Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Community Rehabilitation Assistant

The closing date is 12 February 2026

Job summary

We're looking for a motivated individual to join our ward based Therapy team. We deliver assessment and rehabilitation interventions with the goal to support safe timely discharge .

As a Rehabilitation Assistant, you will provide support to patients in Bridport Community Hospital , working with the Therapy team, and the wider ward MDT to support the rehabilitation of patients during their admission with us . You will follow Therapy plans to promote independence, and improve quality of life by supporting patients to achieve their goals, regain their previous level of function, or optimising their function at their new baseline .

The role also includes providing admin support to ensure the efficient day to day running of the service. Strong communication skills and confident decision-making are a must for this role.

In return we offer an induction programme, flexible working patterns and pastoral support. There are excellent learning and development opportunities, including the chance to apply for Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Apprenticeships!

The Rehabilitation Assistant role is a full time post. Hours covered by this role are currently Monday to Friday . In the future if the need is present the working pattern to include working weekends on a roster basis.

Being a driver is highly desirable for this role to facilitate any community components of supporting discharge.

For further queries, please contactsheena.dennis@nhs.net

Main duties of the job

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

Providing rehab based care to people on our the ward, this will include a degree of personal care .

Completing supervised assessments of mobility, equipment and function

Monitoring deteriorating patients with support from clinicians including taking and recording Basic observations (Blood pressure ,temp, heart rate)

Working with the MDT including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Therapy assistant practitioners , Medical staff ,Nurses and HCA's

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Details

Date posted

29 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year p.a.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

152-C372.25

Job locations

Bridport Community Hospital

Hospital lane

Bridport

DT6 5DR


Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contactdhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contactdhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND TRAINING

Essential

  • NVQ care level 2/3 or willing to work towards
  • Skills to manage challenging situations
  • Good organisational skills/decision making

JOB SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Experience working in Health or social care setting
  • Experience of following rehab plans and feeding back to Clinicians
  • Ability to prioritise and organise workload effectively

Desirable

  • Experience of working on a ward
  • Previous experience of rehab of elderly/adults

FINANCE/RESOURCES

Essential

  • Able to effectively manage available resources in the pursuit of quality service provision ensuring a safe environment

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/RESOURCES

Desirable

  • Able to utilise Microsoft Excel and Word
  • Experience of using electronic patient / service user record systems

PERSONAL QUALITIES/ATTRIBUTES

Essential

  • Evidence of demonstrating the Trust's values and behaviours.
  • Able to communicate effectively at different levels of the organisation and with staff, patient/service users, visitors or external organisations both verbally and in writing in the exchange of complex, sensitive or contentious information which may require the use of negotiating and/or persuasive skills.
  • Able to overcome barriers to understanding where there are physical or mental disabilities.
  • Able to analyse and assess situations and to interpret potentially conflicting situations and determine appropriate action, where there is a range of options and judgement is required.
  • Demonstrable ability of using tact and diplomacy
  • Ability to work autonomously if required
  • Willing to work flexibly and proactively with the team, including weekend and bank holiday working
  • Good time management skills

BUSINESS TRAVEL

Essential

  • Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Essential

  • Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively.
Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND TRAINING

Essential

  • NVQ care level 2/3 or willing to work towards
  • Skills to manage challenging situations
  • Good organisational skills/decision making

JOB SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Experience working in Health or social care setting
  • Experience of following rehab plans and feeding back to Clinicians
  • Ability to prioritise and organise workload effectively

Desirable

  • Experience of working on a ward
  • Previous experience of rehab of elderly/adults

FINANCE/RESOURCES

Essential

  • Able to effectively manage available resources in the pursuit of quality service provision ensuring a safe environment

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/RESOURCES

Desirable

  • Able to utilise Microsoft Excel and Word
  • Experience of using electronic patient / service user record systems

PERSONAL QUALITIES/ATTRIBUTES

Essential

  • Evidence of demonstrating the Trust's values and behaviours.
  • Able to communicate effectively at different levels of the organisation and with staff, patient/service users, visitors or external organisations both verbally and in writing in the exchange of complex, sensitive or contentious information which may require the use of negotiating and/or persuasive skills.
  • Able to overcome barriers to understanding where there are physical or mental disabilities.
  • Able to analyse and assess situations and to interpret potentially conflicting situations and determine appropriate action, where there is a range of options and judgement is required.
  • Demonstrable ability of using tact and diplomacy
  • Ability to work autonomously if required
  • Willing to work flexibly and proactively with the team, including weekend and bank holiday working
  • Good time management skills

BUSINESS TRAVEL

Essential

  • Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Essential

  • Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bridport Community Hospital

Hospital lane

Bridport

DT6 5DR


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bridport Community Hospital

Hospital lane

Bridport

DT6 5DR


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Team Lead

Sheena Dennis

sheena.dennis@nhs.net

01308426285

Details

Date posted

29 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year p.a.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

152-C372.25

Job locations

Bridport Community Hospital

Hospital lane

Bridport

DT6 5DR


Supporting documents

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