Therapy Practitioner

NHS; Haywards Heath; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Haywards Heath seeks a Band 4 Therapy Practitioner to join their Community Therapy Team. This role involves working closely with patients in their homes, implementing tailored rehabilitation programmes to promote independence. Applicants should hold NVQ Level 3 or equivalent and possess a valid UK driving license. Benefits include flexible working options and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Professional development opportunities

Supportive community work environment

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in a clinical support role or rehabilitation assistant.
• Experience in supervising junior staff.
• Basic competency training in mobility and care programmes.

Responsibilities

• Assess and improve patients’ skills in daily living.
• Manage own caseload under supervision.
• Maintain high standards of clinical care and documentation.

Skills

Communication skills

Flexible working

Teamwork

Time management

Education

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Good general education including English and Mathematics

Job description

We're looking for a Band 4 Therapy Practitioner to join our Community Therapy Team based at Hayworthe Villa, Haywards Heath.

We support people in our communities to live as independently as possible, in ways that truly matter to them.

If you're enthusiastic, motivated and passionate about delivering excellent community care, we'd love to hear from you!

Our teams work flexibly, providing planned care Monday to Friday 8am-6pm. Together we:

• Deliver tailored rehab programmes to help people regain independence
• Support those with long-term conditions to return to baseline function or adapt to new abilities
• Provide reablement to live more independently at home and in the community
• Offer equipment, advice and practical solutions to support self‑management
• Empower patients to set and achieve meaningful goals

This is a fantastic opportunity to use your skills, build new ones, and make a real difference--while working flexibly in a supportive, positive community service

Please note: Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules, this role is unlikely to be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered. Candidates requiring sponsorship should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role

Main duties of the job

This role involves working closely with patients in their own homes, to assess and improve their skills in activities of daily living, mobility and self‑care. The post also includes administrative tasks, ordering equipment, liaising with family members, carers and professionals and to maintain good electronic records.

We are looking for individuals who are flexible, well organised and willing to travel independently across the geographic area covered by our team and work within the operational hours of the service. A willingness to learn and develop is essential along with good communication and interpersonal skills. Your work will be directed and supervised by qualified Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists and you will also work closely with other therapy assistants within the team.

You should have relevant therapy experience and demonstrate a willingness to complete specific therapy competencies and further learning as required.

As we are a community-based service, you will need to hold a full UK driving license and have access to your own car.

(Previous applicants need not apply)

About us

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.

Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.

Why work for us?

• Positive 2024 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing
• Varied environments: community hospitals, patients' homes, and bases across Sussex
• Flexible working options: part‑time, flexi‑time, annualised hours, and flexi‑retirement
• Excellent training, development, and research opportunities
• Cost‑effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton
• Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief network
• Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust
• Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast

Our values

Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence guide everything we do.

We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.

This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.

Job responsibilities

• To be clinically responsible for a caseload of patients who have been delegated or triaged by a registered member of staff.
• To progress and manage own caseload of patients with freedom to act within structured parameters.
• To have the ability to use initiative and feedback to relevant registered member of staff.
• To carry out initial assessment which is appropriate to own competency and provide treatment and care programmes to clients.
• To report and document variances in a patients condition or planned pathway of care to the registered member of staff.
• To be responsible and accountable for all aspects of your work.
• To consistently demonstrate competency in carrying out specified role and participate in skill sharing and role development in line with competency frameworks.
• To maintain high standards of clinical care as defined by the SussexCommunity NHS Foundation Trust.
• Work autonomously within the MDT or service in the delivery of planned rehabilitation, interventions and health care programmes.
• To assess patients within an agreed caseload under the direction of the therapist, using a predetermined protocol.
• Complete onward referrals or letters to GPs and different services when required.

See attached job description and personal specification for further details.

Other requirements

• Experience of working with older people in varied conditions
• Own transport and a current/ valid license, unless under Equality Act
• Access to a vehicle for work purposes
• Knowledge of current evidence and guidelines in Healthcare and Therapy

Experience

• Basic administration duties such as filing, data entry, photocopying and record keeping
• Relevant experience in a clinical support worker role such as a Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy Assistant, Rehabilitation Assistant/ Support worker or other relevant role such as Fitness Instructor
• Basic competency training in patient mobility, stair assessment, gym sessions, group programmes, passive movement and stretches, carrying out individual exercise programmes etc.
• Completed B3 Therapy assistant competencies or with relevant experience
• Completion of the Care Certificate
• Experience of caring for patients in an acute/community healthcare setting
• Experience in supervising junior member of staff

Skills and abilities

• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work flexibly, respond to changing needs and adaptability to cope with pressure
• Competent ability to assist in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of conditions
• Autonomous decision making and clinical reasoning skills
• Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day
• Good computer literacy and able to use Microsoft software and e‑mail
• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Commitment to professional development and attainment of competencies

Qualifications

• Good general education including English and Mathematics
• NVQ Level 3, Foundation Degree or equivalent
• Additional training, Diploma or equivalent

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.

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum / pro rata