Job Description

Exciting Service Expansion Opportunity


Are you a Therapy Assistant with experience in acute care settings? Are you ready to take the next step in your career by enhancing your leadership, clinical, educational, and research skills in a dynamic new role?



The Royal Sussex County Hospital has launched an innovative 7-day front-door therapy service, and we are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Assistant Practitioner to join our expanding team.



About the Service

Operating from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday to Sunday. The service will support patients across the Emergency Department (ED), Clinical Decision Unit (CDU), and Acute Admissions Unit (AAU). Our integrated therapy model ensures rapid, comprehensive assessments and seamless collaboration between Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, facilitating efficient patient journeys.



The Team

You will be part of the Integrated Discharge Team, which includes Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Discharge Coordinators, and Therapy Assistants. We pride ourselves on our strong multidisciplinary approach and close collaboration with wider healthcare professionals on the acute floor.



What We Offer



A supportive and inclusive working environment



Un-registered Band 5 competencies to ensure you work within your own scope of practice



Regular supervision and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities



Access to training for both clinical and leadership development



Opportunities to contribute to service development and clinical audits



A key role in shaping and delivering this new 7-day service



Please note this is a Band 5 post and not a progression post



Additional Opportunities

We are also recruiting for bank staff. If you are interested in flexible bank hours, we encourage you to apply.



To provide assessment, treatment, and discharge planning for a range of acute medical, orthopaedic, and elderly fr ail patients referred to the FDFT therapy service (Emergency Floor & Department of Medicine for the Elderly Wards) , in acc ordance with national and local guidelines and standards.



To work in collaboration with the wider MDT and health professionals in both secondary and primary care.



To supervise, teach and appraise Physiotherapy Associate Practitioners and qualified physiotherapy staff.



To support the Team Leads and Band 6.



To participate in CPD, IST, audit, evidence-based projects, and service development projects .



At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.



We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & 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 & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.



We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.

Candidate Information Pack:

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/



Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you view this document and use it when completing the application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.



For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the "job description and main responsibilities" section below.