Job Description

The Churchill Hospital is renowned for its exceptional cancer services and wide range of other specialities including Specialist Surgery, Renal and Transplant, Clinical and Medical Oncology, and Clinical Haematology. As a Therapy Assistant, you will have the opportunity to work across various wards, engaging with patients from diverse backgrounds and with a range of conditions. These include, but are not limited to, cancer, kidney disease, upper gastrointestinal issues, post-transplant recovery, and blood disorders such as leukaemia and lymphoma. This role offers a unique chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals undergoing treatment for these complex medical conditions.



You will work closely with experienced physiotherapists and occupational therapists to provide rehabilitation and support to people throughout their treatment pathway. The role will also include participating in projects to help influence ongoing improvement in the delivery of patient care.



The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent interpersonal and team working skills, as well as effective communication, time management skills and an ability to problem solve. This post is an ideal opportunity for an individual with experience of working in a healthcare setting to work as part of an acute specialist therapy team.



1. To work as a member of the Churchill Therapies Team to plan and provide programmes of therapeutic activity for patients, within the framework laid down by therapists.



2. To promote patient goals to enable early and safe discharge from hospital.



3. To assist the Therapy Team with a range of duties.



4. Implement and evaluate basic therapy interventions for patients in activities relating to their treatment programme.



5. To record patient information.



6. To input data onto IT systems.



7. To maintain rehab equipment in the department, order, clean and communicate with suppliers.



Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.



Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community.



We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.



These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel .



Job description

Title:

Therapy Assistant

AfC Band:

4

Line Management:

Team Lead Therapist

Accountable to:

Head of Therapies

Contract:

Permanent, Part-Time

Hours:

37.5 hrs per week.

Sites:

Churchill Hospital



Communication



Exchange and communicate factual information to patients using encouragement, reassurance and tact and overcome barriers to rehabilitation with patients whose understanding is impaired.



Maintain accurate, objective up to date patient records according to Trust standards



Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients,to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes



Receive and provide routine information to staff, patients and carers



Accept and relay information / messages to / from registered staff, verbally, electronically and in writing as requested



To communicate effectively with registered staff to feedback about patient caseload/progress.



To participate in regular meetings with other members of the therapy team and multidisciplinary team



To deal effectively with patients who have a range of communication and behavioural needs.



On an informal basis, to promote the profile of Therapies in the Trust.



Clinical Responsibilities



To understand a range of procedures which require some theoretical knowledge by practical experience



To work flexibly and be able to adjust to the constantly changing demands of the departments



To have holistic understanding of patient and family dynamics, the patient's condition and its impact on function



To use initiative when responding to changing patient signs i.e. ceasing treatment if patient unwell



To assess and formulate treatment plans for routine patients as guided by therapists



To assess patients' mobility and issue appropriate equipment



To adjust treatment programmes autonomously when clinically appropriate and report changes to the registered practitioner



To provide planned advice, support and instruction to patients and where relevant their carers, to promote understanding of the aims of their treatment plan



To undertake specific activities relevant to the clinical area which demonstrate advanced technical or support skills that have required specific training. These activities will be carried out autonomously.



To prepare, issue and give instruction in the use of equipment to promote rehabilitation and independence within agreed competencies following treatment plan



Preparation of the environment and equipment appropriate for the treatment session



To provide patient centred and high standard interventions, respecting patient choice and dignity, and working with a multidisciplinary approach to achieving patient goals



To assess patient understanding of treatment proposals to gain valid informed consent according to Trust Policy



Reporting to the registered practitioner any risks, difficulties or concerns that they themselves or a patient, may identify



Liaise effectively by establishing and maintaining professional working relationships with other members of the multidisciplinary team, patients, carers, and relatives. This may include staff from other agencies or localities when a patient's care is being transferred



To evaluate emergency situations and act accordingly working within procedures and protocols laid down by the service and the Trust



To participate in weekend or evening working as required by the department



Professional



Work to support therapists in adhering to professional standards and Trust procedures and policies



Planning and Organisational Skills



To manage own day to day work tasks and prioritise with reference to registered practitioner



Work with other registered practitioners across the Trust to support the Therapies Team



To assist therapists arranging in-service training, study days etc.



To participate in appropriate Clinical Governance activities such as Risk Management, as directed by a registered clinician



Prioritise delegated workload and be responsible for own effective time management



Service and Personal Development



To work within relevant professional standards of practice (CSP, RCOT) adhering to Trust procedures and being prepared to comment on proposals for change.



To participate in the development of the therapy services with registered practitioners



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



To assist therapists with inducting new staff to the department



Demonstrate non-clinical and clinical duties to new starters



To undertake administration tasks to support the therapy services as requested



Attend annual mandatory training in line with Trust policies



To actively participate in continuing professional development to further own learning and personal development, including regular supervision, peer review and annual appraisal



To record continuing professional development in own portfolio, linked to the annual appraisal and personal development plan



To share learning, skills and knowledge with other staff members and students



To be aware of own limitations and ensure that no task or procedure is carried out until necessary training has been received



To contribute towards service reviews and audit and research and development within Therapy services