University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
Physiotherapy Assistant - Respiratory
The closing date is 21 October 2025
We are looking for a motivated individual to work as a Physiotherapy Assistant within our well-established Respiratory Physiotherapy team. This role will be focused on providing a high standard of Physiotherapy treatment and evaluation to clients within the Inpatient Respiratory Physiotherapy service at St Richard's Hospital, Chichester.
Please note the interview for this post will be face to face only with a practical element.
You will have excellent opportunities for your own skills development. You will work within a strong and supportive MDT and alongside an established peer group of Physiotherapy Support Workers. This exciting position is an excellent opportunity to work within a dynamic, forward-looking and innovative department.
St Richard's Hospital is in a wonderful location, situated adjacent to the South Downs National Park, the beautiful historical city of Chichester, the sea and with excellent transport links to London and across Southern England.
You will be joining a strong and supportive Physiotherapy team within the top performing University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. We look forward to welcoming you on an informal visit or discussing any aspect of this exciting opportunity further.
Main duties of the job
* To work as part of the Respiratory Physiotherapy Team providing a high quality and comprehensive therapy service to patients.
* To work with adults with varied conditions, including respiratory, orthopaedic, elderly rehabilitation, amputees, neurological, etc.
* To work unsupervised as well as alongside the qualified Physiotherapists.
* To regularly feedback to Physiotherapists regarding patients' progress.
* To be involved with data collection/audit to monitor service, general statistic collation and outcome measures the team are using.
* To assist with the clerical and professional administrative tasks required to provide an efficient and effective high quality service.
About us
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme,for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop.We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
Job responsibilities
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered.
* To support physiotherapy and inpatient teams to deliver the best patient care possible.
* To carry own caseload of patients with predictable conditions who require treatments. Liaising with physiotherapist as required. The size of the caseload will be small in nature initially and will increase over time.
* Involved in the Rehabilitation of patients.
* To assist nursing staff and therapists as required regarding day to day care of patients, e.g. transfers, maintaining hygienic environment.
* Read, monitor and safely disconnect / reconnect equipment, knowing when it is acceptable to do so to enable therapeutic treatment to take place in an appropriate setting.
* Be able to read and interpret monitored information to ensure patient and therapist safety during therapy session e.g. BP, HR, SaO2 etc. To request support with this where uncertain.
* To assess, measure, label, adjust to size and issue walking aids as appropriate and various standard splints.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* 5 GCSE's Grade A-D including English and Maths or Level 1 Functional Skills
* Evidence of self development
* Member of CSP
Knowledge and Experience
* Paid or voluntary work with ill or disabled
* Experience with people with speciality conditions
* Understanding of the Job role / Physiotherapy profession
* 6-12 months working as a PTA
Skills
* Ability to follow oral and written instructions
* Fluency in written and spoken English
* Ability to present information, written and orally in a clear and logical manner including patient records
* Ability to cope in an environment with emotional or aggressive patients.
* Ability to cope with unpredictable and/or stressful working environment
* Ability to recognise a potentially serious situation and when to seek advice
* Ability to organise / prioritise own workload
* Being flexible and adaptable to the team requirements.
* Keen to learn and develop knowledge and skills
* Experience of communicating with people with communication difficulties e.g. Dementia, language barriers
* Ability to communicate effectively with different types of people e.g. patients, patient relatives, Doctors, Nurses, colleagues etc
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
* Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
* Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
£24,937 to £26,598 a yearPer annum, pro rata
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