Job Description

This role will be based across primarily in Lambeth Community Stroke Team, with a requirement sometimes to travel across Southwark to alternative community sites within the trust.



The purpose of this service is to provide community rehabilitation for patients, who are 18 years and over, to maximise rehabilitation and post Stroke recovery. Patients will have a wide range of impairments and functional difficulties as a consequence of their Stroke, co-morbidities and pre-morbid level of independence.



Short-term outcome focused interventions are delivered in client's homes for a period of up to six weeks. This is achieved through multi-disciplinary (MDT) assessment and rehabilitation coordinated by Senior Therapists (Specialist Practitioners) and Nurses, supported by Rehabilitation Support Workers (RSWs).

The MDT comprises of:

Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech & Language Therapists, Clinical Psychologist, Neuropsychology Assistant, Stroke Nurse Practitioner, Rehabilitation Assistant, Rehabilitation Support Workers, Stroke Care Advisor, Six Month Strove Reviewers and access to Consultant Stroke Physicians.



To support senior clinicians in the assessment, planning, implementation and review of individual rehabilitation programmes for patients.



To independently implement these rehabilitation programmes as appropriate.



Tasks may include (but are not limited to) teaching or supporting prescribed exercise programs, practicing transfers and mobility, assisting and promoting independence in personal care or domestic tasks and supporting cognitive and communication strategies and exercises.



To treat patients, often unsupervised, according to agreed rehabilitation plans and protocols.



To report back to the relevant professional or team leader as required, regarding any changes in the patient's condition.



To seek timely advice and support as appropriate.



To work as part of a flexible multidisciplinary team and undertake tasks delegated by the Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Speech & Language Therapists in a variety of settings primarily in the patient's home, residence or community site.



To communicate effectively with patients and their carers; particularly patients with impairments, which may affect their ability to communicate their needs and/or give informed consent to treatment.



To participate in clinical governance and service development activities and take roles such as champion in an area of interest to the individual and the service.



Guy's and St Thomas' is among the UK's busiest and most successful NHS foundation trusts. We provide a full range of hospital and community services for people in south London and as well as specialist care for patients from further afield including cancer, renal, orthopaedic, respiratory and cardiovascular services.



Our adult community services teams deliver care at the heart of the local communities we serve, working in partnership with GPs, local authorities and other healthcare and voluntary sector organisations. Working with our partners in Lambeth and Southwark, we are focusing on new ways of working to improve care for local patients.



The commitment of our 23,500 staff is key to our success. We are one of the largest local employers and we aim to develop and support all our staff so they are able to deliver high quality, safe and efficient care. The 2019 NHS staff survey results show that we have one of the most engaged and motivated workforces in the NHS. We know this has a positive impact on the care provided to our patients.



We have one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes anywhere in the NHS.



Our values



Our values help us to define and develop our culture, what we do and how we do it.



It is important that we all understand and reflect these values in our work. We are:



Caring - we put patients first



Ambitious - we innovate and strive for excellence



Inclusive - we respect each other and work collaboratively



Clinical



To implement rehabilitation and / or care interventions to patients in their homes. Tasks may include (but are not limited to) teaching or supporting prescribed exercise programs, practicing transfers and mobility, assisting and promoting independence in personal care or domestic tasks, supporting cognitive and communication strategies and exercises and an occasional requirement to take basic observations and vital signs.



To work as part of a flexible, multidisciplinary team and undertake delegated tasks from allocated therapists and qualified practitioners across all disciplines of allied health.



To communicate effectively with patients, their carers and family members, particularly patients with impairments which may affect their ability to communicate their needs and/or give informed consent to treatment.



To maintain close working relationships with multiple health and social care practitioners to enable effective and timely communication regarding patient care.



To work as an autonomous Rehab Support Worker implementing and evaluating holistic pre-formulated rehab and exercise programmes to patients in the community.



To be aware of limitations of own practice and seek advice and guidance from therapists/clinicians as needed.



To assess and manage clinical, physical and/or environmental risk to ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff and clients at all times. To adhere to incident reporting procedures.



To support the running of and facilitate group therapy across various group types and settings.



Professional



Actively participate in regular structured supervision including one-to-one, shadowing opportunities and group supervision. Produce regular reflective logs as required and maintain a learning log of all CPD activities.



Be responsible for identifying own training and development needs in line with service needs and Rehab Support Worker competencies with regular guidance from supervisors, by attending regular in-services in addition to ad-hoc training as appropriate.



Participate in annual appraisal and performance development reviews (PDR) maintaining records to evidence development.



Work within local and national Allied Health professional code of ethics, code of conduct and standards of practice for support staff.



Communication



To be skilled in the use of verbal and non-verbal communication to develop a rapport and build trusting relationships with patients and those involved in the patients' care i.e. family members, carers where a range of physical disabilities or other barriers to understanding i.e. cognition, mental health problems.



To demonstrate compassion, empathy and sensitivity in all interactions with the patient and their carers and family members.



To notify the appropriate senior clinician immediately of any changes in health of patients to ensure their safety and wellbeing at all times.



To be able to respond calmly and patiently to patients, carers and family members who may be distressed and sometimes aggressive. To offer support, reassurance and advice as required in order to diffuse potentially difficult situations.



To report any changes in progress of clients to ensure that favourable outcomes are met.



To attend weekly multi-disciplinary meetings when required and to present relevant information about client/caseloads in a clear and concise manner.



To participate in weekly Rehab Support Worker peer group sessions which aims to review collective Rehab Support Worker caseload and communicate capacity to the wider MDT.



To maintain comprehensive and accurate client records (electronic and paper) and complete all mandatory documentation in line with the trust legal standards.



Organisational



To contribute to the clinical governance agenda and actively participate in service development activities e.g. development of systems and resources.



Ensure risk is managed for self, patients, colleagues and the work environment in line with trust and local guidelines/policies including reporting any concerns using trust processes.



To comply with all data requirements regarding all clinical and professional activities i.e. completing Epic (equivalent electronic health record system documentation, diary appointments and outcomes).



Complete general department duties e.g. therapy equipment stock supply orders and administrative tasks (processing completed multi-disciplinary discharge letters).



Undertake any other appropriate duties as required by the service leads.