Job Description

We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Senior Therapy Support Worker to join our dynamic MSK Outpatients Team.



You will perform clinical duties through implementing delegated treatment programmes in Hydrotherapy and MSK Outpatients, including in group exercise classes. This will include facilitating rehabilitation and promoting independence through exercise on dry land and in the hydrotherapy pool, physical modalities and the use of occupation.



You will support the operational day-to-day running of the Hydrotherapy and MSK Outpatient service through non-clinical duties, to enable ongoing high quality service delivery.



The successful applicant will join our integrated therapy team, working alongside experienced Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists.



The post holder will appraise and supervise the Therapy Support Workers and support with education and development of novice staff, students and apprentices.



You must be motivated with your development, enthusiastic and flexible. The ability to work well with all members of the team is essential. You will need excellent communication skills, be able to work as part of a team and be able to motivate patients.



You will be based at Gloucestershire Royal and will be expected to support at Cheltenham General Hospital as service needs require.



Core working hours Monday - Friday, but you will be expected to work within any shifts in operation, which may include weekends and public holidays.



To use the principles of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy in an integrated and client-centred way, to promote independence and facilitate function. This will be achieved by implementing delegated treatment plans and facilitating rehabilitation within agreed limitations, through exercise on dry land including gym-based exercise classes and in the hydrotherapy pool, physical modalities and the use of occupation. To assess and manage delegated patients with mobility and functional or occupational difficulties, reporting back to the registered practitioner as necessary. To support the Therapy service with administrative, clerical, cleaning and housekeeping duties to e nsure the seamless provision of care. To undertake operational processes to support the Therapy service deliver ongoing, seamless and high quality therapy.

It is expected that all employees uphold the values of the organisation as our values underpin everything we do and describe the way we expect our staff to behave towards our patients, families and carers and between each other. We have the following three values:



1. Caring

Patients said:

"Show me that you care about me as an individual. Talk to me, not about me. Look at me when you talk to me."



2. Listening

Patients said:

"Please acknowledge me, even if you can't help me right now. Show me that you know that I'm here."



3. Excelling

Patients said:

"Don't just do what you have to, take the next step and go the extra mile."



To assess patients, identifying patients' problems, potential complications and contraindications and referring back for assessment by a registered practitioner when necessary. To be able to assess, evaluate, progress and assist the therapy team in identifying and planning safe discharge from the service. To identify and organise/undertake appropriate follow up treatment within a delegated framework of responsibilities, reporting back to registered staff and referring on to other agencies when necessary.



To use clinical reasoning skills to agree patient-centred, functional goals and develop and evaluate the treatment plan. To implement and progress treatment programmes in order to promote physical / functional independence. To instruct and motivate patients in accordance with the treatment plan in order to achieve the goals, monitoring the patient's condition at all times. This will take place in water and on dry land. To include instructing patients on functional and specific exercise and assessing and instructing patients in the safe use of mobility aids and equipment and issuing equipment.



Able to work collaboratively with a variety of health staff, social care staff, professional staff and others. Understands and demonstrates the principles of team and partnership working to provide a collaborative assessment and treatment approach, reducing repetition of information and providing a seamless pathway of treatment from assessment through to discharge from the service, with appropriate follow up intervention and signposting.



To exercise autonomy in the management of the caseload in the clinical area, to include making decisions about allocation of work to other staff, both registered and non-registered. To undertake specific unaccompanied work, organise own caseload and time, including prioritising tasks and resources, taking account of changing circumstances within own or teams defined workload. Prioritising activities to meet the needs of patients, comprising patients with predictable and unpredictable conditions. To work as an integral member of the therapy team using the principles of physiotherapy and hydrotherapy in a client-centred way.



Able to work independently with service users within the scope of the role and operational policies, protocols and procedures. To monitor and report back to the registered practitioner and/or other members of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) regarding progress and changes in the patient's condition or deviation in the expected care pathway, to ensure safety, the achievement of agreed goals and planning safe discharge from the service.



To use verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients/carers. This may include education, motivation, persuasion, and empowerment. This will include patients/carers who may or may not have barriers to communication through cognitive or physical impairment e.g., hearing or visual impairment, confusion and depression. Develops, manages, and maintains positive, appropriate relationships with patients, families and carers, demonstrating respect, kindness, compassion and empathy at all times.



To be responsible for the supervision of less experienced support workers including appraisal and training. To take a lead role in the induction of new staff into the clinical area. To support the supervision of less experienced staff and undergraduate students. To contribute to the training programme in the clinical area, passing on specialty specific knowledge to others. Contributes to the learning of the organisation, colleagues and team, for example by giving and receiving constructive feedback and contributing to learning resources for others.



To participate in own continuing professional development (CPD), including supervision, appraisal and training to ensure competency, service quality and meet the clinical governance agenda and organisational goals. Actively participates in learning opportunities and demonstrates self-improvement, for example by actively seeking feedback. Understands the importance of evidence-based practice. Records own learning and personal development. Identifies areas for self-improvement and actively participates in learning opportunities to maintain and extend knowledge and performance.



To lead the delegation of and undertake administrative, cleaning, clerical and housekeeping tasks to support the Therapy team and ensure the ongoing care and rehabilitation of the patient. To prepare the clinical area/storage area and the patient, for delivery of safe and effective treatments in a clean environment, complying with health and safety, infection control and water safety standards. This will include monitoring and daily cleaning of the hydrotherapy pool area, changing rooms and equipment, cleaning pool scum line, channels and hoovering pool and checking hydrotherapy emergency trolley, for example.



To monitor and maintain stock levels of equipment and consumables to ensure smooth service delivery. Is aware of the therapy, exercise class and hydrotherapy pool environments and how to maintain safety for themselves and others. Reports any incidents, accidents or complaints in a timely manner, taking appropriate action where necessary. Lead a monthly pool evacuation practice procedure.



Knowledge of health and safety issues in relation to staff and patients in the hydrotherapy pool, outpatient therapy and local gym-based exercise class areas including: emergency evacuation procedures, working knowledge of pool sampling processes, reporting variations, liaising with the public health laboratory as necessary and reporting equipment malfunction. Reports any incidents, accidents or complaints in a timely manner, taking appropriate action where necessary.



Lead some operational processes e.g. monitor Track diaries, booking new patients, ensure full hydrotherapy and class utilisation, manage diary capacity for new patients. Oversee self-help sessions including collecting monies, managing capacity, keeping log of attendees on excel spreadsheet, answering queries, maintaining up to date information for attendees and banking. Contribute to service provision planning to manage times of staff annual leave for example. To assist with the screening of patients appropriate for Hydrotherapy including contraindications, which will assist in the management of waiting lists.



Recognises an emergency, summons assistance and acts within parameters of own competence and defined role. In settings where a registered practitioner is not present, initiates immediate first aid whilst awaiting the arrival of appropriately qualified practitioners.



Understands and gains valid consent prior to action or providing care, and records this appropriately. Understands the importance of adhering to codes of practice, clinical procedures, and professional standards. Keeps complete, clear, accurate, legible and timely records, utilising digital platforms as required. Understands role requirement and the importance of accessing, maintaining and storing documentation relating to care, in accordance with local guidance and legal requirements for maintaining confidentiality and data protection.



To contribute to measuring the treatment outcomes and audit activity related to the service. To contribute to the development of the service, and representing the Therapy service at meetings when delegated. To use computer systems related to patient care for purposes of recording information and ordering equipment.



Understand principles of exercise in water including hydrostatic and hydrodynamic principles, understand the physiological effects of immersion and demonstrate knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of hydrotherapy as a treatment modality. Assess and treat patients with more complex clinical presentations e.g. multi joint or complex past medical history, assist the registered therapist during group work or with complex patients, assist with handling and undertake individual and group work within the scope of role, reporting back to registered therapist as necessary



Consistently deploys care, treatment and support strategies to promote and provide person-centred care, including providing information, advice and guidance to service users, carers, families, health professionals and others. Applies principles of behaviour change within this context to enable personalised discussion, sensitively communicating complex and/or potentially challenging information to service users if appropriate to facilitate change.



Understands the aims and principles of health promotion, protection and improvement and importance of relevant interventions for individual patients and their families, including making every contact count. Understands the social, cultural and economic influences, individual circumstances, behaviours, and lifestyle choices that impact on health outcomes for patients and their families, including health inequalities.



To participate in the weekend working rota where applicable, following a period of induction, training and assessment.



To comply with Trust and Departmental policies and procedures e.g. Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), Manual Handling, clinical equipment competency, risk management, Data Protection Acts and patient confidentiality at all times. This will include demonstrating compliance with the terms of all safeguarding policies and processes relevant to the safeguarding of adults and children in the care of GHNHSFT and to undergo regular mandatory training concerned with safeguarding matters.