East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Generic Therapy Assistant - Stroke / Neurology

The closing date is 12 November 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 3 0.8 WTE post to be created within the Stroke/ Neuro team.

As part of the Integrated Therapies department the post holder will secure a year's short term contract to work predominantly with stroke / neuro patients. On occasions there may be a need to support other teams according to the department prioritisation system.

Previous experience working in the acute hospital setting, and with patients with physical and cognitive challenges is essential. Strong, clear communication and an ability to work well with other people, in a busy environment is also required for this role.

This role requires working weekend shifts on a rota basis as part of our 7 day service, providing therapy intervention across the Stroke and Neuro wards.

Main duties of the job

The job will entail a range of clinical and non-clinical tasks including;

running group sessions for in-patients,

providing prescribed upper and lower limb exercises and opportunity to practice everyday tasks

supporting other members of the team in ward and gym based treatment sessions, including kitchen and washing and dressing practice.

collecting equipment from stores and Orthotics

supporting with admin tasks, including photocopying and ensuring the workspaces remain clear of clutter and orderly

supporting data collection and updating activity plans / team sheets

provision of basic cognitive rehabilitation and well-being interventions

About us

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes.

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.

Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A

Date posted

30 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

432-HR840-25

Job locations

Ipswich

IP4 5PD

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Secondary education and related qualifications
GSCE Maths & English at Grade C or above
Numeracy and literacy skills

Desirable

Relevant NVQ level III or equivalent
Ability to travel across IESCCG area using transport provided

Experience

Essential

Proven years relevant employment or voluntary work within acute health care
Experience of working with stroke victims and their families
Relevant life skills gained through work / personal experience
Good IT skills and experience using computer systems
Team working experience

Desirable

Experience of working in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy
Experience of treatment and rehabilitation of adults
Experience running groups

Knowledge

Essential

Understanding and application of impact of illness / injury /disability on individuals / their families
Ability to carry out needs led assessment
Ability to teach skills to patients
Ability to work as part of a team

Desirable

Knowledge of medical conditions affecting people in this specialism
Knowledge of rehabilitation principles
Understanding of philosophy and role of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy

Skills

Essential

Excellent communication skills to overcome barriers of understanding and cognitive impairment
Strong Team worker
Good written and verbal communication skills
Flexibility to meet service needs
Organisational ability and time management of self
Confident, competent manner and professional presentation of self
Motivational and persuasive skills
Ability to demonstrate empathetic approach to patients/carers
Able to recognise personal and role limitations and seek assistance accordingly

Desirable

Adaptable
Teaching skills for use with patients / carers / students

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Secondary education and related qualifications
GSCE Maths & English at Grade C or above
Numeracy and literacy skills

Desirable

Relevant NVQ level III or equivalent
Ability to travel across IESCCG area using transport provided

Experience

Essential

Proven years relevant employment or voluntary work within acute health care
Experience of working with stroke victims and their families
Relevant life skills gained through work / personal experience
Good IT skills and experience using computer systems
Team working experience

Desirable

Experience of working in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy
Experience of treatment and rehabilitation of adults
Experience running groups

Knowledge

Essential

Understanding and application of impact of illness / injury /disability on individuals / their families
Ability to carry out needs led assessment
Ability to teach skills to patients
Ability to work as part of a team

Desirable

Knowledge of medical conditions affecting people in this specialism
Knowledge of rehabilitation principles
Understanding of philosophy and role of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy

Skills

Essential

Excellent communication skills to overcome barriers of understanding and cognitive impairment
Strong Team worker
Good written and verbal communication skills
Flexibility to meet service needs
Organisational ability and time management of self
Confident, competent manner and professional presentation of self
Motivational and persuasive skills
Ability to demonstrate empathetic approach to patients/carers
Able to recognise personal and role limitations and seek assistance accordingly

Desirable

Adaptable
Teaching skills for use with patients / carers / students

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.

Employer details

Employer name

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ipswich

IP4 5PD

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ipswich

IP4 5PD

Employer's website

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