SHSCT_Physiotherapy Assistant Practitioner Band 4

Job details

• Branch: Newry & Mourne area (SHSCT)
• Location: Cloughreagh-Archways Centre Portacabin
• Directorate: Adult Community Services
• Functional Area: Enhanced Services Division
• Salary: Band 4 (£27,485 - £30,162)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 15/05/26
• Closes: Fri, 29 May 2026 @ 4:00 PM
• Interview Dates: TBC

Notes

If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. “A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026”. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.” Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE

Physiotherapy Assistant Practitioner

BAND

4

DIRECTORATE

Adult Community Services

INITIAL LOCATION

Cloughreagh-Archways centre Portacabin, Newry & Mourne Community Respiratory team

REPORTS TO

Physiotherapy Community Respiratory Professional Lead/Operational Lead

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Head of Physiotherapy SHSCT

JOB SUMMARY

The post-holder will be responsible for providing an effective and efficient service to patients in receipt of Physiotherapy demonstrating an in depth knowledge of the role. They will assist in maintaining an efficient day to day physiotherapy service as a member of the community respiratory team within the Newry & Mourne locality and work without direct supervision, in performing specific highly skilled tasks for an individual or group of patients, as part of their treatment and rehabilitation programme. The post-holder will demonstrate a high degree of technical proficiency. The post-holder will demonstrate skills and knowledge in appropriate clinical decision making to meet the assessed needs of patients/clients. These skills and knowledge will be gained through specific advanced training, experience or formal qualifications lead by Physiotherapy. The post holder will be responsible for assisting with the local induction of community respiratory staff and students.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

To accept selected patients directly referred by a physiotherapist and manage their own patient caseload.

To assess and treat patients according to set treatment protocols monitoring patient progression and make minor alterations to patient treatment programmes within competency level.

To exercise a degree of autonomy depending on the complexity and risk of the procedure being undertaken.

To plan and prioritise their own patient workload and that of other staff across community respiratory teams taking account of untoward events and unexpected circumstances.

To independently carry out specific assessments as identified by the qualified Physiotherapist and in keeping with service protocols and discuss the outcome of the assessment with the Physiotherapist.

To carry out a treatment programme as planned by the Physiotherapist once advanced training in these areas is completed and keep the Physiotherapist informed of any changes.

They must be available /able to work any 5 days out of 7 which may include weekends and public holidays if required.

OPERATIONAL DELIVERY

To prepare patients for treatment, including preparation of equipment and helping patients as required.

To assist qualified physiotherapy staff with individual patient assessments, and assist with one to one or group treatments including set up and ongoing running of programs/ activities / pulmonary rehabilitation, maintenance pulmonary rehabilitation and individualised home pulmonary rehabilitation programs.

To assist the Physiotherapist in the development, planning and review of patient programmes based on initial physiotherapy assessment and/or own assessment and feedback.

To supervise patients during treatment, assessing and monitoring their response to treatment and feed back to the Physiotherapist progress/concerns as appropriate.

To form a clinical judgement of a patient’s health condition to assess their suitability to commence or continue with their planned exercise programme at any given time when working unsupervised.

To issue patients with simple mobility aids as per agreed protocols, to supply more complex equipment as directed by a physiotherapist and give advice on safe use and maintenance.

To provide follow-up advice on the safe use of mobility/moving and handling equipment to staff, patients and/or carers.

To assist in the assessment and management of complex respiratory patients including use of home oxygen equipment,

To size and fit patients with simple equipment as requested by the Physiotherapist and provide the patients with advice/ education on correct use of these. To monitor compliance with equipment and report any issues.

To assist the wider community respiratory team staff with respiratory equipment as and when required eg nebulisers, oxygen saturation probes etc.

To incorporate mobility and physical activities into daily living for patients in line with assessed need.

To keep up to date and accurate patient records in a concise, and timely manner in line with Trust and Physiotherapy records management standards.

To transport small items of equipment in the community.

COMMUNICATION / INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

To use a range of communication tools to communicate effectively with patients and staff assisting in delegation and providing encouragement and motivation. This includes patients/staff/carers who have difficulties in communication and understanding and where English is not the first language.

To teach, instruct and advise patients, with a range of respiratory conditions who may also have disabilities, including Learning and Physical Disability with communication issues i.e. speech, hearing, sight and cognitive problems.

To provide direction, motivation and encouragement to respiratory patients, carers, family members and staff.

To assist in encouraging patient activity/programme with other members of the multidisciplinary team when so requested by the community respiratory team.

To communicate with patients / carers / wider MDT team to establish accurate up to date background information for our clients.

To communicate and provide accurate information on discharge e.g. onward referrals / handover to rehab teams etc.

To take and edit photographic and video records as evidence of assessment findings or change in condition in keeping with trust policies on confidentiality and consent.

To deal sensitively with complex situations e.g. where English is not first language, aggressive/ annoyed patients or dealing with patients/carers with palliative care needs.

To assist in the collation/completion of statistics for physiotherapy staff returning this to line manager.

To assist in ensuring referral information documentation is completed appropriately, appropriate patient outcome measures used to validate the service and relevant databases updated and information shared with relevant staff.

To fulfil a range of administrative, IT and service support duties and train other assistant and clerical staff in these duties.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS / PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

To be directly responsible and accountable for the duties from the designated Physiotherapist to ensure the provision of an effective, efficient service.

Review individually, at least annually, the performance of immediately subordinate staff, provide guidance on personal development requirements and advise on and initiate, where appropriate, further training.

Maintain staff relationships and morale amongst the staff reporting to him/her.

To participate in and carry out staff appraisal, performance development and supervision.

Review the operational plan for the service for which he/she is responsible to ensure that each is consistent with achieving objectives, and recommend change where appropriate.

To take a lead role in the delivery of the Trust Physiotherapy assistant development programme.

To be responsible for carrying out and assisting in induction programme, on- going training, development and supervision for more junior Physiotherapy assistant staff and nursing staff on the team. Also assisting with induction of students within the community respiratory team.

Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to the level of staff within his/her control consistent with effective decision making, while retaining overall responsibility and accountability for results.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

Attend relevant in-service training and formal courses/training as agreed by their line manager to ensure their development in terms of the requirements of the post and demands of the service.

To attend organised statutory/mandatory training sessions in accordance with Trust guidelines.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

To have a lead role in reporting and documenting faults to appropriate service lead and liaising with works and maintenance.

To carry out duties as a lone worker.

To be responsible for ordering, maintenance and control of stock, non-stock items. Equipment and appliances in a range of settings.

To be responsible for the documentation and recording of equipment returned to central stores for cleaning and maintenance.

To be responsible for the cleaning and management of loaned respiratory equipment once returned eg nebulisers.

To be responsible for the regular review of physiotherapy and respiratory equipment on loan and organising return or replacement of equipment as appropriate.

When appropriate, to assist in investigations regarding faulty/broken equipment and share the information to the Physiotherapist / team.

To be responsible for ensuring equipment is returned to relevant storage area after use and recorded as appropriate.

To be responsible for the cleanliness and upkeep of equipment stock for the respiratory team stores and designated space and report any deficiencies.

To take all reasonable steps while at work to ensure your own health and safety and the health and safety of those who may be affected by your acts/omissions at work.

To co-operate fully with regard to the implementation of health and safety arrangements including the prompt reporting, recording and documentation of incidents and accidents.

QUALITY

To work in accordance with relevant Physiotherapy Assistant codes of conduct.

To be aware of and comply with Trust and Physiotherapy/AHP policies and procedures.

To participate in and undertake audit as required e.g. equipment returns.

RAISING CONCERNS - RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency.

The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to

Assist the organisation in fulfilling its statutory duties under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to promote equality of opportunity and good relations and under the Disability Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. Staff are also required to support the organisation in complying with its obligations under Human Rights Legislation.

Ensure the Organisation’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of The Organisation's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example

Smoke Free policy

IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct

standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

Take responsibility to minimise the Trust’s environmental impact wherever possible. This will include recycling, switching off lights, computers, monitors and equipment when not in use. Helping to reduce paper waste by minimising printing/copying and reducing water usage, reporting faults and heating/cooling concerns promptly and minimising travel.

All employees of the Organisation are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the [org name] including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the [org name] policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent The Organisation’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

January 2024

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND Physiotherapy Assistant Practitioner Band 4

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE Community Respiratory Team - Adult Community Services

SALARY

HOURS 30 hours per week (work pattern to be agreed with team lead)

Ref No

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Minimum of 18 months experience as a Band 3 Physiotherapy Assistant / AHP Rehabilitation Support worker / Rehabilitation support worker in a Health and Social Care Related role

AND

Hold a Health Care (AHP) Related level 3 Diploma NVQ/QCF/RQF Qualification (or on a waiting list to commence training) or equivalent qualification

OR

Hold 4 GCSE’s (grade A-C) or equivalent including English and Mathematics AND 2 years’ experience as a Band 3 Physiotherapy assistant / AHP Rehabilitation Support worker / Rehabilitation support worker and willing to complete RQF level 3 Diploma.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications/ Registration

Successful applicants will be required to complete RQF level 4 Diploma related to their job role.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with patients.

Demonstrate an ability to work on own initiative and / or part of a MD team.

Ability to make effective use of supervision and training and to access support and advice when required.

Ability to take responsibility for his/her ongoing learning and development, including full participation in development reviews/appraisals.

Ability to contribute to assessments.

Ability to prioritize and manage competing demands.

Ability to keep written records of contacts.

Interview

Knowledge

Knowledge and experience in using I.T. systems and processes.

Interview

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Experience in assisting and/ or delivering patient exercise programs.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications

Willing to undertake further specialist training/ courses appropriate to the post.

Shortlisting by Application Form

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times