Job summary
Therapy services at Dorset County Hospital are developing. We are excited to be developing a band 4 role, within our musculoskeletal outpatient physiotherapy team. We are committed to providing assessment and rehabilitation to our patients to maximise independence and promote a return to normal activities. Band 4's will be able to work autonomously for a defined group of patients developing and working through routine therapy treatment plans. This role will include weekend working.
The therapy assistant will be working in the musculoskeletal outpatient physiotherapy department supporting the therapists in the department, at local gyms and within group based settings. As a band 4 the therapy assistant will carry their own non-complex case load and will work alongside physiotherapists and apprentices.
The Therapy department is committed to developing non registered staff, with opportunities for apprenticeships to become registered members of staff. We offer regular:
- Regular in-service trainings
- Monthly supervision
- Departmental meetings
- Opportunities to work with other teams
Main duties of the job
A full driving licence is required. All therapy staff are expected to work over multiple sites. All therapy staff are expected to contribute to weekend working rotas within the department.
- To be an autonomous practitioner
- To develop effective treatment plans with the support of relevant senior staff
- Once considered competent, to participate in the week-end, bank holiday and extended working rotas where clinically appropriate
- Be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development and professional standards.
- Participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraisee and be responsible for complying with agreed personal development plan to meet set competencies.
- Be an active member of the In-Service Training Programme by attendance at, and participation in, in-service training programmes, tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses and peer review.
- Be responsible for full caseload of patients under direct and indirect supervision of a therapist
- Attend Trust mandatory training sessions
About us
At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff.
Our Mission is to work in partnership to provide high quality, compassionate services and to nurture an environment where people can be at their best. Our vision is healthier lives, empowered citizens, thriving communities.
We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.
We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application materials. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role.Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process. We value honesty and appreciate applications that are genuine and representative of the individual behind them.
Right to Work in the UK: This role is not available for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are unable to support visa applications for this post in line with UKVI regulations.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.
Please contact us at Recruitment@dchft.nhs.uk if you are unable to view or download the attachment.
For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.
Please contact us at Recruitment@dchft.nhs.uk if you are unable to view or download the attachment.
For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- BTEC/HND/NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience in relevant subject
- Foundation degree (or willing to work towards foundation degree within first 2 years in post)
Desirable
- CSP associate member
- Relevant Healthcare courses
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Able to demonstrate an intermediate level knowledge of conditions, clinical pathways and therapeutic interventions
- Awareness of clinical governance and its implication for Therapy
- Significant experience in health or social care setting
- Experience and ability to work collaboratively within MDT
- Experience in delivering and developing therapy plans
Desirable
- Awareness and understanding of NHS structure
- Knowledge of local service
- Previous experience of working within a therapy rehabilitation area, therapy assistant or equivalent
- Experience of an NHS environment
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Essential
- Willingness and ability to undertake competency-based skills programme
- The ability to identify and act upon potential clinical risks
- Able to communicate complex information to patients, carers, other health professionals and team
- Positive interpersonal skills
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment
- Good time management skills with ability to organise and prioritise.
- Proactive approach to learning, demonstrated in a CPD portfolio
- Able to provide a good standard of clear, concise, written and verbal reports in English.
- IT skills, including using hospital databases, word processing and email
- Ability to manage own stress and work in a stressful and unpredictable environment.
- To show empathy and fairness to give support to others
- Ability to work autonomously
Desirable
- IT skills - ability to create and/or format data and/or spreadsheets using computerised systems
- Demonstrate good motivational skills
Other
Essential
- Self-motivated
- Be able to demonstrate flexibility and reliability
- Able to use own initiative
- Work in a flexible manner and adapt to changing environments
- Physically fit and able to comply with trusts moving and handling guidelines, therapeutic handling
- Professional Manner and Appearance
- Available for weekend duties and altered working patterns where clinically appropriate
- Car driver
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- BTEC/HND/NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience in relevant subject
- Foundation degree (or willing to work towards foundation degree within first 2 years in post)
Desirable
- CSP associate member
- Relevant Healthcare courses
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Able to demonstrate an intermediate level knowledge of conditions, clinical pathways and therapeutic interventions
- Awareness of clinical governance and its implication for Therapy
- Significant experience in health or social care setting
- Experience and ability to work collaboratively within MDT
- Experience in delivering and developing therapy plans
Desirable
- Awareness and understanding of NHS structure
- Knowledge of local service
- Previous experience of working within a therapy rehabilitation area, therapy assistant or equivalent
- Experience of an NHS environment
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Essential
- Willingness and ability to undertake competency-based skills programme
- The ability to identify and act upon potential clinical risks
- Able to communicate complex information to patients, carers, other health professionals and team
- Positive interpersonal skills
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment
- Good time management skills with ability to organise and prioritise.
- Proactive approach to learning, demonstrated in a CPD portfolio
- Able to provide a good standard of clear, concise, written and verbal reports in English.
- IT skills, including using hospital databases, word processing and email
- Ability to manage own stress and work in a stressful and unpredictable environment.
- To show empathy and fairness to give support to others
- Ability to work autonomously
Desirable
- IT skills - ability to create and/or format data and/or spreadsheets using computerised systems
- Demonstrate good motivational skills
Other
Essential
- Self-motivated
- Be able to demonstrate flexibility and reliability
- Able to use own initiative
- Work in a flexible manner and adapt to changing environments
- Physically fit and able to comply with trusts moving and handling guidelines, therapeutic handling
- Professional Manner and Appearance
- Available for weekend duties and altered working patterns where clinically appropriate
- Car driver
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.
