University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
Therapy Assistant Practitioner – Older Peoples Therapy Service
The closing date is 02 December 2025
We are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for a Band 4 Therapy Assistant Practitioner to work within the Older peoples Therapy Team at Poole Hospital, University Hospitals Dorset. Clinical areas covered by the team at Poole Hospital include; Emergency department, Rapid Assessment Consultant Evaluation (RACE) Unit and Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) clinic, Older peoples medical and complex care wards.
This is an excellent opportunity to work as a part of the specialist frailty Multi-disciplinary team (MDT). As a team and part of the MDT we take pride in delivering a patient-centred focus through timely comprehensive assessments, interventions and discharge planning.
We are looking for individuals who share a passion for working with Older people. This post is a clinical post, where the post holders will engage in completing assessments and treatment of patients within the acute hospital setting.
The key responsibilities would require you to have confidence completing therapy assessments on an individual basis. Engaging patients in rehab to regain function. Effective and adaptable communication skills are essential as you will be working with a diverse patient group. You must be motivated and enthusiastic in promoting rehabilitation and recovery. You need to be well‑organised and confident as you will have responsibility to provide support and guidance to other therapy support staff.
Interview Date: 10th / 11th December 2025
Main duties of the job
Previous experience of working with older people, in an acute hospital or community setting is essential. The post will include 7 day working and therefore the post holder will be expected to participate in weekend rotas.
You will be required to achieve a certain competency level which we will give you support and training to help you achieve. We have in‑house training and a supportive team of clinical staff.
Ideally you should be a car driver with a full driving licence.
The role may include assessing patients in their home environment, with support as required from the qualified clinicians.
Additional contact information
OPS Therapies Clinical leads - 0300 019 8654 / 07920072988
Base Location: Poole Hospital
Post will move to RBH approximately July 2026
About us
Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued team mates and colleagues.
UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme.
In some cases this means that a services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term. Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions that you have at interview.
There is a planned move for this service during March 2025, when this role and base of work will relocate to Bournemouth site. Upon relocation of the role/service, excess mileage allowance / reimbursement will not apply, and any travel between the postholder's home and work base will be classified as a commute. Any other changes unrelated to this, will be handled in line with Trust/National terms and conditions.
Job responsibilities
To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Foundation Degree in health or assistant practitioner qualification equivalent
* Or another relevant qualification
* Attainment of competencies gained from multi-professional team working
Experience
* Previous work as a Therapy Assistant or equivalent (e.g. Exercise Physiologist, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physiotherapy Assistant) where direct patient care is involved over a significant period of time in a healthcare environment.
* Working with adult patients with chronic disease or multiple pathologies
* Previous experience working in an acute setting
* Working within a multi-disciplinary team.
* Experience of evaluation, standard setting and evidence based practice within a healthcare/ rehabilitation setting.
* Ability to assess a patient with specific objective assessment tools, sometimes without supervision, and identify appropriate therapy intervention.
* Ability to work independently on own initiative with guidance/supervision from qualified staff, mainly at a distance.
* Effective time management and organisational skills.
* Ability to manage own caseload when necessary.
* Basic computer literacy.
* Ability to act on own initiative, eg responding to an emergency situation.
Knowledge
* General knowledge of pathologies related to the older person
* The effects of physical and cognitive impairment, on patients' skills, abilities and lifestyle
* Basic rehabilitation techniques and therapy intervention
* Exercise prescription and monitoring eg of physiological signs during exercise
* Health and safety responsibilities
* General knowledge of relevant medical conditions.
* Audit
Interpersonal skills
* Good verbal communication skills both face to face and over the telephone
* Basic teaching skills
* Ability to engage, motivate and inspire patients
* Confident in dealing with difficult situations e.g. aggressive behaviour, conflict
* Ability to document results of interventions clearly and concisely
* Empathy with older people.
* Ability to establish rapport.
Other requirements specific to
* Hold a clean driving license
* Ability to move and handle patients and equipment using approved techniques
Personal Attributes
* Well motivated
* Ability to work independently on own initiative with guidance/supervision from qualified staff, mainly at a distance.
* Ability to recognize boundaries of own job role and seek advice from qualified therapist as necessary
* Highly organised with excellent time management skills and able to organise own workload on a day to day basis
Language Requirement
* Be able to speak English as necessary to undertake the role
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
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
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