Job Description

Are you an experienced Therapy Instructor looking for a new challenge or wishing to further develop your skills and knowledge? Do you have a keen interest in complex discharge?



An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit an enthusiastic and highly motivated Band 4 Senior Technical Instructor to join the Therapies Complex Discharge Team at Northampton General Hospital, part of the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire group. This is a 5 month fixed term contract post to support over the winter months; internal secondments will be considered.



You will be part of roaming therapy team providing expertise and assessment to escalation areas and medically fit ward/areas with complex therapy needs impacting discharge under the indirect supervision of registered staff.



The aim of this initiative is to reduce length of stay by enabling accurate discharge decisions first time, improving functional outcomes for our patients and improving patient experience.



These roles will also enable core therapy staff to focus on patients in their own specialist areas, ensuring right place, right time care.



Mitigating elements of risk in escalation areas with consistent therapy staff who know and can advocate for patients and ensure safe and effective decisions are made.



To be part of a roaming Therapies Complex Discharge team, assessing and reviewing patients in escalation areas and medically fit ward/patients with complex therapy needs impacting discharge under the indirect supervision of registered Therapist.



To provide support to wards on complex cases delaying discharges (identified via, discharge hub, bronze, stranded or therapy staff themselves) under the indirect supervision of a registered Therapist.



To provide therapy cover to escalation areas - ensuring these are prioritised equally to the base wards.



To actively provide therapy care for patients as part of the multi-disciplinary team at NGH



To provide specific evidence-based assessments and treatments under the indirect supervision of registered therapist using a therapy framework.



To provide technical skills to assist a registered Therapist in treating a variety of patients.



Provide therapy care to in-patients



To occasionally complete access visits to patients' homes to assess for suitability of equipment for discharge.



To assist registered therapy staff when completing home visits with a patient



To assess for and issue low level equipment



To have access to, read and understand medical notes and information from the MDT to inform decision making regarding suitability for intervention



To be able to interpret clinical observations and understand the implications of therapy interventions



To participate in 7 day working patterns, including bank holidays



Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.



Our Excellence Values



Compassion



Accountability



Respect



Integrity



Courage



We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.



We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.



The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.



We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.



We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.



To be an integral member of a therapies team, to assist registered therapy staff in assessing and carrying out specific therapy interventions for clients with more complex needs. This will include clients who have difficulties understanding and communicating



Review and implement treatment programmes making necessary modifications prior to reporting back to a registered therapist in line with the band 4 competency framework.



Provide support and training to other registered and non-registered staff within the therapy team.



Manage and prioritise own case load independently, carry out delegated duties and work flexibly in order to support the smooth running of the therapy department.



To participate in 7 day working patterns, including bank holidays

Provision of clinical services:

Demonstrate a good understanding of medical conditions within the area of speciality / clinical pathway and the impact of these on the patients' function and rehabilitation.



To have a holistic understanding of the patient and their condition, as well as the impact of psychosocial dynamics on their function.



To enable patients to co-operate in their rehabilitation programme using encouragement, reassurance, tact and sensitivity; overcome barriers to understanding with patients whose understanding is impaired.



To identify and implement correct treatment plans within known patient care pathways under the indirect supervision of a registered therapist.



To assess, formulate and adapt treatment and discharge plans for patients in conjunction with registered therapy staff



Be able to use functional tasks to assess a patients physical and/or cognitive abilities under indirect supervision of the registered therapist



To identify patients that do not fall within care pathway / agreed framework and who need referral to registered staff



Using protocols and set processes to assess patients' mobility and functional abilities and assess for and issue appropriate low-level equipment.



To provide advice to patients / carers on safe use and care of prescribed equipment.



Within competencies, be able to provide therapy treatments to patients who have a history of falls



To constantly assess patient's stamina / understanding during treatment sessions and modify treatment as appropriate.



To work in a flexible and responsive way when under pressure



To provide and receive complex patient care information with the multi-professional team, patients and carers in board rounds, ward rounds, family meetings and discharge planning meetings and use this information to modify patient care.



To provide advice to patients / carers on safe use and care of prescribed equipment.



Maintain accurate and up to date records of clinical interventions, consistent with legal and organisational requirements.



Be responsible for maintaining rehabilitation equipment in the department.

Improving patient and visitor experiences:

To be a point of contact for patients and relatives in the clinical area.



To communicate factual and sometimes complex information to patients and relatives with patients' consent.



To contribute to the development and sharing of patient and carer information.



Support with gathering and using patient feedback to help improve and develop services.



Respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.



Be aware of ethical issues which impact on Therapy service provision and work under the guidance of Therapists in relation to this.

Using audit, evaluation and research:

Through guidance from the registered Therapists, be aware of and implement, evidence-based practice and outcome measures as appropriate to the clinical area.



Support therapists to implement agreed action plans from both national and local strategies, benchmarking standards and clinical audits as appropriate.



Participate in audit and research projects as required by service leads and collect data as required.



Support therapists to foster a culture which allows innovation and practice development within the clinical area.



Monitor outcomes of patient intervention using outcome measures under indirect supervision from registered therapist



Collect and record accurate and timely data / information to contribute to department service standards and procedures.

Management and Teamwork:

To provide delegation of work and day to day clinical supervision to band 3 Therapy Technical Instructors and band 2 Therapy Assistants with support from the Therapy Clinical Lead.



To actively participate in the clinical education of therapy students.



To participate actively in sharing and receiving in-service training and development to ensure continuous professional development, as appropriate to grade and experience.



Support the induction of new staff.



To identify training needs and facilitate professional development through active participation in supervision and appraisals.



To recognise limitations of own scope of practice.



To submit claim forms in a timely manner following the departments Health Roster Standard Operating Procedure.



Planning and Organisational Skills



Work with therapists across all of the service as required.



Work flexibly to provide cover to other clinical areas according to the needs of patients and demands of the service



Assist therapists in arranging and providing in-service training, study days etc.



Assist the therapists in ensuring working conditions are kept optimal, or where not, dealt with appropriately.



Trust Wide Responsibilities



Act as a resource for members of the multi-disciplinary teams across the Trust through involvement in multi professional teaching and training in the area of expertise.



Act as a role model in customer service towards patients, visitors and staff in the hospital



Regularly attend and participate in care group and professional meetings.