Therapy Associate Practitioner

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust; Chester-le-Street; On-site; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare organization is seeking a Therapy Associate Practitioner to join their Community Therapy North Team in Chester-le-Street. The role involves managing a caseload of non-complex patients independently, completing assessments, and setting therapy goals. Candidates should have an NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent and experience in clinical supervision within a rehabilitation environment. This position demands excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multi-professional team.

Qualifications

• Experience of clinical supervision within a healthcare setting.
• Extensive experience in a therapy-specific role.
• Experience working in community settings.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of non-complex patients independently.
• Complete assessments, therapy goals, and treatment plans.
• Engage in supervision with a senior staff member.

Skills

Team working

Independent working

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Problem-solving

IT skills

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care

Foundation degree in Health and Social Care

Teaching certificate or equivalent

Job description

Go back County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Therapy Associate Practitioner

The closing date is 16 December 2025

We are looking for a dynamic person to work with the Community Therapy North Team to take on as a Therapy Associate Practitioner based at Chester Le Street Community Hospital working alongside Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Therapy Assistants. This post is predominately independent working in the community setting but will involve supporting group sessions.

The contractual hours of this job is between 22.5 hours and 25.5.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will predominantly work independently in the community setting with adults referred to the team who present with a range of physical dysfunction/odisabilities resulting from injury, illness, surgery or chronic disease, within a range of community settings.

They will be responsible for independently managing a caseload of non complex patients, completing assessments independently, setting short‑term therapy goals and treatment plans, completing timely reviews and discharging patients from the service.

The nominal base will be at Chester Le Street Hospital and mainly cover the Durham area. You will be expected to independently travel across the whole North Durham locality depending on the needs of the service.

The successful candidate will be expected to complete documentation at point of care and be able to use a lone worker system in compliance with Health and Safety.

The post holder will work within a multi‑professional team regarding the management and discharge of patients under your care. This would include Therapists, Social Workers and Nursing staff.

The post holder will have regular supervision from a Therapist within the team.

About us

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.

Job responsibilities

Plan and organise clinical activity, with appropriate time scheduling in order to complete all clinical and administrative duties including statistical record‑keeping.

• Independently manage a caseload of non‑complex patients, completing assessments, setting short‑term therapy goals and treatment plans, completing timely reviews and discharging patients from the service.
• Delegate treatment tasks to therapy assistants.
• Actively engage and be responsible for own supervision with a senior member of staff.
• Be responsible for clinical record‑keeping in accordance with the guidelines for documentation and legal requirements.
• Be responsible for the correct and safe use of the physical environment including equipment and be responsible for the allocation of these resources.
• When working in the community setting, work as a lone practitioner with telephone support from a Senior Therapist if required.
• Ensure all mandatory training is kept up to date and participate in professional development including attending in‑service training.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care (or equivalent)
• Foundation degree in health and social care or willingness to work towards it
• Teaching certificate or equivalent

Experience

• Experience of clinical supervision
• Therapy specific role extensive experience of working within a rehabilitation environment with physiotherapists and occupational therapists
• Experience of working in a community setting
• Experience of audit/research

Statutory Registration

• Knowledge of NMC / HCPC and accountability

Special Requirements

• Able to travel independently across Trust sites and the locality to meet the requirements of the post

Special Skills & Knowledge

• Evidence of team working
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Good organisational and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to observe and record physical and social changes of a patient and report immediately.
• Ability to act alone in an emergency situation
• Able to prioritise work on a daily basis to meet service demands
• Confident in the use of email and basic IT skills.

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