Clinical Support Worker Higher Level - Occupational Therapy Assistant

Transformationunitgm; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Tees Valley is seeking a Band 3 Clinical Support Worker - Occupational Therapy Assistant to assist the vascular therapy team. The successful candidate will support senior therapists in assessment and rehabilitation of patients, requiring strong communication skills and a relevant Level 3 qualification. Continuous professional development will be encouraged, alongside mentorship from clinical staff. A commitment to diversity and inclusion is essential, and the organization prioritizes training and support for its employees. This role is fixed term for 12 months and entails a 12-hour work week.

Benefits

Leadership and improvement training

Support for professional development

Qualifications

• Experience of working in health or social care.
• Experience of undertaking and recording clinical observations.
• Knowledge of legislation relevant to care provision.

Responsibilities

• Support therapists with the assessment and rehabilitation of patients.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Engage with patients facing medical and emotional challenges.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Basic IT skills

Education

3 A-levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications

Job description

Clinical Support Worker Higher Level - Occupational Therapy Assistant

Band 3

Job overview

Fixed term - 12 months

12 hours per week

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 3 Higher level clinical support worker - therapy assistant to join the vascular therapy team.

The post holder will be working under the guidance of the Senior Occupational therapists and Physiotherapists in the team supporting the therapists with the assessment and rehabilitation of patients on the vascular ward at the James Cook University Hospital.

Continuous professional development will be actively encouraged and the post holder will be supported to develop their knowledge and skills with regular support and clinical supervision from the Senior Therapists/ Team Lead.

The Therapy Service is a well‑established large, progressive and dynamic service, which continues to develop within the Trust. The team is friendly and supportive and mentorship for this role will be available from other clinicians, the AHP Service Lead and Head of Professions.

Main duties of the job

You will need to be able to work as part of a team and on your own, frequently using your own initiative and problem‑solving skills to support physiotherapy input. You will work with a wide multidisciplinary team and be involved with clients with a range of medical, social and emotional problems.

The successful applicant will have good communication and literacy skills and basic computer skills. Previous work experience within health or social care setting is essential and experience working as a therapy assistant is desirable but not essential. Participation in service developments and clinical governance is also expected.

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest teaching hospital trusts in the country, close to the North Yorkshire Moors and within easy reach of Newcastle and Leeds. It comprises two acute hospitals, The James Cook University Hospital and Friarage Hospital Northallerton and a number of community hospitals. The James Cook University Hospital is a major trauma centre and provides a wide range of district general hospital services and specialist services such as neurosciences, renal medicine, spinal injuries, major trauma, cardiothoracic, vascular surgery and cancer services.

Please note this post may close when we receive sufficient completed applications.

Working for our organisation

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers leadership and improvement training to all new staff. This training programme has been designed to support our staff in developing their understanding of leadership and management skills. You will be expected to attend the following training sessions:

• Your Leadership Impact
• Service Improvement for Beginners

After you complete these one and a half days of training, you will be able to explore further leadership and improvement training opportunities. We also offer a range of additional in‑house courses and bitesize programmes through our Leadership and Improvement Team.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) attached for main responsibilities of the role.

Person specification

Qualifications

• 3 A-levels • OR Health and Science T-level • OR equivalent level 3 qualification(s) and Functional Skills (level 2) • OR • As a level 3 apprenticeship, such as the Senior Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship (or other level 3 qualification pathway) AND/OR • Short courses and completion of competency workbook equivalent to Level 3 in a range of patient and clinical care duties AND/OR • Equivalent knowledge and experience in a range of clinical care duties equivalent to Level 3; • Theoretical knowledge • Experience of a range of care and related procedures • Clinical observations • Knowledge of relevant legislation

Experience

• Experience of working in health or social care.
• Experience of undertaking and recording clinical observations and escalation of changes or findings.
• Experience of working in an NHS care role.

Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent interpersonal, communication and active listening skills. Ability to adopt appropriate styles and methods of communication.
• Time‑keeping, planning and prioritisation skills.
• Basic IT skills to use electronic patient records and other Trust systems.
• Analytical and judgement skills to make decisions based on patient / service user interactions and observations and metrics.
• Working knowledge of legislation underpinning care provision.
• Ability to demonstrate the importance of holistic person‑centred care and related procedures.
• Understanding of the importance of robust, accurate, clear, timely documentation.
• Insight into behaviours and skills of a carer and the need for effective team work.
• Knowledge of Safeguarding.
• Understanding work‑related boundaries.
• Awareness of GDPR and the need for confidentiality

Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)

It is the policy of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost of their DBS. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. We welcome applications from the Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network; LGBT+ Network; Disability and Long‑Term Health Conditions Network, Faith Network, Childless not by Choice Network and the Menopause Support Group.

As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you.

If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at [emailprotected]

Right to Work in the UK

The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply can self‑assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.

Please note that not everyone needs a ‘Skilled Worker’ visa. If you are applying for a vacancy in health or adult social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.

Please note: if the job you are applying for does not meet the eligibility criteria above, we will be unable to offer you sponsorship and you will need to explore whether you may be eligible to apply for an alternative immigration route which will secure your right to work in the UK before you apply. If you are in the UK already on a visa, please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.

The Trust encourages and supports all applicants to be fully vaccinated against both COVID19 and influenza.

Please be aware, there are occasions where some vacancies may close prior to the closing date advertised. This will only happen where sufficient applications are received AND will be made evident on the job advert.

Please note if you are successfully shortlisted, we will contact you via the email address that you have applied from so please ensure you check your emails regularly.

Existing employees of South Tees NHS Foundation Trust currently on the Redeployment Register, who meet the essential criteria for this post, will be shortlisted and interviewed prior to all other applicants.

IMPORTANT - Please ensure you read the ‘Guidance Notes for Applicants’ document attached to this advert before you start to complete your application form.

This document provides detailed advice regarding the completion of your application form.

The guidance document also provides in detail what identification and certificates you must provide at interview should you be shortlisted.

As part of our pre‑employment screening process, all applicants are required to provide references from their last continuous 3 year employment and/or training/education. The referees MUST be a Line Manager/Supervisor. Applicants are requested to ensure email addresses for all referees are included on their application form. Personal references and references from colleagues are not acceptable.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in applications - please ensure you read the Guidance for Applicants document attached to this vacancy,

Unfortunately we are unable to respond to all applicants and those who are not contacted within six weeks of the closing date should assume that their application has been unsuccessful.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

Please note that this vacancy will close when we receive sufficient completed applications.

Name Katie Burns

Job title Senior Specialist Occupational Therapist

Email address [emailprotected]

Telephone number 01642 854591

Additional information

Alternative contact number

01642 850850 Extension 56941