Band 4, Physiotherapy Technician, Callington Road Hospital, Bristol
Job overview
We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our thriving Bristol Physiotherapy and Exercise team as a Band 4 Physiotherapy Technician, at Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Mental Health Trust.
The post holder will be an integral member of the Physiotherapy and Exercise Team in Bristol, and will work closely with Physiotherapists, and alongside a team of Exercise Specialists to provide a Physiotherapy and Exercise service to both adult and older adult inpatients.
Patients who access this service experience a range of mental health challenges and the successful candidate will need to have the skills and knowledge to understand how these conditions impact on someone's motivation and ability to participate in Physiotherapy sessions.
Main duties of the job
To work as a member of the multi-professional team to provide physiotherapy led interventions to clients in the in-patient units and in the community.
To support the Senior Physiotherapist in the delivery and progression of therapeutic interventions, exercise programmes and equipment provision.
To plan, organise and deliver delegated physiotherapy interventions in accordance with trust standards.
To work with groups and individuals, making efficient use of the hospital gym in collaboration with the Senior Physiotherapist.
The post holder may be required to perform duties other than those given in the job description for the post. The particular duties and responsibilities attached to posts may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibilities entailed.Such variations are a common occurrence and would not of themselves justify the re-evaluation of a post. In cases, however, where a permanent and substantial change in the duties and responsibilities of a post occurs, consistent with a higher level of responsibility, then the post would be eligible for re-evaluation.
Working for our organisation
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust): a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.
We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical:
- To follow up clients on a regular basis unsupervised according to a Care Plan.
- To assess and implement planned physical activity and health promotion programmes to a standard which meets the agreed key Trust policies and objectives.
- To design, implement, monitor and adapt physical activity and exercise programmes, on an individual and group basis, as appropriate. Observing and monitoring progress and making adjustments to interventions.
- To provide information and practical advice, within scope of own competency, to service users, corers and staff.
- To promote, participate and create resources for health promotions and campaigns.
- To demonstrate safe moving and handling of gym, and other equipment.
- To be responsible for identifying issues regarding the safeguarding of others who may be at risk, and reporting all such concerns in accordance with Trust safeguarding procedures.
- To be responsible for ongoing risk assessment around clinical practice and personal safety, and reporting and escalating concerns in line with Trust policy.
- To support the development of, contribute towards and implement intervention plans, policies and procedures within range of own competency and scope of practice.
- To conduct pre-exercise screens and physical assessments within the parameters of own competency and scope of practice and referring to more experienced or suitably qualified staff for guidance and support.
- To observe the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act and to be aware of risks to patients and self, taking all precautionary safety measures required.
- Under the guidance of ward staff and a physiotherapist, assist in personal care, as appropriate, during rehabilitation.
- Under the guidance of a physiotherapist, carry out specific rehab programmes for a condition or injury.
- To assess the safety and appropriateness of physical activity for service users through carrying out a pre-exercise health questionnaire; review of MDT notes/physical observations; review of the risk summary of service users and understanding any restrictions in place under the Mental Health Act, as well as being aware of contraindications and precautions for exercise
Person specification
Essential/Desirable
Essential criteria- Diploma/degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent experience.
- GCSE (or equivalent) grade C and above in English and Maths.
- Evidence of ongoing professional development (CPD).
- Certificate of Fundamental Care for Unregistered Practitioners (The Care certificate), or ability to complete within 6 months.
- Experience of working with people in a heath or social care environment.
- Experience working in a multi-professional team and an understanding of boundaries.
- An understanding of mental health problems, and an awareness of potential associated risks and how to safeguard self and others against these risks.
- Good organisational skills and ability to work using initiative and with minimal supervision, and co-ordinate and prioritise own workload within a challenging environment.
- Competent IT skills including word, excel, email and electronic notes.
- Ability to travel independently in accordance to Trust policies and service need.
- NVQ level 3 in health and social care or equivalent.
- Level 5 Associative Practitioner foundation degree.
- Level 3 in Personal Training.
- Level 3 in exercise referral.
- Level 4 exercise
- Previous experience as a therapy assistant
- Previous Experience of working within a Mental Health setting
This includes people with a variety of disabilities and neurodivergent conditions (for example autism, ADHD, sensory, physical and learning disabilities).
We encourage applications from people who wish to work on a flexible basis, recognising that flexibility may mean a range of different working patterns and hours, we do our utmost to work with our staff to meet their needs and the needs of our service users.
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Please apply to join us, we would love to hear from you. Any personal details you supply to us are kept safe in line with the General Data Protection Regulations.
Adverts normally close for application a few minutes before midnight on the closing date and we will let you know if we are offering you an interview by email via our recruitment system ‘TRAC’. We contact all applicants within 4 weeks after the closing date, so please check your emails regularly once you have submitted your application; you are welcome to contact us, via the TRAC system, if you have any queries about your application.
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