Job summary An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Physiotherapy assistant practitioner to join the Integrated Respiratory Team at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, within the pulmonary rehabilitation service. The service will be aligned to the NHS Long term plan in expanding pulmonary rehabilitation services. The role will contribute to the development of new pathways in delivering appropriate programmes to promote their recovery, whilst also supporting the established pulmonary rehab service. The post holder will be expected to support clients undertaking exercise programmes and will work under the supervision of respiratory practitioners. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who has experience working within respiratory, who has passion to develop their existing knowledge, skills and shape the current existing service, continuing to raise the identity and provide high quality respiratory care throughout the community and the acute trust. The team is a forward-thinking, dynamic, developing and enthusiastic team providing evidence based Respiratory care to chronic disease patients. The Countywide Service is well established and provides an acute review of these patients, providing outpatient clinic appointments, Community Oxygen Assessment Service, Complex Case Management and Pulmonary Rehabilitation across West Kent. The team actively integrates and collaborate with neighbourhood teams throughout the county and liaises with key stakeholders to provide seamless care. Main duties of the job This post will be based in both Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospitals, as well as in the community of West Kent where we currently provide pulmonary rehab in Sutton Valence, West Malling, Paddock Wood and Sevenoaks with the plan to expand to the T/Wells and Tonbridge areas. We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and conscientious practitioner to join the existing team. You will be part of our multi-disciplinary respiratory team which consists of Respiratory Nurse Specialists, respiratory physiotherapists, physiotherapy assistants and Assistant Practitioners. You will need to demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills. You must be able to prioritise tasks and manage your time effectively and be able to work flexibly within the team and be confident in completing individual tasks. You will need to have a current UK driving licence as this post is predominantly community based. The Service hours are currently Monday - Friday 8am - 4pm excluding bank holidays with the aim to work towards a 7-day service. If you are motivated, enthusiastic, have relevant respiratory background and are interested in working in such a team, then we would like to hear from you. Please note that this role may often attract a high level of applications. Please note this role may close earlier than the original closing date so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible. About us MTW is a large acute hospital trust in the south-east of England. We provide a full range of general hospital services and some aspects of specialist and complex care to around 600,000 people living in west Kent and East Sussex. We have a team of over 8,000 full and part-time staff. We also provide specialist cancer services to around 2 million people across Kent and East Sussex via the Kent Oncology Centre. In the 2024 NHS staff survey, our employees ranked MTW among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and the second-best Trust to work for in the South East. Would you like to work flexibly? In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. Date posted 29 October 2024 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 4 Salary £26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time Reference number 359-6713112-T3 Job locations Maidstone Hospital Hermitage Lane Maidstone ME16 9QQ Job description Job responsibilities Once your pre-employment checks have been completed you will be contacted by Recruitment to arrange your start date which will be in line with one of our Corporate Inductions. Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children) Following your Corporate Induction you will be expected to attend the Trusts 2-week Induction Programme for RNs, NAs, RMs, ODPs and Paramedics. The programme is full-time (please email mtw-tr.professionalstandardsnhs.net if this is problematic) and will involve travel to both Trust sites. The programme includes supernumerary shifts in the clinical area, classroom-based sessions and e-learning. At MTW, we seek to develop a culture where everyone can reach their full potential with opportunities to grow and develop their career. We recognise and value the unique contributions that each of our staff bring, delivering the best quality care and service to our patients. We are committed to being a diverse employer and strive to reflect everyone in our local communities. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences and celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that will make our Trust the best place to work. We support our staff with disabilities to ensure they have the adjustments they need to be the best they can be in the workplace. Collaborating with Access to Work means that our staff are assessed by experts in the workplace and we ensure that their recommendations are implemented as quickly as possible. You can find out more here: Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Interview Date: TBC Job description Job responsibilities Once your pre-employment checks have been completed you will be contacted by Recruitment to arrange your start date which will be in line with one of our Corporate Inductions. Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children) Following your Corporate Induction you will be expected to attend the Trusts 2-week Induction Programme for RNs, NAs, RMs, ODPs and Paramedics. The programme is full-time (please email mtw-tr.professionalstandardsnhs.net if this is problematic) and will involve travel to both Trust sites. The programme includes supernumerary shifts in the clinical area, classroom-based sessions and e-learning. At MTW, we seek to develop a culture where everyone can reach their full potential with opportunities to grow and develop their career. We recognise and value the unique contributions that each of our staff bring, delivering the best quality care and service to our patients. We are committed to being a diverse employer and strive to reflect everyone in our local communities. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences and celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that will make our Trust the best place to work. We support our staff with disabilities to ensure they have the adjustments they need to be the best they can be in the workplace. Collaborating with Access to Work means that our staff are assessed by experts in the workplace and we ensure that their recommendations are implemented as quickly as possible. You can find out more here: Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Interview Date: TBC Person Specification Qualifications Essential Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care/ Occupational Therapy or be willing to complete it or equivalent qualification Experience Essential Minimum of 3 years as an AHP Support Worker Band 3 Evidence of achieving the competencies of Band 3 AHP Therapy Tech Knowledge Essential Completed the core and specialist competencies of the Directorate's Tech Training Programme or similar competencies Additional practical and theoretical knowledge of patient conditions and treatment within relevant specialty.(This knowledge will be demonstrated through the attendance at work based/ non work based learning and development activities) Can demonstrate understanding and awareness of the Assistant Practitioner role Skills Essential Good time management and organisational skills. Good communicator - verbally and written - with patients and others Ability to work on own initiative as well as within a multidisciplinary team Basic IT skills Desirable IT skills (advanced) Person Specification Qualifications Essential Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care/ Occupational Therapy or be willing to complete it or equivalent qualification Experience Essential Minimum of 3 years as an AHP Support Worker Band 3 Evidence of achieving the competencies of Band 3 AHP Therapy Tech Knowledge Essential Completed the core and specialist competencies of the Directorate's Tech Training Programme or similar competencies Additional practical and theoretical knowledge of patient conditions and treatment within relevant specialty.(This knowledge will be demonstrated through the attendance at work based/ non work based learning and development activities) Can demonstrate understanding and awareness of the Assistant Practitioner role Skills Essential Good time management and organisational skills. Good communicator - verbally and written - with patients and others Ability to work on own initiative as well as within a multidisciplinary team Basic IT skills Desirable IT skills (advanced) 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 Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust Address Maidstone Hospital Hermitage Lane Maidstone ME16 9QQ Employer's website https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)