Senior Therapy Assistant

NHS; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

Join the NHS as a Technical Instructor in the Spinal Injury Therapy team at Northern General Hospital. This role involves assisting with the rehabilitation of spinal injury patients and includes both administrative and hands-on tasks in a dynamic therapy environment. Ideal candidates will have relevant health qualifications and experience, along with strong interpersonal skills.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Supportive working environment

Qualifications

• GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent in English or equivalent experience.
• Technical qualifications to level 3 in relevant health/healthcare subject.
• Experience as an Occupational Therapy and/or Physiotherapy Assistant.

Responsibilities

• Work with spinal cord injury patients to support therapy staff.
• Perform general housekeeping and administrative duties.
• Drive therapy vehicle for patient outings when necessary.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Team working skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Motivational skills

Education

GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent in English

Technical qualifications to level 3 in relevant health subject

Job description

Job summary

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Band 3 Technical Instructor to join our established Spinal Injury Therapy team at the Northern General Hospital.

The Princess Royal Spinal Injuries Centre is based in the Osborn Building at the Northern General Hospital. It consists of 60 beds over 3 wards. There are 6 dedicated ventilator dependent patient beds plus 2 additional respiratory beds suitable for patients with tracheostomies.

The job will include working with all levels of spinal cord injury patients and supporting therapy staff in delivering rehabilitation to patients or assisting qualified therapy staff during joint sessions.

Rehabilitation may take place on the wards or within the spinal injury therapy department. The post holder will also carry out general housekeeping and administrative duties. The therapy team have access to a therapy car and a minibus for undertaking trips out with patients so the ability to drive is desirable.

The therapy department facilities include a main Occupational Therapy (OT) department, technology suite, kitchen, bedroom, Physiotherapy gym, weights room and a hydrotherapy pool. This post will mainly be based in OT but cross cover to the physiotherapy team may also be necessary.

The spinal injury therapy team provide a 7-day service. The successful candidate will be expected to work on a weekend/bank holiday roster as part of their regular shift pattern.

Main duties of the job

The post will involve the moving and handling of patients on the wards and within the spinal injury therapy department. The post also entails dealing with the general public and other members of the multidisciplinary team so excellent customer care and team working skills are required.

To be considered for this post the applicant must have a GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent in English and proven continuous development or study at Level 3 in a subject relevant to health/healthcare e.g. NVQ3/QCF3 units/A level or equivalent. They must also have relevant experience as an Occupational Therapy and/or Physiotherapy Assistant and knowledge of this field.

Applicants must also be willing to perform a mix of clerical, domestic and patient related tasks.

You must be able to demonstrate:- Current knowledge and skills in therapy practise Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Ability to motivate and teach patients Collaborative team working skills Competency in Therapy Assistant therapy practise Professional, patient centred care Able to maintain confidentiality Ability to act on own initiative, organise and manage case load Calm and flexible approach to changing work situations Ability to maintain accurate written records Sound IT skills

About us

You will be working for an organisation which values and respects all of its staff and the community it serves. The Trust is a leader in the NHS and research sectors and provides excellent benefits for its staff. This includes commitments to professional development but also many policies to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives.

Details Date posted

06 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year pa/pro rata for part time staff

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

190-0409-DIR

Job locations

Northern General Hospital

Herries Road

Sheffield

S5 7AU

Job description Job responsibilities

Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for full details regarding this post.

When completing your application please ensure that you clearly demonstrate how you meet the role criteria.

Job description Job responsibilities

Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for full details regarding this post.

When completing your application please ensure that you clearly demonstrate how you meet the role criteria.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• GCSE Grade C /4 or equivalent in English or equivalent experience.
• Technical qualifications to level 3 e.g. QCF3, BTEC, A Level in relevant health/healthcare subject OR Evidence of continuous development through formal and/or informal training in health/healthcare equivalent to Level 3

Desirable

• GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent in Maths
• Health & Safety
• Risk Assessment
• First Aid
• City & Guilds 7307 (teaching) or equivalent qualification/experience

Further Training Essential

• Relevant experience as an Occupational Therapy and/or Physiotherapy Assistant including successful completion of associated competencies Or Relevant experience as a Clinical Support Worker/Health Care Assistant including successful completion of associated competencies

Desirable

• Working in elderly/ rehabilitation/ medicine/ surgery/orthopaedic/neurology specialities.

Experience Essential

• Experience as an Occupational Therapy and/or Physiotherapy Assistant including successful completion of associated competencies Or Experience as a Clinical Support Worker/Health Care Assistant including successful completion of associated competencies

Desirable

• Working in elderly/ rehabilitation/ medicine/ surgery/orthopaedic/ neurology specialities.

Special Skills/Aptitudes Essential

• Excellent interpersonal and team working skills
• Able to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing
• Able to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to act on own initiative, organise work and manage multiple tasks
• Calm approach to changing work situations
• Ability to maintain accurate written records & statistics
• Teaching ability
• Able to motivate patients

Desirable

• Comprehensive understanding of occupational therapy and physiotherapy in line with the role
• IT literate
• Competency in therapy practice

Other Factors Essential

• Flexible and reliable approach to working practices
• Positive attitude to patient care and teamwork
• Ability to demonstrate commitment to the Senior Therapy Assistant role
• Willing to work flexibly as service requires including evening/weekend
• Competent Swimmer

Desirable

• Full clean UK driving licence

Further Training Essential

• Experience of working with therapists as part of patient centred care

Desirable

• Current knowledge & skills in therapy practice relevant to speciality

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• GCSE Grade C /4 or equivalent in English or equivalent experience.
• Technical qualifications to level 3 e.g. QCF3, BTEC, A Level in relevant health/healthcare subject OR Evidence of continuous development through formal and/or informal training in health/healthcare equivalent to Level 3

Desirable

• GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent in Maths
• Health & Safety
• Risk Assessment
• First Aid
• City & Guilds 7307 (teaching) or equivalent qualification/experience

Further Training Essential

• Relevant experience as an Occupational Therapy and/or Physiotherapy Assistant including successful completion of associated competencies Or Relevant experience as a Clinical Support Worker/Health Care Assistant including successful completion of associated competencies

Desirable

• Working in elderly/ rehabilitation/ medicine/ surgery/orthopaedic/neurology specialities.

Experience Essential

• Experience as an Occupational Therapy and/or Physiotherapy Assistant including successful completion of associated competencies Or Experience as a Clinical Support Worker/Health Care Assistant including successful completion of associated competencies

Desirable

• Working in elderly/ rehabilitation/ medicine/ surgery/orthopaedic/ neurology specialities.

Special Skills/Aptitudes Essential

• Excellent interpersonal and team working skills
• Able to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing
• Able to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to act on own initiative, organise work and manage multiple tasks
• Calm approach to changing work situations
• Ability to maintain accurate written records & statistics
• Teaching ability
• Able to motivate patients

Desirable

• Comprehensive understanding of occupational therapy and physiotherapy in line with the role
• IT literate
• Competency in therapy practice

Other Factors Essential

• Flexible and reliable approach to working practices
• Positive attitude to patient care and teamwork
• Ability to demonstrate commitment to the Senior Therapy Assistant role
• Willing to work flexibly as service requires including evening/weekend
• Competent Swimmer

Desirable

• Full clean UK driving licence

Further Training Essential

• Experience of working with therapists as part of patient centred care

Desirable

• Current knowledge & skills in therapy practice relevant to speciality

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details Employer name

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Northern General Hospital

Herries Road

Sheffield

S5 7AU

Employer's website

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

Employer details Employer name

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Northern General Hospital

Herries Road

Sheffield

S5 7AU

Employer's website

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