Job overview
We are looking for motivated Technical Instructors / Support Workers with good acute hospital experience to work within our Inpatient Physiotherapy teams covering the wards at Worthing Hospital. This role will be focused on providing a high standard of Physiotherapy assessment, treatment and evaluation to clients within the Inpatient Physiotherapy service at Worthing Hospital.
You will have excellent opportunities for your own skills development, working within a strong and supportive MDT and alongside an established peer group of Physiotherapy Support Workers. This Band 3 position is an excellent opportunity to work within a dynamic, forward looking and innovative department.
Worthing Hospital is in a wonderful location, situated adjacent to the South Downs National Park and the sea and with excellent transport links to London and across Southern England. You will be joining a strong and supportive Physiotherapy team within the top performing University Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We look forward to welcoming you on an informal visit or discussing any aspect of this exciting opportunity further.
Please note we may close this advert earlier than the published closing date if we receive a large number of applications so, please do not delay in submitting your application as soon as possible in order to be considered for this post.
Main duties of the job
1. To work as part of a Physiotherapy Team providing a high quality and comprehensive therapy service to patients.
2. To work with adults and children with varied conditions, including orthopaedic, elderly rehabilitation, amputees, neurological, etc.
3. To work unsupervised as well as alongside the qualified physiotherapists.
4. To provide information and advice to patients, carers and other health and social care professions on areas within the grades scope of practice, e.g. advise patients on exercise treatment programmes based on procedures and set protocols.
5. Take on routine procedural based assessments and implement own treatment programme, through exercises and mobility rehabilitation individually or in groups.
6. To regularly evaluate and analyse treatment programmes and modifies them without prior consultation with a qualified physiotherapist.
7. To regularly feedback to physiotherapists regarding patients’ progress and to feedback to physiotherapists and Lead Physiotherapist regarding how delivery of service and policies impact on patients and the service, to always ensure maintenance and improvement to quality.
8. To be involved with data collection/audit to monitor service, general statistic collation and outcome measures the team are using.
9. To assist with the clerical and professional administrative tasks required to provide an efficient and effective high-quality service.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
10. To work collaboratively with relevant Team Professionals (e.g. Health Care Assistants, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Nursing staff, Orthotists) to assist achievement of patient centred goals and maximising the patient’s potential.
11. To communicate effectively with patients with a variety of communication difficulties e.g. blind, deaf, dysphasic, learning difficulties / dementia, and for people who do not have English as their first language, on a one-to-one level and to enable the patient to integrate in group activities. This will involve the effective use of verbal, written, pictorial, tactile and visual communication tools.
12. Educate patients and relatives on a range of topics covering Physiotherapy techniques, e.g. therapeutic positioning, exercise, mobility activities including using walking aids and indoor and outdoor mobility.
13. Use advanced empathetic, tactful and interpersonal skills to encourage and empower patients and carers to maximise patients’ Rehabilitation potential, giving opportunity for unloading / sharing of concerns and issues and providing informal counselling.
14. Assist in informative / observational visits, work-shadow sessions, and specific areas of induction process e.g. new members of staff and students.
15. Attend Handover & MDT meetings to represent current Physiotherapy management with regards to patient progress and potential and be able to make to decisions within agreed parameters.
16. To liaise with other team members with regards to day-to-day issues and department management e.g. prioritisation, staff shortages, increased patient caseload.
17. To maintain physiotherapy records in an accurate way, in line with guidelines to ensure identified goals are achieved.
18. To be able to manage potentially stressful, sensitive, upsetting, terminal conditions or emotional situations in an empathic manner.
Please see Job Description and Person Specification
Candidate Information Pack:
Person specification
Professional Registration
Essential criteria
19. Completion of Physiotherapy apprenticeship i.e. Level 3 Diploma in Allied Healthcare support or are Support OR Health care related qualification at NVQ level 3 or
20. Health care related qualification at NVQ level 3 or above
21. Completed Physiotherapy B3 level competencies or level 3 apprentice competencies.
22. Equivalent experience as physiotherapy assistant or Occupational Therapy assistant
Desirable criteria
23. Previous experience at Band 3 Physio assistant/tech role
Experience/Qualifications Non-Clinical
Essential criteria
24. Understanding of the Job role / Physiotherapy profession
25. Experience of working in a team
Desirable criteria
26. An understanding or involvement in service development or audit, and an understanding of quality issues
Experience/Qualifications Clinical
Essential criteria
27. Previous clinical NHS/Healthcare environment experience
28. Basic knowledge of human anatomy and Physiology
29. 6 months or more of working as a physiotherapy / occupational therapy or Healthcare assistant delivering patient care
Desirable criteria
30. Previous healthcare related courses
31. Basic understanding of exercise rehabilitation.
Skills
Essential criteria
32. Ability to recognise their own limitations and when to seek advice.
33. Ability to recognise a potentially serious situation and when to seek advice.
34. Experience of problem solving in various situations.
People Management and Development
Essential criteria
35. Ability to follow oral and written instructions and fluency in written and spoken English.
36. Ability to present information, written and orally in a clear and logical manner including patient records.
37. Ability to cope in an environment with emotional or aggressive patients.
38. Ability to cope with unpredictable and/or stressful working environment.
39. Ability to communicate effectively with different types of people e.g. patients, patient relatives, Doctors, Nurses, colleagues etc.
Desirable criteria
40. Experience of communicating with people with communication difficulties e.g. Dementia, language barriers, blind, deaf
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Essential criteria
41. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
42. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications