Therapy Assistant

Introduction Standard Operating Procedure for Ward Based Therapy Assistants
Reporting Structure Designated Therapy Manager
Senior Physiotherapist/Occupational Therapist/Speech and Language Therapist/Dietician
Allocation of Duties The TA is responsible for completing prescribed therapy tasks only, as designated by PT/OT/SLT/Dietician.
Location of Duties Across the acute wards
Timetable 5/7 shift pattern across all wards. Allocation of caseload discussed daily at team huddle post Red2Green meetings
Therapy Assistant Roles & Responsibilities The TA will access regular supervision from a designated PT / OT / Dietitian / SLT
The TA will complete the NGH Therapy Assistant Shared Competency Document
The TA will complete all Mandatory Training as required
The TA will be responsible for managing their own caseload as assigned to the TA by the PT/OT/SLT/Dietician.
The TA will complete the safety checklist prior to intervention with each patient
The TA will report any concerns regarding the assigned patient to the treating therapist or ward nurse in charge as required
The TA will document patient status, reason for not proceeding, and who they escalated concerns to, in the medical chart
Record Keeping TA sticker should be used. Documentation should follow a SOAP format:
Subjective: ‘What the patient tells you’ e.g. Consent gained
Objective: Observations, patient position, intervention carried out.
Analysis: of the intervention
Plan: for future sessions
Recording Statistics Statistics including how many daily patient contacts for each discipline, a record of the number of doubles and single patient reviews assessed and how long spent in direct contact and in-direct contact (admin) should be recorded on the TA excel spreadsheet.
Cleaning of Equipment Equipment used, wheelchairs and anything that has come into contact with a patient should be cleaned using tristel solution after a patient intervention.
Training/Mentorship Shared Competency Framework for Therapy Assistants, supported by senior PT/OT/SLT/Dietician
Therapy Assistant in service training (as identified via a learning needs assessment)
Attendance at relevant in-service training at department level
Peer learning
Physiotherapy Roles & Responsibilities The TA will assist patients with established rehabilitation activities such as mobility and strengthening exercises, balance and mobility programs.
The TA will prepare the client and the environment for treatment as directed by the therapist(s).
The TA will organise and supervise therapeutic activities, with individual clients/groups as directed by the therapist and carry out one to one interventions under the direction of the therapist.
The TA should ensure mobility sheets are present at each patient’s bedside and update them accordingly depending on the patients’ current mobility status.
The TA should provide exercise programmes as prescribed by the physiotherapist and educate patients on same.
Occupational Therapy Roles & Responsibilities The TA will organise and supervise therapeutic activities, with individual clients/groups as directed by the therapist and carry out one to one interventions under the direction of the therapist.
The TA will assist patients with their rehabilitation goals and intervention as outlined by the OT such as transfer, PADL and DADL practice and cognitive rehabilitation.
The TA will provide and demonstrate use of equipment and small aids which are prescribed by the OT.
Speech and Language Therapy Roles & Responsibilities The TA will observe the general performance, behaviour and ability of individuals during therapeutic interventions.
The TA will record intervention observations and outcomes as appropriate and report outcomes to the SLT on the day intervention or within 24 hours.
The TA will collaborate with patients, family, carers and other staff in treatment/intervention and in the provision of support and advice as prescribed by SLT.
Dietetic Roles & Responsibilities The TA will complete mealtime observations and filling in of food record charts as directed by the dietitian and feedback promptly to dietitian.
The TA will assist, prompt and encourage with meals, snacks and oral nutritional supplements as directed by the dietitian and feedback promptly to dietitian.
Weekend Roles and Responsibilities The TA’s caseload will be assigned by the supervising PT/OT/SLT/Dietician in advance of the weekend.
The TA will document all patients for intervention on their caseload planner
Only patients assigned to the TA by the supervising PT/OT/SLT/Dietician can be seen at the weekend
The TA will introduce themselves to the nurse in charge and run through the list of patients for intervention ascertaining an update on the patient and confirming that the patient is medically well for intervention

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