Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a band 4 therapy assistant practitioner (maternity cover) to join our critical care therapy team at Queens Medical Centre.



The role involves planning and delivering high quality, prescribed rehabilitation programmes to improve function and quality of life for people during and after a critical illness. You will be trained and supported by registered physiotherapists and occupational therapists. The role involves delivering joint treatment sessions with the registered staff. You will also deliver sessions independently following a prescribed treatment plan. Training will be provided to support your development to achieve competencies appropriate to this post.



NUH supports 7 day working and you will be required to work flexibly across seven days. This post initially will be Monday - Friday until competencies are achieved and then becomes Sunday- Thursday.



This role is primarily focused on supporting registered staff with the progression of rehabilitation of critically ill patients in the critical care setting.



The workload is heavily comprised of joint sessions which, for example, aim to:



facilitate mobilisation of the patient (e.g. helping patient from lying to sitting, gaining independent sitting balance, sit to stand and hoist/standing transfers to the chair)

enable participation in activities of daily living (e.g. washing, dressing and grooming)

improve cognition, orientation and insight

upper and lower limb rehabilitation

Independent sessions may include, but are not limited to:

cognitive assessment and rehabilitation

goal setting

liaising with the multi-disciplinary team to produce meaningful daily routines which include the patient's preferences

in and out of bed cycling

use of technology for therapeutic activity

psychological support e.g. motivate patients to participate in therapy

support activities for wellbeing and leisure



Please refer to the attached job description for full details of the job role.



With over 19,000 staff, we are one of the biggest employers in the city with a central role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our local population. We play a leading role in research, education and innovation.



Come and join our wonderful team at NUH. We are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas to help develop our team in order to deliver world class healthcare to the vast patient populations we serve. With endless personal development opportunities available, at NUH we will endeavour to turn your job into a career!



Physiotherapy and OT services are part of the Therapies, Outpatients and Phlebotomy Directorate, within Specialist Clinical Services at NUH. We are a diverse team of AHPs and support staff, employing over 800 staff, who works together to deliver the high quality care we aspire to. Our HCPC registered AHP professionals comprise of physiotherapists, dietitians, occupational therapists, orthotists, prosthetists and speech and language therapists. We have a Chief AHP to lead us on our strategic direction, and many of the pathway leadership team have pathway AHP backgrounds to support our staff. There are also Practice Development Therapists to support career development for all.



We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we are striving to be better represented at NUH.



Recent experience working in occupational therapy, physiotherapy or as a critical care support worker is desirable but not essential. This role can be physically demanding and involves direct patient care in support of and under the supervision of registered staff, including assisting with patient transfers, mobilisation and limb focussed exercise plans.



Although therapy is focussed on promoting patient independence where possible, the role may require assisting with washing, oral care, toileting and positioning. Due to the complex needs of our patient group, including cognitive and communication difficulties, the successful candidate will be patient and empathetic. The ability to build a rapport with a diverse patient population, and their families, will be essential to engage and motivate patients in their rehabilitation. This job will require you to work with inpatients; therefore, you will be required to wear the appropriate level of personal protective equipment (PPE).



There will also be a non-clinical aspect to this role, involving the use of computer systems and data entry, onward referrals, and calling patients/families as part of our follow up service. You will also be involved in service improvement projects within critical care.



Please see attached job description and person specification for full details.