Guy’s and St Thomas’ Community Stroke and Neurorehabilitation Service

Are you passionate and motivated about working with patients with neurological conditions in the local community?

We are looking to recruit a full-time permanent Band 3 position to join our highly skilled team at the Pulross Centre in Brixton providing inpatient rehab to patients with a variety of neurological conditions.

The roles involves supporting patients with their rehabilitation as guided by Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and, Speech and Language therapists. The role includes partnership working across teams within the Rehab and Therapy Services and other agencies within primary and secondary health and social care.

It is an exciting time to join our multi-disciplinary teams; we are enthusiastic, forward thinking and we put our patients at the centre of all we do in the provision of neurorehabilitation.

To support senior clinicians in the assessment, planning, implementation and review of individual rehabilitation programmes for patients.

To independently implement these rehabilitation programmes as appropriate.

Tasks may include (but are not limited to) teaching or supporting prescribed exercise programs, practicing transfers and mobility, assisting and promoting independence in personal care or domestic tasks and supporting cognitive and communication strategies and exercises.

To treat patients, often unsupervised, according to agreed rehabilitation plans and protocols.

To report back to the relevant professional or team leader as required, regarding any changes in the patient’s condition.

To seek timely advice and support as appropriate.

To work as part of a flexible multidisciplinary team and undertake tasks delegated by the Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Speech & Language Therapists.

To communicate effectively with patients and their carers; particularly patients with impairments, which may affect their ability to communicate their needs and/or give informed consent to treatment.

To participate in clinical governance and service development activities and take roles such as champion in an area of interest to the individual and the service.

Please read the job description for each of the available roles for further information.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK’s best known hospitals – Guy’s, St Thomas’, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield – as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.

We are among the UK’s busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark.

We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and – as part of King’s Health Partners – we are one of England’s eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research.

We have around 22,700 staff, making us one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country and one of the biggest employers locally. We aim to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and continue to develop new and existing partnerships with local people, patients, and neighbouring NHS organisations, local authorities and charitable bodies and GPs.

We strive to recruit and retain the best staff as the dedication and skills of our employees lie at the heart of our organisation and ensure that our services are of the highest quality, safe and focused on our patients.

Clinical

To implement rehabilitation and / or care interventions to patients. Tasks may include (but are not limited to) teaching or supporting prescribed exercise programs, practicing transfers and mobility, assisting and promoting independence in personal care or domestic tasks, supporting cognitive and communication strategies and exercises and an occasional requirement to take basic observations and vital signs.

To work as part of a flexible, multidisciplinary team and undertake delegated tasks from allocated therapists and qualified practitioners across all disciplines of allied health.

To communicate effectively with patients, their carers and family members, particularly patients with impairments which may affect their ability to communicate their needs and/or give informed consent to treatment.

To maintain close working relationships with multiple health and social care practitioners to enable effective and timely communication regarding patient care.

To work as an autonomous Rehabilitation Assistant implementing and evaluating holistic pre-formulated rehab and exercise programmes to patients.

To be aware of limitations of own practice and seek advice and guidance from therapists/clinicians as needed.

To assess and manage clinical, physical and/or environmental risk to ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff and clients at all times. To adhere to incident reporting procedures.

Professional

Actively participate in regular structured supervision including one-to-one, shadowing opportunities and group supervision. Produce regular reflective logs as required and maintain a learning log of all CPD activities.

Be responsible for identifying own training and development needs in line with service needs and Rehabilitation Assistant competencies with regular guidance from supervisors, by attending regular in-services in addition to ad-hoc training as appropriate.

Participate in annual appraisal and performance development reviews (PDR) maintaining records to evidence development.

Work within local and national Allied Health professional code of ethics, code of conduct and standards of practice for support staff.

Communication

To be skilled in the use of verbal and non-verbal communication to develop a rapport and build trusting relationships with patients and those involved in the patients’ care i.e. family members, carers where a range of physical disabilities or other barriers to understanding i.e. cognition, mental health problems.

To demonstrate compassion, empathy and sensitivity in all interactions with the patient and their carers and family members.

To notify the appropriate senior clinician immediately of any changes in health of patients to ensure their safety and wellbeing at all times.

To be able to respond calmly and patiently to patients, carers and family members who may be distressed and sometimes aggressive. To offer support, reassurance and advice as required in order to diffuse potentially difficult situations.

To report any changes in progress of clients to ensure that favourable outcomes are met.

To attend weekly multi-disciplinary meetings when required and to present relevant information about client/caseloads in a clear and concise manner.

To participate in Rehabilitation Assistant peer group sessions.

To maintain comprehensive and accurate client records (electronic and paper) and complete all mandatory documentation in line with the trust legal standards.

Organisational

To contribute to the clinical governance agenda and actively participate in service development activities e.g. development of systems and resources.

Ensure risk is managed for self, patients, colleagues and the work environment in line with trust and local guidelines/policies including reporting any concerns using trust processes.

To comply with all data requirements regarding all clinical and professional activities i.e. completing electronic health record system documentation, diary appointments and outcomes).

Complete general department duties e.g. therapy equipment stock supply orders and administrative tasks (processing completed multi-disciplinary discharge letters).

Undertake any other appropriate duties as required by the service leads.