B3 Therapy Assistant

Job summary
Job title
Therapy Assistant
Band
Band 3
Division
Clinical Support Services
Responsible to
Physiotherapists
Occupational Therapists
Clinical Lead Therapist
Accountable to
Therapy Leads
Therapy Services Manager
Type of contract
Permanent
Hours per week
37.50 hrs
Location
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
The post holder works with the Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists as part of the Therapy Service to provide assessment and interventions to a range of patient groups.
The post holder provides clinical care to patients and undertakes administration duties on behalf of the team.
Key responsibilities
- To assist with the provision of physiotherapy and occupational therapy to acute In-Patients across various wards and across various therapy teams as required
- To assist with administrative tasks in the team
- To assist with maintenance and provision of therapy equipment
- To work flexibly as part of the therapy team
- To participate and lead in the in-service training rota

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites—Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital—along with award-winning clinics across North West London.
Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children’s services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.
We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.
Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.
Roles and responsibilities
Clinical
- To carry out the appropriate procedures and related tasks that have been selected and delegated by the therapist with the appropriate level of competency. It is the joint responsibility of the therapy assistant and the supervisor to ensure the assistant is competent and confident in carrying out the required intervention and duties. These may involve mobilising and transferring patients, assisting with functional tasks, cognitive rehabilitation programmes set out by a therapist, undertaking home visits, assisting with groups, carrying and installing equipment and supervising exercise programmes.
- To provide patients and carers with direction and guidance on a range of rehabilitation activities as directed by the physiotherapist or occupational therapist. This may incorporate encouraging patients and carers to actively become involved in regaining and maintaining their independence.
- To carry out access or joint home visits with patients, supervising and assisting patients with treatment programmes as directed by the therapists.
- To support therapists in specific treatment programmes which may involve regular manual handling of patients who may have considerable physical disability. The post holder will be expected to kneel, sit on heels, move inert adult limbs and support patients whilst mobilising. They may also be expected to transfer patients; push wheelchairs, use hoist, measure and cut sticks, and carry/install equipment i.e. bath seats, frames and commodes on a daily basis.
- Setting up equipment for use by therapists during treatment sessions or for use in the home environment to assist patient’s independence.
- To provide advice on the safe use of equipment to patients and those appropriate.
- To participate in the maintenance, cleaning and recharging of therapy equipment.

- To participate in maintenance of treatment areas in accordance with the health and safety policy and departmental procedures.
- To cover for absent staff e.g. therapy assistants who work in another area, or support a physiotherapist/ occupational therapist who have staff shortages in their section if the need arises.
- To comply with the Trust policy on confidentiality, maintaining strict confidentiality regarding any information pertaining patients and their families.
- To attend and actively participate in-service training as required.
- To attend staff and assistant meetings and actively participate in-service training as required.
- To travel between sites and patients’ homes as required using own, hospital or public transport and to take responsibility for the safety of patients and equipment whilst on these visits.

Adminstration
- To participate in the smooth running of work areas by undertaking administrative tasks e.g. making appointments, telephone calls and other clerical activities.
- To keep regular and up to date records written or electronically data and assist the therapists as necessary with departmental statistics.
- Maintain appropriate levels of stock within the therapy team.
- Arranging transport for patients.
- Directing patients to appropri