Specialist Therapy Assistant

Cddft; Sedgefield; Remote; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Specialist Therapy Assistant to support therapists delivering stroke rehabilitation in patients’ homes and community settings around Sedgefield.

The post involves working with Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Speech & Language Therapists to provide holistic care and to promote independence. Applicants should have at least GCSE 4+ including English and Maths and an NVQ3 or equivalent, with community rehab experience.

Qualifications

• GCSEs grade 4 or above including English Language and Maths
• NVQ Level 3 in a relevant area or equivalent experience
• Experience in rehabilitation, community settings or working with stroke patients

Responsibilities

• Provide therapy to patients in the community under supervision of qualified therapists
• Support patients and carers after assessment to meet care needs
• Deliver core programmes of clinical care and contribute to service improvement and development
• Collaborate within a multidisciplinary team across health and social care settings

Job description

Specialist Therapy Assistant

The closing date is 27 October 2026

Community Stroke Rehabilitation are looking for a SpecialistTherapy Assistant.

The post will be based at Sedgefield Community Hospital,treating patients in and around the Durham and North Durham area. Thesuccessful candidate will work alongside Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists,Speech and Language Therapists and skilled associates to deliver innovative,evidence-based stroke rehabilitation in patients own homes and out-patientsettings to optimise recovery.

The role is diverse and challenging, and we are looking forsomeone to join our friendly team and to meet the needs of patients and bringideas to the service regarding service delivery and development. This is anexciting opportunity for a candidate to apply their skills in a flexible,innovative manner and to create solutions to offer our patients an optimalrehabilitation journey.

Main duties of the job

To provide support toTherapists in a variety of settings in the provision of high qualityinterventions to meet the needs of patients requiring physiotherapy, speech andlanguage therapy or occupational therapy in the community.

To provide holistic care for clientswithout direct supervision but accountable at all times to the responsible casemanager

To assist in the deliveryof core programmes of clinical care and participate in service improvement anddevelopment initiatives.

Towork within a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary framework of nursing, social work, therapy, residential,administrative and support staff.

Client Group: Comprehensiveportfolio of rehabilitation, nursing, healthcare and case management servicesto stroke survivors in their homes or residential homes requiring care and supportin the community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

About us

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

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated 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 providing 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.

Over reliance onAI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances ofsuccess.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

Please note that we may close any vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Job responsibilities

MAIN DUTIESAND RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide therapy to patients, their families and carersfollowing assessment of their health and health related needs, undertaking arange of clinical care duties.

Report to a registered therapist anyvariation in the condition of the patient that might indicate a change in thepatients health status and subsequently require further assistance.

Supportuser/patient involvement and participation in areas of responsibility.

Toalways endeavour to promote independence and motivate client choice withintheir limitations.

Tosupport / enable clients to achieve their optimum functional level and assistclients with all aspects of personal hygiene and grooming; preparation of mealsand monitoring of eating habits and food consumption. To be aware of theclients dietary requirements.

Tocarry out home visits independently for the fitting and adjustment of a rangeof equipment. You will be responsible for teaching patients and carers in thesafe and appropriate use of equipment and reinforce rehabilitation aims.

Tobe responsible for own safe and appropriate use of equipment. To maintainequipment in a clean and safe condition.

Tocommunicate with all clients including those who may have speech, hearing, learningdifficulties or a mental health illness.

Within the boundaries of delegatedresponsibility and competency provide care and perform interventions that willcontribute to the delivery of the patients care needs.

Evaluate personal performance in areflective manner to ensure continued personal development and the maintenanceof an up to date knowledge base.

Accurately record all clinicalinterventions and patient related activity in line with the organisationalpolicies on record keeping.

ClinicalQuality

Promote and support the effectiveimplementation of all Organisational Policies and Procedures.

Support the development and maintenanceof a learning environment within the integrated team that is appropriate forthe development needs of all members.

Participate in health promotion andinformed patient choice so that these are encouraged and developed to theirmaximum potential, within the available resources.

Participate in an integrated approach toclinical quality issues.

Participate in appropriate clinicalteaching packages for staff across both Health and Social Care teams.

To practice in accordance withorganisational policies and procedures.

Resources

Support efforts to ensure effectivepartnership working between Health and Social Care colleagues as well as otherkey services and agencies.

Supports an effective system of annualappraisal and personal development plans for all staff within the team in orderthat the development needs of both the individual and the team are identifiedand met.

Support an effective two-way network ofcommunication both within and without the team that ensures that all membersare appropriately informed of salient community/team issues.

Support and promote a team culture whichactively encourages empowerment thereby supporting and facilitating change.

Support the provision of a high quality,value for money and effective service within available resources.

Supports the effective utilisation ofinformation technology systems to ensure the provision of accurate clinical andstatistical data.

Development

To support an environment that enablesthe achievement of the desired philosophy of care through amulti-disciplinary/multi agency approach.

To participate in clinical supervision.

To contribute in identifying owndevelopment needs on an annual basis in line with the Trusts appraisal scheme.

To develop a self-awareness ofinterpersonal skills in relation to cultural values and beliefs of others.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 GCSE grade 4 or above, or equivalent level 2 qualifications, including English Language and Maths
• Knowledge of Microsoft packages
• An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standards.
• NVQ Level 3 in relevant area, e.g diagnostic and Therapeutic Care or Care or working towards or equivalent experience

Experience

• Experience of working within multidisciplinary teams
• Experience of working with adults
• Recent and relevant assistant experience within rehabilitation in a related clinical specialism.
• Experience of working within a rehabilitation team working with stroke patients
• Experience of community working practices.
• NHS experience

Special Requirements

• Able to travel across Trust sites independently to meet the requirements of the post.
• Valid full UK driving license.

Special Skills & Knowledge

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
• Able to work as part of team
• Able to observe and record physical and social changes in patients
• Able to identify when to report to a registered nurse / therapist
• Able to work alone with patients within an agreed care plan
• Able to work with minimal supervision
• Able to use own initiative appropriately

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

£25,760 to £27,476 a yearpro rata, per annum