The UCR Service provides urgent support, seven days a week, to help prevent unnecessary hospital admissions. A multi-skilled team delivers a two-hour crisis response at home or in the usual place of residence for people at risk of admission due to declining health or mobility. We also work closely with local ambulance services to divert Category 3 and 4 patients, ensuring they receive timely, appropriate care in the community.
In addition, UCR supports a general virtual ward model, enhanced by digital technology and remote monitoring. Patients receive hospital-level care at home, aiding recovery in familiar surroundings and helping to relieve hospital pressures. Our daily multidisciplinary reviews—via home visits or video—ensure safety and continuity of care.
Our team includes GPs, Nurses, Paramedics, Pharmacists, OTs, Physios, and Health & Therapy Assistants, all working together to provide outstanding care 8am–8pm, 365 days a year.
Are you passionate about preventing hospital admissions and delivering high-quality, fast-paced care? We're looking for a Health & Therapy Assistant to join our dynamic team. If you're ambitious, proactive, and ready to make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.
Join the NHS and help us deliver exceptional care in the community—with flexible working options to suit your lifestyle.
The Urgent Community Response (UCR) Service provides clinical interventions, including intravenous therapy, to help avoid hospital admissions. We operate 365 days a year, supporting admission avoidance through 2-hour crisis responses and general virtual wards, in line with national UCR specifications. Our multidisciplinary team includes Medics, Nurses, Paramedics, Physiotherapists, and Occupational Therapists.
The service receives referrals from a range of professionals and delivers care over several days to ensure patients can remain safely at home.
As a Health and Therapy Assistant, you'll support nursing and therapy teams in delivering direct care to patients in their homes, under supervision and in line with Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust policies. You'll work across disciplines—nursing, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy—as part of our 7-day service.
No previous experience is needed—we'll train you on the job and support you in achieving the Care Certificate. Your training will include essential nursing and therapy skills.
With experience and further training, you could progress to roles such as Nursing Associate, or pursue a degree in nursing, therapy, or other healthcare professions.
If you're caring, motivated, and eager to make a difference, this could be the start of a rewarding career in healthcare—with real opportunities to grow.
We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.
Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.
Why work for us?
* Positive 2024 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing
* Varied environments: community hospitals, patients' homes, and bases across Sussex
* Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retirement
* Excellent training, development, and research opportunities
* Accredited Living Wage Employer, we ensure fair pay for all our staff
* Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton
* Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networks
* Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust
Our values — Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence —guide everything we do.
We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.
This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.
You will need to able to drive with a full UK licence and access to a vehicle due to the geographic area covered by the team.
Further information is available in the attached job description and person specification.
If you would like to discuss this role or find out more, you can contact our Operational Team Leads, (insert names, phone numbers and email).
We often receive a high number of applications for this role so please be aware that the vacancy may close.
If you would like to discuss this role or find out more, you can contact our Operational Team Lead Polly Jeffs
We often receive a high number of applications for this role so please be aware that the vacancy may close earlier than stated.