Therapy Assistant Practitioner

University Hospitals Sussex; Brighton; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS Trust in Brighton is seeking a Therapy Assistant Practitioner. The role involves providing essential support in Occupational and Physiotherapy services, working within a collaborative multidisciplinary team. Candidates should possess strong communication, organizational skills, and prior experience in a relevant setting. Opportunities for professional growth and flexible working arrangements are available. This position offers a yearly salary of £27,485 - £30,162, pro rata, along with a commitment to providing excellent care to patients.

Benefits

Wellbeing programme for staff

Flexible working options

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Previous experience working in NHS health or social care.
• Ability to demonstrate transferable skills.
• Proficient in managing time and prioritizing tasks.

Responsibilities

• Assisting in providing Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy interventions.
• Working collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Maintaining accurate patient-related documentation.

Skills

Experience as an Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy Assistant

Good verbal and written communication

Proven competency in daily living equipment

Job description

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Employer: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Royal Sussex County Hospital
Town: Brighton
Salary: £27,485 - £30,162 per annum, pro rata
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 28/01/2026 23:59

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard‑working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities.

At UHSussex we value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect of ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work‑life balance – because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form: https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview

We are looking for a Therapy Assistant Practitioner to expand the current Department, and on the Emergency Floor. The team provides rapid and comprehensive assessment, working within an integrated therapy model creating a seamless service across Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, enabling an efficient journey for the patients.

The Integrated Front Door Therapy Team consists of Occupational therapists and Physiotherapists, and we are looking to expand with this new Rehab Assistant role. There is a strong multidisciplinary approach on the acute floor with collaborative working across wider professions.

The successful candidate should be pro‑active, flexible and demonstrate excellent communication, clinical and organisational skills required to manage in a fast‑paced environment providing excellent assessment, discharge planning and placing a key focus on admission avoidance.

Main duties of the job

• Assisting in providing Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy interventions for patients assessed by the team. Once deemed competent, the post holder will be able to assess non‑complex patients, progress them and plan discharges appropriately, liaising with key personnel and outside agencies accordingly.
• The Therapy Assistant Practitioner will work under the direction and guidance of an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist within the team but may work without being directly supervised but with immediate access to a therapist on site or by telephone/bleep. Other members of the team may also request tasks to be undertaken which will support them in managing the workload on a daily basis.
• The post holder will be expected to use a minimal amount of clinical judgement and freedom to act when undertaking their work whilst remaining within agreed protocols.
• To work as part of a multi‑disciplinary team.
• To participate in a 7‑day rota including weekends and bank holiday within an 8am‑8pm service.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex we’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role‑specific criteria. For example, applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the same role to qualify for sponsorship.

If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.

Communication

• To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing, social work and therapy colleagues to ensure relevant information regarding patients’ status and plans are provided.
• Instruct patients in the use of walking aids and provide advice to patients and carers regarding safety issues associated with walking aids according to UHSussex protocols and progress patient’s mobility and function once competent to complete.
• To use basic skills of explanation and reassurance to encourage patients to undertake their treatment programme and to communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise rehabilitation potential including patients who have communication difficulties (e.g. Dementia, learning difficulties, non‑English speaking).
• To maintain records according to the Royal College of Occupational Therapy, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and trust standards.
• To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date patient‑related documentation in line with Trust and departmental policy and procedures (SOAP notes).
• To gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work with the guidance of an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
• Maintaining, always a kind, caring and professional attitude towards patients, relatives and colleagues within the clinical setting, taking into consideration dignity, privacy, confidentiality, cultural and religious needs.

Service delivery and improvement

• To assist senior staff in the measurement and evaluation of delegated work and current practices through the use of audit and outcome measures.
• To undertake standard treatment programmes on a delegated caseload of patients who have been previously assessed by the Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist and progress within a protocol set by the Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapists.
• To maintain high standards of clinical care for patients, working in partnership to achieve identified patient specific goals as agreed with registered professional.
• Evidence of training and successful completion of competencies will be required before the post holder can undertake the role fully.

People management and development

• To become proficient and competent in the various areas required by undertaking competency assessment specifically designed by senior therapists.
• To actively participate in supervision and appraisals.
• To assist therapists in the promotion of service users’ self‑management of long‑term conditions.
• To provide basic spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals regarding safety issues associated with mobility aids and daily living equipment according to departmental policy.
• To promote the understanding of the aims of physiotherapy and occupational therapy and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.
• Attend regular mandatory and statutory training according to Trust policies.
• To be responsible for maintaining own personal development by actively participating in formal and informal departmental training programmes by attending in‑service training sessions, delivering presentations and training sessions, attending relevant courses, completing competencies and undertaking reflective practice.
• Be responsible for own personal development, including keeping up to date with mandatory training and training relevant to the area of practice.
• Identify own development needs and take action to enhance own knowledge, skills and areas of competence as appropriate, considering organisational needs and objectives.
• Plan your development and objectives with support from the Team manager and supervisor.
• To aid in providing induction, training, support and supervision to less experienced staff and students to aid others development as appropriate.
• Attend regular reviews with your supervisor and have yearly appraisals following the Knowledge Skills and Framework review process.
• To keep up to date CPD portfolio.
• Undertake a link role as required.
• Act as a professional role model.
• Responsible for carrying out duties in line with the Trust’s e‑rostering processes, including managing rosters, supporting staff allocation, and contributing to effective budget reconciliation and workforce planning.
• To assist the Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist in moving, handling, assessment, activities of daily living and treatment programmes.
• To carry out non‑complex initial assessments within their own scope of practice.
• To report progress and variances on treatment to the appropriate discipline at the earliest possible opportunity.
• To provide administrative support; photocopying, filing, emailing, completing onwards referrals and answering telephone calls.
• To attend multi‑disciplinary meetings as directed by Physiotherapy or Occupational therapy staff.
• To be flexible in meeting the needs of the 8am‑8pm service and participating in a 7‑day rota.
• To be responsible and accountable for all aspects of delegated work.
• To organise the delegated caseload effectively and efficiently on a day‑to‑day basis with guidance from the Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist when needed.
• To undertake basic mobility treatment plans of patients previously seen by an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist.
• To undertake stair assessments with a therapist.
• To undertake assessments of activities of daily living and report to the therapist.
• To complete baseline observations and interpret the findings to guide assessments and treatments.
• To work with the therapists to carry out treatment programmes to develop independence with Activities of Daily Living prior to returning home.
• To communicate effectively with patients, carers and family to gain/provide the appropriate information.
• To report and record any accident or untoward incident to the Line Manager and as per trust guidance.
• To assist in progression of patients functional abilities within scope of practice.
• To work with the on‑site therapy team having direct supervision when required, or immediate access to a therapist either by telephone or bleep.
• To identify changes in patients condition (improvement or deterioration) and recognize within the post holder’s capabilities, when to inform senior staff.
• To monitor and evaluate individualised care plans.
• To contribute to appropriate, safe and timely discharge planning within your own scope of practice including onward referrals and liaison with other agencies.
• To undertake any other duties as may be deemed necessary by the senior Occupational Therapists or Physiotherapists.
• To support therapists across the site, if the need arises, within your own scope of practice.
• To provide basic spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to patients, relatives, carers and other professionals, regarding use and safety issues associated with daily living equipment/aids according to department policy.
• To issue daily living equipment/aids and demonstrate its use as agreed by a therapist.
• To promote the understanding of the aims of occupational therapy and physiotherapy and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.
• To be responsible for the equipment used in carrying out occupational therapy and physiotherapy duties and to ensure the safe use of equipment and reporting of faults by self and others including patient carers and other health professionals.
• To demonstrate a basic understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and its application to work.

Person specification

Skills

• Experience working as an Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy Assistant worker or another relevant role.
• Experience working in NHS health or social care or be able to demonstrate transferable skills.
• Good communication, verbal and written.
• Proven competency training in fitting and assessing for daily living equipment and carrying out activity of daily living assessments, basic mobility, progression of mobility, stair assessment, taking exercise classes and providing individual exercise programmes.

Specific Requirements

• Physically able to carry out a job that requires taking weight in the therapeutic handling of patients.
• Good time management including punctuality and ability to prioritise caseload.

Freedom to Act

• Recognises own limitations and seeks advice and guidance from more experienced colleagues as appropriate.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Important information for applicants:

A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.

Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

For help with the application process for Non‑Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name George Browne | Job title: Operational Lead Physiotherapist RSCH | Email address: [e-mail] | Telephone number Ext: 64064 | Additional information

Or contact Elizabeth Tungate on: [e-mail]

Or George Browne on Tel: [phone] Ext: 64064