Job overview
Variable hours up to Hours per week
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking to appoint a Therapy Assistant to join the Therapy team on the acute medical wards at the Friarage Hospital.
This posts provide an excellent opportunity for those new to a therapy assistant role or for more experienced therapy assistants to enhance their skills and experience.
Continuing professional development is actively encouraged and regular support and supervision will be provided by the therapy and nursing team. Participation in service developments and clinical governance is also expected and support will be provided to help you develop.
The post holder will assist in the provision and delivery of a high standard of health and social care for patients on the medical wards ensuring their own actions are consistent with clinical governance systems and work within the policies and guidelines as laid down by the Trust. You will take responsibility for your own learning, development and performance, including participation in clinical supervision.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work alongside the therapists on the acute medical wards providing continuing holistic care and rehabilitation with the aim to facilitate safe discharges and prevent readmission. Therapy Assistants will have an essential role within this multidisciplinary team, enabling discharge and optimising patient independence.
The therapy assistant will carry out interventions with patients which are planned by the qualified Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists such as practising transfers, mobility, some personal care activities and activities to prepare patients for discharge. They may also assist with general ward care and administrative tasks.
Please note that this vacancy will 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
Knowledge
Essential criteria
1. Basic IT skills to use electronic patient records and other trust systems
2. Excellent interpersonal, communication and active listening skills
3. Time-keeping, planning and prioritisation skills.
4. Ability to demonstrate the importance of holistic person-centred care and related procedures.
5. Understanding of the importance of robust, accurate, clear, timely documentation.
Desirable criteria
6. Familiarity with current NHS and social care policies
7. Working knowledge of Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
8. Caring and empathetic.
9. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
10. Ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure.
Experience
Essential criteria
11. Experience of working in health or social care.
12. Experience of undertaking and recording clinical observations and escalation of changes or findings
Desirable criteria
13. Experience of working in an NHS Care Role
14. Experience of working as a therapy assistant
Qualifications
Essential criteria
15. 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
Desirable criteria
16. Care Certificate
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.