Job Title & Grade PHYSIOTHERAPY ASSISTANT. Permanent/Temporary Full Time

Job Title & Grade

PHYSIOTHERAPY ASSISTANT. Permanent/Temporary Full Time

Campaign Reference

RQ565

Closing Date

12PM Friday, 5^TH August 2022

Proposed Interview Date

Provisional Interview: Week of 8^th  August in Peamount Healthcare

Taking Up Appointment

Immediately

Informal enquires

Michelle Fitzgerald, Physiotherapy Manager

email: mfitzgerald@peamount.ie      phone:016010359

Location of Post

Peamount Healthcare, Newcastle, Co. Dublin

Details of Service

Peamount Healthcare is an independent voluntary organisation that provides a range of high-quality health and social care services. We help people return home after a serious illness, we provide safe and homely residential care for those who need it, and we support people to live as independently as possible in the community.

Peamount Healthcare is committed to the following values:

§  Person centred – seeing each person as unique, giving them a voice and focusing on ability.

§  Respect – creating a supportive environment where everyone is given courteous and respectful care and support.

§  Excellence – enabling interdisciplinary teams to deliver high quality integrated care, meaningful outcomes with a focus on continuous improvement.

§  Team working – fostering an inclusive, healthy working environment where people are valued and recognised for their individual and shared achievements.

§  Quality improvement – supporting teams to embed continuous improvement methodology as part of everything we do.

§  Education & Research – partnering with academia to support education, learning, research and evidence-based care.

Reporting Relationship

Physiotherapy Manager

Purpose of Post

The Physiotherapy Assistant will be a member of the Physiotherapy team. She/he will:

·         Work under the supervision and direction of a qualified Physiotherapist to provide a high quality and efficient physiotherapy service for service users in rehabilitation and residential settings.

·         Undertake general departmental duties such as cleaning, stock management, collation of statistical information and ordering equipment.

·         Undertake clerical and household tasks as necessary to maintain the smooth running of the department.

Eligibility Criteria Qualifications & Experience

Candidates must on the last date for receipt of applications, possess:

·         Possess the Certificate in Health Service Skills or Healthcare Support with Physiotherapy Assistant modules 1 and 2 at Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) maintained by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).

·         Possess a relevant healthcare qualification at not less than Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) maintained by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and give an undertaking to participate in the appropriate Physiotherapy Assistant training modules 1 and 2 within 1 year of taking up duty.

·         Are currently employed as a Physiotherapy Assistant, Healthcare Assistant, Attendant, Multi-Task Attendant or in a comparable role for at least 1 year and give an undertaking to acquire the appropriate Level 5 or Physiotherapy Assistant training programme within 1 year of taking up duty.

AND

·         Candidates must have the personal competence and capacity to properly discharge the duties of the role.

·         Have knowledge of the role of Physiotherapy.

·         Have excellent communication (both written and verbal), interpersonal and teamwork skills.

·         Have excellent organisational/administrative skills.

Desirable:

·         Experience working as a Physiotherapy Assistant

·         Experience working in a rehabilitation healthcare setting      

·         Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook

Skills, Competencies and Knowledge

Knowledge:

·         Demonstrates good understanding of the philosophy and role of Physiotherapy.

·         Demonstrates knowledge of the Physiotherapy service in Peamount Healthcare.

·         Demonstrates knowledge of Health & Safety legislation and standards and application in work situations e.g. Infection Prevention and Control Standards, Moving and Handling techniques.

·         Demonstrate competent computer skills, proficient in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and Power Point.

Communication and Interpersonal skills:

·         Good communication skills. Demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people, particularly in listening, giving explanations/directions and reporting back on observations.

·         Demonstrates a positive attitude and ability to empathise and treat service users, relatives and colleagues with dignity and respect.

·         Demonstrates evidence of enthusiasm and interest in working with people to carry out meaningful self-care and leisure goals.

·         Demonstrates ability and knowledge of working with and motivating people in individual and group situations.

·         Demonstrates literacy skills and proficiency in the English language (both verbal and written) to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.

Teamwork:

·         Demonstrates ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

·         Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with all grades of staff and professions.

·         Demonstrates evidence of being able to work collaboratively with other staff in carrying out work tasks.

·         Demonstrates ability to take direction/instruction from multiple Physiotherapist and follow through on work plans.

·         Demonstrates flexibility in the role including rotation to different areas within the Physiotherapy service.

Planning and Organising:

·         Demonstrates good time management skills in carrying out both clinical and administrative duties.

·         Demonstrates good organisational skills with practical competence with regard to work/activity preparation, preparing and following timetables, ordering resources and manage self in a busy work environment.

·         Demonstrates ability to follow through independently on work tasks as instructed by a Physiotherapist.

·         Demonstrate consistency, reliability, and flexibility.

Quality and Patient Focus:

·         Demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning, training and development within the role.

·         Demonstrates the required skills to maintain a tidy and welcoming environment that is in line with Health and Safety standards.

·         Demonstrates the ability to ensure that all service users are treated with dignity and respect and ensures that the wellbeing of the service user is a key consideration at all times.

·         Demonstrates the ability to maintain and respect confidentiality.

·         Demonstrates the ability to use sound practical judgement and decision making.

·         Demonstrate ability to utilise supervision effectively.

·         Demonstrate motivation and commitment to the provision of a quality and person-centred service.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

The Physiotherapy Assistant will provide assistance to Physiotherapists working in the designated clinical area to manage the day-to-day provision of Physiotherapy services. This role includes supervised or directed service user contact as well as assisting in the day-to-day organisation and running of the Physiotherapy service.

The Physiotherapy Assistant will:

o   Have knowledge of the role of the Physiotherapy Assistant and understand the responsibilities and accountability of that role within the team.

o   Recognise the importance of a good working relationship with frequent communication between the Assistant and the supervising Therapist(s)

o   Communicate effectively and appropriately with a range of different service users and providers

o   Observe confidentiality when handling the clients/organisations information

o   Document his/her intervention with the client as outlined by local policy.

o   Maintain order, cleanliness and tidiness of treatment areas and equipment in accordance with local departmental guidelines

o   Clean and maintain therapy equipment such as wheelchairs, ice machine, hot pack machine, exercise equipment, CPM machines & linings on a regular basis.

o   Perform such other duties appropriate to the role as may be assigned by the physiotherapy manager

o   To engage in support/professional supervision with assigned Physiotherapist/Physiotherapy manager and participate in performance review.

o   Commitment to own personal development and learning

Clinical Duties:

Patient care is carried out under the direction and supervision of the Physiotherapy Staff. Duties include the following:

o   Assist the Therapist(s) in the assessment of clients and the implementation of treatment interventions as directed by the Therapist(s).

o   Prepare the client and the environment for assessment and/or treatment as directed by the Therapist(s), including assisting with transporting clients to and from physiotherapy sessions

o   Carry out one to one/ group interventions under the direction of the Therapist(s).

o   Organise and supervise therapeutic activities, with individual clients and/or groups, as directed by the Therapist(s).

o   Apply therapeutic modalities as appropriate as directed by the therapist(s).

o   Use equipment during therapeutic intervention as directed by the Therapist(s).

o   Progress patient treatment within established protocols and guidelines.

o   Observe general behaviour, ability, and response of the client to a therapeutic intervention and reports the observations to the Therapist(s).

o    Uses knowledge and understanding of clients’ needs to involve and motivate the client in the therapeutic process.

o   Participate in moving and handling of service users, when necessary, during therapeutic interventions in accordance with moving and handling techniques and Peamount Healthcare’s Moving and Handling Policy.

o   Attend to/supervise service users personal care needs, including toileting, when in therapy in a manner that respects their dignity and independence and in accordance with moving and handling techniques and Peamount Healthcare’s Moving and Handling Policy.

Administrative related:

·         Record accurate service user statistics and other administrative records in a timely manner and in accordance with the Physiotherapy department’s guidelines and procedures.

·         Maintain professional standards in relation to consent, confidentiality, ethics and legislation.

·         Complete assigned administrative tasks such as filing, photocopying, scanning, faxing, formatting forms/service user materials.

·         Use of computer programmes as required including developing and ensuring department resources are kept up to date.

·         Engage in IT developments as they apply to service user and service administration.

·         Handle telephone queries appropriately and record messages in department diary.

·         Carry out departmental stock control, ordering and receiving supplies, monitoring equipment, and reporting faulty equipment as outlined by local departmental policies and procedures.

·         Assist with obtaining information and quotes for purchase of equipment.

·         Assist with equipment delivery and storage.

·         Assist with retrieval of stock items from storage.

·         Assist with the induction of new staff / students and orientation of visitors.

·         Notify Physiotherapy Manager/supervising therapist of sick leave/annual leave in accordance with the department’s guidelines/organisation policies.

·         Engage in support/supervision, personal development planning and performance review with assigned Senior Physiotherapist/Physiotherapy Manager.

·         Participate in continuing professional development e.g. journal clubs, in-services, courses relevant to role.

Information Technology

·         Assist in the integration of application software to support the operational         and management systems

·         Ensure that staff make the most effective and efficient use of developments   in information technology for both patient care and administrative support   in a manner which integrates well with systems throughout the organisation.

Health and Safety:

·         Be responsible for the day-to-day security of Physiotherapy department and other work areas to which assigned, with awareness of fire regulations and security arrangements.

·         Work in a safe manner with due care and attention to the safety of self and others.

·         Not undertake any duty related to service user care for which he/she is not trained.

·         Participate in mandatory training programmes.

·         Implement agreed policies, procedures, and safe professional practice by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations, and standards.

·         Comply with all relevant statutory, local, and service regulation and policies, guidelines, procedures, standards relevant to your area e.g.  Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act, 2005, HIQA standards.

·         Ensure the maintenance of environments and equipment used in Physiotherapy in conjunction with the Physiotherapy Manager.

·         Report any equipment or stock item which requires maintenance or repair. Document appropriately and report any near misses, hazards and accidents and bring them to the attention of the relevant person(s).

·         Be aware of risk management issues, identifying risks and take appropriate action.

·         Document accurately any adverse incidents, near misses, hazards, and accidents in accordance with organisational guidelines and bring them to the attention of the relevant person(s).

·         Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) standards as they apply to the role, for example, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections.

Hygiene/Infection Control:

·         All employees have responsibility for Hygiene awareness.  Hygiene is    defined as “The practice that serves to keep people and environments clean and prevent infection.”

·         All employees also have a responsibility under their terms of employment              to prevent transmission of infection and to follow the hospital infection                control policies and guidelines as outlined in the Infection Control             Manual.

·         All employees must be aware that they work in an area where there is         potential for transmission of infection.

·         All employees have a responsibility to follow hand hygiene guidelines as              this is the single most important intervention to prevent the transmission of            infection

Quality, Safety and Risk Management

·         Support the delivery of the Quality, Safety and Risk Management Programme, including the appropriate identification and management of risks and incidents throughout the hospital.

·         Have a commitment towards providing a quality service

The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him / her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Campaign Specific Selection Post

A ranking and or short-listing exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your CV.  The criteria for ranking and or short listing are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification.  Therefore, it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements

Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process

Those successful at the ranking stage of this process (where applied) will be placed on an order of merit and will be called to interview depending on the service needs of the organisation.

Code of Practice

Peamount will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA).  The Code of Practice sets out how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and fairness might be applied on a principles basis.  The Code also specifies the responsibilities placed on candidates, facilities for feedback to applicants on matters relating to their application when requested and outlines procedures in relation to requests for a review of the recruitment and selection process and review in relation to allegations of a breach of Code of Practice. 

Codes of practice are published by the CPSA and are available on www.hse/ie/eng/staff/jobs

The reform programme outlined for the Health Service may impact on this role and as structures change the job description may be reviewed.

The job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder.  It is intended to be neither definitive or restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.

Tenure

The Current Vacancy available is permanent/temporary and whole time.

The post is pensionable.  A panel may be created from which permanent/temporary vacancies of full-time duration may be filled.  The tenure of these posts will be indicated at “expression of interest’ stage.

Appointment as an employee of Peamount Healthcare is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointment) Act 2004.

Remuneration

Remuneration is in accordance with the salary scale approved by the Department of Health:  Current Consolidated Salary Scale with effect from October 2021. € 29,562 to €38,100.

Working Week

The hours allocated to this post are 39 hours per week with 7.8 hours as a standard working day. The allocation of these hours will be at the discretion of the Department Head and in accordance with the needs of the service.

HSE Circular 003-2009 “Matching Working Patterns to Service Needs (Extended Working Day/Week Arrangements); Framework for Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016” applies. Under the terms of this circular, all new entrants and staff appointed to promotional posts from Dec 16^th 2008 will be required to work agreed roster / on call arrangements as advised by their line manager. Contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8am-8pm over seven days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement (Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016

Annual Leave

As per Health Service Executive (HSE)

Probation

All employees will be subject to a probationary period as per the probation policy. This policy applies to all employees irrespective of the type of contract under which they have been employed. A period of 12 months’ probation will be served:

•      On commencement of employment.

•      Fixed term to permanent contract.

•      Permanent employees commencing in promotional posts will also undertake a probationary period relating to their new post.

Pension

Employees of Peamount Healthcare are required to be members of the Hospitals Superannuation Scheme. Deductions at the appropriate rate will be made from your salary payment.

If you are being rehired after drawing down a public service pension your attention is drawn to Section 52 of the Public Services Pension (Single and Other Provisions) Act 2012. The 2012 Act extends the principle of abatement to retired public servants in receipt of a public service pension who secure another public service appointment in any public service body.

Maternity

Maternity leave is granted in accordance with the terms of the Maternity Protection Acts 1994 and 2001.

Sick Leave

Peamount Healthcare operates a Sickness Absence Management policy in line with the new Public Service Sick Leave Scheme as introduced in 31^st March 2014. An employee cannot avail of paid sick leave during their first 12 months of employment with the hospital.

Pre-Employment Health Assessment

Prior to commencing in this role a person will be required to complete a form declaring their health status which is reviewed by the hospital’s Occupational Health Service and if required undergo a medical assessment with this department. Any person employed by Peamount Healthcare must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Validation of Qualifications & Experience 

Any credit given to a candidate at interview, in respect of claims to qualifications, training and experience is provisional and is subject to verification. The recommendation of the interview board is liable to revision if the claimed qualification, training or experience is not proven.

References

Peamount Healthcare will seek up to two written references from current and previous employers, educational institutions or any other organisations with which the candidate has been associated. The hospital also reserves the right to determine the merit, appropriateness and relevance of such references and referees.

Garda Vetting

Peamount Healthcare will carry out Garda vetting on all new employees. An employee will not take up employment with the hospital until the Garda Vetting process has been completed and the hospital is satisfied that such an appointment does not pose a risk to clients, service users and employees.

Health & Safety

These duties must be performed in accordance with the hospital health and safety policy. In carrying out these duties the employee must ensure that effective safety procedures are in place to comply with the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act. Staff must carry out their duties in a safe and responsible manner in line with the Hospital Policy as set out in the appropriate department’s safety statement, which must be read and understood.

Quality, Risk &

Safety Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of all staff to:

·           Participate and cooperate with legislative and regulatory requirements with regard to Quality, Risk and Safety.

·           Participate and cooperate with external agencies on safety initiatives as required.

·           Participate and cooperate with internal and external evaluations of hospital structures, services and processes as required, including but not limited to:

Ø National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare.

Ø National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections.

Ø HSE Standards and Recommended Practices for Healthcare Records Management

Ø Safety audits and other audits specified by the HSE or other regulatory authorities.

Ø To initiate, support and implement quality improvement initiatives in their area which are in keeping with the hospitals continuous quality improvement programme.

It is the responsibility of all managers to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for Quality, Safety and Risk within their area/department

Specific Responsibility for Best Practice in Hygiene

Hygiene in healthcare is defined as “the practice that serves to keep people and the environment clean and prevent infection. It involves preserving one’s health, preventing the spread of disease and recognizing, evaluating and controlling health hazards.”

·         It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure compliance with hospital hygiene standards, guidelines and practices.

·         Department heads/ managers have overall responsibility for best practice in hygiene in their area.

·         It is mandatory to complete hand hygiene training every 2-years and sharps awareness workshops yearly.