Job overview
We are looking for a motivated Band 4 Physiotherapy Assistant Practitioner with experience providing excellent patient care to work within our well-established Home Oxygen Service at St Richards Hospital, in Chichester. This role (covering a period of maternity leave) will be focused on providing a high standard of education, assessment and monitoring to patients who receive home oxygen therapy. Working within a team of specialist allied health and nursing colleagues, you will have the opportunity to support clinicians and work independently to provide holistic management, utilising excellent assessment and problem-solving skills. This unique and varied role allows for an increased responsibility working with a complex patient caseload across acute, outpatient and community settings. You will have excellent opportunities and support to develop skills including blood gas sampling, chronic disease management and end of life care. You will be supported by the Team Lead Physiotherapist, Band 6 Specialists, a strong peer group of Physiotherapy Technical Instructor’s and the Chronic Respiratory Multi-Disciplinary Team.
St Richard's Hospital is 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.
We look forward to welcoming you on an informal visit or discussing any aspect of this exciting opportunity further.
Main duties of the job
o provide an excellent service to patients, clinicians, and members of the public as part of the administration and clinical process for the team.
To ensure high data quality standards are maintained and to work as part of the administrative team to ensure the smooth running of the Oxygen Service.
Provide educational support to patients, carers and less experienced staff in unsupervised settings
Provide skilled and insightful aid in the assessment and follow up of patients requiring oxygen therapy at home.
Manage a patient caseload and treat appropriately.
Work in varied and unsupervised settings, with personal or telephone access to qualified Physiotherapist.
Provide non-clinical services to the oxygen service team e.g. administrative duties, maintaining a safe environment and maintaining equipment.
Undertake relevant service development projects.
Working for our organisation
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.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
please see detailed job description and personal specification for more details we would welcome enquiries or informal visit
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
1. Relevant theoretical and practical training at NVQ 3 or equivalent in Health & Social Care or related subject (e.g. degree)
2. Experience of working as a Band 3 within the therapy setting
3. Knowledge of role of physiotherapist and other members of multidisciplinary team (MDT)
4. Experience of working as part of a team.
Desirable criteria
5. Experience of working as a Band 3 in an outpatient setting
6. Experience of providing advice to patients and carers.
7. Basic understanding of Safeguarding Adults procedure
Skills
Essential criteria
8. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
9. Able to recognise and interpret key physiological and clinical information such as heart rate, blood pressure, and signs of deterioration in a patient’s condition. Training will be provided on use of protocols in assessment of patients
10. Basic computer skills including use of Microsoft publishing software such as Word and Excel.
Desirable criteria
11. Experience of working with respiratory patients – good handling skills and instruction.
12. Experience of working within defined parameters/protocols/ competency framework
people management
Essential criteria
13. Proven ability to build relationships with colleagues
Specific
Essential criteria
14. Ability to work autonomously based on defined competencies, liaise and coordinate with clinical team leaders on a day-to-day basis and to take appropriate action as necessary
Desirable criteria
15. Ability to clinically prioritise
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Essential criteria
16. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
17. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications