitioner.
They will also complete specific delegated tasks such as the delivery and fitting of equipment and will
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work jointly with clinicians or other assistants to manage clients with more complex needs. They will
access clinical supervision and support from registered practitioners of appropriate disciplines.
Treatment will include providing physical support including positioning, moving and handling,
functional activity which may include support with personal care and the provision of equipment. It will
include providing advice, motivating, and training individuals, their carers and relatives. A holistic
approach will include support to make lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of complications and ill-
health. Client facing activity will include both individual and group sessions.
The post holder will have responsibility to modify and evaluate resources and ways of working in line
with outcome results, the direction of their supervisors, client satisfaction and current research.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST HOLDER
Work within a competency based framework to manage a delegated caseload of clients, both providing
independent care and jointly with other clinicians. Gain baseline information from a variety of sources
to support comprehensive assessment by the registered clinician. Work independently or jointly with
qualified therapists (dependent on competencies gained and level of complexity), contributing to the
assessment of client needs including information on physical, functional, social and cognitive aspects.
Continue treatment plans put in place by the assessing clinician or as set by protocols/guidelines,
reviewing and modifying those plans directly in line with client goals and outcomes gained per
intervention - within own competency.
Take responsibility for managing own caseload, within required timescales, proactively accessing
regular supervision and support to do so. Ensure every contact counts and gain advice and supervision
for tasks which are beyond competencies completed. Plan and facilitate discharge in partnership with
the supervising clinician, including providing information to relevant professionals.
Document interventions within Trust standards on Systm One. Work closely with other members of the
MDT in order to provide holistic person centered care. Audit response to treatment, develop and
modify resources and ways of working in line with current research and requests from supervising
clinicians.
Actively engage in training, supervision, reflection and annual reviews. Be proactive in accessing
support when needed, managing risks as they occur and being responsible for ensuring appropriate
level of activity against individual Job Plan. Work flexibly as a team player, supporting the department
with other tasks within own skills base as required including admin, data collection and housekeeping.
Clinical Duties
1. Follow a competency based framework to develop appropriate clinical skills supported
by theoretical knowledge. This will be used to build the clinical reasoning required to
support clinical interventions.
2. Provide interventions independently or jointly, dependant on the completion of own
competencies, the level of complexity seen or the level of risk involved. Joint working
will include working with a competent clinician for all tasks where competencies are
not in place.
3. Gain valid informed consent and work within a legal framework with clients who lack
capacity to consent to assessment and treatment.
4. Support the assessing clinician by gaining relevant detail for clients from a variety of
sources. Information may include the client’s medical and social history, a physical
assessment, functional and cognitive ability, the initiation of a validated outcome
measures and their goals for treatment.
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5. Actively engage clients in their individual treatment programme to meet their personal
goals, reporting significant changes to the assessing clinician.
6. Follow treatment plans provided by the assessing clinician or as set by agreed
protocols/guidelines for service. Monitor and modify treatment within own
competency in response to progress. Use clinical reasoning, agreed guidelines and
current evidence to guide any modifications made.
7. Organise and provide therapeutic treatment and support for allocated clients within
appropriate settings; either individually or in groups, in outpatient, community or acute
settings. Provide continuity of care- working in liaison with other healthcare
professionals, developing care around the client, ensuring convenience and efficiency
and effectiveness of service.
8. Support timely discharge. Ensure relevant discharge information is shared with the
relevant clinician, using departmental standards and timescales, with both the client
and appropriate professionals.
9. Provide competency based treatment which could or may include:
9.1 The moving, handling or positioning of individuals who are unable to manage this
independently, including the use of equipment to enable or support.
9.2 Facilitating and actively supporting clients to mobilise or perform functional activities.
9.3 Providing personal cares for those who are unable to independently manage
themselves.
9.4 The provision, delivery and fitting of equipment
9.5 Communication or activities specifically designed to facilitate improved cognitive
functioning, speech or swallowing.
9.6 Providing information and advice to individuals, their relatives or carers and other
healthcare professionals.
10. Communicate complex information and ensure patients are engaged and fully involved
in their care. Involve carers and relatives dependant on client consent and relevancy.
Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools, including where there may
be barriers to communication. Gain support and advice from the MDT to aid
communication where there are complex needs and where joint working is required.
Provide and develop relevant written resources to enhance client understanding.
11. Actively use validated outcome measures to evaluate and monitor progress of
individual treatments and the service. Use feedback from outcomes, current evidence
and levels of client satisfaction to continually improve the care given, striving for a high
standard of clinical outcomes. Provide prompt, accurate and factual client records,
using standardised format and ensuring Trust and professional standards are
maintained.
12. Act within protocols and competency to manage or escalate problems seen. Gain the
assistance of a registered clinician to deal with complexity and for non-routine
assessments and treatments.
13. Ensure every contact counts, considering relevant preventative or supportive
information to meet longer term concerns.
14. Prioritise and manage allocated caseload effectively and efficiently, with the direct
supervision of a registered practitioner. Appoint and organise interventions in a timely
manner, each contact continuing the treatment programme planned by the assessing
clinician.
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15. As an integrated member of the MDT, communicate effectively and appropriately
including within MDT meetings. Support relevant interventions of others, maximising
outcomes and ensuring a smooth patient journey.
16. Develop innovative approaches to service provision, reviewing current evidence to
guide practice. Follow and contribute to the pathways and protocols for the service.
17. Gain the support and advice of senior staff for all situations which you do not have the
skills to address
18. Participate in training to other staff, relatives or carers within own competency.
Delegate and supervise others dependant on competencies and role.
19. Work flexible hours, which could include evenings and weekends, to ensure client and
carer participation. Contribute to the wider team, supporting others –especially during
periods of staff pressures.
20. Manage clients within expected number of contacts, communicating anomalies with
senior staff. Ensure minimum contacts detailed in job plan are managed.
21. To undertake any other duties that may be required in negotiation with as specified by
the service management to support service delivery/ development and which are
applicable to the grade of the post
Administrative Duties
1. Perform general admin tasks such as answering the telephone, taking messages,
photocopying, ordering of supplies and accessing medical records.
2. Use computer programmes as required. This includes the use of SystmOne for clinical
records, the use of Word and Excel for projects or tasks including the collection of data
and collation of quality information.
3. Manage and maintain own resources dependant on role.
Training and Education
1. Work within defined competencies and protocols as established including the
Calderdale Framework.
2. Proactively engage in competency based learning, developing and maintaining own
competency to provide interventions relevant to client and service needs.
3. Maintain Best Practice; adhere to NICE Guidelines, Trust standards and current
legislation.
4. Actively participate in Continuous Professional Development (CPD), including in-service
training programmes by attending, delivering and assisting in the delivery of
presentations and courses. Use other relevant forms of CPD including integration of
evidence based trends and developments within team practice.
5. Evaluate own work and current practices through analysis current evidence,
supervision, reflection, appraisal, audit and active use and evaluation of outcome
measures.
6. Participate in teaching students to graduate level on clinical skills and knowledge within
core clinical areas, including potentially gaining APPLE accreditation or equivalent.
7. Participate in the development of joint competences across professions in order to
minimise transfers of care and promote cross professional working
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Governance
1. Actively engage in the clinical governance of services providing; including the quality,
safety and effectiveness of the service delivered, managing risk within the work
situation on a daily basis in all settings. Maintain own safety and that of others within
the work environment.
2. Accept responsibility for a delegated caseload of clients who have been assessed and
have a treatment plan in place. Work independently without direct supervision to treat
these clients within your competencies. Work jointly with a registered professional with
more complex clients.
3. Be aware of own ability, knowledge base and limitations, ensuring advice or support is
gained from a relevant registered clinician to manage issues outside of own ability.
4. When working as a lone practitioner ensure own safety is maintained and that the
Trust Lone Worker Policy is followed.
5. Meet regularly with supervising clinicians to gain clinical supervision, including support
to problem solve.
6. Manage and monitor the work environment and resources prior, during and after
clinical activity including the preparation and cleaning of resources,
7. Maintain client confidentiality at all times.
8. Plan and take responsibility for own mandatory training, supervision and annual review
(PADR). Ensure all are completed within required timescales. Be proactive in
researching and requesting training required, acknowledging own training needs.
9. Ensure personal fitness for work, presenting a positive image of self and Trust. Exercise
good personal time management and reliable attendance. Ensure professional conduct
and appearance at all times,
10. Have an awareness of and adhere to all Trust and departmental policies and other
statutory requirements such as Infection Control, Health and Safety, Equal
Opportunities, COSSH, Fire Safety, Complaints and Accident Reporting.
11. Take appropriate action, including reporting via Datix, in the event of incidents to staff,
patients or any other person. Actively request and engage in incident investigation,
driving forwards service improvements to reduce risks in the future.
12. Be responsible for maintaining accurate, comprehensive client treatment records in line
with Trust and Professional Standards of Practice
13. The staff member will ensure that (s)he follows the Trust’s infection prevention and
control policies and procedures to protect clients, staff and visitors from healthcare-
associated infections. He or she will ensure that (s)he performs the correct hand
hygiene procedures, when carrying out clinical duties. He or she will use aseptic
technique and personal protective equipment in accordance with Trust policies as
required.
This job description is not a definitive list of all responsibilities, but identifies key tasks and duties of the post
holder. It gives a general outline of the post and is not intended to be inflexible or a final list of duties. It will be
subject to periodic review in the light of the development of the Division and the Trust as a whole. Any changes
will be made in discussion with the post holder.
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OUR VALUES
Our values have been created in partnership with our most valuable asset – our employees. Our values set out a
clear statement of our purpose and ambition which is to provide the very best in patient care, all of the time. We
recognise that without the shared values driven responsibility that each and every person in our teams have, we
could not provide excellent services to the patients that we care for. Crucially we recognise that looking towards
the future, we must continue to create a culture that enables and drives our collective values and behaviours as
an absolute fundamental foundation for both our staff and the patients that we serve.
LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILTIES
What are the specific leadership responsibilities associated to this role?
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PERTINENT TO ALL STAFF
Health and safety - Healthcare associated infection
Healthcare workers have an overriding duty of care to patients and are expected to comply fully with
best practice standards. You have a responsibility to comply with Trust policies for personal and patient
safety and for prevention of healthcare-associated infection (HCAI); this includes a requirement for
rigorous and consistent compliance with Trust policies for hand hygiene, including the ‘bare below the
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elbows’ approach, use of personal protective equipment and safe disposal of sharps. Knowledge, skills
and behaviour in the workplace should reflect this; at annual appraisal you will be asked about the
application of practical measures known to be effective in reducing HCAI. The Trust has the
responsibility of ensuring adequate resources are available for you to discharge your responsibilities.
Safeguarding
The Trust has in place both a Safeguarding Children Policy and a Safeguarding Adults Policy in line with
national legislation.
The Safeguarding Policies place a duty upon every employee who has contact with children, families
and adults in their everyday work to safeguard and promote their welfare. In the event that you have
concerns about possible harm to any child or adult you should seek advice and support from the Trust
Safeguarding team or in their absence contact your line manager. Out of hours contact should be made
with the on-call manager through switchboard.
The Trust has nominated Safeguarding Leads who act as contact points for support and advice if
concerns are raised about a child or adults welfare. These individuals can be reached through
switchboard during office hours, by asking for the Named Professionals for Safeguarding Children or
Adults respectively.
The policies and procedures described below are located on the intranet and internet site and you
should ensure you are aware of, understand and comply with these. In addition the Trust will publicise
and raise awareness of its arrangements and provide appropriate resources and training.
Confidentiality
All information, both written and computer based, relating to patients’ diagnosis and treatment, and
the personal details of staff and patients, is strictly confidential. The Northern Lincolnshire and Goole
NHS Foundation Trust and its employees have a binding legal obligation not to disclose such
information to any unauthorised person(s). this duty of confidence is given legal effect by reference to
the Data Protection Act 1998 and the ‘right to privacy’ under the Human Rights Act 1998. It applies to
any information which is processed by the Trust (i.e. stored, retained, maintained as a record, amended
or utilised for the Trust’s purposes as an NHS Hospital), from which a living person is capable of being
identified. Individuals must observe a ‘need to know’ principle. No member of staff may seek out any
information that they do not need to undertake their duties. This applies to clinical or other personal
information of any third party.
Equality impact assessment
The Foundation Trust aims to design and implement services, policies and measures that meet the
diverse needs of our service, population and workforce, ensuring that none are placed at a
disadvantage over others. We therefore aim to ensure that in both employment and the delivery of
services no individual is discriminated against by reason of their gender, gender reassignment, race,
disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or religious/philosophical belief, marital status or civil
partnership.
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