Job summary
UHB is reshaping the way we deliver neurological care. This role reflects our commitment to developing specialist practitioners who can make a lasting difference to patients' recovery journeys.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Therapy Support Worker to join our dynamic Stroke and Neuro Team, working specifically to deliver Occupational Therapy led interventions.
In this role, you will play a key part in delivering high-quality, person-centred occupational therapy rehabilitation, helping patients maximise their recovery during the acute phase of stroke journey. No two days will be the same -- you'll be involved in one-to-one rehabilitation, joint sessions, group activities, and drop-in support. Working alongside experienced Occupational Therapists, you will actively contribute to cognitive rehabilitation, functional practice, and upper limb programmes. You'll be fully supported by our skilled neuro team and the wider therapy service, with ongoing guidance, collaboration, and genuine opportunities to learn, develop, and progress.
Previous stroke or neurological experience would be desirable. However, as a supportive and development-focused team, we also welcome applications from candidates with experience managing patients with complex needs, even if they do not have stroke- or neuro-specific experience. This role offers excellent opportunities for learning, skill development, and progression.
Main duties of the job
To provide skilled support within the Acute Stroke Unit, working as part of the Occupational Therapy team to deliver effective, patient-centred rehabilitation in line with agreed care plans and service protocols.
The post holder will independently manage a delegated caseload, delivering Occupational Therapy stroke-specific interventions such as upper limb rehabilitation programmes (including GRASP), functional and cognitive rehabilitation activities, and supporting discharge planning through equipment provision and environmental recommendations. Interventions will be delivered without direct supervision, with appropriate escalation to a registered Occupational Therapist when required.
The post holder will work across inpatient wards and may be required to undertake visits to patients' homes to facilitate safe and timely discharge. The role will contribute to maximising patient independence in activities of daily living and ensuring continuity of care through effective multidisciplinary working.
The post holder will practice within delegated responsibility, maintaining competence, accountability and adherence to Trust policies and professional standards.
In line with the Trust's commitment to providing a 7-day service, the role will operate on a rotational 7-day working pattern.
About us
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For those staff with a disability, including physical disability, long term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*
Job description
Job responsibilities
*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- *Education to GCSE level or equivalent including English and maths at grade C or above
- *Able to demonstrate competence in maths and written and spoken English
- *Educated to A Level / NVQ 3/ BTEC or equivalent (e.g. NVQ 2 or similar vocational qualification PLUS experience working in a care setting)
- *Care certificate or be willing to work towards this
Desirable
- *Evidence of recent education / personal development related to Healthcare.
- *Demonstrated has been proactive with continuing professional development
Experience
Essential
- *Comprehensive experience supporting therapists in a relevant clinical setting
- *Comprehensive experience of delivering acute inpatient rehabilitation programmes across a variety of clinical settings with evidence of MDT collaboration and hospital discharge planning
- *Can demonstrate an in depth understanding of relevant areas of therapy, the effect of illness/clinical conditions / disability on function and health and basic aims of rehabilitation
- *Comprehensive understanding of the role of therapy support worker. Additional experience within Stroke and Neuro beneficial but not essential.
- *Understanding of confidentiality and data protection in healthcare
- *One year clinical experience of working with Stroke and Neuro patients in an appropriate setting.
Desirable
- *Experience of communicating with and motivating patients who may have communication difficulties
- *Good understanding of working environment --healthcare/NHS/UHB trust/acute care/community as applicable
Additional Criteria
Essential
- *Able to work as part of an interdisciplinary team
- *Enthusiasm to work as therapy support worker within a team
- *Ability to take responsibility under guidance
- *Know own limitations and role boundaries
- *Able to seek support from others when required
- *Able to deal with potentially upsetting clinical settings/situations
- *Demonstrates empathy to a wide range of patients, carers, staff
- *Demonstrates commitment to patient centred care
- *Reliable and trustworthy
- *Able to work under pressure Demonstrates commitment to work flexibly to meet the challenging demands of the service
- *Ability to contribute to weekend working and evening day case cover
- *Good attendance record
Desirable
- *Willingness to participate and at times lead in departmental activities i.e. group supervision, course development, delivery of training
- *Demonstrates a commitment to CPD
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- *Education to GCSE level or equivalent including English and maths at grade C or above
- *Able to demonstrate competence in maths and written and spoken English
- *Educated to A Level / NVQ 3/ BTEC or equivalent (e.g. NVQ 2 or similar vocational qualification PLUS experience working in a care setting)
- *Care certificate or be willing to work towards this
Desirable
- *Evidence of recent education / personal development related to Healthcare.
- *Demonstrated has been proactive with continuing professional development
Experience
Essential
- *Comprehensive experience supporting therapists in a relevant clinical setting
- *Comprehensive experience of delivering acute inpatient rehabilitation programmes across a variety of clinical settings with evidence of MDT collaboration and hospital discharge planning
- *Can demonstrate an in depth understanding of relevant areas of therapy, the effect of illness/clinical conditions / disability on function and health and basic aims of rehabilitation
- *Comprehensive understanding of the role of therapy support worker. Additional experience within Stroke and Neuro beneficial but not essential.
- *Understanding of confidentiality and data protection in healthcare
- *One year clinical experience of working with Stroke and Neuro patients in an appropriate setting.
Desirable
- *Experience of communicating with and motivating patients who may have communication difficulties
- *Good understanding of working environment --healthcare/NHS/UHB trust/acute care/community as applicable
Additional Criteria
Essential
- *Able to work as part of an interdisciplinary team
- *Enthusiasm to work as therapy support worker within a team
- *Ability to take responsibility under guidance
- *Know own limitations and role boundaries
- *Able to seek support from others when required
- *Able to deal with potentially upsetting clinical settings/situations
- *Demonstrates empathy to a wide range of patients, carers, staff
- *Demonstrates commitment to patient centred care
- *Reliable and trustworthy
- *Able to work under pressure Demonstrates commitment to work flexibly to meet the challenging demands of the service
- *Ability to contribute to weekend working and evening day case cover
- *Good attendance record
Desirable
- *Willingness to participate and at times lead in departmental activities i.e. group supervision, course development, delivery of training
- *Demonstrates a commitment to CPD
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
