University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Therapy Assistant Practitioner

The closing date is 10 June 2025

Job summary

*EXPANDING SERVICE OPPORTUNITY*

Royal Sussex County Hospital is launching an exciting new 7-day front door service. We are looking for a skilled Rehab assistantto expand the current team. The service will run 8am-8pm covering patients in the A&E Department, Clinical Decision Unit (CDU) and Acute Admissions Unit (AAU). The team provides rapid and comprehensive assessment, working within an integrated therapy model creating a seamless service across Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, enabling an efficient journey for the patients.

The Integrated Discharge Teamconsists of Occupational therapists, Physiotherapists, Discharge Coordinator and Rehab Assistants. There is a strong multidisciplinary approach on the acute floor with collaborative working across wider professions.

The successful candidate should be pro-active, flexible and demonstrate excellent communication, clinical and organisational skills required to manage in a fast-paced environment providing excellent assessment, discharge planning and placing a key focus on admission avoidance.

Please note, in addition we are looking for bank staff- please apply if interested in bank hours.

Main duties of the job

Assisting in providing Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy interventions for patients assessed by the team. Once deemed competent, the post holder will be able to assess non-complex patients, progress them and plan discharges appropriately, liaising with key personnel and outside agencies accordingly. This will be across therapy disciplines, predominantly covering the integrated discharge team and Frailty.

The Therapy Assistant Practitioner will work under the direction and guidance of an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist within the team but may work without being directly supervised but with immediate access to a therapist on site or by telephone/bleep. Other members of the team may also request tasks to be undertaken which will support them in managing the workload on a daily basis.

The post holder will be expected to use a minimal amount of clinical judgement and freedom to act when undertaking their work whilst remaining within agreed protocols.

To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

To participate in a 7-day rota including weekends and bank holiday within an 8am-8pm service.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programmefor staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex

Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Date posted

27 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

279-7171131-MAY25

Job locations

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Eastern Road

Brighton

BN2 5BE

Job description

Job responsibilities

We offer:
- A supportive working environment with regular supervision and CPD opportunities.
- Various opportunities for learning and development of clinical skills to ensure continuing development of both individuals and the team.
- Involvement in Service Developmentand clinical audits
- Playing a vital role in the development and success of this new 7 day service

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you view this document and use it when completing the application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting. For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the "job description and main responsibilities" section below.

Job description

Job responsibilities

We offer:
- A supportive working environment with regular supervision and CPD opportunities.
- Various opportunities for learning and development of clinical skills to ensure continuing development of both individuals and the team.
- Involvement in Service Developmentand clinical audits
- Playing a vital role in the development and success of this new 7 day service

Person Specification

Experience/Qualifications

Essential

Good general education including English and Mathematics
Relevant theoretical and practical training to NVQ III level or equivalent e.g. departmental training or courses on topics relevant to the post

Skills

Essential

Experience working as an Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy Assistant worker or another relevant role
Experience working in NHS health or social care or be able to demonstrate transferable skills
Knowledge of roles of other members of the multidisciplinary team
Ability to empathise with service users and their carer's and to demonstrate appropriate attitudes
Good communication, verbal and written
Ability to collate, organise and respond effectively to information
Experience of working as part of a team

Desirable

Proven competency training in fitting and assessing for daily living equipment and carrying out activity of daily living assessments, basic mobility, progression of mobility, stair assessment, taking exercise classes and providing individual exercise programmes

Other Requirements

Essential

Good time management including punctuality and ability to prioritise caseload
Awareness of own limitations and ability to ask for guidance when needed
Ability to work flexibly by using own initiative, under the guidance of the lead professional

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Essential

Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Person Specification

Experience/Qualifications

Essential

Good general education including English and Mathematics
Relevant theoretical and practical training to NVQ III level or equivalent e.g. departmental training or courses on topics relevant to the post

Skills

Essential

Experience working as an Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy Assistant worker or another relevant role
Experience working in NHS health or social care or be able to demonstrate transferable skills
Knowledge of roles of other members of the multidisciplinary team
Ability to empathise with service users and their carer's and to demonstrate appropriate attitudes
Good communication, verbal and written
Ability to collate, organise and respond effectively to information
Experience of working as part of a team

Desirable

Proven competency training in fitting and assessing for daily living equipment and carrying out activity of daily living assessments, basic mobility, progression of mobility, stair assessment, taking exercise classes and providing individual exercise programmes

Other Requirements

Essential

Good time management including punctuality and ability to prioritise caseload
Awareness of own limitations and ability to ask for guidance when needed
Ability to work flexibly by using own initiative, under the guidance of the lead professional

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Essential

Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

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

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Eastern Road

Brighton

BN2 5BE

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Eastern Road

Brighton

BN2 5BE

Employer's website

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