Technical Instructor Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHSFT; Chesterfield; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A community health service provider in Chesterfield is seeking a Technical Instructor for Pulmonary Rehabilitation. The role involves supporting exercise and education programmes, managing a patient's caseload, and promoting patient independence. Candidates must have NVQ Level 4 in health or social care, experience in a community setting, and excellent communication skills. Joining a dedicated team, you'll help improve patient outcomes across North Derbyshire with a focus on collaboration and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Should possess NVQ Level 4 or equivalent in health or social care.
• Must have a good education background including English and Maths.
• Experience in community working is required.

Responsibilities

• Support pulmonary rehabilitation exercise and education programmes.
• Manage own caseload and modify treatment programmes as needed.
• Communicate effectively with patients and maintain health records.

Skills

Time management

Implementing rehabilitation programmes

Community experience

Team working

Education

NVQ Level 4 in health or social care

Good standard of education including English Language & Maths GCSE

Level 4 Exercise training for chronic respiratory disease

On the Register of Exercise Professionals (REP)

Job description

Technical Instructor Pulmonary Rehabilitation

The closing date is 14 January 2026

Are you interested in being part of a responsive, innovative and dynamic Community Respiratory Team?

We deliver a leading‑edge Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service across the North Derbyshire area.

You will be based at Walton Hospital and will be part of the wider Community Respiratory Team, working across different community hospitals and patient homes within North Derbyshire, including High Peak.

Working in a healthcare support team role, it will be your responsibility to ensure that your behaviour and values reflect those set out in the DCHS Way.

You will need to be passionate and enthusiastic about patient care, putting patients at the heart of everything you do.

You will be working in a multi‑professional team with a culture of continuous improvement, where patient welfare and patient‑centred care is at the heart of all you do.

Please note: For internal applicants this would be considered a secondment position.

Main duties of the job

To support the delivery of pulmonary rehabilitation exercise and education programmes in North Derbyshire, organised by the Specialist Respiratory Physiotherapist to help patients gain their optimum level of function and independence.

To facilitate the efficient utilisation of resources and to contribute to specific contractual requirements, in accordance with service specifications and NHS National Standards.

To support the delivery of pulmonary rehabilitation by providing and managing ongoing treatment, teaching and instruction to your own referred caseload of patients. The post holder will be expected to implement, modify and evaluate these programmes of treatment without direct supervision.

The post holder will organise and prioritise day‑to‑day work tasks and activities, and delegate tasks to Band 3 colleagues to follow up planned actions.

• Undertake home visits independently to assess the patients’ Home Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) exercises (previously prescribed by the Physiotherapist)
• Provide modification of Home PR exercises where required
• Order equipment and refer to other services as required

About us

Our purpose is to provide community health services to a patient population of over one million people in Derbyshire and Derby, as part of Joined Up Care Derbyshire.

We employ around 4,200 substantive staff, caring for patients in 11 community hospitals and more than 30 health centres, as well as in clinics, GP practices, schools, care homes and, increasingly, in people’s own homes and via virtual consultations.

During the pandemic response we led the implementation of public vaccination centres in collaboration with partners across health and social care.

Job responsibilities

To communicate information to patients and carers regarding their health needs and associated treatment plans, and to report and take appropriate action regarding any change in patient condition or circumstance. To maintain and record accurate health records in line with DCHS policies and procedures and Caldicott requirements. To observe personal duty of care when using or supplying equipment, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulation and monitoring and reporting to appropriate registered clinicians on the effectiveness and safety of the exercise programme or equipment and aids at patients’ homes to maximise use of resources. To ensure Every Contact Counts and contribute to public health and health promotion initiatives. Under appropriate supervision, assist in routine screening for chronic disease management and record results for monitoring purposes to ensure compliance with NICE, NHS Long Term Plan etc. To contribute to and support the maintaining of service standards and performance through national audit and benchmarking, as per internal audit priorities (AMaT), CQC Standards for Compliance etc. and to encourage colleagues and team members to do also. To participate, as an individual and as a team member, in continuous learning and reflective practice in order to maintain own knowledge and skills, share good practice with and provide instruction to colleagues to continually improve services. To actively contribute to protecting people at risk by assessing and monitoring the care environment and individuals and by following and acting on safeguarding policies and procedures.

To autonomously participate in the provision of rehabilitation activities for people referred to the service to promote independence and well‑being. To provide ongoing treatment, teaching and instruction to their own referred caseload of patients. To assess individual health needs and identify desired goals and outcomes of interventions. To implement, modify and evaluate programmes of treatment. To motivate and educate patients in groups and individually to enable patients to fulfil their desired goals. To use highly developed verbal and non‑verbal communication skills to gain a rapport with clients, who may have complex communication difficulties. To use highly developed observational skills to assess and report accurately, verbally and in writing to the Community Respiratory Service. To undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service. To manage a delegated caseload. To assess risk and manage effectively within clinical settings including the patients’ home environment. To support the discharge arrangements for patients on the Pulmonary Rehabilitation programme. This may involve post‑walk‑test, onward referrals and knowing safety parameters so any identified issue can be escalated to the registered staff.

Documentation

To ensure that up‑to‑date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional and trust standards.

Professional and Ethical

To acquire a range of skills appropriate to the post. To adhere to all trust policies, procedures and local standards of practice.

Leadership, supervision, appraisal and professional development

In line with trust guidelines, review and reflect on your own practice and performance through regular participation in management supervision and appraisal. To undertake relevant activities to meet training objectives identified with your supervisor. To keep a record of your training and development activities and reflective practice with a CPD portfolio. To demonstrate your activities to new/less experienced employees.

Training staff and students

To participate in the induction, training and education of students and other staff in the health care setting.

Service development and delivery

To ensure that areas are well maintained and comply with health and safety guidelines, ensuring the safe use of equipment and storage of materials. To participate in the delivery of the development plan for the DCHS.

Clinical Governance

To participate in clinical governance and quality improvement projects as allocated by professional members of the DCHS.

Line management, staff, budgets

To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance. To be responsible for maintaining stock, advising on resources to carry out the job.

Patient interaction

Communicate effectively and sensitively, using language appropriate to patients and carers/relatives’ condition and understanding. Effectively use all forms/methods of communication and be aware of and manage barriers to communication. Effectively recognise and manage challenging behaviours in patients, carers or relatives.

Health and Well‑being enablement

Provide information to team and patients, carers and/or relatives. Respect the dignity of individuals, obtaining consent and involving them, their carers and relatives and families in shared decision‑making.

Strategy and Service Development

As part of a team, incorporate up‑to‑date techniques and ideas of positive practice into your programme. To participate in team audit and evaluation activities as agreed with your supervisor.

Financial Resources/Management

The post holder will have no specific budget management responsibility but will, through awareness and prudent behaviour, contribute to service‑level financial performance, for example if ordering stock supplies or equipment.

Information Resources/Information Systems

To keep accurate and up‑to‑date records of patient treatment and other interventions which are compliant with legal requirements and keep statistics and input data as required.

Autonomy/Scope within Role

The post holder will be required to manage a delegated caseload within clearly defined occupational policies, protocols, procedures, relevant codes of conduct and identified treatment plans. They will implement, evaluate and modify programmes of care without direct supervision, but will be expected to liaise closely with relevant professionally registered staff.

Person Specification

Qualification/Education and Training

• NVQ Level 4 in health or social care, or equivalent knowledge/skills gained through experience and training/development
• Good standard of general education including English Language & Maths GCSE (A‑C) or equivalent
• Level 4 Exercise training for chronic respiratory disease or equivalent
• On the Register of Exercise Professionals (REP)

Skills and experience

• Ability to implement and evaluate rehabilitation programme
• Ability to effectively manage own time and prioritise own workload
• MDT or integrated team working
• Community experience e.g. working with people who have had strokes/falls or providing palliative care

Access to transport

• Access to and ability to use transport for travel between and across care settings will be required.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) will be required to check for any previous convictions.

Employer name

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHSFT

Depending on experience