UHWS Physiotherapy Assistant

***********PLEASE COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM FULLY, CV'S ARE NOT ACCEPTED**********

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The Physiotherapy Assistant will:

Clinical

• Assist patients with established rehabilitation activities such as mobility and strengthening exercises, balance and walking programs
• Assist patients in therapeutic activities to develop/improve physical skills
• Assist the physiotherapists in the provision of appliances and equipment prescribed by the physiotherapist
• Manage own caseload in accordance with the needs of the post.
• Work directly with clients under the direction of the Physiotherapist to provide intervention in both individual and group settings.
• Collaborate with service users, family, carers, and other staff in treatment / intervention planning and in the provision of support and advice.
• Follow treatment plans as determined and delegated by the Physiotherapist including assisting in the provision of education and advice to clients on the use of enabling equipment.
• Prepare resources for assessment / intervention, including clinic appointments and group classes
• Carry out duties related to the planning, organisation and maintenance of the physiotherapy programs and department as directed by the Physiotherapist.
• Carry out generic programs and groups for service users to the specifications agreed with the Physiotherapist, either jointly with the Physiotherapist, independently and unaccompanied
• Prepare the environment for group or 1:1 interventions, according to patient’s need and therapeutic goals, as directed.
• Arrange and carry out duties in a timely manner within settings appropriate to service user needs and in line with local policy / guidelines.
• Communicate verbally and/or in writing results of treatment / intervention programs and recommendations to the team and relevant others in accordance with service policy.
• Observe, report and take appropriate action on any matter which may be detrimental to service user’s care or wellbeing or may inhibit the efficient provision of care.
• Maintain professional standards in relation to consent, confidentiality, ethics and legislation.

Care of facilities and equipment:

• Maintaining tidiness and cleanliness in the Physiotherapy Department, treatment and waiting areas
• To be involved in the preparation and cleaning of equipment and materials.
• Where necessary, complete laundry duties and changing of linen.
• To bring equipment to and from treatment areas as required by the physiotherapists

Administrative

• Carry out the administrative and clerical duties required to support the Physiotherapy staff e.g. posting out referrals and transfer letters.
• Assist in the organisation, maintenance and / or ordering of equipment and materials used in assessment and treatment, in conjunction with the Physiotherapists.
• Comply with department procedures with regard to the recommendation and provision of all assistive equipment / custom made devices.
• Keep up-to-date statistics and other administrative records as required for the multidisciplinary team.
• As part of the multidisciplinary team contribute to service planning and development.
• Engage in IT developments as they apply to service user and service administration.

Education and Training

• Attend induction and mandatory in-service education relevant to the role.
• Participate in the induction of new staff as directed.
• Participate in appraisal and the development of a personal development plan in conjunction with the line manager.
• Participate in team-based development, education, training and learning.

Health & Safety

• Observe all rules relating to Health and Safety and Conduct at Work and use any equipment provided in a safe and responsible manner.
• Report any incident or potential incident which may compromise the health and safety of others and take appropriate action. Report any accidents, near misses to the person in charge and ensure completion of incident / near miss forms.
• Do not undertake any duty related to service user case for which he/she is not trained.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, 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.

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.