Advanced Therapy AssistantNHS

Job summary

The primary aim of the therapy service is to ensure patients can live well and as independently as possible in their own homes following acute hospitalisation. This will be achieved through:

• Proactive screening and early assessment of patient's needs.
• Implement therapy-specific programmes and engagement in MDT initiatives to minimise sedentary behaviour during patients' hospital stay.
• Support the prevention and effective management of delirium and other cognitive spectrum disorders through physical and cognitively stimulating activities.
• Identify ongoing rehabilitation goals and provision of aids to facilitate independence and safe onward care at the point of discharge in collaboration with Oxfordshire and other areas discharge to assess services.
• Engaging and supporting the healthy and active ageing theme of the department's research and development agenda through the Oxford Allied Health Professions Research and Innovation Unit (AHPRU).

Main duties of the job

• To be responsible for and manage a delegated clinical caseload including review of cases as necessary.
• To provide holistic interventions for patients without direct supervision, working to treatment plans, protocols and accountable at all times to a registered practitioner.
• To support patient centred rehabilitation in order to facilitate timely, safe discharge, reflecting individual choice and maximising individual's independence.
• To achieve and maintain competencies through skills and knowledge development.
• To collect and record patient information in EPR in line with departmental guidelines.
• To perform non-clinical and administrative duties within the department, as required.
• To contribute to setting up and be responsible for maintaining operational systems within the department.
• To contribute to the induction and training of new staff and students
• To work flexibly across the team, covering a variety of clinical areas as needed
• To maintain rehab equipment in the department, order, clean, communicate with suppliers

Job description

Advanced Therapy AssistantDirectorate: Acute Medicine and Rehabilitation ServicesDivision: Medicine Rehabilitation and CardiacBand: 4Responsible to: Clinical Team LeadAccountable to: Head of TherapiesHours: 37.5 per weekLocation: John Radcliffe Hospital

Trust OverviewOxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a major NHS teaching trust providing specialist clinical services, education, training, and research across four hospitals: John Radcliffe, Churchill, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, and Horton Hospital.

Job PurposeSupport therapy services in delivering high-quality rehabilitation to patients, including those on the regional vascular surgical ward, Emergency Surgery, Gastroenterology, and Gynae wards. Focus on early mobilisation and rehabilitation post-amputation or vascular surgery.

Job SummaryManage a delegated clinical caseload and provide holistic interventions under agreed protocols. Facilitate timely, safe discharge and promote independence. Maintain competencies, record patient data in EPR, perform administrative duties, maintain operational systems, support induction/training of new staff and students, and work flexibly across clinical areas. Maintain therapy equipment and liaise with suppliers.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Knowledge & Assessment: Understand procedures, patient/family dynamics, and contribute to assessments; screen and treat patients under supervision.
• Therapy Delivery: Assist therapists, carry out delegated activities, adjust programmes within competency, motivate patients.
• Patient Care & Mobility: Assist with mobility, transfers, and personal care safely.
• Equipment & Environment: Prepare treatment spaces, ensure safe equipment use, instruct patients and carers.
• Communication & MDT: Maintain professional relationships, communicate sensitively, report progress, attend patient meetings.
• Risk Management & Safety: Monitor patients, escalate concerns, perform risk assessments, understand major incident and fire policies.
• Governance & Discharge Planning: Maintain accurate records, assist discharge processes, support governance, input data, maintain EPR.
• Planning & Organisation: Prioritise caseload, administrative duties, support training events, perform admin tasks.

Non-Clinical Responsibilities

• Service & Personal Development: Work to CSP and COT standards, adhere to Trust policies, contribute to service improvement, audit, research, and quality projects.
• Support student placements and induction of new staff.
• Participate in in-service training, continuing professional development, supervision, peer review, and appraisal.
• Undertake tasks within competencies and banding, adapting to service needs.

Trust Statements

• Risk Management: All staff responsible for risk management; training provided.
• Health & Safety: Comply with Health and Safety policies; training and specialist advice available.
• Infection Control: Adhere to Trust policies to minimise infections; complete mandatory training; notify Occupational Health if infected.
• Childrens Rights & Safeguarding: Uphold rights of children and vulnerable adults; support protection from harm.
• Mandatory Training & Confidentiality: Complete annual training; maintain confidentiality per Data Protection Act 1984.
• Serious Incidents: Report incidents to reduce risk and safeguard patients, visitors, and staff.
• Equal Opportunities: Follow Trust Equal Opportunities Policy.
• Data Protection: Do not disclose patient or staff information without permission.
• Terms: Exempt from Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; disclose criminal convictions at application.

This job description will be reviewed annually in consultation with the post holder; flexible responsibilities may arise between reviews.

About us

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community.

We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence, and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.

These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.

In 2023NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles

Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment.

If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.