Therapy Assistant in Newfield

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Therapy Assistant

The closing date is 23 October 2026

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust are one ofthe largest integrated organisations in the country, providing hospital andcommunity services to a population of over 650,000. We are an ambitious andinnovative organisation with a talented workforce of over 7,000 colleagues. OurVision is to be Right First Time, Every Time and our mission is to providesafe, compassionate and joined-up care to the populations of County Durham andDarlington.

Do youhave the enthusiasm and motivation to take on a new challenge within ourforward thinking trust?

Are you anexcellent team worker but also have the drive to lead and influence change?

Do youstrive or aspire to provide seamless holistic patient centred care within aprogressive Multi Disciplinary Team?

We are looking for a dynamic individual tojoin the Community Therapy North Team at Chester Le Street CommunityHospital working alongsidePhysiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Associate Practitioners . Theteam is part of the North Durham Community Rehabilitation Team which worksacross Durham, Chester le Street and Derwentside. This post will includeindependent and joint working in the community setting.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will predominantly work independently in thecommunity setting with adults referred to the team who present with a range ofphysical dysfunction/or disabilities resulting from injury, illness, surgery orchronic disease, within a range of community settings.

On an on-going basis the post holder will support short termtherapy goals set by the Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists andAssociate Practitioners.

The post holder will also support on joint visits andhospital based clinics such as the amputee clinic.

The nominal base will be Chester Le Street Hospital but youwill be expected to independently travel across the whole North Durham localityincluding the Shotley Bridge Hospital site and surrounding area depending onthe needs of the service.

The successful candidate will be expected tocomplete documentation at point of care and be able to use a lone worker systemin compliance with Health and Safety.

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 onAI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances ofsuccess.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

Please note that we may close any vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Job responsibilities

To plan and organise clinical activity, with appropriatetime scheduling in order to complete all clinical and administrative dutiesincluding statistical record keeping.

• To actively engage and be responsible for own supervisionwith a senior member of staff.
• To be responsible for clinical record-keeping in accordancewith the guidelines for documentation and legal requirements.
• To be responsible for the correct and safe use of thephysical environment including equipment and to be responsible for theallocation of these resources.
• When working in the community and domiciliary setting, towork as a lone practitioner with telephone support from a Senior Therapist ifrequired.
• To ensure all mandatory training is kept up to date andparticipate in professional development including attending In ServiceTraining.
• The role will include assisting colleagues with moving andhandling assessments, reviewing and fitting of equipment, assisting in clinics,carrying out set exercise plans, mobility practice and feeding back to seniorstaff.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of working within multidisciplinary teams
• Experience of working with adults
• Recent and relevant assistant experience within rehabilitation in a related clinical specialism.
• NHS experience

Special Requirements

• Ability to travel independently across Trust sites, the locality and carry small items of equipment to fulfil the requirements of this post

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 GCSE grade 4 or above, or equivalent level 2 qualifications, including English Language and Maths
• Knowledge of Microsoft packages
• An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standards.
• NVQ Level 3 in relevant area, e.g diagnostic and Therapeutic Care or Care or working towards or equivalent experience

Special Skills & Knowledge

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
• Able to work as part of team
• Able to observe and record physical and social changes in patients
• Able to identify when to report to a registered therapist
• Able to work alone with patients within an agreed care plan
• Able to work with minimal supervision
• An appreciation of dealing with people in their own homes
• Able to maintain confidentiality
• Understand of working with other agencies/multidisciplinary working

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 name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

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