Job overview
The Royal Sussex County Hospital has launched an innovative 7-day front-door therapy service, and we are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Assistant Practitioner to join our expanding team.
About the Service
Operating from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday to Sunday. The service will support patients across the Emergency Department (ED), Clinical Decision Unit (CDU), and Acute Admissions Unit (AAU). Our integrated therapy model ensures rapid, comprehensive assessments and seamless collaboration between Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, facilitating efficient patient journeys.
The Team
You will be part of the Integrated Discharge Team, which includes Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Discharge Coordinators, and Therapy Assistants. We pride ourselves on our strong multidisciplinary approach and close collaboration with wider healthcare professionals on the acute floor.
What We Offer
* A supportive and inclusive working environment
* Un-registered Band 5 competencies to ensure you work within your own scope of practice
* Regular supervision and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities
* Access to training for both clinical and leadership development
* Opportunities to contribute to service development and clinical audits
A key role in shaping and delivering this new 7-day service
Please note this is a Band 5 post and not a progression post
Main duties of the job
To provide assessment, treatment, and discharge planning for a range of acute medical, orthopaedic, and elderly frail patients referred to the FDFT therapy service (Emergency Floor & Department of Medicine for the Elderly Wards), in accordance with national and local guidelines and standards.
To work in collaboration with the wider MDT and health professionals in both secondary and primary care.
To supervise, teach and appraise Physiotherapy Associate Practitioners and qualified physiotherapy staff.
To support the Team Leads and Band 6.
To participate in CPD, IST, audit, evidence-based projects, and service development projects.
Experience/ qualifications
* Good basic level of education
* Evidence of relevant clinical experience in frail patients, working as an autonomous practitioner at Band 4 level
* Demonstrate assessment and management of variety of patients within different specialties (frail, respiratory, medical, orthopaedic and neuro)
* Relevant courses / training in specific speciality
Skills
* Ability to prioritise own work and delegate appropriately to others
* Use initiative and problem-solving skills to resolve queries and problems
* Recognising when to escalate unwell patients, queries and other issues to Team lead/nursing staff as appropriate
* High level communications skills within the MDT, patients, families and carers, and community colleagues
People Management and Development
* Evidence of supervision of staff and development of team members and volunteers
* Experience of recruitment and selection
* Experience of service development
Specific Requirements
* Ability to work in a fast paced / high pressured environment
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 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.
Closing Adverts Early In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified. Some adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, please apply promptly to avoid missing out.
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 Immigration 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
Contact and additional information
For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nursingteam@nhs.net. For Non-Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nonnursingteam@nhs.net.
Name: Jess Thorne, Job title: Clinical Lead Physiotherapist, Email: jessica.thorne2@nhs.net, Telephone: 01273 696955 Ext. 63434
Name: Liz Tungate, Job title: Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist, Telephone: 01273 696955 ext 63483, Email: elizabeth.tungate@nhs.net
If you would like to visit the team or department please email or call to arrange a time.
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