Senior Therapy Support Worker

Working as part of the Therapy and wider Multi-disciplinary Team, Senior Therapy Support Workers (STSW) use more advanced skills to provide quality therapeutic care, through the delivery of specified assessment and treatment programmes to a limited patient group, as directed by the senior therapist. This will be within the scope of their role, under registered Therapists guidance and following training under a range of supervisory arrangements within agreed guidelines and protocols. They often work as part of multi-disciplinary teams developing treatment plans under supervision but can also work unsupervised and autonomously. The post holder will assess, treat and progress/grade non-complex treatment of patients in line with set core competencies, which are assessed by the registered Therapist and to use this knowledge to contribute to effective discharge planning as part of the Multi-disciplinary Team. They may demonstrate own duties to other support workers, students, or less experienced staff. Senior Therapy Support Workers will contribute to service improvement and be able to make fact-based judgements. The post holder will provide clerical and administrative support to qualified staff and students and to undertake delegated housekeeping and stock control tasks. The post holder will participate in the weekend service. The speciality being dependant on experience. This service may include the treatment of children. Working hours will be dependent upon the service provided within each speciality, this may include 7 day working, working contracted hours within an extended daily pattern or participation in a relevant weekend/bank holiday rota. Formal Knowledge and Experience • Entry requirements as personal specification. • Experience in health and/or social care settings, such as employment, work experience, volunteering or placement(s). • Demonstrates the values of the NHS and commitment to personal and professional development. Domain 2: Supporting Service Users • Develops, manages, and maintains positive, appropriate relationships with service users, families and carers, demonstrating respect, kindness, compassion and empathy at all times. • Understands and demonstrates what it means to provide person-centred care, by providing education and resources to support informed decision making, and of respecting individuals decisions. May provide information to service users. • Understands the social, cultural, and economic influences, individual circumstances, behaviours, and lifestyle choices that impact on health outcomes for service users and their families, including health inequalities. • Understands the aims and principles of health promotion, protection and improvement and importance of relevant interventions for individual service users and their families, including making every contact count. • Understands principles of behaviour change and interventions to prevent ill health and effectively applies these to practice, recognising the individuals right to privacy and choice. • Able to identify ways to promote dignity and is aware of individuals environments and factors that might cause discomfort. • Understands a range of organisations in the health and social care system and services provided and can signpost people effectively in liaison with multi-disciplinary team colleagues. • Understands and can explain the main legislation, legal and ethical responsibilities that shape provision of health and social care for service users. • Understands the importance of adhering to codes of practice, clinical procedures, and professional standards. • Able to work collaboratively with a variety of health staff, social care staff, professional staff and others. Understands and demonstrates the principles of team and partnership working. • Recognises the importance of support workers in service delivery, including the diverse roles undertaken by AHP support workers. Is able to define own role, for example by describing their duties and the roles of others. • Has a thorough understanding of the function and role of their service. Domain 3: Clinical Technical and Scientific Roles and Responsibilities, Knowledge and Practice, Support and Interventions. • Core knowledge of clinical, technical and/ or scientific roles and responsibilities, including clinical risk assessment. • Understanding of role boundaries and the importance of supervision and carrying out appropriately delegated tasks. Able to understand and follow procedures, protocols and plans, reporting back to registered practitioner where appropriate. • Following appropriate training and demonstration of competency to a specified level, may work alone within scope of role in individual or group therapeutic interventions and have their own caseload of service users with non-complex needs previously seen by a registered member of staff. Understands and gains valid consent prior to action or providing care, and records this appropriately Assesses, plans, undertakes, progresses/grades, monitors and adapts appropriately delegated non-complex patients with mobility, functional/ cognitive impairments, impairments of activities of daily living, including assessment of a patients fitness to treat, recognising at deteriorating patient and escalating accordingly any concerns/feedback to a registered therapist/ward staff. • Identifies the need for on-going rehabilitation / support, liaising with the MDT and registered Therapist to suggest ideas for improvement and recommend appropriate level of care on discharge continuing rehabilitation. • Assists in efficient care planning, assisting with service user flow by sharing relevant information in a timely manner with members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team. Completes visits in the community setting to provide necessary assessments or interventions to support safe discharge. This may be completed alone or with another therapist/member of staff. Assesses for, recommends, orders, issues and fits equipment as per scope of practice, as required by the service user, including demonstration of safe use of equipment to service users, carers and other staff. • Recognises an emergency, summons assistance and acts as a member of the multi-disciplinary team within parameters of own competence and defined role. In settings where a registered practitioner is not present, initiates immediate first aid whilst awaiting the arrival of appropriately qualified practitioners. Domain 4: Communication and Information Management • Communicates effectively through a variety of methods with patients, carers and relatives to maximise rehabilitation potential through interpersonal, verbal and nonverbal methods. This may require explanation, instruction, persuasion, motivation, negotiation and reassurance. • Exchanges information with service user and families using active listening, compassion, empathy, and coproduction techniques with the service user. • Actively listens and receives information, gives and acts upon feedback. Understands the communication needs of others and adapts communication style accordingly. • Manages barriers to effective communication and adapts own communication style as appropriate • Liaises and communicates effectively with registered therapists, acute ward and community teams and other members of the MDT, regarding the ongoing patient care and rehabilitation. • Understands role requirement and the importance of accessing, maintaining and storing documentation relating to care, in accordance with local guidance and legal requirements for maintaining confidentiality and data protection. • Maintains complete accurate and contemporaneous treatment records including valid consent to interventions, utilising digital platforms as required, in line with local and HCPC standards. Domain 5: Safe and Inclusive Environment • Contributes to the maintenance of healthy and safe working environments through appropriate practice, use of resources, techniques and behaviours and understanding of relevant legislation. • Understands the importance of understanding and adhering to organisational policies, protocols, procedures, and standards. • Identifies and acts immediately to manage risks, unsafe practice or environments including assessment of moving and handling, using local policies and procedures. • Is aware of the environment in which they work and how to maintain health and safety for themselves and others. • Acts with integrity and honesty, ensuring individuals do not experience harm by reporting situations, behaviours or errors that might lead to adverse outcomes for service users. • Reports any adverse incidents, accidents or complaints in a timely manner, taking appropriate action where necessary, according to Trust policy. • Ensures safe use of all mechanical and electrical equipment or medical devices used in the care of patients. Job description Job responsibilities Working as part of the Therapy and wider Multi-disciplinary Team, Senior Therapy Support Workers (STSW) use more advanced skills to provide quality therapeutic care, through the delivery of specified assessment and treatment programmes to a limited patient group, as directed by the senior therapist. This will be within the scope of their role, under registered Therapists guidance and following training under a range of supervisory arrangements within agreed guidelines and protocols. They often work as part of multi-disciplinary teams developing treatment plans under supervision but can also work unsupervised and autonomously. The post holder will assess, treat and progress/grade non-complex treatment of patients in line with set core competencies, which are assessed by the registered Therapist and to use this knowledge to contribute to effective discharge planning as part of the Multi-disciplinary Team. They may demonstrate own duties to other support workers, students, or less experienced staff. Senior Therapy Support Workers will contribute to service improvement and be able to make fact-based judgements. The post holder will provide clerical and administrative support to qualified staff and students and to undertake delegated housekeeping and stock control tasks. The post holder will participate in the weekend service. The speciality being dependant on experience. This service may include the treatment of children. Working hours will be dependent upon the service provided within each speciality, this may include 7 day working, working contracted hours within an extended daily pattern or participation in a relevant weekend/bank holiday rota. Formal Knowledge and Experience • Entry requirements as personal specification. • Experience in health and/or social care settings, such as employment, work experience, volunteering or placement(s). • Demonstrates the values of the NHS and commitment to personal and professional development. Domain 2: Supporting Service Users • Develops, manages, and maintains positive, appropriate relationships with service users, families and carers, demonstrating respect, kindness, compassion and empathy at all times. • Understands and demonstrates what it means to provide person-centred care, by providing education and resources to support informed decision making, and of respecting individuals decisions. May provide information to service users. • Understands the social, cultural, and economic influences, individual circumstances, behaviours, and lifestyle choices that impact on health outcomes for service users and their families, including health inequalities. • Understands the aims and principles of health promotion, protection and improvement and importance of relevant interventions for individual service users and their families, including making every contact count. • Understands principles of behaviour change and interventions to prevent ill health and effectively applies these to practice, recognising the individuals right to privacy and choice. • Able to identify ways to promote dignity and is aware of individuals environments and factors that might cause discomfort. • Understands a range of organisations in the health and social care system and services provided and can signpost people effectively in liaison with multi-disciplinary team colleagues. • Understands and can explain the main legislation, legal and ethical responsibilities that shape provision of health and social care for service users. • Understands the importance of adhering to codes of practice, clinical procedures, and professional standards. • Able to work collaboratively with a variety of health staff, social care staff, professional staff and others. Understands and demonstrates the principles of team and partnership working. • Recognises the importance of support workers in service delivery, including the diverse roles undertaken by AHP support workers. Is able to define own role, for example by describing their duties and the roles of others. • Has a thorough understanding of the function and role of their service. Domain 3: Clinical Technical and Scientific Roles and Responsibilities, Knowledge and Practice, Support and Interventions. • Core knowledge of clinical, technical and/ or scientific roles and responsibilities, including clinical risk assessment. • Understanding of role boundaries and the importance of supervision and carrying out appropriately delegated tasks. Able to understand and follow procedures, protocols and plans, reporting back to registered practitioner where appropriate. • Following appropriate training and demonstration of competency to a specified level, may work alone within scope of role in individual or group therapeutic interventions and have their own caseload of service users with non-complex needs previously seen by a registered member of staff. Understands and gains valid consent prior to action or providing care, and records this appropriately Assesses, plans, undertakes, progresses/grades, monitors and adapts appropriately delegated non-complex patients with mobility, functional/ cognitive impairments, impairments of activities of daily living, including assessment of a patients fitness to treat, recognising at deteriorating patient and escalating accordingly any concerns/feedback to a registered therapist/ward staff. • Identifies the need for on-going rehabilitation / support, liaising with the MDT and registered Therapist to suggest ideas for improvement and recommend appropriate level of care on discharge continuing rehabilitation. • Assists in efficient care planning, assisting with service user flow by sharing relevant information in a timely manner with members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team. Completes visits in the community setting to provide necessary assessments or interventions to support safe discharge. This may be completed alone or with another therapist/member of staff. Assesses for, recommends, orders, issues and fits equipment as per scope of practice, as required by the service user, including demonstration of safe use of equipment to service users, carers and other staff. • Recognises an emergency, summons assistance and acts as a member of the multi-disciplinary team within parameters of own competence and defined role. In settings where a registered practitioner is not present, initiates immediate first aid whilst awaiting the arrival of appropriately qualified practitioners. Domain 4: Communication and Information Management • Communicates effectively through a variety of methods with patients, carers and relatives to maximise rehabilitation potential through interpersonal, verbal and nonverbal methods. This may require explanation, instruction, persuasion, motivation, negotiation and reassurance. • Exchanges information with service user and families using active listening, compassion, empathy, and coproduction techniques with the service user. • Actively listens and receives information, gives and acts upon feedback. Understands the communication needs of others and adapts communication style accordingly. • Manages barriers to effective communication and adapts own communication style as appropriate • Liaises and communicates effectively with registered therapists, acute ward and community teams and other members of the MDT, regarding the ongoing patient care and rehabilitation. • Understands role requirement and the importance of accessing, maintaining and storing documentation relating to care, in accordance with local guidance and legal requirements for maintaining confidentiality and data protection. • Maintains complete accurate and contemporaneous treatment records including valid consent to interventions, utilising digital platforms as required, in line with local and HCPC standards. Domain 5: Safe and Inclusive Environment • Contributes to the maintenance of healthy and safe working environments through appropriate practice, use of resources, techniques and behaviours and understanding of relevant legislation. • Understands the importance of understanding and adhering to organisational policies, protocols, procedures, and standards. • Identifies and acts immediately to manage risks, unsafe practice or environments including assessment of moving and handling, using local policies and procedures. • Is aware of the environment in which they work and how to maintain health and safety for themselves and others. • Acts with integrity and honesty, ensuring individuals do not experience harm by reporting situations, behaviours or errors that might lead to adverse outcomes for service users. • Reports any adverse incidents, accidents or complaints in a timely manner, taking appropriate action where necessary, according to Trust policy. • Ensures safe use of all mechanical and electrical equipment or medical devices used in the care of patients.