Senior Respiratory Support Worker

Job overview

*Please note we are unable to offer Sponsorship for this role*

The Community Respiratory Support Worker provides practical, person-centred support to adults living with respiratory conditions within the community. Working as part of a multidisciplinary respiratory team, the post holder will help patients manage their condition, improve their quality of life, and remain as independent as possible in their own homes.

The role involves supporting patients with respiratory health education, self-management, lifestyle changes, and adherence to agreed care plans. The post holder may undertake routine observations and assessments within their scope of practice, recognise changes in a patient’s condition, and escalate concerns appropriately to registered healthcare professionals.

The Community Respiratory Support Worker will work closely with patients, families, carers, community services, and other healthcare professionals to promote effective communication and continuity of care. They will provide compassionate support to individuals who may experience breathlessness, reduced mobility, anxiety, or difficulties managing their respiratory condition.

Main duties of the job

Key responsibilities may include:

• Supporting patients with chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD, asthma and bronchiectasis.
• Providing education and encouragement around respiratory self-management and healthy lifestyle choices.
• Supporting patients with agreed breathing, exercise, activity and rehabilitation programmes.
• Monitoring and recording observations and reporting any deterioration or concerns promptly.
• Encouraging medication adherence and reinforcing information provided by registered clinicians, within the boundaries of the role.
• Supporting patients and carers to recognise signs of deterioration and understand when and how to seek further help.
• Maintaining accurate, timely and confidential patient records.
• Working collaboratively with nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, respiratory clinicians, GPs and other community services.
• Promoting independence, wellbeing and confidence in managing long-term respiratory conditions.
• Contributing to a safe, inclusive and respectful service that puts patients and their individual needs at the centre of care.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a compassionate and non-judgemental approach, and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. They should be organised, reliable and able to recognise when a patient requires further clinical assessment or support.

The role requires a strong commitment to patient-centred care, safeguarding, confidentiality, infection prevention and professional boundaries, with all duties undertaken in accordance with local policies, procedures and the individual’s level of competence.

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.