Community Therapy Assistant

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust; Chester-le-Street; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Chester-le-Street is looking for a Community Therapy Assistant to join their team. The role involves working independently in community settings with adults who have physical disabilities. Candidates should have relevant educational qualifications and the ability to work under minimal supervision. This position offers a salary of £24,937 to £26,598 per annum pro rata to the successful applicant.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 GCSEs at grade C or equivalent, including English Language.
• NVQ Level 3 in a relevant area or equivalent experience.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Plan and organise clinical activity with appropriate time scheduling.
• Engage in own supervision with a senior member of staff.
• Ensure all mandatory training is kept up to date.

Skills

Communication Skills

Teamwork

Confidentiality

Education

Minimum of 4 GCSEs at grade C

NVQ Level 3 in relevant area

Tools

Microsoft Packages

Job description

Overview

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust are one of the largest integrated organisations in the country, providing hospital and community services to a population of over 650,000. We are an ambitious and innovative organisation with a talented workforce of over 7,000 colleagues. Our vision is to be Right First Time, Every Time and our mission is to provide safe, compassionate and joined-up care to the populations of County Durham and Darlington.

The closing date is 23 October 2025.

We are looking for a dynamic, motivated individual to join the Community Therapy North Team at Chester Le Street Community Hospital, working alongside Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Associate Practitioners. The team is part of the North Durham Community Rehabilitation Team and works across Durham, Chester Le Street and Derwentside. The post will include independent and joint working in the community setting.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will predominantly work independently in the community setting with adults referred to the team who present with a range of physical dysfunction/disabilities resulting from injury, illness, surgery or chronic disease, across a range of community settings.

On an ongoing basis the post holder will support short term therapy goals set by the Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Associate Practitioners.

The post holder will also support joint visits and hospital-based clinics such as the amputee clinic.

The nominal base will be Chester Le Street Hospital, but you will be expected to independently travel across the whole North Durham locality including the Shotley Bridge Hospital site and surrounding area depending on the needs of the service.

The successful candidate will be expected to complete documentation at the point of care and be able to use a lone worker system in compliance with Health and Safety.

About us

You must accept an interview slot in the system to continue if you are being interviewed, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated as essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites – Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community-based settings and care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criterion and have a current visa expiring within 3 months).

Job responsibilities

To plan and organise clinical activity, with appropriate time scheduling in order to complete all clinical and administrative duties including statistical record keeping.

To actively engage and be responsible for own supervision with a senior member of staff.

To be responsible for clinical record-keeping in accordance with the guidelines for documentation and legal requirements.

To be responsible for the correct and safe use of the physical environment including equipment and to be responsible for the allocation of these resources.

When working in the community and domiciliary setting, to work as a lone practitioner with telephone support from a Senior Therapist if required.

To ensure all mandatory training is kept up to date and participate in professional development including attending In Service Training.

The role will include assisting colleagues with moving and handling assessments, reviewing and fitting of equipment, assisting in clinics, carrying out set exercise plans, mobility practice and feedback to senior staff.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 GCSEs at grade C or equivalent, including English Language.
• NVQ Level 3 in a relevant area, e.g. diagnostic and Therapeutic Care or related, or working towards or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of Microsoft packages.
• An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing.
• Involvement in specific interest groups (where applicable).

Special Skills & Knowledge

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Able to observe and record physical and social changes in patients.
• Able to identify when to report to a registered therapist.
• Able to work alone with patients within an agreed care plan.
• Able to work with minimal supervision.
• An appreciation of dealing with people in their own homes.
• Able to maintain confidentiality.
• Understand working with other agencies/multidisciplinary working.

Experience

• Experience of working within multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience of working with adults.
• Recent and relevant band 2 assistant experience within rehabilitation in a related clinical specialism within the NHS.

Special Requirements

• Ability to travel independently across Trust sites, the locality and carry small items of equipment to fulfil the requirements of this post.

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 name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Salary: £24,937 to £26,598 per annum pro rata