Health and Therapy Assistant – Urgent Community Response | Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust; Apuldram; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A local NHS community trust is seeking a Health & Therapy Assistant to provide patient care in home settings. You will collaborate with nursing and therapy teams under supervision. No prior experience is required as comprehensive training will be provided, enabling you to achieve the Care Certificate. The role offers flexible working options and the opportunity for career progression within the NHS.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Excellent training and development opportunities

Cost-effective workplace nurseries

Qualifications

• No previous experience needed; training provided on the job.
• Support for achieving the Care Certificate.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of direct patient care in home settings.
• Collaborate with nursing and therapy teams.
• Follow Trust policies and participate in training.

Education

Care Certificate training

Job description

Overview

The UCR Service provides urgent support, seven days a week, to help prevent unnecessary hospital admissions. A multi-skilled team delivers a two-hour crisis response at home or in the usual place of residence for people at risk of admission due to declining health or mobility. We also work closely with local ambulance services to divert Category 3 and 4 patients, ensuring they receive timely, appropriate care in the community.

In addition, UCR supports a general virtual ward model, enhanced by digital technology and remote monitoring. Patients receive hospital-level care at home, aiding recovery in familiar surroundings and helping to relieve hospital pressures. Our daily multidisciplinary reviews—via home visits or video—ensure safety and continuity of care.

Our team includes GPs, Nurses, Paramedics, Pharmacists, OTs, Physios, and Health & Therapy Assistants, all working together to provide outstanding care 8am–8pm, 365 days a year.

Role and responsibilities

As a Health & Therapy Assistant, you’ll support nursing and therapy teams in delivering direct care to patients in their homes, under supervision and in line with Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust policies. You’ll work across disciplines—nursing, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy—as part of our 7-day service.

• Support the delivery of direct patient care in home settings.
• Collaborate with nursing, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy teams.
• Follow Trust policies and procedures under supervision.
• Participate in multidisciplinary reviews and training as part of the team.

Training, qualifications and progression

No previous experience is needed—we’ll train you on the job and support you in achieving the Care Certificate. Your training will include essential nursing and therapy skills. With experience and further training, you could progress to roles such as Nursing Associate, or pursue a degree in nursing, therapy, or other healthcare professions.

About us and our benefits

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.

Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.

• Positive 2024 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing
• Varied environments: community hospitals, patients’ homes, and bases across Sussex
• Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retirement
• Excellent training, development, and research opportunities
• Accredited Living Wage Employer, we ensure fair pay for all our staff
• Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton
• Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networks
• Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust

Our values—Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence—guide everything we do.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.

Notes

This post may close early if sufficient applications are received. You will need to be able to drive with a full UK licence and access to a vehicle due to the geographic area covered by the team.

Further information is available in the attached job description and person specification.

If you would like to discuss this role or find out more, you can contact our Operational Team Leads, (insert names, phone numbers and email).

We often receive a high number of applications for this role so please be aware that the vacancy may close.

If you would like to discuss this role or find out more, you can contact our Operational Team Lead Polly Jeffs 07887 272232 [e-mail]

We often receive a high number of applications for this role so please be aware that the vacancy may close earlier than stated.

This advert closes on Sunday 28 Sep 2025