Job summary
- Main area
- Medicine
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 302-26-8205859L-FLOW
- Employer
- Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Albert Edward Infirmary
- Town
- Wigan
- Salary
- £25,760 - £27,476 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 16/09/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Senior Therapy Assistant (Acute)
NHS AfC: Band 3
People at the Heart. One Team. Your Career at WWL.
Job overview
We are looking for an enthusiastic Therapy Assistant who would like to join our friendly and supportive Acute Stroke Therapy Team at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary. The role involves working alongside the physiotherapy and occupational therapy team.
Experience of working in a relevant health related area (stroke or neuro) in an acute hospital setting is essential for this post.
The post is for 30 hours per week and would be worked over 7 days Monday to Sunday.
Please note this vacancy may close before the advertised closing date if a sufficient number of suitable applications are received.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidates will:
Have varied duties (both clinical and non-clinical) and will be involved directly in the immediate assessment, care and treatment of patients. This will be under the supervision of qualified therapists.
Have a caring and considerate manner, which is essential to the post.
Be expected to have a good level of general education, basic computer literacy and knowledge of Therapy interventions.
Have previous experience of working in a Therapy or healthcare rehabilitation environment or relevant area.
Working for our organisation
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is proud to provide high‑quality acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, our staff are central to everything we do — we believe that happy staff make for happy patients, and this ethos underpins our culture and our success.
We have a strong, recognised track record in staff engagement and in living our values:
- People at the Heart
- Listen and Involve
- Kind and Respectful
- ONE Team
We are committed to placing patients at the heart of every decision and delivering safe, effective care that protects dignity and enhances experience. We seek to recruit people who share our values, our passion for high‑quality care, and our belief in working together as One Team.
At WWL, we recognise the strength that comes from a rich and diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all sections of society and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Duties and Responsibilities
Key results from the job holder
- To contribute to the overall Therapy process by carrying out routine assessments and procedures within agreed competency levels
- To carry out information collection from patients/relatives as requested by Therapy staff
- To follow treatment plans as prescribed by Therapy staff and identify and select activities that meet treatment goals
- To work independently in a clinical setting with an assigned routine caseload, under the direction of a therapist
- Instruct patients in the use of equipment and techniques to promote independence
Planning and Organisational Duties
- To be responsible for preparation of materials and equipment in order to carry out treatment sessions
- To contribute to the day-to-day organisation of activities within the team which contributed to the smooth running of the service
- To be responsible for specific routine tasks as delegated
- To attend regular meetings e.g. staff meetings, support and development groups.
- To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent and reliable attendance
Communications and Key Working Relationships
- To work as a member of the Therapy team and communicate relevant information to team members
- To be able to communicate effectively in a variety of ways with patients to gain co-operation and understanding of treatment programmes
- To maintain good working relationships
- To establish therapeutic relationships using negotiating skills in order to complete treatment activities
- To report back to Therapy staff on all treatment activities either verbally or in writing as required
- To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of clients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.
Responsibility for Finance
- To identify deficits in resources required to carry out the job and bring to the attention of the Therapist
- To be responsible for the monitoring of materials and equipment and maintain stocks.
- To maintain timely statistics and other records as requested by the Therapy Service and the Trust.
Responsibility for Human Resources
- To maintain portfolio of competencies showing evidence of life long learning
- To participate in clinical supervision sessions highlighting development needs
- To comply with annual IPR and appraisal system
- To contribute to the induction of new staff.
Responsibility for Health & Safety
- Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 – the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
Responsibility for NHSLA
- To support Therapy services, as requested, in quality activities within the team
- To comply with professional, organisational and departmental standards, policies and procedures.
- To maintain accurate and comprehensive patient treatment records in line with Trust Policies and Therapy Standards of Practice
Responsibility for Teaching
- To participate in and contribute to the training and education of students and other staff.
Person specification
Additional
Essential criteria
- Demonstrate a commitment to personal development
- Willingness to work flexibly over 7 days
- Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, i.e. with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation.
- Able to move around the borough as part of Job role
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Demonstrate understanding of therapy interventions and the role of the assistant
- Health and Safety Risk awareness Knowledge of appropriate Moving and Handling methods
- A basic understanding of relevant medical conditions and appropriate therapeutic interventions
- Awareness of confidentiality
Desirable criteria
- Understanding of the use of mobility / aids for independence
Skills
Essential criteria
- Able to teach practical skills to patients
- Able to work single-handed with individuals or groups
- Observation skills.
- Able to conduct self in a professional manner
- Able to problem solve
- Able to participate in aspects of personal care with patients/clients
- Have good written, verbal and non verbal communication skills
- Able to engage patients/ clients in activities
- Ability to use own initiative within designated role
- Able to empathise with people in difficult situations
- Able to recognise and work within own personal limitations
Desirable criteria
- Able to use basic Microsoft Office programmes
- Able to utilise NHS databases/ patient information systems
- Able to fit/ adjust mobility / aids for independence
- Able work confidently within a hospital environment
Experience
Essential criteria
- Working as work as part of a team
- Experience working in a relevant health related area.
- Experience of working with the effects of illness and disability on adults
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working in a therapy/rehab service.
- Experience of working in patients/ clients own homes
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- NVQ Level III /QCF training or equivalent course in relevant area
- Evidence of basic level qualifications in both Maths and English
- Evidenced training / competencies achieved through current practical experience
Desirable criteria
- GCSE or equivalent in English
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Amanda Chesterton
- Job title
- Team Lead Occupational Therapist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0300 707 2697
- Additional information
Jo Taylor - Senior Physiotherapist - [email protected]
If you have problems applying, contact
- Address
-
Buckingham Row
Brick Kiln Lane
Wigan
WN1 1XX
- Telephone
- 07385427547
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