South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
Physiotherapy Assistant
The closing date is 14 May 2026
As part of the role the successful candidate will work within the team of physiotherapists based in Kirklees as part of the South West Yorkshire Foundation Trust. They will assist qualified staff with assessments, as well as working autonomously with service users in a group and 1:1 setting carrying out exercise programmes and rehabilitation interventions.
They will be responsible for screening of service users and inputting information onto patient records.
They will also have the opportunity to attend in-service meetings and training, as well as direct supervision with senior team members and line manager.
All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.
Main duties of the job
* Maintain a high level of clinical work when carrying out interventions in a group or 1:1 setting
* Supporting of qualified staff during assessments and interventions
* Completing screenings for physiotherapy input for service users
* Recording of clinical information onto service users records
* Attending of mandatory and in-service training
At the time of advertising, this role does not meet the minimum requirements (salary threshold or occupational requirements) set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. For this reason, unfortunately we are unable to sponsor anyone on a visa for this role at this moment in time.
We are happy to accept applications from candidates who can prove their right to work in the UK or via alternative visa routes. Such applications will be considered alongside all other applications.
About us
We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the West Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.
Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.
We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.
Being a foundation Trust means we are accountable to our members, who can have a say in how we run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.
Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.
We do reserve the right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.
Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY
The post holder will:
* Under the supervision/direction of registered health care professionals/associate practitioner, perform delegated interventions and care tasks, for which they have received training, seeking support as and when necessary.
* As part of a healthcare team, provide the highest standards of safe and compassionate planned care to people that maximises their recovery and rehabilitation potential.
* Demonstrating sensitivity, empathy and active listening skills, maintain positive and appropriate relationships with people at all times.
* Demonstrate an understanding of the care and treatment programmes required for a designated group of service users.
* Follow a care plan, advise and guide service users, family and carers in following prescribed interventions and make the appropriate adjustments within own competence and skill set and be able to communicate any changes to service users and registered health care professionals.
* Be required to concentrate for periods of time, depending upon the care intervention/care plan. This may include areas of work requiring physical effort, with regard to risk, following the risk assessment and health & safety.
* Exercise a degree of independence, initiative and judgement and consider different approaches when delivering tasks. Assess situations, e.g. following falls prevention guidance identify and resolve potential problems, within own competence.
* Ensure the care experience is positive and service user safety is maintained. Treat everyone e.g. service users, their relatives, visitors, colleagues etc, with respect, dignity, courtesy and in accordance with the Trusts Values.
* Feedback observations to the registered professional/clinical team to contribute to the care/treatment planning process. Understand the principles underlying care planning e.g. enabling the service user to reach an optimum level of functioning/ independence/recovery.
* Implement treatment/care within well-established policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines and established clinical care plans within own competence and skill set.
* Assist in the organising and participating in a range of therapeutic groups and activities as delegated by the registered practitioner working within own competence and skill set.
* Apply basic knowledge of longer-term health conditions, within the remit of care planning, providing advice, support and feedback to a registered professional.
* Undertake the physical aspects of care e.g. moving and handling of service users. Use items of equipment in delivering care e.g. hoists, wheelchairs etc. (as appropriate to the role), ensuring appropriate instruction on their use has been received.
* Assist in dealing with verbal/physical aggression using de‑escalation techniques, this may include the need for RRPI techniques (as appropriate to the ward or community based role and in line with Trust policy and training)
* Attend to the service users personal care needs as and when required.
* Participate in a flexible rostering arrangement providing 7 day care (as appropriate to the role/service).
For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.
Person Specification
Training
* Must be willing/able to undertake all appropriate Trust mandatory training requirements, and subsequent refresher training relevant to the area.
* Must be willing/able to undergo job development and training.
* Demonstrate excellent knowledge of service user safety, e.g. Prevention & management of violence & aggression, moving and handling, etc.
Experience
* In providing personal care and related procedures for those with health/social needs.
* In working in a caring environment at a band 2 or equivalent level of competence.
* In dealing with the public.
* In working as an effective team member.
* Of demonstrating own duties.
* Ability to work effectively, professionally and under own initiative or as part of a multidisciplinary team.
* In demonstrating initiative, decision-making and prioritisation skills.
* Evidence of a commitment to user/carer involvement.
Physical Attributes
* A satisfactory sickness record over previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
* Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary).
Special Knowledge & Skills
* As appropriate to the role:
* Demonstrates excellent customer care skills.
* Enthusiastic, able to work flexibly on a 24hr shift pattern to meet the needs of service users.
* Demonstrates safe decision‑making skills commensurate with role.
* Knows responsibilities regarding confidentiality and trust.
* Resilience to pressure and exposure to emotional, distressing or hazardous situations e.g. verbal aggression, body fluids, etc.
* Non‑judgemental, empathetic manner.
* Demonstrates Trust Values.
* Excellent interpersonal skills.
* Good administration and organisational skills.
* Able to use observation skills to identify potential services user, environmental risks etc. and act appropriately.
* Able to fulfil the requirements of the value‑based induction.
* Language skills other than English.
* Experience of supervising/inducting others.
Qualifications
* GCSE A‑D or grade 3‑9 in English and Maths or equivalent.
* Level 2 qualification or working through, with the ability to demonstrate competencies at level 3.
* Care Certificate or required to achieve within 12 weeks of commencement.
* Apprenticeship level 3 or equivalent e.g. RQF (regulated Qualification Framework) NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent.
* Experience of the speciality area.
* Willingness to undertake further study.
Personal Attributes
* Responsive attitude and approach.
* Dress appropriately for the environment.
* Ability to travel around the Trust as appropriate to role.
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
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
Address
Priestley Unit, Dewsbury and District Hospital
#J-18808-Ljbffr