Job overview
Hours per week as part of a 7 day Service - 12 month Fixed Term
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 3 Physiotherapy Assistant to join our Cardiothoracic physiotherapy team. The post holder will be working under the guidance of the Senior Physiotherapists in the team supporting the therapists with the assessment and rehabilitation of patients on the cardiothoracic wards at the James Cook University Hospital.
Continuous professional development will be actively encouraged and the post holder will be supported to develop their knowledge and skills with regular support and clinical supervision from the Senior Therapists/ Team Lead.
The Therapy Service is a well-established large, progressive and dynamic service, which continues to develop within the Trust. The team is friendly and supportive and mentorship for this role will be available from other clinicians, the AHP Service Lead and Head of Professions.
Main duties of the job
You will need to be able to work as part of a team and on your own, frequently using your own initiative and problem-solving skills to support physiotherapy input. You will work with a wide multidisciplinary team and be involved with clients with a range of medical, social and emotional problems.
The successful applicant will have good communication and literacy skills and basic computer skills. Previous work experience within health or social care setting is essential and experience working as a therapy assistant is desirable but not essential. Participation in service developments and clinical governance is also expected.
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest teaching hospital trusts in the country, close to the North Yorkshire Moors and within easy reach of Newcastle and Leeds. It comprises two acute hospitals, The James Cook University Hospital and Friarage Hospital Northallerton and a number of community hospitals. The James Cook University Hospital is a major trauma centre and provides a wide range of district general hospital services and specialist services such as neurosciences, renal medicine, spinal injuries, major trauma, cardiothoracic, vascular surgery and cancer services.
Please note this post may close when we receive sufficient completed applications.
Working for our organisation
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
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; -Theoretical knowledge -Experience of a range of care and related procedures -clinical observations -knowledge of relevant legislation
Experience
Essential criteria
2. Experience of working in health or social care.
3. Experience of undertaking and recording clinical observations and escalation of changes or findings.
Desirable criteria
4. Experience of working as a therapy assistant
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
5. Excellent interpersonal, communication and active listening skills. Ability to adopt appropriate styles and methods of communication.
6. Time-keeping, planning and prioritisation skills.
7. Basic IT skills to use electronic patient records and other Trust systems.
8. Analytical and judgement skills to make decisions based on patient / service user interactions and observations and metrics.
9. Working knowledge of legislation underpinning care provision.
10. Ability to demonstrate the importance of holistic person-centred care and related procedures.
11. Understanding of the importance of robust, accurate, clear, timely documentation.
12. Attention to detail.
13. Insight into behaviours and skills of a carer and the need for effective team work.
14. Knowledge of Safeguarding.
15. Understanding work-related boundaries.
16. Awareness of GDPR and the need for confidentiality
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
17. Ability to deal with a wide range of people at all levels, including clients, carers, family, health and social care colleagues and other professionals
18. Motivated and with a pro-active approach.
19. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
20. Committed to providing high quality patient care
Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)
It is now 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.