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Job summary

Main area
Rehabilitation Assistant
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 4
Contract
11 months (Fixed Term Maternity Cover)
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
  • Flexible working
  • Compressed hours
37.5 hours per week (To include weekend working)
Job ref
249-8261693
Employer
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Great Western Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Town
Swindon
Salary
£26,530 - £29,114 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
23/10/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Rehabilitation Assistant

NHS AfC: Band 4

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a unique organisation, serving as the sole integrated provider in the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire system. Our scope extends beyond boundaries as we oversee adult community services in Swindon and provide acute care from the Great Western Hospital. 

Our 5,500 staff have 1.2m patient contacts a year, with 13,000 operations carried out in our Theatres, around 4,000 babies born, and our emergency attendances are now well over 100,000 per year. Those numbers only tell part of our story about what an exciting time it is to join Great Western Hospitals.

We are cultivating a culture that fosters our ambitions, prioritising equality, diversion, inclusion, wellbeing, and leadership. We aim to create an environment where every member of our team can truly thrive.

Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used, then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.

If we receive a high volume of applications, we may close adverts prior to the published closing date. Therefore, we advise you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

Job overview

Are you ready for your next opportunity?

Come and join our welcoming Front Door Therapy Team as a Band 4 Therapy Assistant for an 11-month fixed-term maternity cover.

If you are looking to develop your experience, take the next step in your career or simply try something new, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

You will be part of a large and supportive team of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Therapy Assistants, working together across the Emergency Department and Acute Assessment Units. Your role will help us to assess patients promptly and support safe, effective and timely discharges.

Our integrated therapy team is highly valued by our multidisciplinary colleagues, and we are proud of the difference we make every day for patients, families and the wider hospital.

Outside of work, the Great Western Hospital is perfectly placed for exploring the Cotswolds, the North Wessex Downs, the historic Ridgeway and Avebury Stone Circle. From beautiful countryside and picture-perfect villages to bustling towns and cities, you will find plenty to enjoy nearby.

Interested? We would be very happy to tell you more.

Please contact Bethany Holder at [email protected] or Kimberley Culbert at [email protected].

Telephone: 01793 605129

Main duties of the job

The post holder will assist the qualified Therapists with assessment and treatment of patients on the Acute wards, Emergency Department and other assessment units. The focus is on admission avoidance, early discharge planning and restoring the patients to the highest level of independence.  The post holder will complete initial assessments, formulate and implement treatment programmes and advise and instigate on a discharge plans under the guidance of the qualified therapist.

11. To provide high quality care, timely intervention and assist with early discharge planning

    2. To work budgeted hours over 7 days

   3. To be responsible for assessing the medical fitness of patients before commencing treatment and to communicate immediately with an appropriate professional any change in patients’ status or other observations about patient behaviour, ability and response to therapeutic intervention. 

       4. To assist the Therapists with assessment, treatment and management of patients, including stair assessments, and patients that require more than one person to treat or mobilise.

 5. To carry out general clerical, administrative and department duties in support of clinical work and at the direction of the Therapists.

6. To be competent in assessing for and issuing basic equipment to facilitate activities of daily living and mobility. Monitor and maintain ward stock levels

 

 

 

Working for our organisation

We are proud to be part of BSW Hospitals Group – a formal partnership between Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. With a combined workforce of over 17, 600 colleagues, and budget of 1.6 billion the Group is united by a common purpose to deliver the best possible care to over 1 million people. We are creating a heath and care system that works with the people we care for, reducing the differences people currently face in access, experience and outcomes, improving the experience of our colleagues and tackling shared challenges like sustainability and finances. Every improvement we make across our Group will be guided by what creates the greatest benefit for our colleagues, our patients, our communities and our partners.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • To be responsible for progressing treatment following regimes or guidelines.
  • To discharge case simple patients when they have achieved their goals.
  • To contribute to discharge planning including MDT meetings.
  • To participate in the orthopaedic weekend working scheme.
  • To assist the therapists with any patient that requires more than one person to treat or mobilise.
  • To carry out and to supervise exercise regimes and treatment programmes the therapist has prescribed.
  • To be involved, where necessary, with the washing, dressing and personal care of patients, and cleaning of equipment.

Please see the attached job description  for full information.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • 2 A levels or NVQ level 3 or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject
Desirable criteria
  • Assistant practitioner qualification
  • Prepared to complete an NVQ Level 4

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of health and safety issues e.g. manual handling, infection control
  • Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and consent
  • Previous experience in mobilising/ moving patients with various equipment and weight bearing abilities
  • To be able to work under instruction and independently
  • Experience in discharge planning
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working in the NHS or NHS commissioned services
  • Previous experience as a Physio assistant or Occupational therapy assistant
  • Knowledge of common medical and surgical conditions e.g. COPD, diabetes, ulcers, falls, and amputees
  • To have experience of supervising others
  • To have experience in obtaining ward handovers and prioritising patients
  • To have an up to date and relevant CPD file

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderInvestors in People: GoldCare Leaver CovenantStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into healthArmed Forces Covenant

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
Bethany Holder
Job title
Front Door Team Lead
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01793 605129
Additional information

Kimberley Culbert

Front Door Team Lead

[email protected]

 

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