Overview
Go back East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Generic Therapy Assistant - Stroke / Neurology
The closing date is 12 November 2025
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 3 0.8 WTE post to be created within the Stroke/ Neuro team. As part of the Integrated Therapies department the post holder will secure a year's short term contract to work predominantly with stroke / neuro patients. On occasions there may be a need to support other teams according to the department prioritisation system.
Previous experience working in the acute hospital setting, and with patients with physical and cognitive challenges is essential. Strong, clear communication and an ability to work well with other people, in a busy environment is also required for this role.
This role requires working weekend shifts on a rota basis as part of our 7 day service, providing therapy intervention across the Stroke and Neuro wards.
Main duties of the job
The job will entail a range of clinical and non-clinical tasks including:
* running group sessions for in-patients
* providing prescribed upper and lower limb exercises and opportunity to practice everyday tasks
* supporting other members of the team in ward and gym based treatment sessions, including kitchen and washing and dressing practice
* collecting equipment from stores and Orthotics
* supporting with admin tasks, including photocopying and ensuring the workspaces remain clear of clutter and orderly
* supporting data collection and updating activity plans / team sheets
* provision of basic cognitive rehabilitation and well-being interventions
About us
We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes.
We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.
We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.
Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.
Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.
We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.
Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A
Job responsibilities
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Secondary education and related qualifications
* GSCE Maths & English at Grade C or above
* Numeracy and literacy skills
* Relevant NVQ level III or equivalent
* Ability to travel across IESCCG area using transport provided
Experience
* Proven years relevant employment or voluntary work within acute health care
* Experience of working with stroke victims and their families
* Relevant life skills gained through work / personal experience
* Good IT skills and experience using computer systems
* Experience of working in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy
* Experience of treatment and rehabilitation of adults
* Experience running groups
Knowledge
* Understanding and application of impact of illness / injury /disability on individuals / their families
* Ability to carry out needs led assessment
* Ability to teach skills to patients
* Ability to work as part of a team
* Knowledge of medical conditions affecting people in this specialism
* Knowledge of rehabilitation principles
* Understanding of philosophy and role of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
Skills
* Excellent communication skills to overcome barriers of understanding and cognitive impairment
* Good written and verbal communication skills
* Flexibility to meet service needs
* Organisational ability and time management of self
* Confident, competent manner and professional presentation of self
* Motivational and persuasive skills
* Ability to demonstrate empathetic approach to patients/carers
* Able to recognise personal and role limitations and seek assistance accordingly
* Adaptable
* Teaching skills for use with patients / carers / students
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
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum pro rata
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