Position: Therapeutic Support Worker

Accountable to: Lead therapist

Report to: Lead therapist

Purpose

The Therapeutic Support Worker (TSW) will work with patients, providing neurological rehabilitation to patients with complex neurological conditions. The TSW will deliver a programme of treatment and activity written by qualified NPP professionals.

The TSW will work within the boundaries of their knowledge, skills, and competent, undertaking tasks as delegated by a qualified therapist. Regular formal supervision and appraisals will be undertaken, and ongoing informal clinical supervision in the form of feedback will be provided regularly by an identified member of the therapy team.

Interventions are varied, with the aim to enable a person to engage within their own home environment, or the wider social and cultural environment, to increase their independence and well-being.

The TSW will maintain a person-centred approach to rehabilitation, respecting the patient and family’s views, culture, and goals, with an emphasis on open communication and collaboration to identify and meet each patient’s needs.

Main responsibilities and duties include:

Clinical

1. To work with the NPP Neuro Group Therapy team, to deliver programmes of treatment and activity written by qualified NPP professionals, within the scope of your own knowledge, skills, and competence.
2. To be based in the community, reporting back to qualified therapists, using agreed processes and timescales.
3. To deliver goal oriented rehabilitation programmes as set by qualified therapists. This will include the delivery of treatment interventions and supporting patient participation in a range of social and functional activities. For example: a. Feeding (assisting with dietary needs), washing, oral hygiene, dressing, undressing, bathing, pressure area care. b. Assisting with continence (Application of appropriate aids, assisting with training to improve continence, issuing of aids, i.e. pads / pants / catheter bags, etc.). c. Practicing prescribed physiotherapy activities, such as transfers, walking, stairs, stretching. d. Practicing prescribed occupational therapy activities, such as shopping, cooking, budgeting, home care. e. Facilitating independent learning, such as attending college. f. Assisting with leisure engagement, such as gym, cinema, eating out. g. Assisting with managing stress and anxiety, such as relaxation, problem solving, listening to music. h. Assisting with independent living, such as attending appointments, organising property repairs.
4. To be familiar with commonly used equipment, ensuring safety and infection-control standards are met.
5. To work independently in the community following programmes of treatment, within the scope of own knowledge, skills, and competence.
6. To travel within the community with patients as necessary, whether by public transport (including bus / train / coach / taxi) or by own transport with relevant business insurance. Availability of a mobile phone which is usable in the event of emergency.
7. To be aware of personal safety particularly in regard to lone working, safe loading of vehicles, manual handling, use of wheelchairs and mobility aids and medication management.

Organisational

1. To comply with NPP Neuro Group standards, policies and procedures.
2. To attend relevant team and organisational meetings as appropriate.
3. To report to senior staff any concerns about the safety of equipment, removing equipment if it is not safe to use.
4. To report any defects, incidents, damage, accidents, breakages, and hazards to senior staff members.

Communication / Documentation / Information resources

1. To provide verbal and/or written feedback regarding all work undertaken in the community to the Lead Occupational Therapist or appropriate NPP professional using agreed processes and timescales.
2. To document all clinical work, interactions, and relevant aspects of conversations according to NPP Neuro Group policies and procedures.
3. To support effective communication within the therapy team ensuring information is communicated efficiently and timely.
4. To demonstrate and effectively apply a comprehensive range of communication skills with patients, colleagues, carers and external agencies.
5. To liaise with external agencies and organisations as requested.

Education and training

1. To complete class room based mandatory training within the induction period: a. Governance b. Basic Life Support c. Moving and Handling
2. To complete the e-learning Care Certificate within the agreed 3-month timescale.
3. To complete the e-learning Stoke Core Competencies over an agreed timescale.
4. To undertake the 2-day intensive rehabilitation / Patient Centred Skills in-house training, including an introduction to the Core Competencies and Patient Centred Skills ongoing training.
5. To work towards achievement of the Core Competencies.
6. To participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD). This includes attending mandatory training, in-service training, development of a CPD portfolio, and participation in the supervision and appraisal process.

Supervision / Appraisal

1. To actively participate in regular supervision sessions and yearly appraisals with identified supervisor according to policies.

Professional

1. To exercise good time management, punctuality, and consistent and reliable attendance.
2. To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, focused on principles of kindness, respect, and positive team-building attitudes.
3. To seek supervision and guidance for stress management as required.
4. To maintain awareness of professional boundaries with patients and family members, including when off-duty. This includes maintaining appropriate boundaries on social media and not encouraging personal relationships with patients or their family members.

Ethics

1. To comply with the code of ethics and professional conduct of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
2. To work within guidelines and comply with standards for practice set by the HCPC and NPP Neuro Group policies. a. To respect the confidentiality, individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients, staff and visitors and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to those needs. b. To demonstrate the ability to reflect on ethical issues. c. To comply with group organisational standards, policies and procedures.

To Apply, please email a copy of your CV to enquiries@nppneurogroup.com