Rehabilitation Assistant

Main duties of the job

• Support and assist registered health care professionals in the assessment, management and monitoring of patients to help palliative care patients achieve and maintain optimum quality of life.
• Work across all areas of the hospice and in the community.
• Provide high‑quality care to service users accessed within the hospice, online or in the community.
• Coordinate a range of therapeutic activities within the hospice, online and in the community.
• Enable and assist patients to attend hospice groups and outpatient appointments using hospice transport.

Job responsibilities

• Adhere to hospice policies, procedures and standards, especially confidentiality, information governance, health and safety and infection control.
• Assist in initial assessment and follow‑up process with patients, supporting goal setting and negotiated care plans.
• Work autonomously with a defined workload, with supervision from registered health care professionals.
• Provide care, compassion and support to patients, service users and their families/carers.
• Carry out any tests, interventions or treatment plans following training and completion.
• Recognise and report changes in patients’ physical or emotional needs to the appropriate health care professional.
• Develop, coordinate and deliver one‑to‑one and group activity and exercise classes within the hospice, online and in patients’ homes.
• Plan varied and stimulating therapeutic activities, incorporating service user feedback and preferences, and complete appropriate risk assessments.
• Maintain accurate patient records in accordance with hospice policy and guidelines.
• Support the health, wellbeing and rehabilitation team with administrative duties such as inputting patient information into the hospice data base.
• Promote the health, wellbeing and rehabilitation service and liaise with the fundraising team for newsletters, newspapers and online articles.
• Maintain infection control measures and report any associated risks to senior colleagues.
• Record and report all accidents, complaints and untoward incidents following hospice policies.
• Utilise IT skills, including Microsoft Office, E‑Roster, internet, email and the hospice patient database (EMIS).
• Foster good working relationships and communicate effectively with multidisciplinary team members and external agencies.
• Provide clear, concise reports of patients’ progress and concerns to the multidisciplinary team.
• Advocate for patients and service users, ensuring their views are known, including in advance care planning and care decline situations.
• Manage complaints sensitively, adhering to hospice policy and procedure.
• Ensure accurate, contemporaneous documentation of patient care using electronic systems.
• Maintain and continue professional development through appropriate courses such as the Care Certificate, NVQ3 in Health and Social Care, and relevant rehabilitation courses.
• Participate in hospice-based education and audit, contributing to service outcome measures and improvement initiatives.
• Identify and implement risk assessments for patient activities and COSHH for chemicals used.
• Support safeguarding policies, the Mental Capacity Act and deprivation of liberty safeguards.
• Help promote an environment supporting infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
• Ensure correct storage, handling and utilisation of hospice equipment and supplies.
• Ensure the effective utilisation of the hospice’s computer‑based patient record system.
• Comply with hospice policies and procedures regarding confidentiality, information governance, health and safety and medicine management.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Basic literacy and numeracy skills.
• Willingness to undertake further training in palliative care/rehabilitation.
• Willingness to work towards a Diploma in rehabilitation; NVQ Level 3 Health & Social Care.
• Basic training in mobility assessment, daily living activity assessment and exercise programmes.
• Rehabilitation training.
• Training in palliative/end‑of‑life care.
• NVQ Level 2 or 3 Health and Social Care.
• Understanding and ability to promote and implement equal opportunities.
• Commitment to client‑centred, non‑discriminatory practice.

Experience

• Experience of working in a health or social care environment.
• Ability to relate previous experience to a palliative care and rehabilitation setting.
• Experience of working with adult service users.
• Experience of working in a palliative care setting.
• Proven experience as a therapy assistant in health or a similar setting.
• Experience of working with patients in a group setting.

Practical and intellectual skills

• Understanding and sensitivity to the needs of people with a life‑limiting illness, their families and carers.
• Ability to work with individuals and groups.
• Good understanding of confidentiality and information governance.
• Ability to liaise with other agencies and professionals.
• Good communication, record‑keeping and organisational skills.
• Demonstrate an understanding of confidentiality.
• Full UK driving licence & use of own transport (business insurance).
• Counselling / communication skills training.

Disposition and attitude

• Evidence of an ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to relate positively to colleagues and members of the MDT.
• Positive attitude to change and flexible working practices.

Health and physical

• Ability to move and handle people and equipment.
• Vaccinations appropriate to role.

Circumstances

• Work shifts between Monday to Sunday.
• Ability to work flexibly according to the needs of the service.
• Based in day therapy & working across all hospice areas and the community.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£15,014 to £15,619 a year; salary dependent on level 3 health & social care qualification.

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