Job summary
Are you passionate about helping people with chronic
respiratory conditions live more active, independent, and fulfilling lives? We
are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity to join our friendly and
dedicated Pulmonary Rehabilitation team at County Durham and Darlington NHS
Foundation Trust (CDDFT) as a Physiotherapy Assistant.
The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service is part of the
Community Care Group and is committed to delivering high-quality,
evidence-based rehabilitation programmes to patients across County Durham and
Darlington. Our aim is to support patients in managing their respiratory
conditions such as COPD, bronchiectasis and pulmonary fibrosis, enhancing their
quality of life and promoting self-management through tailored exercise and
education.
This is a permanent position with part time hours. It is
predominantly based at Bishop Auckland Hospital, Darlington Memorial Hospital
and Sedgefield Community Hospital however the post is trust wide and you will
be required to cover all sites when necessary.
Main duties of the job
The role is designed to support the delivery of a
comprehensive, community-based Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) exercise programme
specifically tailored for individuals living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease (COPD) and other long-term respiratory conditions.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a cornerstone of best practice
in the management of chronic respiratory disease. It is a structured,
evidence-based intervention that combines individually prescribed exercise with
education and self-management support. This role plays a vital part in
promoting pulmonary rehabilitation as an essential, accessible, and
life-enhancing service within the community.
The primary aim of the service is to empower
patients to take control of their condition through increased understanding,
physical conditioning, and improved confidence. The successful candidate will
contribute to programmes that help reduce symptoms such as breathlessness,
improve functional and maximal exercise capacity, and enhance health-related
quality of life. By actively supporting patients in their rehabilitation
journey, the role also contributes to reducing the burden of disability and preventing
hospital admissions.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents
Over reliance on
AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of
success
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years
of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider
sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and
have a current visa expiring within 3 months)
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the full job description for further
details.
As a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Physiotherapy Assistant, your
role will involve supporting the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care
across a range of community settings. You will work closely with qualified
physiotherapists and members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure the smooth
and effective running of the programme.
Key Responsibilities:
Assisting physiotherapists with the assessment of
patients suitability for pulmonary rehabilitation, including gathering
baseline data and health information.
Performing objective assessments such as incremental
shuttle walk tests (ISWT), strength testing, and other outcome measures to
inform clinical decision-making.
Supporting the delivery of both individual and group-based
exercise sessions, delivered face-to-face and non face-to-face (tel calls).
Contributing to the educational component of the programme
by delivering or supporting sessions on topics such as breathlessness
management, pacing, and self-management strategies.
Assisting with the collection and input of service data
for the National Respiratory Audit Programme (NRAP) and other clinical audits
to support service improvement and evaluation.
Undertaking administrative tasks such as ordering equipment,
booking patient appointments, generating and sending appointment letters, and
processing onward referrals.
Working collaboratively with colleagues across Primary and
Secondary Care respiratory teams, fostering excellent communication and professional
relationships to ensure integrated care.
Desirable Criteria:
Confident in using IT systems; experience with SystmOne
would be an advantage.
Previous experience in delivering or supporting
rehabilitation or exercise-based programmes within a community or healthcare
setting.
Essential Requirements:
You must be a car owner with a valid driving
licence and be willing to travel between multiple sites during the working day.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the full job description for further
details.
As a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Physiotherapy Assistant, your
role will involve supporting the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care
across a range of community settings. You will work closely with qualified
physiotherapists and members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure the smooth
and effective running of the programme.
Key Responsibilities:
Assisting physiotherapists with the assessment of
patients suitability for pulmonary rehabilitation, including gathering
baseline data and health information.
Performing objective assessments such as incremental
shuttle walk tests (ISWT), strength testing, and other outcome measures to
inform clinical decision-making.
Supporting the delivery of both individual and group-based
exercise sessions, delivered face-to-face and non face-to-face (tel calls).
Contributing to the educational component of the programme
by delivering or supporting sessions on topics such as breathlessness
management, pacing, and self-management strategies.
Assisting with the collection and input of service data
for the National Respiratory Audit Programme (NRAP) and other clinical audits
to support service improvement and evaluation.
Undertaking administrative tasks such as ordering equipment,
booking patient appointments, generating and sending appointment letters, and
processing onward referrals.
Working collaboratively with colleagues across Primary and
Secondary Care respiratory teams, fostering excellent communication and professional
relationships to ensure integrated care.
Desirable Criteria:
Confident in using IT systems; experience with SystmOne
would be an advantage.
Previous experience in delivering or supporting
rehabilitation or exercise-based programmes within a community or healthcare
setting.
Essential Requirements:
You must be a car owner with a valid driving
licence and be willing to travel between multiple sites during the working day.
Person Specification
Experience
Desirable
- Recent or current experience delivering pulmonary rehab in the NHS. Basic competency training in: mobility assessment, objective measures, progression of mobility and exercises, stair assessment, gym classes, & individual exercise programmes. Theoretical and practical training to NVQ III level. Able to use own initiative
Qualifications
Essential
- Experience of working as a Band 2 therapy assistant or relevant role. Learning to NVQ III level in healthcare related area or equivalent.
Desirable
- Experience of delivering exercise prescription to adult with long term conditions
- BTS fundamentals of pulmonary Rehab
Special Requirements
Essential
- Valid UK driving license and access to a suitably insured vehicle for the purposes of travelling between hospital sites independently
Desirable
- Ability to meet physical demands of the job
- Commitment, motivation and adaptability.
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- CPD diary to include evidence of reflective practice, training and clinical experience. Assistant-level skills within the chosen speciality. Ability to organise and prioritise. Ability to present information, written and orally, in a clear and logical manner. Ability to concentrate frequently throughout the working day. Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day. IT skills
Desirable
- Advanced IT skills. Experience working with patients with chronic respiratory disease. Experience of using Sys1.
Statutory Registration
Essential
- No statutory registration required
Desirable
Person Specification
Experience
Desirable
- Recent or current experience delivering pulmonary rehab in the NHS. Basic competency training in: mobility assessment, objective measures, progression of mobility and exercises, stair assessment, gym classes, & individual exercise programmes. Theoretical and practical training to NVQ III level. Able to use own initiative
Qualifications
Essential
- Experience of working as a Band 2 therapy assistant or relevant role. Learning to NVQ III level in healthcare related area or equivalent.
Desirable
- Experience of delivering exercise prescription to adult with long term conditions
- BTS fundamentals of pulmonary Rehab
Special Requirements
Essential
- Valid UK driving license and access to a suitably insured vehicle for the purposes of travelling between hospital sites independently
Desirable
- Ability to meet physical demands of the job
- Commitment, motivation and adaptability.
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- CPD diary to include evidence of reflective practice, training and clinical experience. Assistant-level skills within the chosen speciality. Ability to organise and prioritise. Ability to present information, written and orally, in a clear and logical manner. Ability to concentrate frequently throughout the working day. Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day. IT skills
Desirable
- Advanced IT skills. Experience working with patients with chronic respiratory disease. Experience of using Sys1.
Statutory Registration
Essential
- No statutory registration required
Desirable
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
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Bishop Auckland General Hospital
Cockton Hill Road
Bishop Auckland
County Durham
DL14 6AD
Employer's website
https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
