Physiotherapy Assistant - 22.5 Hours (Multiple Locations)

About the role

Come and join a team who wants to create opportunities for people with life limiting illness and their families to live well. This is an exciting opportunity to work closely within a multidisciplinary team to ensure a seamless experience for patients to support them in achieving their goals.

You will work under the supervision of our registered physiotherapy staff within our in-patient unit, Living Well Service and occasionally within the community. Your role will include delivery of physiotherapy treatment programmes, exercise classes and supporting patients to make lifestyle changes to improve their physical function in a safe and supportive environment.

The role includes other healthcare related tasks, such as assisting with patient transfers, mobilisations, and other therapeutic activities requiring more than one person, as well as administration duties including ordering equipment and sending referrals. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a multidisciplinary team, where every day offers the chance to make a real impact in people’s lives.

About you

We are looking for a compassionate, proactive individual who thrives in a collaborative, patient-centered environment. This role requires effective communication and interpersonal skills as you will work with people using the service, team colleagues and across the organisation. You should be passionate about people and have experience of working in a health or social care setting, preferably with knowledge of palliative care.

The Living Well Service operates Monday to Friday, the candidate would be expected to work within this time frame and to be flexible to the service needs. There may be an occasional ask to work later in the day dependent on events planned. As there is a non-clinical administrative element to this role, being organised, detailed and motivated is a must. The Ayrshire Hospice is undergoing transformational change within an evolving landscape and we require people within this position to have an enthusiasm to improve services and facilitate change.

Job Summary

The post holder will support the work of the Living Well Service. They will primarily work with our physiotherapy team and also OT and nursing to support the therapeutic interventions of patients in the In-Patient Unit and the Living Well Service.

The post holder will support the provision and ongoing programmes of rehabilitative activities, exercise and wellbeing projects. The post holder will maximise the range of therapeutic activity that can be provided to enhance the quality of life of people and their loved ones and will work closely with the Living Well team to deliver this vital service.

Main Responsibilities

Clinical

• To support registered Living Well staff by treating patients according to set treatment programmes, to maximise the patient’s rehabilitation potential.
• To undertake specific support work within a range of clinical areas, providing supervised and unsupervised routine therapeutic interventions, but within the set parameters of the work as delegated by the physiotherapist/occupational therapist/ nurse
• To inform physiotherapist or other relevant professional of any changes in the patients’ presentation or response to treatment enabling the appropriate care to be given.
• To work without direct supervision with a specified patient group following initial screening by physiotherapist/ occupational therapist/ nurse
• To communicate effectively with patients’ relatives / carers to provide guidance and resources on a range of appropriate treatments
• To manage and prioritise own delegated caseload of patients effectively and efficiently
• To plan, manage and coordinate the activities of therapeutic practitioners/volunteers relating to creative activities and therapies in the community Hubs, based on MDT referral in consultation with Living Well registered practitioners
• To assist the Living Well team with marketing, promotion and fundraising work for the service
• Communicate effectively with patients, carers/relatives, external practitioners/volunteers and all multi-professional colleagues
• To work with the IPU Care Assistants to educate and support understanding and delivery of rehabilitative palliative care approach.
• To maintain all equipment in line with infection control standards.
• To administrate and maintain stock levels
• To provide a service to suit needs, including evenings when necessary
• To evaluate the activities provided and satisfaction levels against organisational outcomes.
• To be aware of and observe all Health and Safety, Fire and Food Hygiene regulations
• Maintain confidentiality, working within hospice policies
• To comply with the Hospice equal access policy and recognise that no patient is disadvantaged or suffers adverse discrimination in any aspect of their care as a consequence of their age, sex, diagnosis or social circumstances.
• To be responsible for own safety and will take due regard to his/her own welfare and that of others who may be affected by his/her actions during the performance of Hospice activities.

Management

• Provide support to any volunteers working as part of physiotherapy programme. Escalating to the volunteers supervisor when necessary.
• Undertake risk assessments pertinent to the activities and environment with support from the Lead practitioner.
• Ensure safe management of photography and experience recording.
• Exercise good personal time management, punctuality, consistent reliable attendance, and day to day management of own workload.
• Aware of own role and scope of practise and the contribution within the Living Well team and be able to seek supervision and support where appropriate.
• To liaise with fundraising colleagues and assist in grant applications to enhance the activities budget and implement new projects and programmes of work.

Education

• Participate in professional supervision, reflective practice and be responsible for integrating into everyday practice for self and delegated team members.
• Support a learning environment for students
• Take active role in self-development, extended skills & knowledge as opportunities arise.
• Provide support and training to staff within the Hospice, community, care homes and community hospitals as well as patients, family members and students
• Participate in staff inductions and development programmes within the Hospice.
• Actively participate in wider local and national educational experiences promoting Living Well development and services.

Research and Audit

• Maintain professional practice through continuing education, professional updating, e.g. by attending relevant study days/conferences
• Continually evaluate practice by actively taking part in ongoing audit, quality assurance projects and research in order to improve the service.

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

• Experience of working in Health or Social Care: Essential
• Good level of general education: Essential

Knowledge/Experience 

• Knowledge of physiotherapy principles: Essential
• Experience of organising activities: Desirable
• Experience of working with volunteers: Desirable
• Experience of working in palliative care: Desirable

Ability / Skills 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills: Essential
• Computer and information literacy: Essential
• Effective time management skills with the ability to prioritise effectively and accomplish tasks within deadlines: Essential
• Excellent interpersonal skills to achieve positive outcomes and establish sustainable relationships and partnerships: Essential
• Research skills: Desirable

Personal Qualities

• High levels of integrity – trustworthy, discreet, and able to maintain confidentiality: Essential
• Constructive – flags issues and focuses on solutions to meet objectives: Essential
• Professional manner: Essential
• Sets high standards and is committed to high quality delivery: Essential
• Access to a car and valid driving license: Essential