Pulmonary Rehabilitation Assistant
The closing date is 22 March 2026
Please note: at this stage, the role is open only to colleagues currently employed within Kent and Medway NHS Trusts and the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB). Nursing vacancies are also open to Student Nurses and Newly Qualified Nurses.
The Pulmonary Rehabilitation service in Whitstable supports adults with chronic respiratory conditions to improve their functional ability, breathlessness management and overall quality of life. We provide high‑quality programmes that include holistic pre‑ and post‑assessments, structured exercise sessions, education and self‑management support delivered in group settings across community venues.
Patients frequently tell us how transformative the service is, with feedback such as: "The people were very friendly and helpful and got me to exercise every day instead of sitting in this chair. It has changed my life."
The service is delivered by an experienced multidisciplinary team. We work closely with integrated care partners across Kent to continually develop the respiratory pathway and ensure patients receive coordinated, person‑centred care. Staff benefit from regular in‑service training, clinical supervision, protected CPD time and opportunities to contribute to local clinical interest groups. As part of a Trust rated Outstanding by the CQC and accredited by the Royal College of Physicians, you will be joining a service committed to excellence and ongoing development.
Main duties of the job
As a Band 3 Pulmonary Rehabilitation Assistant, you will support the Clinical Specialist Respiratory Physiotherapist (Band 7) and wider team to deliver a high‑quality pulmonary rehabilitation service. You will assist in group exercise and education, support patients through their rehabilitation programme and help them build confidence in managing their condition.
Your role will include preparing sessions, supporting patients during exercise, monitoring progress and contributing to holistic assessments under the guidance of qualified clinicians. You will help deliver self‑management education, encourage safe and effective participation and provide reassurance and motivation to patients throughout their programme.
You will also play a key part in maintaining accurate records, supporting onward referrals, ordering equipment when required and contributing to the smooth running of the service. Working closely with Physiotherapists, Therapy Assistant Practitioners and administrative colleagues, you will help ensure patients receive timely and compassionate care.
This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop your clinical skills within respiratory rehabilitation, supported by regular supervision, training and CPD time. Hours are flexible between 22.5 and 37.5 per week, and working patterns can be discussed. An informal visit is encouraged if you would like to explore how we can support your next career step.
About us
Rated "outstanding" by the CQC, we've got a passion for delivering high standards of patient care and excellent services to improve the health of our communities. To do this we need outstanding people who share our values compassionate Aspirational Responsive Excellent.
We know a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion leads to better patient care and a happier workforce. We pride ourselves in being diverse and welcome applications from people with varied backgrounds, perspectives and experiences.
We ask for information about your protected characteristics on our application forms. This isn't visible to anyone involved with shortlisting or interviewing you, except when you choose to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme due to disability. Short listers will see two ticks alongside your application to ensure they apply the principles of the scheme to your submission.
The data we collect helps us ensure we are attracting diversity in our applicants, that all our colleagues have equitable access to career opportunities and supports us on our journey to being a Great Place to Work.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want you to be able to work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Talk to us about a flexible working arrangement that won't involve sacrificing time for personal interests or family commitments. We'll support you to work flexibly in a way that will suits us both.
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Job responsibilities
As a community Trust, many of our roles require individuals to be able to drive to perform their duties. Where driving is a requirement of the role, you will be asked to confirm that you hold a full UK driving licence or a full driving licence issued by an EU country (not exchanged from a non‑EU country) to proceed with your application. We are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities into employment. If you are unable to drive due to a disability, please contact the Recruitment Team via kentchft.recruitment@nhs.net, quoting the vacancy reference number, so we can support you further.
The job description and person specification gives you all the information you need about this role. Please look carefully at the criteria in the person specification and tell us what you have done that shows you meet this in your application. If you need an application form in an alternative format please let our recruitment team know. All information you supply on your application should, to the best of your knowledge, be true and accurate.
Still have questions? The recruiting manager would love to hear from you, their contact details can be found in the job advert.
We can get a lot of applications for some roles so to be in with the best chance of being shortlisted please make sure you apply as soon as possible. A vacancy may close early if there is a lot of interest in the job.
At KCHFT we strongly encourage colleagues in clinical and non‑clinical roles who have direct or social contact with patients to be fully vaccinated. In this way we will be doing all we can to ensure your safety and that of your colleagues and the patients we serve.
Find out more about the community difference here.
Good luck! We cant wait to meet you and welcome you to #teamKCHFT, #cometocommunity.
Person Specification
Qualifications, training and experience
* You will have either: A Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) Level 3. This could be an NVQ Level 3 apprenticeship, BTEC or equivalent international qualification in healthcare Or you will be able to demonstrate the equivalent level of experience.
* In addition you will also have Functional Skills at Level 2 (Literacy and numeracy/ GCSE grade A‑C/ 4‑9 or equivalent in English and Maths).
* You’ll need to have recent experience of healthcare/ working as a health care assistant gained through education, work experience or previous employment.
* A full, valid UK driving licence or a full driving licence issued by an EU country.
* You may also have the Care Certificate, but if not, we will support you to achieve this within the first 3 months of starting.
Knowledge and Skills
* You will need to have a customer focussed approach.
* Provide patients, clients and their families with the best possible experience.
* You will need to be able to be able to use IT systems and databases.
* You will have knowledge of up to date clinical practice by using up‑to‑date skills and adhering to evidencebased procedures and clinical effectiveness frameworks. You will fully understand the role and remit of a health care worker.
* You will understand where to signpost clients and families to alternative services to support behaviour change and improve health.
* Having an awareness of developments within the NHS would be an advantage.
* A full, valid UK driving licence and the ability to travel independently in a timely manner.
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.
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
£24,937 to £26,598 a year pro rata per annum
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