Detailed job description and main responsibilities

 Technical Instructor 

Band: Band 4

Location / Work Base: QVM Hospital, Welwyn

Responsible to: Senior Therapist

Accountable to: Therapy Manager

Liaises with: Patients, family, carers, doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dietitians, speech and language therapists, clinical psychologists, adult care services, voluntary sector, Hertfordshire 
wheelchair service, Hertfordshire equipment services.

• JOB PURPOSE:
  -To work as a member of the QVM Hospital team which specializes in the treatment and management of patients within the rehabilitation unit
  - To provide both clinical and administrative support to other team members and carry own caseload under guidance of qualified allied healthcare professionals.
• JOB SUMMARY:
   To assist qualified allied health professionals, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dietitians and speech and language rehabilitation in a variety of settings.
   To work without direct supervision within a specified clinical area undertaking tasks of 
  assessment and treatment of own caseload as delegated by a qualified allied health professional.
  To pre-screen patients including gathering of information, blood pressure monitoring and performing delegated outcome measure testing.
  To act as first contact in certain situations.
  To assist in delegated data collection.
   To communicate with relevant medical and nursing staff, social workers and other health care professionals, and patient’s relatives and carers who may be in direct contact with the post holder with regard to patient care.
  To accompany patients on home visits prior to discharge and communicate with relatives and carers regarding continuation of treatment at home.
   This post requires the post holder to work within a 7-day service 
• SPECIFIC DUTIES
  CLINICAL
   To work without direct supervision, but under the direction of the qualified staff in the performance of specific tasks for an individual or group, as part of their treatment and rehabilitation programmes. (This may be out in a community setting such as the patient’s own home as a lone worker) or with a qualified professional. It will include both individual one to one 
  sessions and group sessions.
  To be responsible for a designated caseload of patients, and to organise this efficiently and effectively with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.
   To undertake routine assessment of patients using investigative and analytical skill, under guidance of a qualified allied health professional.
  To formulate a standard individual management and or treatment programme, under guidance of a qualified therapist.
  To carry out rehabilitation programmes, in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team, working towards patient focused goals agreed within the team to facilitate coordinated care.
  To contribute to the discharge planning process in collaboration with other members of the multidisciplinary team; to ensure safe and effective discharge.
  To maintain comprehensive and accurate assessment and treatment records in line with legal and departmental and Trust requirements and communicate assessment and treatment outcomes appropriately in the form of letters and reports.
   To maintain a high standard of clinical care.
  To teach the use of walking aids, exercise equipment and aids and adaptations, including assessment and teaching of safety factors.
  To use video filming or photography as part of assessment and outcome measure.
  To update patient records 
   To be responsible for regular safety checks of equipment
• EDUCATION
   To attend organised training sessions, including all mandatory trust training and any appropriate in-service training arranged by the service
  To participate in the appraisal system and Personal Development Programme
  To maintain own continuing professional development (CPD) 
  To develop and enhance skills and incorporate them as necessary into everyday practice.
   To maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development.
  To develop links with other therapy support staff for peer support and training.
  To identify and meet objectives for personal development together with qualified staff.
   To provide advice, teaching and instruction to patient’s relatives, carers and other professionals
   To be involved in the training, development and supervision of therapy and rehabilitation support staff.
  
  

As this role includes visits to patients' homes, a full UK driving licence is required