Assistant Practitioner

Job overview

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join The Community Respiratory Therapy Team at Warrington & Halton Hospitals. We are looking to recruit a Band 4 Physiotherapy Assistant Practitioner to support the delivery of Pulmonary Rehabilitation across the district and support the wider Respiratory Therapy Team outpatient duties. A developmental Band 3 to Band 4 role would be considered.

You will work alongside Specialist Physiotherapists supporting patients with long term respiratory diagnoses to manage their condition and optimise their health. Pulmonary Rehabilitation clinics & groups will be based in various hospital & community venues.

You will have support from the Professional Lead, ACP, Band 7, and Band 6 Specialist Physiotherapists and Exercise Specialist to develop your knowledge and skills in this area.

Main duties of the job

Main duties include supporting assessments and delivering rehabilitation programmes in groups, remotely and in the patient’s own home, according to local protocols and guidelines. You will also be required to support the team in other respiratory physiotherapy assessment and treatment sessions and deal with patient telephone queries and appointments.

You will assess and treat your own workload of patients and maintain associated patient records utilising knowledge and skills gained through attainment of competencies, experience and / or relevant qualifications. You will support in the delivery of Pulmonary Rehabilitation education talks on a wide variety of topics.

You will assess and treat your own workload of patients and maintain associated patient records utilising knowledge and skills gained through attainment of competencies, experience and / or relevant qualifications. You will support in the delivery of Pulmonary Rehabilitation education talks on a wide variety of topics.

You will carry out clinical tasks (such as instruction / supervision and prescription of individual and group exercise programmes) delegated by qualified staff, requiring a wide range of technical ability as well as an excellent level of interpersonal skills

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Assistant Practitioner will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care across hospital, outpatient, or community settings. The post holder will manage a delegated caseload and defined client group, working autonomously within agreed protocols and under the supervision of a qualified clinician. They will support the assessment, treatment, and evaluation of patients, contributing to the delivery of Pulmonary Rehabilitation programmes and other Respiratory Outpatient clinics that promote functional independence, mobility and wellbeing. The duties will include maintaining accurate, clear, timely documentation of patient contacts, progress notes, equipment records and statistical data, in line with Trust policy.

Main tasks and responsibilities

• 1.    To work with a delegated caseload of patients autonomously. 2.    To develop and implement therapy treatment plans for individual patients and groups of patients. 3.    To assist in the preparation of group sessions/activities and support the qualified clinicians with delivery. This may include ensuring equipment is safe and ready for use. 4.    To carry out clinical assessments and subsequently implement a relevant treatment programme, in accordance with agreed standards, reporting back to qualified clinicians on the patient’s progression. 5.    To include therapeutic moving and handling to support the use of specialist equipment or tools. 6.    To carry out assessments for the provision of standard assistive equipment, including walking aids and other prescribed equipment that may be required to promote functional independence / mobility. 7.    To adhere to all aspects of the Trust’s infection control policy. 8.    To contribute to the weekend rota to cover a seven-day therapy service as appropriate. 9.    To understand and comply with the Trust policies relating to working with vulnerable adults and children. 10.  To plan, provide and evaluate therapeutic activities for groups and individual patients, working within a framework of guidance developed with a qualified clinician. 11.  To assist in administration and clerical duties relating to the area of work.

Management responsibilities

• 1.    To ensure that patient interventions / activities can be carried out in a safe environment by contributing to the environmental risk assessment. 2.    To carry out any departmental housekeeping tasks, including maintaining stock and advising on resources necessary to carry out the job, taking a lead role in ensuring orders are processed as appropriate. 3.    To organise and prepare treatment sessions, group sessions and or therapeutic activities. 4.    To contribute to the health and safety agenda by promoting a safe culture and undertaking specific tasks (i.e. COSHH) as part of the wider team and specifically for the area of work. 5.    To demonstrate own duties to inexperienced staff and students.

Communication and relationships

• 1.    To communicate effectively with patients, with due regard to physical, sensory, and cognitive difficulties, respecting their views, autonomy, and culture. 2.    To communicate with a range of professionals within the Trust and in external agencies. 3.    To be able to reassure and persuade patients to undertake the necessary therapeutic activities. 4.    To work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team, forming and sustaining professional relationships. 5.    To monitor patients’ progress, recognise when adjustment to clinical intervention is necessary, and act accordingly, including liaison with the qualified clinicians. 6.    To report effectively, in both written and verbal formats, to the team and supervising therapists on patients’ progress and own development needs. 7.    To occasionally deal with upset patients and their relatives in a tactful and supportive way.

Governance

• 1.    To review and reflect on your own practice and take an active part in your own personal appraisal and development opportunities. 2.    To contribute to the ongoing improvement and modernisation of the therapy service by contributing to training and induction programmes. This may include being involved in audit and evaluation of therapeutic activities. 3.    To work to local and Trust policies and procedures, for example, those regarding manual handling and lone working.

Trust policies and procedures

The post holder is required to comply with Trust policies, procedures and standards at all times.

Confidentiality

The post holder is required to maintain the confidentiality of information regarding patients, staff and other health service business in accordance with the Caldicott Guidelines, Data Protection Act and Children’s Act and all other relevant legislation as appropriate.

Risk management

Report any risks and clinical and non-clinical accidents and incidents promptly and co-operate with any investigations undertaken.

Health and safety

Be aware of their responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act and must ensure that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe environment for employees, patients and visitors to the Trust.

Appraisal and statutory training

All newly appointed staff will receive an initial appraisal within six months of commencing in the post.

Thereafter, appraisals will be conducted on an annual basis. The post holder will undertake all statutory and mandatory training as deemed necessary by the Trust.

Safeguarding statement

The Trust is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people, and vulnerable adults by taking all reasonable steps to protect them from harm. All staff will receive appropriate training and induction so that they understand their roles and responsibilities and are confident about carrying them out.

Infection prevention and control

To be aware of, assess and minimise these risks and comply fully with infection prevention and control policies.

This job description will be reviewed during the annual appraisal. The employee shares with the employer responsibility to suggest alterations to the scope of duties to improve the working situation and to adapt to change and facilitate service improvement. Any changes to this role specification will be made in consultation with the post holder.

Assistant Practitioner

Person specification

Last updated: November 2025