Job overview
We are looking for a motivated and compassionate individual to join our ward-based Therapy Team at Westhaven Community Hospital.
Our team provides assessment and rehabilitation interventions with the aim of supporting safe and timely discharges. You will work closely with therapists and the wider multidisciplinary team (MDT) to support patients throughout their rehabilitation journey during their admission.
You will help deliver therapy programmes designed to promote independence, improve quality of life, and enable patients to achieve their personal goals. This may involve supporting individuals to regain their previous level of function or helping them optimise their abilities and adapt to a new baseline of functioning.
The role also includes providing admin support to ensure the efficient day to day running of the service. Strong communication skills and confident decision-making are a must for this role.
In return, we offer a supportive and welcoming environment where you can develop your clinical skills and gain valuable experience. You will receive regular supervision, appraisal, and support to achieve the required competencies, alongside training opportunities to help you reach your full potential.
This is a part time, fixed term contract to cover maternity leave and will include some weekends and Bank Holiday working.
Main duties of the job
Key responsibilities include:
Delivering rehabilitation-focused care to patients on the ward, including supporting individuals with personal care needs where required, to maximise independence and recovery.
Undertaking supervised assessments of patients' mobility, functional abilities, and equipment requirements, contributing to the development and delivery of rehabilitation plans.
Monitoring patients' clinical condition under the guidance of qualified clinicians, including taking and accurately recording routine observations such as blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and respiratory rate.
Working collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team, alongside Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Therapy Assistant Practitioners, Nurses, Healthcare Assistants, and Medical Staff, to provide high-quality, patient-centred care.
A full driving licence and access to a vehicle are highly desirable.
For further queries, please contact [email protected]
This is a fixed term role and for those with current NHS service, the role will be offered on a secondment basis only. Please obtain permission to be released on a secondment before submitting an application.
This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, the cost of which will be covered by the Trust. Applicants registered with the DBS Update Service may present a valid DBS certificate and may not require a new check.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidate’s individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact [email protected]
Person specification
BUSINESS TRAVEL
Essential
- Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.
FINANCE/RESOURCES
Essential
- Able to effectively manage available resources in the pursuit of quality service provision ensuring a safe environment
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Essential
- Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively.
JOB SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Experience working in Health or social care setting
- Experience of developing programmes of care for an individual or groups of patients/clients and of providing advice
- Ability to prioritise and organise workload effectively
Desirable
- Experience of working in the community
- Previous experience of rehab of elderly/adults
PERSONAL QUALITIES/ATTRIBUTES
Essential
- Evidence of demonstrating the Trust’s values and behaviours.
- Able to communicate effectively at different levels of the organisation and with staff, patient/service users, visitors or external organisations both verbally and in writing in the exchange of complex, sensitive or contentious information which may require the use of negotiating and/or persuasive skills.
- Able to overcome barriers to understanding where there are physical or mental disabilities.
- Able to analyse and assess situations and to interpret potentially conflicting situations and determine appropriate action, where there is a range of options and judgement is required.
- Demonstrable ability of using tact and diplomacy
- Ability to work autonomously if required
- Willing to work flexibly and proactively with the team, including weekend and bank holiday working
- Good time management skills
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND TRAINING
Essential
- NVQ care level 2/3 or willing to work towards
- Skills to manage challenging situations
- Good organisational skills/decision making
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/RESOURCES
Desirable
- Able to evaluate data and produce reports using Microsoft Excel and Word
- Experience of using electronic patient / service user record systems
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Ward Rehabilitation Assistant with Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust in Poole, South West, England. It is listed as a Band 3 Healthcare support worker role. The advertised salary is £15,456 - £16,485 p.a.. The contract type is Fixed term: 12 months (Maternity Leave Cover). The application deadline is 01 Jul 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (17 Jun 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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