Skip to main content
Please wait, loading

Job summary

Main area
therapies
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
410-CLIN-7463186
Employer
Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital
Town
Liverpool
Salary
£27,485 - £30,162 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
21/09/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust logo

Therapy Assistant Practitioner

NHS AfC: Band 4

As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision 'to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'.

We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine including adult cystic fibrosis and diagnostic imaging, both in the hospital and out in the community.

We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics.

Heart and lung disease continue to be amongst the biggest killers in the UK and the communities we serve are marked by increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease, higher levels of heart failure, hypertension, coronary artery disease and an ageing population.

Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering the best care for our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and facilitated by technology. New and upgraded clinical areas are designed with patients and families fully involved to deliver their needs.

As part of our long term plan, we aim to form strong clinical and organisational relationships where possible. There is clear evidence that partnerships improve patient care and enhance quality and we aim to collaborate with a range of other providers and professionals with the aim to extending access and improve quality.  

Our vision is underpinned by five strategic goals:

  • Quality: to deliver the highest quality, safest and best experience for patients and their families by providing reliable care 
  • Service and Innovation: to develop our service portfolio for patients by developing innovative models of care
  • Value: to maintain financial viability, enhance service delivery and develop new models of care to improve the health of our patients and safely reduce costs
  • Workforce: to be the best NHS Employer by 2019 by attracting and retaining the best staff to deliver excellent patient care
  • Stakeholders: to develop productive relationships with key stakeholders in order to enhance our profile and reputation.

Our Mission

“Excellent, Compassionate and Safe care for every patient, every day”

Job overview

We are looking to recruit a dynamic and motivated individual to the post of Band 4 Therapy Assistant Practitioner within Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the therapy team within a CQC rated ‘outstanding’ NHS specialist Trust.  The post holder will be based within the Complex Rehabilitation and Occupational Therapy teams working across the disciplines of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy.  The case-load includes working with inpatients with complex needs including post stroke, hypoxic brain injury and those with multiple complex needs, as well as assessment, treatment, and discharge planning of medical and surgical patients. 

Main duties of the job

The role is ideally suited to an individual with experience of working in a health or care setting with some rehabilitation experience.  The post holder will be working closely with experienced therapists, however the ability to make clinical decisions is required at this level, so a good understanding of patient centred care and problem-solving skills are essential.   We offer competency based training and regular supervision to ensure you settle into your role quickly and feel supported.

The therapy department has a growing cohort of support workers.  We have strong working partnerships with our multi-disciplinary colleagues across the Trust and are key in the provision of therapy to both inpatients and across the community.  Through recent investment, therapy services are growing our workforce and working in new and innovative ways to ensure we are providing the highest standard of evidence-based care. 

Working for our organisation

As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision 'to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'.

We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine both in the hospital and out in the community.

We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics.

Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering the best care for our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and our encouragement of flexible working in a variety of forms.

Please visit our website - https://www.lhch.nhs.uk/

Please follow this link for a tour of our site - https://bit.ly/36ylsoq

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We are a fun and welcoming team holding monthly cake days, regular social events and trust driven wellbeing initiatives which will help you to settle into the team quickly and build working relationships.

The role is full time 37.5 hours per week (currently Monday-Friday 8am-4pm).  The successful candidate will be required to take part in the Saturday rehab service rota providing rehabilitation to patients across the Trust.  Competency based training for this will be provided. 

While the Trust does not, currently, provide therapy services over 7 days, this is a key focus for the Trust, therefore this should be a consideration before applying for the position.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • NVQ Level IV in a related health care field OR NVQ Level III in a related health care field plus additional relevant short course and experience.
Desirable criteria
  • Assistant Practitioner Qualification

knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience working within the Health and care sector as a therapy or healthcare assistant.
  • Experience of working autonomously.
  • Experience of working inter-professionally.
  • Well-reasoned account of career intentions at LHCH
Desirable criteria
  • NHS experience.
  • Evidence of working in a surgical or medical environment.
  • Evidence of working with rehabilitation patients.

Skills & Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Good communication and listening skills
  • Ability to be delegated to and act on instructions given
  • Ability to use initiative and problem solve as appropriate and in situations that may require it
  • Understanding of MDT working.
  • Ability to work as part of an MDT team.
  • Excellent organisational/prioritisation skills
  • Ability to teach and educate patients, family/carers and other professionals.
  • Competent IT skills.

Values & Behaviours

Essential criteria
  • Personally and professionally responsible
  • Desire to learn
  • Can contribute to an open, honest and inclusive culture
  • Ability to motivate self and others.
  • Committed to personal and team development.
  • Enthusiastic.
  • Flexible and able to adapt to a variety of situations some of which may be stressful.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Care quality commission - OutstandingSVMQ Distinction

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Sue Sutton
Job title
Therapy Lead
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0151 6001953
Apply online nowAlert me to similar vacancies