Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Rotational Therapy Assistant

The closing date is 29 July 2025

Job summary

PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY

This position is accountable to the Head of Therapies. The purpose of the position is to assist Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists provide therapy assessment, rehabilitation and management of patients. Also to assist in the administration and clerical duties of the department, according to the specific rotational area of work.

PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this post

Main duties of the job

Experience of dealing with the public is essential, preferably in a care environment. Good communication skills, common sense and a friendly disposition are important. You must be able to assist in the moving and handling of patients.

About us

Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:

  1. Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
  2. Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
  3. Improving the experience of staff with disability
  4. Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
  5. Making equalities mainstream

Details

Date posted

16 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum plus HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

197-UT6243-C

Job locations

University Hospital Lewisham

Lewisham High Street

London

SE13 6LH


Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary:

This position is accountable to the Head of Therapies. The purpose of the position is to assist Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists provide therapy assessment, rehabilitation and management of patients. Also to assist in the administration and clerical duties of the department, according to the specific rotational area of work.

Key Result Areas & Performance:

  • To assist the therapists in moving and handling patients before, during and after treatments, using appropriate manual handling equipment, eg. hoists, standing frames
  • To assist the therapist with individual and group assessments / treatments / activities, including hydrotherapy, or to treat patients on a 1:1 basis or in a group situation, as directed by the therapists
  • To report back to the delegating therapist relevant information regarding patient management
  • To escort patients to and from wards / departments
  • To escort and assist patients with toilet and dressing requirements as necessary
  • To assist with the patients on home visits as directed by the therapists, giving support and advice as appropriate. Includes collection and return of house keys from/to inpatients
  • To deliver and install simple aids and equipment in the patient's home as agreed by therapy staff and to instruct patients and carers in the use of this equipment, as appropriate
  • To supply patients with appropriate, safe, walking aids and to instruct patients in the use of this equipment
  • To transfer information from patient records to therapy records, including operation notes/details
  • To maintain accurate computer and written records that meet professional and Trust standard
  • To write any therapy assessments/reports in consultation with Occupational Therapists/Physiotherapists, and according to local standards. To ensure any written reports are filed promptly in the appropriate place.
  • To use the relevant therapy/hospital computer information system to check and record patient data and attendance details
  • To arrange/change outpatient appointments in the electronic diary, and inform patients and therapists accordingly
  • To undertake general administrative tasks within the department particularly related to record keeping, filing, supplies, errands and message taking, photocopying, and absence cover rota for support staff
  • To organise appropriate transport and interpreting services.

Work force

  • To attend relevant therapy assistant training sessions
  • To participate in the individual performance review (appraisal) scheme, and to be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development plan to meet set goals
  • To participate in mandatory and statutory training as required, eg. basic life support, manual handling etc
  • To attend Trust in-house training sessions / programmes and external courses as appropriate
  • To contribute to the training of new / volunteer staff as requested by therapist
  • To attend and participate in staff meetings, case conferences, multidisciplinary team meetings and other meetings as required

Financial

  • To maintain and help administer stock and condition of therapy equipment on the wards and in the departments, reporting any defects or problems with equipment immediately to the senior therapist
  • To assist with the annual Occupational Therapy department stocktaking process

Partnerships Communications and Relationships

  • To report back to the delegating therapist relevant information regarding patient management
  • To assist in dealing with distressed or verbally aggressive relatives and carers on the wards, in the therapy department and on home visits
  • To take and make telephone calls with patients, colleagues and other medical staff.
  • To communicate appropriately at all times with all individuals in a respectful manner
  • To liaise with the other members of the multidisciplinary team, outside agencies, including out of borough equipment facilities, and patients' families as directed by therapists.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary:

This position is accountable to the Head of Therapies. The purpose of the position is to assist Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists provide therapy assessment, rehabilitation and management of patients. Also to assist in the administration and clerical duties of the department, according to the specific rotational area of work.

Key Result Areas & Performance:

  • To assist the therapists in moving and handling patients before, during and after treatments, using appropriate manual handling equipment, eg. hoists, standing frames
  • To assist the therapist with individual and group assessments / treatments / activities, including hydrotherapy, or to treat patients on a 1:1 basis or in a group situation, as directed by the therapists
  • To report back to the delegating therapist relevant information regarding patient management
  • To escort patients to and from wards / departments
  • To escort and assist patients with toilet and dressing requirements as necessary
  • To assist with the patients on home visits as directed by the therapists, giving support and advice as appropriate. Includes collection and return of house keys from/to inpatients
  • To deliver and install simple aids and equipment in the patient's home as agreed by therapy staff and to instruct patients and carers in the use of this equipment, as appropriate
  • To supply patients with appropriate, safe, walking aids and to instruct patients in the use of this equipment
  • To transfer information from patient records to therapy records, including operation notes/details
  • To maintain accurate computer and written records that meet professional and Trust standard
  • To write any therapy assessments/reports in consultation with Occupational Therapists/Physiotherapists, and according to local standards. To ensure any written reports are filed promptly in the appropriate place.
  • To use the relevant therapy/hospital computer information system to check and record patient data and attendance details
  • To arrange/change outpatient appointments in the electronic diary, and inform patients and therapists accordingly
  • To undertake general administrative tasks within the department particularly related to record keeping, filing, supplies, errands and message taking, photocopying, and absence cover rota for support staff
  • To organise appropriate transport and interpreting services.

Work force

  • To attend relevant therapy assistant training sessions
  • To participate in the individual performance review (appraisal) scheme, and to be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development plan to meet set goals
  • To participate in mandatory and statutory training as required, eg. basic life support, manual handling etc
  • To attend Trust in-house training sessions / programmes and external courses as appropriate
  • To contribute to the training of new / volunteer staff as requested by therapist
  • To attend and participate in staff meetings, case conferences, multidisciplinary team meetings and other meetings as required

Financial

  • To maintain and help administer stock and condition of therapy equipment on the wards and in the departments, reporting any defects or problems with equipment immediately to the senior therapist
  • To assist with the annual Occupational Therapy department stocktaking process

Partnerships Communications and Relationships

  • To report back to the delegating therapist relevant information regarding patient management
  • To assist in dealing with distressed or verbally aggressive relatives and carers on the wards, in the therapy department and on home visits
  • To take and make telephone calls with patients, colleagues and other medical staff.
  • To communicate appropriately at all times with all individuals in a respectful manner
  • To liaise with the other members of the multidisciplinary team, outside agencies, including out of borough equipment facilities, and patients' families as directed by therapists.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

  • Evidence of broad based Education, literacy & numeracy
  • Good written & spoken English

Desirable

  • NVQ level 3 or equivalent training
  • GCSE English & maths or equivalent
  • To have completed an approved in-service training course recently or evidence of other recent study
  • Use of car for work
  • Full, clean driving licence for manual gear box
  • NHS experience

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working /dealing with adults with health needs
  • Experience of working within a health or social care environment
  • Experience of working in a team
  • Computer skills including typing notes, letters, completing spread-sheets and scanning.

Desirable

  • Experience in working in rehabilitation & care
  • Experience of working with individuals as 1:1 or in groups
  • Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

  • Ability to work across hospital and community settings
  • Ability to work under direction of other as well as on own initiative and take responsibility for their own workload
  • Ability to understand instructions and carry out tasks accurately
  • Good organisational and time management skills
  • Ability to work within the organisational policies
  • Ability to identify diverse needs of patients and address these needs in planning
  • Able to perform effectively with unpredictable work patterns and under pressures

Desirable

  • Basic understanding of health and community services
  • To have knowledge of Care programme approach, principles of Safeguarding of vulnerable adults, risk assessment and management and mental capacity
Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

  • Evidence of broad based Education, literacy & numeracy
  • Good written & spoken English

Desirable

  • NVQ level 3 or equivalent training
  • GCSE English & maths or equivalent
  • To have completed an approved in-service training course recently or evidence of other recent study
  • Use of car for work
  • Full, clean driving licence for manual gear box
  • NHS experience

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working /dealing with adults with health needs
  • Experience of working within a health or social care environment
  • Experience of working in a team
  • Computer skills including typing notes, letters, completing spread-sheets and scanning.

Desirable

  • Experience in working in rehabilitation & care
  • Experience of working with individuals as 1:1 or in groups
  • Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

  • Ability to work across hospital and community settings
  • Ability to work under direction of other as well as on own initiative and take responsibility for their own workload
  • Ability to understand instructions and carry out tasks accurately
  • Good organisational and time management skills
  • Ability to work within the organisational policies
  • Ability to identify diverse needs of patients and address these needs in planning
  • Able to perform effectively with unpredictable work patterns and under pressures

Desirable

  • Basic understanding of health and community services
  • To have knowledge of Care programme approach, principles of Safeguarding of vulnerable adults, risk assessment and management and mental capacity

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

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Address

University Hospital Lewisham

Lewisham High Street

London

SE13 6LH


Employer's website

https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Address

University Hospital Lewisham

Lewisham High Street

London

SE13 6LH


Employer's website

https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Inpatient Lead & Respiratory Specialist Physio

Harriet Bryce

harrietbryce@nhs.net

02083333125

Details

Date posted

16 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum plus HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

197-UT6243-C

Job locations

University Hospital Lewisham

Lewisham High Street

London

SE13 6LH


Supporting documents

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