Therapy Associate Practitioner

Job summary

Following significant investment into the community hospitals wards we have an exciting opportunity to join our team. We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic Band 4 Associate Practitioner to join our therapy rehabilitation team based in the North Community Hospitals (Chester le Street, Shotley Bridge and Weardale.)

Applicants must be prepared to participate in a 6 day week service, covering bank holidays and Saturdays on a rota basis.

The role will have a main base of Chester le Street Hospital with the expectation of cross site cover as service demands.

Come and join this exciting development. Receive support and opportunities to develop clinical and leadership skills with regular individual supervision, peer support and access to additional learning.

For further information please contact Sarah Watson, Clinical Team Lead Physiotherapist - 07785681183

Main duties of the job

This is an exciting role with a great deal of patient contact and opportunities to increase and consolidate both skills and knowledge. You will work under direct supervision of the senior Occupational therapists and Physiotherapists. You will have the autonomy to assess specified patients as well as carry out rehabilitation and help facilitate timely discharges and maximise patients' independence. You will act as a source to provide health education and advice to patients, carers, and their families.

The post will combine competencies from physiotherapy and occupational therapy disciplines, to support the delivery of the therapy services to patients within a community rehabilaition ward setting.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have been employed for a minimum of two years of as a HCA within the NHS for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months).

Details

Date posted

17 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-1214

Job locations

Chester Le Street Community Hospital

Front Street

Chester Le Street

County Durham

DH3 3AT

Job description

Job responsibilities

*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*

Job description

Job responsibilities

*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*

Person Specification

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Evidence of Team working
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Good organisational and problem solving skills
• Ability to observe and record physical and social changes of a patient and report immediately.
• Ability to act alone in an emergency situation
• Able to prioritise work on a daily basis to meet service demands
• Confident in the use of email and basic IT skills.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of clinical supervision
• Therapy specific role extensive experience of working within a rehabilitation environment with physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists

Desirable

• Experience of working in a community setting
• Experience of audit/research

Statutory Registration

Essential

• Knowledge of NMC / HCPC and accountability

Special Requirements

Essential

• Able to travel independently across Trust sites and the locality to meet the requirements of the post

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social care (or equivalent)
• Foundation degree in health and social care or willingness to work towards

Desirable

• Teaching certificate or equivalent

Person Specification

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Evidence of Team working
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Good organisational and problem solving skills
• Ability to observe and record physical and social changes of a patient and report immediately.
• Ability to act alone in an emergency situation
• Able to prioritise work on a daily basis to meet service demands
• Confident in the use of email and basic IT skills.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of clinical supervision
• Therapy specific role extensive experience of working within a rehabilitation environment with physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists

Desirable

• Experience of working in a community setting
• Experience of audit/research

Statutory Registration

Essential

• Knowledge of NMC / HCPC and accountability

Special Requirements

Essential

• Able to travel independently across Trust sites and the locality to meet the requirements of the post

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social care (or equivalent)
• Foundation degree in health and social care or willingness to work towards

Desirable

• Teaching certificate or equivalent

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Chester Le Street Community Hospital

Front Street

Chester Le Street

County Durham

DH3 3AT

Employer's website

https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Chester Le Street Community Hospital

Front Street

Chester Le Street

County Durham

DH3 3AT

Employer's website

https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)