Surgical Physiotherapy Assistant

Job overview

We have a exciting role for a Physiotherapy Assistant to join our friendly  Physiotherapy team. You will play a key role in facilitating patients to reach their goals and discharge from Wexham Park Hospital, with a key support role in the inpatients team.

We are looking for candidates with good communication skills and the ability to work flexibly. Good written, computer, organisational and time management skills are essential. The successful candidates should be able to work independently and as part of a team.

Please include in your supporting information section of your application your understanding of a Band 3 role within the NHS and also include any experience you feel relevant to this role.

Main duties of the job

Following appropriate training and completion of competencies, you will play a key role in the rehabilitation of patients recovering from general surgery. Working under the guidance of qualified physiotherapists, you will:

• Assist patients in restoring mobility and functional independence
• Carry out selected mobility and balance assessments
• Progress patients’ mobility and exercise programmes
• Independently manage and discharge appropriate patients
• Participate in multi-disciplinary team (MDT) handovers
• Identify patients for your caseload and escalate those needing physiotherapist review

You will receive regular supervision and ongoing support to ensure you feel confident and competent in your role.

Additional Responsibilities: This role also includes non-patient-facing tasks, such as:

• Monitoring and ordering clinical supplies.
• Cleaning and safety checks of physiotherapy equipment
• Supporting the organisation of cleaning rotas
• Contributing to the monthly physiotherapy assistant team meetings
• Getting involved in the care certificate process

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

• After a period of training to be responsible unsupervised for implementing the standards and policies relevant to the speciality working within codes of practice and professional guidelines.
• Within specific guidelines and following training, to be solely responsible and accountable for a clinical case load working within codes of practice and professional guidelines.
• Following appropriate training you will teach basic breathing exercise for preventative management of post-surgical respiratory complications in patients with a ‘normal’ respiratory assessment/ screen.
• Following appropriate training you will complete transfer assessment & practice with other members of the MDT for patients after amputation surgery
• You will have the opportunity to assist qualified physiotherapist with out-patient treatments following amputation surgery
• To seek advice from Senior staff when: Progression of a specialised programme of treatment is required, Deterioration in the patient’s progress has occurred, Uncertain on how to proceed.
• Progression of a specialised programme of treatment is required,
• Deterioration in the patient’s progress has occurred,
• Uncertain on how to proceed.
• To demonstrate a physical ability to carry out physiotherapy interventions and therapeutic handling without direct supervision. There is frequent requirement to exert moderate physical effort for several short periods of time during a day.
• To be responsible for the safe use of equipment used in carrying out physiotherapy duties adhering to the department’s medical devices policy.

Management

• After a period of time in post, to be delegated a caseload to treat on a daily basis. This may include responding to urgent referrals and occasionally unpredictable work patterns, liaising with the Senior Physiotherapist.
• With some assistance to be able to manage potentially upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner including but not limited to elderly, confused patients and neurological events.
• To work well within the Outpatients team and MDT to provide an efficient and effective service
• To ensure that all equipment defects, accidents and complaints are reported to your line manager and the Physiotherapy Manager immediately to ensure that appropriate action may be taken.
• To be responsible for cleaning and checking the conditions of relevant equipment

Administrative

• To undertake administrative duties e.g. basic reception desk cover when necessary, photocopying etc
• Ordering office / physiotherapy supplies as needed
• Collect and manage patient feedback questionnaires / responses etc.
• After instruction, being able to use electronic diary system EPIC for making / changing patient appointments and registering new patients on the system
• After instruction, to be able to locate / enter patient notes on EPIC electronic notes system
• To organise archiving / retrieval of patient notes, which are stored off site as and when required

Please refer to the job description and person specification for further information relating to this role.