Job overview
This is an exciting time for the pulmonary rehabilitation team as we work towards gaining service accreditation. Are you an experienced Therapy Assistant, Healthcare Assistant or Level 3 Advanced Fitness/Gym Instructor with Referral Programme Consultation qualification? Do you feel you can make a difference to people living with long term health conditions? We are recruiting for a full time Band 4 position to support us in the pulmonary rehabilitation team. The role will involve working alongside clinical staff in assessment clinics and supporting our respiratory patients through their rehabilitation course in a group environment.
The successful candidate will be based at Dorset County Hospital but required to work in different sites across the county to meet the needs of the service.
We are a supportive and friendly team and can offer you a competency based learning structure, continuing professional development with regular clinical supervision and an opportunity to help shape the future of our service.
For further information please contact:
Claire Peak, Clinical Service Manager- Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Dorset County Hospital 01305 255203
Charlotte Walters, Specialist Physiotherapist 01305 255203
Main duties of the job
The postholder will work under the supervision of qualified Therapy staff providing assessment and treatment programmes for patients in the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service.
The Therapy Assistant Practitioner is able to carry out a full episode of care from assessment to discharge for a specified and designated clinical caseload identified by a qualified clinician. This will include working in a wide variety of settings including gym, community venues, outpatients, telephone appointments and occasionally visiting patients in their own homes.
The postholder will assist in the administration and clerical duties for the team and department.
The postholder may be asked to work at any site within the trust or used for the delivery of the pulmonary rehabilitation service.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.
UKVI Sponsorship: This role may be available for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Sponsorship will be determined based on your current situation and on a case-by-case basis.
Please contact us at Recruitment@dchft.nhs.uk if you are unable to view or download the attachment.
For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.
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.
Person specification
Other
Essential
- Self motivated
- Be able to demonstrate flexibility and reliability
- Able to use own initiative
- Work in a flexible manner and adapt to changing environments
- Physically fit and able to comply with the trusts moving and handling guidelines, therapeutic handling
- Professional manner and appearance
- Available for altered work patterns where clinically appropriate
- Car driver
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Willingness and ability to undertake competency based skills programme
- The ability to identify and act upon potential clinical risks
- Able to communicate complex information to patients, carers and within the MDT
- Positive interpersonal skills
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment
- Good time management skills and ability to organise and prioritise
- Proactive approach to learning, demonstrated in a CPD portfolio
- Able to provide a good standard of clear, concise, written and verbal reports in English
- IT skills including word processing, email, spreadsheets and databases
- Ability to manage own stress and work in a stressful and unpredictable environment
- To show empathy and fairness to give support to others
- Ability to work autonomously
Desirable
- Demonstrate good motivational skills
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Able to demonstrate an intermediate level of knowledge of respiratory conditions, including COPD
- Awareness of clinical governance and it's implications for therapy
- Significant experience in health or social care or exercise prescription setting
- Experience and ability to work collaboratively within MDT
- Experience in delivering and developing therapy or exercise plans
- Experience of working with people with long term conditions
Desirable
- Awareness and understanding of the NHS Structure
- Knowledge of local service
- Previous experience of working within a therapy rehabilitation area, therapy assistant or equivalent
- Experience of an NHS environment
Education, Qualifications and Training
Essential
- BTEC/HND/NVQ Level 3 or • Level 3 Advanced Fitness/Gym Instructor with knowledge to diploma level and Referral Programme Consultation/exercise referral qualification or equivalent experience in relevant subject
- Foundation degree (or willing to work towards foundation degree within first 2 years in post)
Desirable
- CSP/RCOT associate member
- Relevant healthcare courses
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Pulmonary Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant Practitioner with Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Dorset County Hospital. It is listed as a Band 4 Healthcare support worker role. The advertised salary is £28,392 - £31,157 Pro Rata Per Annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 30 Aug 2026.
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