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Band 4 Therapy Assistant Practitioner - Acute Medicine
The closing date is 29 June 2025
BAND 4 THERAPY ASSISTANT PRACTITIONER - ACUTE MEDICINE TEAM Permanent | Full Time (37.5 hours per week)
We are looking to recruit a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our team of Therapy Assistant Practitioners, working in a multi-skilled team of specialists including Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and other Assistant Practitioners within the Integrated Therapies Department at the James Paget University Hospital.
The role is primarily patient facing and requires excellent communication skills. You will be expected to carry your own caseload of patients - assessing them early in their admission, identifying their therapy needs, delivering therapeutic health care (including manual handling, mobilisation, delivering exercises and supporting activities of daily living) and working towards early discharge from hospital.
In order to apply for this post, applicants will ideally possess a Degree/Foundation Degree or be able to evidence equivalent knowledge and skills in a similar post. For applicants who do not meet this criteria, the minimum qualification requirement would be an NVQ III in Health and Social Care or equivalent, with the ability to complete the Foundation Degree being a condition of employment. In this instance, Annex 21 would be applied and there would be a variation in the salary offered during the training period.
Main duties of the job
The patients on your caseload will have a variety of conditions that may include: cardiology, respiratory, general surgery, oncology, palliative care, frailty and care of the elderly.
If you enjoy working at a fast pace within a busy therapy environment, working directly with patients and being part of a multidisciplinary team, then this role is for you.
About us
We are an acute hospital based on the scenic Norfolk coast, with easy access to the bustling city of Norwich. Onsite parking is available and with many staff travelling from Norwich, car sharing is a possibility.
When you accept a job here, you will be supported within clinical specialist teams by enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff, with a strong ethos of supervision and supporting staff wellbeing. We value individuals and encourage you to get the most out of your personal development and career, which in turn supports the hospital in delivering high quality health care. You will participate in the Trust's mandatory training programme and in-house workshops are available to support your learning.
Job responsibilities
Summary of Post
* To assist qualified therapists in the delivery of the therapy service to a specified caseload of inpatients
* To work without direct supervision, undertaking tasks that fall within the remit of the non-complex patient. This can include frontline initial assessments
* To routinely act as first contact with the non-complex patient
* To carry own caseload of non-complex patients, devising and implementing treatment programmes with reference to a qualified therapist
* Assisting qualified Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy staff with the assessment of complex cases and ongoing management
* To work a rostered seven-day service/shift pattern
* To work within the James Paget University Hospital or in a community setting as required
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
* Degree/Foundation Degree or evidenced equivalent knowledge and skills in a similar post. There will be a requirement to complete a Foundation Degree if these cannot be met
* NVQ III in Health and Social Care or equivalent - minimum qualification required for consideration for the position
* Numeracy/literacy skills - Level 2 or Grade C at GCSE
Knowledge and Experience
* Experience of working in health and therapy teams/working with people
* Experience of working as a therapy or rehabilitation assistant
* Clear understanding of therapy role/concepts of therapy and the enabling approach
* Understands the health system and acute care
Skills, Abilities and Competencies
* Good verbal and written communication skills/basic IT skills
* Therapeutic and rehabilitation skills
* Able to work independently and use own initiative
* Team worker/confident/able to recognise self-limitations
* Role requires the ability to travel within the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area. Should hold a full current driving licence or be able to make own travelling arrangements to fulfil the duties of the post, including visits to patients' homes with and without patients, delivery of equipment etc.
Other
* Good level of general health and physical fitness in order to practice manual handling techniques with patients
* Evidence of motivation for the Therapy Assistant Practitioner role
* Professional demeanour and appearance
* Ability to take on responsibilities and additional duties
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
James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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