Outstanding Care, Outstanding Careers

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Job overview

We have an opportunity for a motivated and experienced Senior Therapy Assistant to join our dynamic Respiratory, Surgery & Critical Care In-patient Therapy Team at Dorset County Hospital Foundation Trust. The post is full time, working 37.5 hours per week, but part time and flexible working may be considered if raised at interview.

As a Senior Therapy Assistant, you will work under the supervision of physiotherapist and occupational therapist staff, providing assessment and treatment programmes for patients in hospital.

You will be expected to carry out a full episode of care from assessment to discharge for a specified and designated clinical caseload identified by a qualified clinician. We can offer a B3 to B4 development program for staff who would like an opportunity to progress.

This role will include working in a wide variety of settings including ward, gym, outpatients and visiting patients for assessment or discharge at home.

The post holder will assist in the administration and clerical duties for the team and department.

The post holder may be asked to work at any site within the trust and will contribute to the weekend therapy rotas.

Main duties of the job

As a Senior Therapy Assistant we can offer you:

  • Competency based training
  • A wide range of experience working within the Acute hospital sites, and into the community through our collaborative partnerships and Discharge to Assess pathways.
  • Role specific training
  • Continuing Professional Development and Training opportunities including foundation degrees and therapy apprenticeships.
  • The opportunity to learn from highly skilled therapists within collaborative therapy teams
  • Supportive, friendly therapy teams
  • Peer support from existing Senior Therapy assistants
  • Mentorship
  • Clinical supervision
  • Commitment to ensuring you feel supported with your wellbeing and career progression through supervision and values based appraisals.
  • An opportunity to help shape services
  • Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is a modern District General Hospital offering an excellent working environment. Much of West Dorset is designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty, and the Jurassic coastline is protected by World Heritage status. There are numerous beaches within easy reach, and Portland Harbour promotes a wide range of water sport activities. The area is largely rural, with good rail and road links. The closest airport is situated in Bournemouth.

    A full driving license and access to a car is essential.

    Please visit https://joinourdorset.nhs.uk/Therapy/ for more information on working as a therapist in Dorset

    Working for our organisation

    At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff.

    Our Mission is to provide outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them, and our vision is Dorset County Hospital, working with our health and social care partners, will be at the heart of improving the well-being of our communities.

    We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.

    Detailed job description and main responsibilities

    Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification. 

    Please contact us at Recruitment@dchft.nhs.uk if you are unable to view or download the attachment.
    For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online. 

    Person specification

    Education & Qualifications

    Essential criteria

  • BTEC/HND/NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience in relevant subject
  • Desirable criteria

  • CSP associate member
  • Relevant Healthcare courses
  • Skills and Abilities

    Essential criteria

  • Willingness and ability to undertake competency based skills programme
  • The ability to identify and act upon potential clinical risks
  • Able to communicate complex information to patients, carers, other health professionals and team members
  • Positive interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work effectively in a team environment
  • Good time management skills with ability to organise and prioritise.
  • Proactive approach to learning, demonstrated in a CPD portfolio
  • Able to provide a good standard of clear, concise, written and verbal reports in English
  • IT skills, including using hospital databases, word processing and email
  • Ability to manage own stress and work in a stressful and unpredictable environment.
  • To show empathy and fairness to give support to others
  • Desirable criteria

  • Demonstrate good motivational skills
  • Experience

    Essential criteria

  • Significant experience in health or social care setting
  • Experience and ability to work collaboratively within MDT
  • Desirable criteria

  • Previous experience of working within a therapy rehabilitation area, therapy assistant or equivalent
  • Experience of an NHS environment
  • Supervision of staff
  • Knowledge

    Essential criteria

  • Able to demonstrate an intermediate level knowledge of conditions, clinical pathways and therapeutic interventions
  • Awareness of clinical governance and its implication for Therapy
  • Desirable criteria

  • Awareness and understanding of NHS structure
  • Knowledge of local services
  • Other

    Essential criteria

  • Self-motivated
  • Be able to demonstrate flexibility and reliability
  • Able to use own initiative
  • Work in a flexible manner and adapt to changing environments
  • Physically fit and able to comply with trusts moving and handling guidelines, therapeutic handling
  • Professional Manner and Appearance
  • Available for weekend duties and altered working patterns where clinically appropriate
  • Employer certification / accreditation badges

    Applicant requirements

    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.