Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Therapy Assistant

The closing date is 27 May 2025

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a Therapy Assistant to join our team.

Directed and supervised by Qualified Therapists you will be working with patients on the wards in a busy acute hospital.

This role involves working hands-on with patients during their hospital admission to improve their mobility and self care routine [ie., washing & dressing]. Many patients are frail, elderly, or recovering from surgery or illness, and initially need full physical assistance with all basic care tasks. Our aim is to improve their mobility and independence with their activities of daily living so support them return home with minimal equipment and care support. There are also administrative tasks, equipment cleaning and record keeping.

This is a physically demanding job that requires good communication and interpersonal skills in addition to basic computer skills. You are required to write directly into the Medical notes and so a good standard of written work is essential. It is a busy but friendly working environment so you will need to be resilient, flexible and organised. You will be required to work one weekend a month and some public holidays as part of a rostered service.

Ideally you will have previous experience of working in a therapy, hospital, or care environment, however no professional qualifications are required and appropriate instruction and support will be provided.

Main duties of the job

To assist the qualified therapists in delivering an excellentOccupational and Physiotherapy service to patients in the acutehospital setting.

To follow treatment plans set by the Qualified Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapist. These may be in one-to-one sessions with a patient or in ward based groups.

To undertake general departmental duties such as cleaning, collationof statistical information and ordering bank stock equipment.

To undertake clerical and household tasks as necessary to maintainthe smooth running of the department.

About us

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest in the country, with a workforce of approximately 15,000 who serve a population of 1.2 million people.

We work together, and in conjunction with MSE Health and Care Partnership, to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients in a compassionate way, and provide a respectful, but vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

From facilities through to consultant specialists we want to be the best, to achieve this we need to recruit not just those who are the finest in their field but also those who have the potential to be. Yes, experience is important but so is outlook - if you are dynamic, forward-thinking and enthusiastic we want you to join us.

We not only offer you a good working environment with flexible working opportunities, but also the opportunity to develop your career with access to appropriate training for your job and the support to succeed and progress

Details

Date posted

22 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 a year Per Annum Pro Rata for Part Time

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

390-CSS-BR-9565-A

Job locations

Broomfield

Court Road

Chelmsford

CM1 7ET


Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description, but some of the responsibilities include

  • To assist the qualified therapists in delivering an excellent service to patients in a variety of settings.
  • To contribute to the treatment of patients both individually and in groups, undertaking therapeutic work and supervising patients in activity relating to their treatment as directed by Qualified Therapists.
  • To undertake general departmental duties such as cleaning, collation of statistical information and ordering equipment.
  • To undertake clerical and household tasks as necessary to maintain the smooth running of the department.
  • To organise and prioritise own delegated workload, under supervision of qualified staff, using effective time management skills responding flexibly to changing priorities.
  • To be able to progress patient treatment within established protocols and guidelines.
  • To assess patients progress, taking account of their environment, and adjust own clinical interventions accordingly and report back to the Therapist.
  • To participate in and follow to the Therapists treatment plan. To complete delegated interventions in the appropriate setting once trained to do so.
  • To liaise with the qualified staff member as necessary regarding patients therapeutic interventions, highlighting any variations to expected outcomes from the treatment programmes.
  • To be skilled in the safe use of a broad range equipment and therapeutic skills once trained.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description, but some of the responsibilities include

  • To assist the qualified therapists in delivering an excellent service to patients in a variety of settings.
  • To contribute to the treatment of patients both individually and in groups, undertaking therapeutic work and supervising patients in activity relating to their treatment as directed by Qualified Therapists.
  • To undertake general departmental duties such as cleaning, collation of statistical information and ordering equipment.
  • To undertake clerical and household tasks as necessary to maintain the smooth running of the department.
  • To organise and prioritise own delegated workload, under supervision of qualified staff, using effective time management skills responding flexibly to changing priorities.
  • To be able to progress patient treatment within established protocols and guidelines.
  • To assess patients progress, taking account of their environment, and adjust own clinical interventions accordingly and report back to the Therapist.
  • To participate in and follow to the Therapists treatment plan. To complete delegated interventions in the appropriate setting once trained to do so.
  • To liaise with the qualified staff member as necessary regarding patients therapeutic interventions, highlighting any variations to expected outcomes from the treatment programmes.
  • To be skilled in the safe use of a broad range equipment and therapeutic skills once trained.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with people in a customer care service or similar environment

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a care or rehabiliation environment

Qualifications

Essential

  • Good level of literacy - demonstrated through minimal mistakes on application form

Desirable

  • Completion of a Therapy or Health Care NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with people in a customer care service or similar environment

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a care or rehabiliation environment

Qualifications

Essential

  • Good level of literacy - demonstrated through minimal mistakes on application form

Desirable

  • Completion of a Therapy or Health Care NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Broomfield

Court Road

Chelmsford

CM1 7ET


Employer's website

https://www.mse.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Broomfield

Court Road

Chelmsford

CM1 7ET


Employer's website

https://www.mse.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Therapy Lead

Dawn Selwood-Fry

dawn.selwood-fry1@nhs.net

01245514195

Details

Date posted

22 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 a year Per Annum Pro Rata for Part Time

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

390-CSS-BR-9565-A

Job locations

Broomfield

Court Road

Chelmsford

CM1 7ET


Supporting documents

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