Bank Therapy Technical Instructor

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Implement and record planned programmes of care and comprehensive functional and mobility assessments of patients as directed by a Therapist.
• Assess and make recommendations for equipment, home adaptations, care provision and ongoing rehabilitation, reporting these to a Therapist.
• Support patients through instruction and guidance in a range of activities, under the direction of a Therapist, in the achievement of identified treatment goals.
• Take an active role in home assessments and other therapy/treatment sessions alongside a Therapist.
• Independently carry out access visits to patient's homes, under the direction of an Occupational Therapist.
• Provide advice to patients, their family and carers, teaching and demonstrating the safe use of equipment or other techniques to optimise the patient's mobility, functional ability, safety and independence.
• Build professional relationships with patients, their family and carers, through use of communication, reasoning and negotiating skills, respecting others views, culture and individuality.
• Provide effective verbal and written reports to Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists and other multi-disciplinary team members relating to the patient's performance and progress in their therapy interventions.
• Respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.
• Contribute to the Therapy Services governance arrangements and to the work of selected groups (eg Risk Management, Health & Safety) acting as a service representative on such groups where appropriate.
• Contribute towards service development activities through participation in team meetings and service development sessions.
• Propose changes to processes and procedures carried out within own area of work to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Therapy services.
• Participate in team/departmental audit and evaluation as agreed with supervisor.
• Ensure work areas are clean, tidy and well maintained, complying with Health & safety guidelines, ensuring the safe use of equipment and storage of materials.
• Exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance, submitting accurate daily records of attendance on electronic timesheets.
• Work flexibly across the week to include weekends, where weekend working is in operation.
• Notify the team leader of sick leave as soon as possible in line with Trust policy.
• In the absence of Therapy Technical Instructor colleagues through planned or unplanned leave, work flexibly to meet the prioritised needs of the Therapy services both within the team and across all service areas.
• Comply with departmental guidelines for the safe use, care and maintenance of equipment and stock.
• Take responsibility for the routine management of designated tasks in conjunction with Technical Instructor colleagues e.g. lease car maintenance, management of equipment orders.
• Assist Therapy colleagues in the induction, training and education of other staff and students within the Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy services.

• Confident manner with a positive approach and high levels of motivation
• Motivation for continued personal development and learning new skills
• Sensitive manner to be able to treat patients with dignity and respect
• Non-judgemental and able to work with people from a variety of backgrounds
• Flexible and adaptable approach to work
• Professional manner and appearance

• Skills to produce clear and concise verbal reports and written documentation of therapy interventions.
• Skills to communicate effectively with patients, carers, team members, Therapy colleagues and other agencies
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to recognise own limitations and level of competency
• Physical ability to undertake manual handling of patients and equipment on a daily basis in a variety of environments
• Personal mobility to move across the hospital site between
• Personal mobility to move across the hospital site between wards/office/assessment areas and to venues outside the hospital e.g. to patients home
• Ability to respond positively and adapt to change
• Personal resources to cope when dealing with patients with complex conditions, acute or terminal illnesses, traumatic injuries, mental impairment and challenging behaviours on a daily basis
• Ability to work flexibly across the week,…