South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Physiotherapy Assistant / Support Worker

The closing date is 01 April 2026

Job summary

Permanent Band 2 Physiotherapy Support Worker, 37.5 hours per week, Trauma and Orthopaedics In-patient Team, Sunderland Royal Hospital.

We are a friendly and welcoming department, looking for a support worker to join our inpatient physiotherapy team.

This is a fantastic opportunity to advance and consolidate your knowledge and skills and provide ongoing therapy to a wide range of patients at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

We offer support with training and development through in-service training, appraisals and supervision.

The role is fundamentally about supporting the provision of therapy services within the NHS environment, ensuring optimal patient care. You will work as part of the Therapy team and under the supervision of a qualified Therapist, at times working independently with patients with non-complex conditions. This role includes weekend working. You may also be asked to work cross-site at South Tyneside Hospital.

Please note the Trust are not able to offer Skilled Worker Sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the UKVI threshold requirements. Applicants are requested to consider this when making their application. Please visitGov.UKfor further information

Main duties of the job

You will work as part of the Physiotherapy team to give high-quality care and facilitate discharge of patients from the Trauma and Orthopaedic wards.

The main duties of the job include:

To assist the physiotherapist and senior therapy assistants with the assessment and treatment of patients.

To provide mobility aids to patients.

To undertake admin. tasks, other non-clinical duties and control stock levels of equipment.

To assist with the recycling of walking aids.

To comply with Trust policies.

Key requirements: good interpersonal skills, ability to work independently and collaboratively within teams, ability to manage time effectively, ability to work effectively under pressure.

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Date posted

18 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year (2026/27 pay award pending)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9155-CSAHP-0326-13

Job locations

Trust Headquarters

Sunderland Royal Hospital

Sunderland

SR4 7TP

South Tyneside Nhs Foundation Trust

Harton Lane

South Shields

Tyne And Wear

NE34 0PL

Job description

Job responsibilities

Working in South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, the main purpose of the Physiotherapy Support Worker role is to work as part of the Physiotherapy team to provide high-standard physiotherapy.

PLEASE REFER TO ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

Job description

Job responsibilities

PLEASE REFER TO ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

Person Specification

Physical Skills

Essential

Ability to carry-out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and to work within an environment with competing demands.
Ability to meet travel requirements of Post.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

Able to evidence / demonstrate values and behaviours aligned to the Trust.
Able to use initiative and good organisational skills: timely organisation, delegation and prioritisation.
Able to present information, written and orally in a clear and logical manner.
Ability to communicate at all levels.
Ability to independently follow guidance and standards.
Ability to engage, empathise and motivate people.
Ability to work in a stressful environment with aggressive and emotional people.
Ability to work as part of a team.
Knowledge of the role of a therapy support worker.
An understanding of Physiotherapy.
Basic IT skills.

Desirable

Evidence of ability to be innovative and pro-active.
Intermediate IT skills.

Experience

Essential

Evidence of interaction with the public or patients in a care setting.
Ability to work as part of a team.

Desirable

Evidence of working as a physiotherapy assistant in a local authority, hospital or NHS organisation.

Qualifications

Essential

GCSE in English Language and Numeracy skills to Level 1 or equivalent.

Desirable

An understanding of South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing.
Recognised academic qualification in a health-related topic.

Person Specification

Physical Skills

Essential

Ability to carry-out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and to work within an environment with competing demands.
Ability to meet travel requirements of Post.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

Able to evidence / demonstrate values and behaviours aligned to the Trust.
Able to use initiative and good organisational skills: timely organisation, delegation and prioritisation.
Able to present information, written and orally in a clear and logical manner.
Ability to communicate at all levels.
Ability to independently follow guidance and standards.
Ability to engage, empathise and motivate people.
Ability to work in a stressful environment with aggressive and emotional people.
Ability to work as part of a team.
Knowledge of the role of a therapy support worker.
An understanding of Physiotherapy.
Basic IT skills.

Desirable

Evidence of ability to be innovative and pro-active.
Intermediate IT skills.

Experience

Essential

Evidence of interaction with the public or patients in a care setting.
Ability to work as part of a team.

Desirable

Evidence of working as a physiotherapy assistant in a local authority, hospital or NHS organisation.

Qualifications

Essential

GCSE in English Language and Numeracy skills to Level 1 or equivalent.

Desirable

An understanding of South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing.
Recognised academic qualification in a health-related topic.

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.