Therapy Assistant

NHS; Seaham; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider seeks a Therapy Assistant to support therapists in delivering high-quality care to patients requiring physiotherapy and occupational therapy. The role involves working independently, assisting in clinical duties, and ensuring the well-being of patients in various community settings. Strong communication skills and the ability to manage complex situations are essential for this position.

Qualifications

• Must be able to work independently under supervision.
• Valid UK driving license and access to a car required.
• Experience in physical rehabilitation is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the delivery of clinical care and support rehabilitation services.
• Provide therapy care following assessment of patients' health.
• Undertake basic clinical activities as trained.

Skills

Flexibility

Good communication skills

Team player

Ability to manage complex situations

Education

Maths and English GCSE/equivalent

NVQ 3/equivalent knowledge or experience

Job description

Go back County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Therapy Assistant

The closing date is 03 October 2025

To provide support to Therapists in a variety of settings in the provision of high quality interventions to meet the needs of patients requiring physiotherapy and occupational therapy within community services covering the East Locality of County Durham.

To provide holistic care for clients without direct supervision but accountable at all times to the responsible therapist.

Must have a flexible approach to working and be a team player. Must also be able to manage in complex situations. Good communications skills are essential and the successful post holder will be required to fit low level equipment within patients homes and various care settings.

Primary base is Spectrum 8 in Seaham County Durham, however may be required to work across sites as and when required to meet the needs of the service.

Main duties of the job

Responsibilities:

• To assist in the delivery of core programmes of clinical care and participate in service improvement and development initiatives.
• To work within a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary framework of nursing, social work, therapy, residential, administrative and support staff.

Client Group: Comprehensive portfolio of rehabilitation, and case management services to primarily housebound and rehabilitation patients requiring support in the community or community settings including wards.

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 on AI-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.

From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months).

Job responsibilities

Provide therapy care to patients, their families and carers following assessment of their health and health related needs, undertaking a range of clinical care duties. Demonstrate the ability (with training if necessary) to undertake basic clinical activities such as venepuncture, simple wound dressings, blood glucose monitoring (this list is not exhaustive).

Report to a registered therapist any variation in the condition of the patient that might indicate a change in the patient’s health status and subsequently require further assistance.

Support user/patient involvement and participation in areas of responsibility.

To always endeavour to promote independence and motivate client choice within their limitations.

To support / enable clients to achieve their optimum functional level and assist clients with all aspects of personal hygiene and grooming; preparation of meals and monitoring of eating habits and food consumption. To be aware of the clients dietary requirements.

To carry out home visits independently for the fitting and adjustment of a range of equipment. You will be responsible for teaching patients and carers in the safe and appropriate use of equipment and reinforce rehabilitation aims.

To be responsible for own safe and appropriate use of equipment. To maintain equipment in a clean and safe condition.

To communicate with all clients including those who may have speech, hearing, learning difficulties or a mental health illness.

Within the boundaries of delegated responsibility and competency provide care and perform interventions that will contribute to the delivery of the patients care needs.

Evaluate personal performance in a reflective manner to ensure continued personal development and the maintenance of an up to date knowledge base.

Accurately record all clinical interventions and patient-related activity in line with the organisational policies on record keeping.

Clinical Quality

Promote and support the effective implementation of all organisational policies and procedures.

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

Participate in health promotion and informed patient choices so that these are encouraged and developed to their maximum potential, within the available resources.

Participate in an integrated approach to clinical quality issues.

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

To practice in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.

Resources

Support efforts to ensure effective partnership working between Health and Social Care colleagues as well as other key services and agencies.

Supports an effective system of annual appraisal and personal development plans for all staff within the team in order that the development needs of both the individual and the team are identified and met.

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

Support and promote a team culture which actively 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 of information technology systems to ensure the provision of accurate clinical and statistical data.

Development

To support an environment that enables the achievement of the desired philosophy of care through a multidisciplinary/multi-agency approach.

To participate in clinical supervision.

To contribute in identifying own development needs on an annual basis in line with the Trust's appraisal scheme.

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

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Maths and English GCSE/equivalent
• NVQ 3/ equivalent knowledge or experience
• Continuing Professional Development Diary including evidence of reflective practice, training and clinical experience
• Recognised relevant academic qualification
• An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS FT, its culture, strategic direction achievements and NHS standing

Experience

• Relevant experience in physical rehabilitation including recent general rehabilitation and community rehabilitation.
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team
• Evidence of communication skills within a wide variety of settings
• Experience in working in a variety of settings with evidence of generic transferrable assessment and treatment skills between physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
• Evidence of NHS experience.

Special Skills & Knowledge

• An understanding of legal responsibilities within the profession
• Able to present information, written and orally in a clear and logical manner
• Ability to organise and prioritise
• Ability to maintain high levels of concentration
• Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and carry out concurrent activities
• Innovative approach to working life
• Able to use own initiative appropriately to enhance service delivery
• Presentational skills
• Evidence of working across professional boundaries
• Knowledge of system one for documentation.

Special Requirements

• Ability to travel and carry small items of equipment on a daily basis to fulfil the requirements of the post.
• Must hold a UK driving licence and have access to a car.
• For overseas applicants you must have the appropriate paperwork/ visa to work in the UK, sponsorship via the trust is not applicable given the hours of the post.
• Ability to travel and carry small items of equipment on a daily basis to fulfil the requirements of the post.
• Ability to meet the travel requirements of this post.

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