Therapy Assistant

Cddft; North East; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Part time

Job summary

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 3 Therapy Assistant to join the therapy rehabilitation team in the North locality. The role is based at Shotley Bridge Hospital with cross-site cover across Weardale, Chester-le-Street and Sedgefield, and includes a 6-day week rota.

You will work under supervision of senior therapists, support rehabilitation and help with timely discharges and patient independence.

Qualifications

• GCSEs including English & Maths.
• NVQ level 3 or equivalent in diagnostic/therapeutic care.
• Band 3 Therapy Assistant experience desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support Therapists in physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
• Provide holistic care with supervision and accountability to the therapist.
• Assist to facilitate timely discharges and maximise patient independence.

Skills

Clear communication

Teamwork

Observation & recording

Report to therapist

Home-based care

Confidentiality

Multidisciplinary working

Education

GCSE English & Maths

NVQ level 3 or equivalent

Tools

Driving license

Job description

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Therapy Assistant

The closing date is 23 October 2026

Following significant investment into the communityhospitals wards we have an exciting opportunity to join our team. We areseeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic Band 3 Therapy Assistant to joinour therapy rehabilitation team based in the North locality.

Applicants must be prepared to participate in a 6 day weekservice, covering bank holidays and Saturdays on a rota basis.

The role will be based at Shotley Bridge Hospital with theexpectation of cross site cover as service demands into other hospitals withinthe North locality (Weardale Community Hospital and Chester-le-Street CommunityHospital). This may include cross-site cover into the South locality hospitals(Sedgefield and Richardson) to support with staffing issues as needed.

WE ALSO HAVE A 30 HOUR 12 MONTHS FIXED TERM POST AVAILABLETO COVER CHESTER-LE-STREET AND SEDGEFIELD. BASE TO BE DISCUSSED.

Come and join this exciting development. Receive support andopportunities to develop clinical and leadership skills with regular individualsupervision, peer support and access to additional learning.

For further information please contact SarahWatson, Clinical Team Lead Physiotherapist - 07785681183

Main duties of the job

This is an exciting role with a great deal of patientcontact and opportunities to increase and consolidate both skills andknowledge. You will work under direct supervision of the senior Occupationaltherapists and Physiotherapists. You will have the autonomy to carry outrehabilitation following qualified or band 4 assessment as well as assisting tofacilitate timely discharges and maximise patients' independence. You will actas a source to provide health education and advice to patients, carers, andtheir families.

The post will combine competencies fromphysiotherapy and occupational therapy disciplines, to support the delivery ofthe therapy services to patients within a community rehabilaition ward setting.

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 of success.

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

To provide support toTherapists in a variety of settings in the provision of high qualityinterventions to meet the needs of patients requiring physiotherapy andoccupational therapy in community services

Toprovide holistic care for clients without direct supervision but accountable atall times to the responsible therapist

Person Specification

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 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 of working with other agencies/multidisciplinary working.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 GCSE grade 4 or above, or equivalent level 2 qualifications, including english and maths.
• An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing.
• NVQ level 3 in relevant area e.g. diagnostic and therapeutic care or working towards equivalent experience.

Special Requirements

• Able to travel independently across Trust sites and the locality to meet the requirements of the post.
• Must have a valid UK driving license.

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.
• NHS experience

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 yearper annum, pro rata