Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our well-established older persons medicine team.
We are looking to recruit to a band 3 Clinical Support Worker - Higher Level - Therapy Assistant, to join an experienced, dedicated and enthusiastic team.
Responsible for the delivery of therapy to the elderly/frail on the 2 OPM wards (55 beds) at The James Cook University Hospital across 7 days.
The successful applicant will need to have recent experience of working as an Therapy assistant with an understanding and experience of using adaptative equipment and Moving & Handling techniques.
Main duties of the job
You will work within a multidisciplinary team, under direction of the qualified therapist, to provide rehabilitation and support to patients across the older persons medicine pathway. Although you will be based at James Cook hospital you may also, at times, be asked to provide cover and support to community hospitals.
We have a comprehensive In-Service Training Programme and staff are encouraged and supported in their continuous professional development.
You will be supported by senior physiotherapists and occupational therapists and have regular supervision sessions and appraisals.
Successful candidate must have access to a vehicle for work purposes to meet the requirements of the role.
Working for our organisation
We support the 'Making Every Contact Count' approach to behaviour change in the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers leadership and improvement training to all new staff. This training programme has been designed to support our staff in developing their understanding of leadership and management skills. You will be expected to attend the following training sessions:
Your Leadership Impact
Service Improvement for Beginners
After you complete these one and a half days of training, you will be able to explore further leadership and improvement training opportunities. We also offer a range of additional in-house courses and bitesize programmes through our Leadership and Improvement Team.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) attached for main responsibilities of the role.
Person specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria
1. 3 A-levels OR Health and Science T-level OR equivalent level 3 qualification(s) and Functional Skills (level 2) OR As a level 3 apprenticeship, such as the Senior Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship (or other level 3 qualification pathway) AND/OR Short courses and completion of competency workbook equivalent to Level 3 in a range of patient and clinical care duties AND/OR Equivalent knowledge and experience in a range of clinical care duties equivalent to Level 3; oTheoretical knowledge oExperience of a range of care and related procedures oClinical observations oKnowledge of relevant legislation
Experience
Essential criteria
2. Experience of working in a health or social care environment
3. Experience of undertaking and recording clinical observations and escalation of changes or findings.
Desirable criteria
4. Experience of working in an NHS care role.
5. Experience of working as a therapy assistant
Knowledge & Skills
Essential criteria
6. Excellent interpersonal, communication and active listening skills. Ability to adopt appropriate styles and methods of communication.
7. Timekeeping, planning and prioritisation skills.
8. Basic IT skills to use electronic patient records and other Trust systems.
9. Ability to demonstrate the importance of holistic person-centred care and related procedures.
10. Understanding of the importance of robust, accurate, clear, timely documentation.
11. Knowledge of Safeguarding.
12. Awareness of GDPR and the need for confidentiality
Desirable criteria
13. Working knowledge of Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy
Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)
It is the policy of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost of their DBS. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. We welcome applications from the Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network; LGBT+ Network; Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions Network, Faith Network, Childless not by Choice Network and the Menopause Support Group.
As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you.
If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at
Right to Work in the UK
The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here Work in the UK - (.
Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.
Please note that not everyone needs a Skilled Worker visa. If you are applying for a vacancy in health or adult social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.
We are able to offer sponsorship for a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa, subject to candidate and position eligibility. Please review the job eligibility guidance for skilled workers here: Skilled Worker visa: Your job - ( and for the Health and Care Worker visa here: Skilled Worker visa: eligible healthcare and education jobs - (
Please note: if the job you are applying for does not meet the eligibility criteria above, we will be unable to offer you sponsorship and you will need to explore whether you may be eligible to apply for an alternative immigration route which will secure your right to work in the UK before you apply. If you are in the UK already on a visa, please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.
The Trust encourages and supports all applicants to be fully vaccinated against both COVID19 and influenza.
Please be aware, there are occasions where some vacancies may close prior to the closing date advertised. This will only happen where sufficient applications are received AND will be made evident on the job advert.
Please note if you are successfully shortlisted, we will contact you via the email address that you have applied from so please ensure you check your emails regularly.
Existing employees of South Tees NHS Foundation Trust currently on the Redeployment Register, who meet the essential criteria for this post, will be shortlisted and interviewed prior to all other applicants.