ELEMENTS SUPPORT SERVCIES
REHABILITATION SUPPORT WORKER POSITION DESCRIPTION

SECTION 1 – OVERVIEW

Job Title: Rehabilitation Support Worker

Reporting To: Clinical Program Manager and Program Director

Location/Base: Community Based

SECTION 2 – JOB SUMMARY

Generally working under the direction of a registered health care professional and in conjunction with the Elements Support Team this contract position provides support:

In the delivery of the goals as designed by the Rehabilitation Treatment team to individuals with an acquired brain injury or other serious trauma living in the community. This includes assisting in the assessment of clients’ functional, behavioural and cognitive skills and contributing to the design and delivery of treatment programmes aimed at reducing the impact of impairments, promoting independence and improving well-being. Tasks may include personal and domestic activities of daily living, leisure/ school/work integration, coaching, mentoring and training in skill acquisition.

The role involves both direct client contact and to a much lesser degree indirect client related duties. It is also necessary to undertake some administrative duties to ensure the smooth running of service provision.

SECTION 3 – ORGANIZATION ACCOUNTABLITY

Rehabilitation workers work under the direction of the Rehabilitation team and report to Elements Clinical Program Manager regarding all clinical/programming issues and to the Program Director for administration and other related issues.

SECTION 4 – KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

4.1 A working knowledge of common medical, mental health and neurological conditions.

4.2 An in-depth understanding of the effects of head injury on physical, psychological and social function.

4.3 Knowledge of the principles of occupational therapy and rehabilitation applied to brain injury.

4.4 Knowledge of community resources – leisure, voluntary work, paid work, groups.

4.5 An understanding of the types of interventions used in community based rehabilitation therapy with head injured people.

4.6 An understanding of the roles of other health and social care professions.

4.7 Knowledge of the range and sources of equipment, its use and application.

4.8 Ability to break down activity into achievable goals.

4.9 Ability to recognize problems experienced by clients.

4.10 Experience of working with a range of age groups.

4.11 Experience working within a team and an understanding of team dynamics.

4.12 Ability to observe clients occupational performance and report clearly too relevant professions.

4.13 Experience working with clients, and their families, who have behavioural difficulties or are emotionally vulnerable and enabling them to adjust to their difficulties with supports.

4.14 Adults/children or youth experience with cognitive and communication problems as a result of brain injury.

4.15 Ability to follow programmes as prescribed by therapists and incorporating the recommendations of other professions.

4.16 Ability to use appropriate initiative, recognizing own limitations of competency.

4.17 Ability to organize own workload, prioritize demands of a number of therapists, and work flexibly with others to ensure all demands are met.

4.18 Able to understand and comply with Elements Support Services policies and procedures.

4.19 Able to participate in supervision and make positive use of it, as well as accept direction when necessary.

4.20 Able to work in a stressful environment, including with clients who have complex communication needs or challenging behaviours.

SECTION 5– SKILLS REQUIRED

5.1 Highly developed communication skills to ensure the development of effective
Therapeutic relationships with clients and their carers, to include an ability with non verbal cues. An ability to adapt communication method to manage the variable needs of clients with sensory or cognitive problems, or who may be confused, depressed or anxious. Ability to report informally and formally at multi-disciplinary meetings on clients’ occupational performance, to occupational therapists and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.

5.2 Numeracy and literacy skills required for documenting within client records.

5.3 Organizational and time management skills to enable workload prioritization and adaptability to ensure competing demands on time and resources can be met.

5.4 Personal skills that will assist in the building of rapport with clients, such as patience,
empathy, sense of humour and a flexible approach.

5.5 Keyboard skills and basic ability to use IT.
5.6 Driving skills to undertake therapy programmes with clients in the community.
5.7 Manual handling skills.
5.8 Group work skills.
5.9 Office skills such as filing, use of telephone, fax, photocopier and overhead projector.
5.10 Skills in assessment of risk related to role.
5.11 A variety of lifeskills such as domestic skills, gardening, home management.

SECTION 6– MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

6.1 Work effectively as a member of a team in providing rehabilitation support generally
within a community environment. This is usually without immediate supervision.

6.2 Use therapeutic skills to engage clients in therapeutic activities to
reduce the impact of impairments, promoting independence and improving
well being.

6.3 Under supervision of a registered health care professional, facilitate and participate in
planned group and individual activities, ongoing assessment and adjustment of own
clinical interventions based on the fluctuating needs of the clients.

6.4 To teach and demonstrate use of equipment or other techniques to clients, careers,
Tutors and voluntary sector workers to optimize the client’s functional ability and
independence.

6.5 Gather and accurately record information about clients.

6.6 Contribute to formal therapy assessments, under guidance of a registered
therapist and provide feedback on the client’s occupational performance.

6.7 Assist in the implementation, evaluation and modification of team interventions.

6.8 Under supervision of a registered therapist, provide a range of activities;
instructing and guiding clients to support them in achieving identified goals.

6.9 Undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.

6.10 Form professional relationships with clients and communicate with them in a way that
respects their views, autonomy and culture.

6.11 Report effectively to the team on clients’ performance/ progress in therapy.

6.12 Liaise with other health and social care professional and other related statutory, private
and voluntary organizations to ensure effective service provision.

6.13 Ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in
line with professional and agency standards.

6.14 Adhere to and apply the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct as outlined in Elements Policy and ensure services are provided in line with Agency standards, policies and procedures and are consistent with best practice.

6.15 Review and reflect on own practice and performance through regular participation in
professional supervision and appraisal, and amend practice where necessary.

6.16 Participate in ongoing training and education.

6.17 Undertake relevant activities to meet training and development objectives identified
with Clinical Program Manager and Program Director.

6.18 Exercise good personal time management, and consistent, reliable
punctuality.

6.19 As part of a team, incorporate up-to-date techniques and ideas of positive practice into
your job.

6.20 To undertake any other appropriate additional duties as required.

SECTION 7 – WORKING CONDITIONS/ EFFORT

7.1 To carry out requirements of the contract in a variety of hospital and community settings
with moderate to intense physical effort on a daily basis. This includes handling and
mobilizing clients to facilitate their rehabilitation, using wheelchairs and hoists when
appropriate.

7.2 To deal with frequent exposure to distressing/ emotional situations whilst working with
clients with cognitive, communication or behavioural difficulties.

7.3 To deal sensitively with clients and families who have high levels of anxiety, distress, confusion or aggression, treating with dignity & respect.

7.4 Manage workload to meet deadlines, manage competing high priority and urgent requests.

SECTION 8 – IMPROVING THE CLIENT EXPERIENCE THROUGH YOUR WORK

Improving the client experience through your work

Clients are the most important people in the health service and are at the centre of what we do. Clients and caregivers are the ‘experts’ in how they feel and what it is like to live with or care for someone with a particular impairment or condition. The clients’ experience of our services should guide the way we deliver services and influence how we engage with clients every day in our work.

Rehabilitation Workers should communicate effectively in their day to day practice with clients and should support and enable clients/caregivers to make choices, changes and influence the way their treatment or care is provided.

SECTION 9 – COMMITMENT TO HEALTH AND SAFETY AND NO SMOKING

Health and Safety/Security

It is the duty of every Rehabilitation Support Worker to work in such a way that accidents to themselves and to others are avoided.

No-Smoking Policy

Smoking is not permitted when working with our clients.

SECTION 10 - CONFIDENTIALITY AND FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

Information relating to clients records, diagnosis and/or treatment of clients, worker records, or information concerning contracts, tenders and other commercially sensitive matters etc. are considered to be confidential and must not be divulged without prior authority other than in accordance with the provisions of Elements Support Service’s Policy. Breaches of confidentiality will result in disciplinary action, and may result in dismissal. In addition to the above confidentiality requirements you must also comply with all aspects of the law concerned with information handling. For this purpose, the relevant legislation is the Freedom of Information Act. Any altering, destroying or concealing of information held by Elements with the intention of preventing the legitimate disclosure of all or part of that information will result in disciplinary action, and may result in dismissal.

SECTION 11 - JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT

I have had the opportunity to read a copy of the job description and to ask any questions that I may have.

Completed by: …………………………………… Date: …………………..

This job description is a guide to the duties you may be expected to perform. It is not an exhaustive list, and such duties may well be altered from time to time to meet changes in the organization’s requirements.