The Respiratory Physiotherapy Team at St James Hospital in Leeds are looking for a motivated and committed individual to join our team as a permanent, full-time Physiotherapy Assistant on the general surgical wards.
As a Physiotherapy Assistant you will be required to undertake specific support work to aid the rehabilitation and progression of patients in the hospital environment. You will be supported to work independently with your own patient caseload in addition to assisting other physiotherapy staff to treat more complex cases.
This work can be demanding but is varied and enormously rewarding. You will have the opportunity to be involved with the treatment of a wide range of patients throughout all stages of their recovery during their stay on our wards and be involved in planning discharge to appropriate locations and with appropriate support.
The role will also include administrative duties including the collection of data and the ordering and maintenance of equipment.
Main duties of the job
We are a friendly, dynamic and hard working team, working within supportive multidisciplinary environments. We aim to provide care that is focussed on compassion, sensitivity and kindness towards all our patients, carers and relatives, meeting their individual needs every time. Team work and communication is paramount, both within the physiotherapy team and with other members of the multi‑disciplinary team.
Interviews will be held during the week of 16th March 2026.
About us
Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying ‘at risk’ members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.
Job responsibilities
To undertake specific skilled support work to aid the rehabilitation of patients.
To accept patients referred by a physiotherapist and carry as own patient caseload with responsibility for planning and organising these treatment sessions.
Treat non‑complex patients according to set protocols and monitor patient progression.
Work both supervised and unsupervised, regularly reporting back patient progress and informing the referring practitioner of any non‑routine problems/enquiries.
JOB DIMENSIONS
The post holder will be based within a particular specialty area.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
* Qualifications: NVQ II or equivalent
* Experience: Work within a healthcare environment
* Skills: Competent written and verbal communication skills
* Knowledge: Insight into therapy and rehabilitation
* Personal Attributes: Enthusiastic and self‑motivated; Flexible and adaptable; Happy to accept a challenge
CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS
Communications skills
CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
An understanding of the principles of patient‑centred care.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Clinical
* Assist the therapy staff in the rehabilitation of patients using a range of delegated therapy treatments.
* To manage the rehabilitation of patients as delegated by the therapist. This will involve working without direct supervision on occasions.
* Support the treatment of patients individually or in a group in a variety of settings working to set protocols and guidelines.
* To undertake skilled support work e.g. mobility assessments where some analysis of gait/stability is necessary to decide on the appropriate prescription of a walking aid.
* Encourage patients and their carers in an active approach to regaining and maintaining personal independence. This requires empathy, sensitivity and good interpersonal skills.
* Use effective communication tools verbal and non‑verbal to communicate treatment programmes to patients who may have barriers to understanding or communicating.
* To attend patient home visits assisting a qualified member of staff.
* When applicable liaise with nursing colleagues and members of MDT.
* To develop skills to ensure the safe use of equipment e.g. hoist/wheelchairs in order to facilitate patient rehabilitation.
* The working pattern may require flexibility including seven‑day working and/or out of hours commitments to ensure safe and effective service provision.
Education and Training
* Instruct patients and carers, providing direction and guidance on a range of therapy activities as directed by the therapist.
* To attend in‑service training as required.
* Upon appointment the post holder is required to attend a period of induction which will be supplemented with on‑the‑job training including formal teaching and supervised practice, this will be equivalent to NVQ level 2.
Professional and Managerial
* As a member of the clinical team you will be required to ensure that you implement policy and service development changes.
* To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through Continued Professional Development activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects your own personal development.
* To communicate effectively and work coordinated multidisciplinary service.
* To participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraiser and be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development objectives to meet set competencies.
Organisational
* To be responsible for the safe use of therapy equipment by patients in your care through teaching, training and supervision of practice.
* Make accurate records of work undertaken and keep monthly statistics as required.
* To be aware of Health and Safety aspects of your work and follow any relevant policies.
* To comply with the organisational and departmental policies and procedures.
* To undertake any other duties that might be considered appropriate by the Superintendent or the Head of Physiotherapy.
Health and Safety / Risk Management
All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system.
Infection Control
The jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with patients and their environment.
Equality and Diversity
The jobholder must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet the individual needs of patients and their families. No person whether they are staff, patient or visitor should receive less favourable treatment because of their gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.
Patient and Public Involvement
The Trust has a statutory duty to involve patients and public in evaluating and planning services. All staff have a responsibility to listen to the views of patients and to contribute to service improvements based on patient feedback.
Training and Personal Development – Continuous Professional Development
The jobholder must take responsibility in agreement with his/her line manager for his/her own personal development by ensuring that Continuous Professional Development remains a priority. The jobholder will undertake all mandatory training required for the role.
Respect for Patient Confidentiality
The jobholder should respect patient confidentiality at all times and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role.
COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Internal
* Patients, carers and families when appropriate
* Therapy Team Leaders
* All grades of therapy staff
* Medical, nursing and AHP Colleagues
External
* Personnel working for external agencies
Person Specification
Experience
* An understanding of the role of the Physiotherapist
Skills & behaviours
* Professional hard working and flexible with a positive attitude
* Able to use own initiative as appropriate
* Able to function well within team setting
* Good written, verbal and interpersonal skills
Qualifications
* GCSE Maths & English or equivalent
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.
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