Orthopaedic Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner
The Therapy Assistant Practitioner will work under the supervision of qualified therapy staff, providing assessment and treatment programmes for patients in the hospital and community setting The Therapy Assistant Practitioner is able to carry out a full episode of care from assessment to discharge, for a specified and designated clinical caseload identified by a qualified clinician.
The post holder will assist in the administration and clerical duties for the team and department. Key Result Areas & Performance: To undertake all aspects of clinical duties and to carry a full caseload of patients under the supervision, direct and indirect, of a therapist Assess and provide for equipment needs Review patients to assess function Progress patients to maximise their function and independence as designated from qualified therapist To provide information, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers, other disciplines and agencies.
To promote understanding on the aims of Therapy and to ensure continuation of the treatment programme. Contributes to advice and education sessions for relevant patient groups To participate in multidisciplinary / multi-agency team meetings and case conferences to ensure the co-ordination of patient care.This may include the review of patient progress, and discharge planning. To employ appropriate skills such as persuasion, motivation and negotiation to gain co-operation in the continuation of the agreed treatment programme. Maintain accurate clinical records of all interventions To produce patient related reports for other disciplines or agencies relating to assessment findings and/or treatment outcomes Input to databases as required Referring to the qualified practitioner when necessary, to work independently with a specified client group to manage equipment provision and functional assessment and rehabilitation.
Deliver and install simple aids and equipment in the patients home and instruct patients and carers in use of this equipment as appropriate To carry out home visits and access visits, with or without a therapist, as required To manage own day to day workload and maintain level of service within the pathway at the local site, and assist other members of the team to make appropriate prioritisation choices.To ensure the effective exchange of information across the pathway team and co-ordination of service delivery. Participate in weekend working if required. Work force To provide guidance and teaching to therapy assistants working for Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust To be proactive with feedback on patients progress to therapy and nursing staff , immediately highlighting any clinical concerns To participate in supervision and appraisal with designated senior therapist To attend staff meetings To contribute to the clinical induction of therapy staff To be able to independently progress patients exercise programme and mobility, including issuing walking aids, for the specified patient group Financial Ensure adequate activities of daily living equipment is available and accessible, and work with Transferring Community Equipment Services (TCES) agenda Partnerships Communications and Relationships To communicate directly with ward staff any relevant information for patient care and discharge facilitation To provide information and instruction to other disciplines to ensure a consistent approach to patient care To educate patients / relatives/ carers regarding the nature of the condition and the aims of Therapy intervention General To maintain accurate computer and written records that meet professional Trust standards To undertake general administrative tasks as required including filing, appointment booking, processing referrals, answering the telephone, and other duties as required To drive a lease car to visit patients homes, with or without passengers To be able to work flexibly between community and hospital, depending on demand, and be able to prioritise and organise own workload to facilitate discharges