Job summary We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, well-motivated physiotherapy assistant to work as part of our community hospital physiotherapy team. The successful candidate will be joining a supportive team, which operates as part of a greater multi-disciplinary service. The team cares for people with a wide range of medical, surgical, and orthopaedic rehabilitation needs ensuring a varied, interesting and challenging workload. Band 3 responsibilities include supporting qualified therapists with patient treatments, working independently with patients practising transfers and mobility, teaching and practising exercises, devising and producing exercise plans with guidance from a physiotherapist, monitoring and maintaining stock levels, and IT and admin tasks. The successful candidate will be fully supported to establish a full understanding of the role and be provided with opportunity for ongoing learning and development to improve clinical skills and knowledge. Main duties of the job To support physiotherapists and work as part of the multidisciplinary team to provide a high quality Physiotherapy service within South Warwickshire. To provide some administrative support to the department. To contribute to the physiotherapy out of hours service. About us Come and join a Trust rated Outstanding by the CQC. South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust have been rated as outstanding following our latest inspection by the CQC and we are recruiting new staff to come and help us improve even further. In addition our staff survey results have placed us 4th in the country for recommended place to work. We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon and Royal Leamington Spa, to Community Services across the county. We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity. Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are 'Trusted to provide safe, inclusive, effective and compassionate care'. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn't matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core. Date posted 10 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £24,071 to £25,674 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working Reference number 203-SS1046 Job locations Physiotherapy, Royal Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital Heathcote Lane Warwick CV34 6SR Job description Job responsibilities Clinical To gain informed consent for treatment in accordance with Trust policy. This will frequently be to patients/carers and relatives who may have diverse or complex emotional, physical and psychological conditions e.g. deafness, dysphasia, depression, chronic pain, etc. and will require use of verbal and non-verbal communication tools. To develop and deliver physiotherapy treatment programmes using guidelines set by qualified physiotherapists. E.g. patient education, exercise programmes, or classes. Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment programmes if necessary following discussion with qualified Physiotherapists. To ensure own competency prior to using any medical device e.g. gym equipment, hoists and mobility aids. To ensure own competency when issuing equipment to patient e.g. patient appliances, splints and other aids. Maintain accurate documentation both written and electronic in accordance with professional (CSP), legal and Trust guidelines. To hold responsibility for own caseload within a defined area of the service and work without direct supervision. To maintain a clean, tidy and safe environment and equipment both in Trusts premises or clients home, having due respect for Health and Safety. To use and apply clinical knowledge and experience to assess and manage clinical risk within the limits of own scope of practice. To work within infection control guidelines to ensure that therapy/treatment/care does not constitute a risk of infection either to the healthcare professional to the client or to any persons visiting/working in Trust premises. Support other physiotherapy assistants as required. To collect clinical data relevant to the service, as required. To achieve and maintain necessary competencies require to fulfil the role. Communication To communicate effectively with patients, carers and relatives on an individual or group basis to maximise rehabilitation potential through verbal and non-verbal methods. This may require explanation, instruction, persuasion, motivation, negotiation and reassurance. To be committed to a team approach in order to provide continuity and efficiency of service provision. To liaise with multidisciplinary team/colleagues/medical nursing staff as required. Take formal handover from wards in the absence of the Physiotherapist. Other To order general stores articles and equipment required by the department and maintain adequate stocks of such equipment, liaising with manager for authorisation. To carry out administrative duties as required, working collaboratively with clerical staff i.e. data input, typing, filing, provide reception cover etc. To attend any meetings as designated by senior physiotherapists. To identify opportunities to improve the physiotherapy service in order to provide the best patient care within the available resources. To contribute to the out of hours service. Physical & Mental Effort Physical Effort The post holder will be required to use moderate physical effort throughout a number of short periods during the day, such as moving patients and equipment. Mental Effort The working pattern will be unpredictable and there will be a requirement for frequent concentration with patients. Emotional Effort There will be frequent exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances with some occasional exposure to highly distressing or highly emotional circumstances. Job description Job responsibilities Clinical To gain informed consent for treatment in accordance with Trust policy. This will frequently be to patients/carers and relatives who may have diverse or complex emotional, physical and psychological conditions e.g. deafness, dysphasia, depression, chronic pain, etc. and will require use of verbal and non-verbal communication tools. To develop and deliver physiotherapy treatment programmes using guidelines set by qualified physiotherapists. E.g. patient education, exercise programmes, or classes. Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment programmes if necessary following discussion with qualified Physiotherapists. To ensure own competency prior to using any medical device e.g. gym equipment, hoists and mobility aids. To ensure own competency when issuing equipment to patient e.g. patient appliances, splints and other aids. Maintain accurate documentation both written and electronic in accordance with professional (CSP), legal and Trust guidelines. To hold responsibility for own caseload within a defined area of the service and work without direct supervision. To maintain a clean, tidy and safe environment and equipment both in Trusts premises or clients home, having due respect for Health and Safety. To use and apply clinical knowledge and experience to assess and manage clinical risk within the limits of own scope of practice. To work within infection control guidelines to ensure that therapy/treatment/care does not constitute a risk of infection either to the healthcare professional to the client or to any persons visiting/working in Trust premises. Support other physiotherapy assistants as required. To collect clinical data relevant to the service, as required. To achieve and maintain necessary competencies require to fulfil the role. Communication To communicate effectively with patients, carers and relatives on an individual or group basis to maximise rehabilitation potential through verbal and non-verbal methods. This may require explanation, instruction, persuasion, motivation, negotiation and reassurance. To be committed to a team approach in order to provide continuity and efficiency of service provision. To liaise with multidisciplinary team/colleagues/medical nursing staff as required. Take formal handover from wards in the absence of the Physiotherapist. Other To order general stores articles and equipment required by the department and maintain adequate stocks of such equipment, liaising with manager for authorisation. To carry out administrative duties as required, working collaboratively with clerical staff i.e. data input, typing, filing, provide reception cover etc. To attend any meetings as designated by senior physiotherapists. To identify opportunities to improve the physiotherapy service in order to provide the best patient care within the available resources. To contribute to the out of hours service. Physical & Mental Effort Physical Effort The post holder will be required to use moderate physical effort throughout a number of short periods during the day, such as moving patients and equipment. Mental Effort The working pattern will be unpredictable and there will be a requirement for frequent concentration with patients. Emotional Effort There will be frequent exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances with some occasional exposure to highly distressing or highly emotional circumstances. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Education to GCSE level or equivalent Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio - including certificates from relevant courses or training Willingness to work towards the Care Certificate NVQ Level 3 or willingness to work towards Desirable Membership of CSP Experience Essential Previous experience as physiotherapy assistant or equivalent Experience of working as part of a team Desirable Experience of working in acute hospital environment Skills Essential Competent IT skills (Word, Email) Able to present information, written and orally in an accurate clear and logical manner Ability to organise prioritise and delegate Ability to comprehend and work within the trust's policies of data protection, equal opportunities and health and safety and meet the differing needs of the patients Ability to keep accurate and legible patient notes Ability to cope working in a stressful environment and with emotional or aggressive patients and carers Problem solving Excellent command of the English language Good written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills Desirable Experience of supervising other staff Personal Qualities Essential Able to work as a team member Flexible Empathetic Reliable Other Essential Passes Occupational Health clearance and police checks Able to carry out moderate physical effort throughout the working day and carry out concurrent activities Available to work at weekends on rota system Desirable Car driver and independent means of transport Person Specification Qualifications Essential Education to GCSE level or equivalent Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio - including certificates from relevant courses or training Willingness to work towards the Care Certificate NVQ Level 3 or willingness to work towards Desirable Membership of CSP Experience Essential Previous experience as physiotherapy assistant or equivalent Experience of working as part of a team Desirable Experience of working in acute hospital environment Skills Essential Competent IT skills (Word, Email) Able to present information, written and orally in an accurate clear and logical manner Ability to organise prioritise and delegate Ability to comprehend and work within the trust's policies of data protection, equal opportunities and health and safety and meet the differing needs of the patients Ability to keep accurate and legible patient notes Ability to cope working in a stressful environment and with emotional or aggressive patients and carers Problem solving Excellent command of the English language Good written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills Desirable Experience of supervising other staff Personal Qualities Essential Able to work as a team member Flexible Empathetic Reliable Other Essential Passes Occupational Health clearance and police checks Able to carry out moderate physical effort throughout the working day and carry out concurrent activities Available to work at weekends on rota system Desirable Car driver and independent means of transport 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 South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust Address Physiotherapy, Royal Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital Heathcote Lane Warwick CV34 6SR Employer's website https://www.swft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)