Physiotherapy Assistant

The Physiotherapy Assistant supports the delivery of high-quality trauma rehabilitation services by providing patient treatments, facilitating group exercise sessions, and assisting with rehabilitation programmes under the supervision of a Physiotherapist. The role also includes administrative and equipment management duties and may require cross team working with other teams, as required.,

• To take responsibility for a defined patient caseload within agreed guidelines and protocols under the authorisation of a Physiotherapist.
• To carry out patient treatments as directed by the Physiotherapist, including use of the anti-gravity treadmill.
• To carry out and oversee the running of group exercise classes.
• To carry out administrative tasks and clerical duties in the department as required
• To undertake general support duties, including equipment ordering and management of this.
• To be able to work within the wider trauma multidisciplinary team and provide cross cover as required within the inpatient trauma wards., 1. To be responsible for and implement treatment plans on designated patients following assessment and with guidance by the Physiotherapist.
2. To monitor treatment interventions using specific knowledge to evaluate effectiveness and report progress of patients to Physiotherapist 3. To provide holistic interventions for patients without direct supervision, working to treatment plans, protocols and accountable at all times to a registered practitioner 4. To demonstrate dexterity and co-ordination to undertake taught manual and therapeutic handling techniques with patients both individually and as part of a team. 5. To suggest adjustment of treatment programmes autonomously to the registered physiotherapist when clinically appropriate. 6. 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. 7. To undertake the initial screening of appropriate patients and treat as necessary, referring back to registered staff as required. 8. To prioritise own and delegated workload and be responsible for own effective time management. 9. To assist qualified staff in delivering patient treatments who may have complex needs and during treatments requiring more than one person. 10. To maintain accurate, objective up to date patient records according to departmental and Trust standards. 11. To ensure equipment safety standards are maintained at all times including organising routine servicing. 12. To ensure patients have consented to treatment as Trust protocol. 13. To be able to frequently move and handle equipment using appropriate methods alongside a well-developed risk assessment. 14. To have well developed coping strategies to deal with stressful / unpleasant situations. 15. To be able to concentrate / focus during unpredictable work patterns (i.e. with patients), or interruptions and the need to meet deadlines. 16. To fit and adjust simple orthoses e.g. ankle/foot orthoses, wrist splints 17. To provide advice to patients/carers on safe use and care of prescribed equipment as guided by the Physiotherapist or independently within agreed competencies 18. To provide patient equipment e.g. walking frames, sticks, crutches. To implement agreed procedures for measuring and supplying such aids. 19. To recognise and report changes in patients' conditions to the Physiotherapist and respond, following discussion, in line with department protocols. 20. To understand a range of procedures which require a base level of theoretical knowledge by practical experience. 21. To have knowledge of clinical situations which require urgent intervention from qualified staff. 22. To regularly lead and assist gym classes with the ability to modify and progress exercises as required. These classes will include a mixed patient case load of both clinical dysfunction and patient ability. 23. To be competent in the use of the anti-gravity treadmill and safely treat patients on it, within the Physiotherapists guidelines. 24. To be willing to take on extra responsibilities to develop the service e.g. back care facilitator, first aider. 25. To be able to work flexibly across the outpatient department and the wards within the ever-changing demands of the trauma service Communication 1. To establish effective communication using a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools with patients and carers. Be able to use empathetic, motivational and reassuring approach to gain active participation. 2. Provide and receive routine information from staff, patients and carers 3. To communicate factual information to patients within your level of competence and professional scope of practice. 4. To be responsible for recording personally generated clinical observations. 5. To have adequate IT skills to competently and efficiently use Electronic Patient Records (EPR) for clinical documentation and administrative tasks. Clinical documentation must be in line with OUH and CSP standards. 6. To support reception staff as required for example, during absences or busy periods. This will require good telephone manners, use of emails and EPR. 7. To deal with patients who have high levels of anxiety and aggression (for example caused by pain, dementia or limited mobility). To deal sensitively with families/carers. This will include patients with communication and cognitive problems/impairments. 8. To communicate effectively with the Physiotherapist responsible for the patients, reporting performance and progress during rehabilitation and identifying significant changes / deviations from the planned outcome 9. To work as a member of the therapies team establishing good working relationships and effective communication both verbal and written 10. To accept and relay information / messages to and from registered staff verbally, electronically and in writing as requested. 11. To support on the trauma inpatient wards as required. 12. On an informal basis to promote the Physiotherapy profile Planning and Organisational Skills 1. To manage and prioritise own day to day work tasks depending on the needs of the department and wards. 2. To prioritise delegated workload and be responsible for own, effective, time management. 3. To assist the therapists in ensuring working conditions are kept optimal, or where not, dealt with appropriately. This includes ensuring the department is clean and tidy. 4. To work with therapists to ensure team are working within financial limits and referring onto other agencies as necessary. 5. To be aware of criteria for provision of equipment from other organisations in Oxfordshire, and to abide by this criteria. 6. To Maintain Therapy stock levels 7. To demonstrate duties to new starters Administration 1. To carry out data collection as required by the Team Leader. 2. To assist in the administrative work e.g. collating of patient statistics, preparing patient data sheets, photocopying, booking appointments. 3. To be competent using the online equipment ordering system. 4. To use the Trust intranet, EPR system, InSight Web and databases as appropriate for the speciality. 5. To be able to use e-mail for communications across the sites. 6. To input data onto databases as required, using Word or Excel as appropriate. Governance and Audit 1. To participate in the outpatient team clinical governance and audit activities as required by the Team Leader Professional Development and Education 1. To participate in continuing education programmes as required. 2. To develop and maintain skills required for patient care within the scope of the role and in line with appraisal requirements. 3. To identify learning needs and to participate in supervision and individual performance review and to be responsible for own professional development. 4. To assist the therapists and actively participate in education of Physiotherapy students seconded to the service 5. To participate in sharing and receiving in-service training and development to ensure continuous professional development. 6. To be aware of own limitations and ensure that no task or procedure is carried out until necessary training has been received. Management and Service Delivery 1. To work within relevant professional standards of practice (CSP) adhering to Trust procedures and be being prepared to comment on proposals to change. 2. To organise and manage own time undertaking delegated workload and seek appropriate advice from Physiotherapists on a regular basis 3. To prepare and clean equipment ready for use e.g. gym equipment, walking aids. 4. To be responsible for checking the safety of all walking aids according to department protocols. 5. To assist in departmental audits 6. To ensure the correct use and storage of equipment used in the course of work duties 7. To monitor stocks of equipment (e.g. crutches, surgical supplies) and ensure stocks are maintained at an adequate level. Complete stock/ non stock requisitions as required. Ensure requisitions are sent to procurement as required. 8. To undertake any other duties as required by the Head of Physiotherapy Services. 9. To be involved in health promotion activitiesGeneral 1. All staff are accountable for exercising economic and efficient use of the Trust financial and physical resources as well as ensuring the security of Trust property. 2. To comply with Trust and Departmental Health and Safety Policies to ensure safe working practice. 3. To comply with Emergency and Fire procedures. To evaluate emergency situations and act accordingly working within procedures and protocols laid down by the service and the Trust. (Emergency and Fire procedures) 4. To comply with the Trust and Professional manual handling policies, and local Therapeutic Handling guidelines at all times. To ensure that appropriate Risk Assessments are acted upon at all times. 5. The job may involve occasional exposure to unpleasant working conditions e.g. bodily fluids (including sputum, blood, vomit, urine, faeces), and occasional exposure to verbal and physical aggression. Moderate physical effort is required over long periods during each shift. 6. The post holder must at all times carry out his/her responsibilities with due regard to the Trust's Equal Opportunities Policy. 7. All staff are required to respect confidentiality of all matters that they may learn in the course of their employment. All staff are expected to respect the requirements under the Data Protection Act., The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, hard working individual to join our dynamic Trauma Musculoskeletal Outpatients team at Oxford Universities Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.,
• Worked within a care setting in the UK
• Good written and spoken English
• Physically able to undertake the responsibilities of the role
• Experience of working autonomously
• Experience of working with clients / patients individually and in groups
• IT skills
Desirable criteria
• Experience working with trauma patients
• NHS Experience
• Have or working towards Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF)
Sexual Safety Charter: In 2023 NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles, You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

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 of 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., 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. In 2023 NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment. If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism., Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment. If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.