Stroke Rehabilitation Service Therapy Assistant

Purpose of the Post

· The SRA will deliver multi-disciplinary rehabilitation under the direction of the SRU therapy team.

· He /She will support the continuity, carryover and intensity of rehabilitation.

· He / she will support goal-focused intervention to maximise recovery following evidence Based Practice.

· He/ she will promote person centred care.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• The person holding this post is required to support the principle that the care of the patient comes first at all times and will approach their work with the flexibility and enthusiasm necessary to make this principle a reality for every patient to the greatest possible degree.
• Duties will be according to the requirements of the team and the day-to-day needs of the service and will include the following but may also include other delegated duties as deemed necessary:

1. CLINICAL DUTIES

Patient care is carried out under the direction and supervision of the Stroke Team

Duties include the following:

· Deliver a quality service to patients admitted to the Stroke service

· At all times treat patients with dignity and respect and ensure patient confidentiality is maintained at all times.

· Develop rapport with service users and their carers as appropriate

· Attend and participate at Stroke meetings where appropriate.

· Maintain personal professional skills required and act as a resource for all other members of staff

· Ensure positive representation of the Stroke Team service at all times.

Environment and Equipment:

· Prepare patients and the environment for treatment as directed by a member of the Stroke team.

· Prepare equipment as directed by the therapist

· Maintain / clean intervention area and equipment pre / post patient use as per infection control guidelines and as required.

· Be familiar with the operation of relevant equipment which he/she may be required to use

· Carry out ordering and organisation of materials and equipment for the stroke therapy program and service as directed by Stroke Team

· Assist the Stroke Team in the provision and management of appliances and equipment, as prescribed by the Stroke Team member

· Comply with the guidelines of the European Communities (Medical Devices) Regulations, 1994 for Manufacturing of Custom-made Medical Devices

· Assist in regular monitoring and control of stock and equipment, reporting same to the Operational Lead as required

Therapy :

· Assist the Stroke Team in therapeutic moving and handling of patients

· Assist the Stroke Team in the implementation of therapeutic programmes

· Carry out generic programs and groups for patients to the specifications agreed with the Stroke Team

o Carry out these interventions either jointly with another member of the Stroke Team, independently and unaccompanied, or in collaboration with appropriate other staff.

o Organise and prepare service users for therapeutic interventions/activities as directed by a Stroke Team member

o Organise, provide and supervise such therapeutic activities, under the direction of a Stroke Team member

· Assist patients to achieve their rehabilitation goals in self-care, productivity, work, vocation, leisure and community living

· Assist patients to achieve their rehabilitation goals in self-care activities such as dressing, toileting, self-feeding and drinking (amongst others) as appropriate

· Assist patients to achieve their mobility goals in their home, or in the community under the direction of a Stroke Team member

· Assist patients to achieve their communication goals including those for functional, vocational and leisure activities.

· Quality of life interventions (Group and individual work)

o Provide opportunities for patients to engage in purposeful activities

o Provide opportunities for patients to maintain appropriate occupational roles and habits

o Provide opportunities for patients to maintain/develop a sense of personal empowerment and esteem

o Provide opportunities for patients to maintain/develop occupational performance ability, including, cognitive skills, social interaction and physical ability

· Explain the intervention to the patient

· Modify the level of assistance according to the patients’ needs

· Provide verbal and physical prompting as required to complete tasks

· Observe patient’s behaviour, response and ability, recording this information and reporting it to the team.

Clinical Audit

· Participate in statistical record keeping, data collection, administrative records and reports as requested by the Stroke Team

· Assist and undertake evaluation of service as requested/required

1.2. ORGANISATION AND PLANNING:

· Contribute to the organisation, planning and development of the Stroke Service

· Work with Stroke Team and the Stroke Team Operational lead to enhance the development of the Stroke Therapy Assistant Services

· Schedule leave in advance to ensure the Stroke Team can plan for absence

· Coordinate the intervention timetable with colleagues and other relevant personnel

· Arrange transport to / from the home visit location, therapy gym, activities suite, and assist with functional transfers as required.

· Effectively communicate with the Stroke Team and the Operational Lead and advise on any significant changes within the service.

· Recognise the importance of a good working relationship with frequent communication between the assistant and the supervising Stroke Team member

· Effectively communicate with all members of the Stroke Team and assist the team to achieve its targets and developments

2.3. HEALTH AND SAFETY

The Stoke Therapy Assistant will:

• In accordance with Health and Safety at work policy, it is each staff member’s responsibility to observe all rules relating to Health and Safety and Conduct at Work and to use any equipment provided in a safe and responsible manner.
• Understand and adhere to all relevant HSE policies including the Lone Working policy, guidelines and procedures, comply with health and safety, infection control and risk management procedures, comply with statutory obligations.
• Report any incident or potential incident which may compromise the health and safety of patient/ clients / residents, staff or visitors and take appropriate action.
• Report any accidents, near misses to the person in charge and ensure completion of incident / near miss on NIMS in accordance with HSE risk management procedures.
• Not undertake any duty related to patient/ client care for which he/she is not trained.
• Attend training courses as required including but not limited to BLS, Infection Prevention Control, Open Disclosure, Children First, Moving and Handling, Fire Prevention etc.
• Conduct themselves in a manner that ensures safe patient/ client care.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Vulnerable Adults, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

3.4. EDUCATION & TRAINING:

The Stroke Therapy Assistant will:

• Attend induction, mandatory and in-service education.
• As directed, participate in the induction of new staff.
• Maintain continuous professional development through team-based development, education, training and learning.
• Participate in appraisal, supervision and the development of a personal development plan in conjunction with his / her line manager.

The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post, which may be assigned to him/her from time to time, and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications and/ or experience

Candidates must have at the latest date of application:

1. Professional Qualifications & Experience, etc.

a) Possess the Certificate in Health Service Skills or Healthcare Support with Occupational Therapy and /or Physiotherapy or SLT Assistant modules 1 and 2 at Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) maintained by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).

OR

Possess a relevant healthcare qualification at not less than Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) maintained by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and give an undertaking to participate in the appropriate Therapy Assistant training modules 1 and 2 within 1 year of taking up duty.

OR

Are currently employed as a Therapy Assistant, Healthcare Assistant, Attendant, Multi-Task Attendant or in a comparable role for at least 1 year and give an undertaking to acquire the appropriate Level 5 Therapy Assistant training programme within 1 year of taking up duty.

And

b) Candidates must have the personal competence and capacity to properly discharge the duties of the role.

2. Health

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

3. Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

4. Age

Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation Act, 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.

Post Specific Requirements

Effective verbal and written communication skills in the English language

Experience of working in older persons care and or rehabilitation.

Other requirements specific to the post

Ability to adapt and respond to the changing needs of the patients and the service

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

Candidates must demonstrate:

Professional Knowledge:

• Demonstrates good understanding of the philosophy of Stroke Rehabilitation and the role of a Therapy Assistant
• Demonstrates evidence of engagement and interest in carrying out everyday life, functional activities with clients.

· Demonstrates good computer skills and willingness to learn Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Power point, internet and other relevant IT systems.

· A willingness to engage and develop Information Technology skills relevant to the role.

· An awareness of scope of their role; knowing when to ask for help / for an MDT member to intervene

• Demonstrates an ability to understand and comply with health and safety requirements in work situations
• Demonstrates knowledge of and ability to comply with Infection Prevention and Control Standards

Communication and Interpersonal Skills:

• Demonstrate evidence of ability to empathise with and treat clients, relatives and colleagues with dignity and respect.
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people, particularly in listening, giving explanations/directions and in reporting back on observations
• Demonstrates ability and understanding in working with people with complex needs/disabilities and/or behaviour that challenges.
• Demonstrates ability and knowledge of working with and motivating people in individual and group situations
• Demonstrates literacy skills and proficiency in the English language (both verbal and written) so as to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role
• Potential to cope with difficult or stressful situations.

Teamwork:

• Demonstrates evidence of being able to work collaboratively with other staff in carrying out work tasks
• Demonstrate effective team skills including the ability to work as member of a multidisciplinary team and maintain good working relationships.
• Demonstrates the ability to follow the directions of the therapists and MSW appropriately and to utilise supervision effectively.

· The ability to maintain professionalism and manage situations where conflict arises.

Planning & Organising:

• Demonstrates organisational skills and practical competence with regard to work/activity preparation, preparing and following timetables, ordering resources and manage self in a busy work environment.
• Demonstrates good time management skills in carrying out both administrative and clinical duties.
• Demonstrates ability to follow through independently on work tasks as instructed by the stroke team.
• Demonstrate consistency and reliability
• Demonstrate the ability to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.
• Demonstrate flexibility and openness to change

Quality & Patient Focus:

• Demonstrates evidence in continuous learning and development in the area of health and social services
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuous professional development
• Demonstrates their understanding of Stroke Rehabilitation and willingness to adhere to its principles in their practice.
• Demonstrate awareness and ability to respect and maintain confidentially.
• Motivation and commitment to the provision of a quality and person-centred service.
• Demonstrates the required skills to maintain a tidy and welcoming environment that is in line with Health and Safety Standards.
• Demonstrate ability to utilise supervision effectively
• Display ability in making effective decisions with regard to clients’ care
• Demonstrate an interest in contributing to alternative methods/new ways of working to improve patient care.

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Initiative, flexibility and problem-solving skills especially with regard to working in a healthcare environment

Campaign Specific Selection Process

Ranking/Shortlisting / Interview

A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.

Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process.

Those successful at the ranking stage of this process (where applied) will be placed on an order of merit and will be called to interview in ‘bands’ depending on the service needs of the organisation.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

The HSE is an equal opportunities employer.

Employees of the HSE bring a range of skills, talents, diverse thinking and experience to the organisation. The HSE believes passionately that employing a diverse workforce is central to its success – we aim to develop the workforce of the HSE so that it reflects the diversity of HSE service users and to strengthen it through accommodating and valuing different perspectives. Ultimately this will result in improved service user and employee experience.

The HSE is committed to creating a positive working environment whereby all employees inclusive of age, civil status, disability, ethnicity and race, family status, gender, membership of the Traveller community, religion and sexual orientation are respected, valued and can reach their full potential. The HSE aims to achieve this through development of an organisational culture where injustice, bias and discrimination are not tolerated.

The HSE welcomes people with diverse backgrounds and offers a range of supports and resources to staff, such as those who require a reasonable accommodation at work because of a disability or long-term health condition.

For further information on the HSE commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, please visit the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion web page at https://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/diversity/

Code of Practice

The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA).

The CPSA is responsible for establishing the principles that should be followed when making an appointment. These are set out in the CPSA Code of Practice. The Code outlines the standards that should be adhered to at each stage of the selection process and sets out the review and appeal mechanisms open to candidates should they be unhappy with a selection process.

The CPSA Code of Practice can be accessed via https://www.cpsa.ie/.

The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the Job Specification may be reviewed.

This Job Specification is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.

PLEASE COMPLETE AND UPLOAD THE APPLICATION FORM ATTACHED TO THE JOB ADVERT. CVs WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS POSITION