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Therapy Practitioner (Band 4) – Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust (Worthing / Brighton)
Role Overview
Are you an experienced therapy assistant or rehabilitation support worker looking to step into a Band 4 role with clinical autonomy? Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust (SCFT) is seeking a motivated Therapy Practitioner to join the Intermediate Care Unit (ICU) therapy team based at Salvington Lodge in Worthing (serving the surrounding West Sussex and Brighton areas).
Working directly alongside physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and nurses, you will manage your own delegated caseload—assessing patients, designing rehabilitation plans, guiding exercise programs, and helping individuals regain independence in mobility and daily living activities.
Key Responsibilities
- Autonomous Caseload Management: Deliver delegated rehabilitation interventions, conduct basic patient assessments, monitor progress, and adapt care plans within defined clinical parameters.
- Functional & Mobility Rehabilitation: Assist patients in improving self-care, mobility, stair safety, passive movements/stretches, and daily living skills.
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Liaise continuously with qualified Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, nursing staff, and medical personnel to report patient variances and coordinate discharge planning.
- Service Administration & Liaison: Complete accurate electronic health records, order adaptive equipment, draft referral letters or GP updates, and maintain regular communication with patients and their families.
Candidate Profile & Qualifications
- Clinical Experience: Minimum 12 months of experience as a clinical support worker (e.g., Physiotherapy Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Rehabilitation Assistant, or Band 3 AHP Assistant).
- Core Competencies: Completed Band 3 Therapy Assistant competencies in mobility training, stair assessments, exercise supervision, and patient handling.
- Educational Standards: GCSEs in Maths and English (or equivalent). Desirable: NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care, Foundation Degree, or Care Certificate.
- Skills & Attributes: Strong verbal and written communication skills, sound clinical reasoning within your scope of practice, and flexibility to travel to secondary Trust sites (such as Arundel or Bognor) when needed.
- Visa Notice: Due to UK government salary threshold regulations, this role may not meet the minimum salary requirement for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.
About Us
Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust (SCFT) is the primary provider of community health and care services across West Sussex, Brighton & Hove, and High Weald Lewes Havens. Supporting over 1.3 million residents, SCFT’s intermediate care units specialize in step-down rehabilitation, helping patients transition smoothly from acute hospital stays back to independent home living.
Website Link: https://www.sussexcommunity.nhs.uk/
Benefits of This Role
- Competitive NHS Agenda for Change Pay: NHS Band 4 salary scale ranging from £28,392 to £31,157 per annum (full-time, 37.5 hours per week).
- Workplace Perks & Discounts: Access to the NHS Pension Scheme, generous annual leave allowance, NHS sickness pay, and Blue Light Card retail discounts.
- Structured Clinical Development: Receive dedicated clinical supervision, complete specialized therapy competency frameworks, and access continuous professional development (CPD) pathways.
- Fulfilling Patient Impact: Direct involvement in seeing patients rebuild their physical independence and successfully return home.
Salary & Earnings Insight
- Salary Range: Band 4 (£28,392 – £31,157 per year).
- Progression: Band 4 roles within the NHS offer annual incremental pay progression alongside opportunities to pursue degree apprenticeships in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy.
Career Guide Tips for Rehabilitation Support Professionals
- Focus on Functional Outcomes: Emphasize how your interventions translate to real-world tasks for the patient, such as safely navigating stairs, dressing independently, or making a cup of tea.
- Master Communication Across the MDT: Effective rehabilitation relies on seamless updates between physios, OTs, and nurses. Always demonstrate how you share clinical observations promptly.
- Keep Competency Logs Updated: Document your completed clinical skills (e.g., equipment ordering, mobility assessments) clearly so you can demonstrate readiness for Band 4 responsibilities.
How to Prepare a CV for This Position
- Highlight Band 3/Rehabilitation Experience: Detail your exact responsibilities in previous therapy assistant roles, including group exercise classes, individual treatment delivery, and equipment setup.
- Explicitly State Required Qualifications: Feature your GCSE Maths/English passes and Band 3 competency completions at the top of your application.
- Detail Electronic Record Keeping: Mention your familiarity with NHS digital system entries, risk management protocols, and equipment requisition processes.
How to Prepare for an Interview
- Understand Scope of Practice: Be prepared to explain the boundary between acting autonomously with your caseload and knowing when to escalate complex clinical changes to a registered OT or Physio.
- Review Common Rehab Protocols: Refresh your knowledge on stair safety assessments, mobility aid sizing (e.g., walking frames, crutches), and basic daily living adaptations.
- Prepare Scenario Examples: Think of real examples where you motivated a hesitant patient, adapted an exercise plan safely, or managed a busy daily routine across a multidisciplinary ward.
Potential Interview Questions
- Clinical Escalation & Scope: “If you are carrying out a planned mobility session with a patient and notice sudden breathlessness or a drop in their physical performance, what immediate steps do you take?”
- Prioritization & Autonomy: “How do you organize and prioritize your daily caseload when managing patient assessments, rehab sessions, and administrative tasks simultaneously?”
- Patient Engagement: “How do you encourage and motivate a patient who is feeling discouraged or reluctant to engage in their rehabilitation goals?”
How to Apply
- Visit the NHS Jobs portal or Trac Jobs.
- Search for “Therapy Practitioner – Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust” or reference Salvington Lodge, Worthing.
- Complete and submit your detailed application form online, ensuring all sections of the person specification are thoroughly addressed.
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Disclaimer
This summary is an independent document created for informational and career guidance purposes. Specific salary points, shift patterns, site locations, and application requirements are managed directly by Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Jobs. Please consult the official NHS Jobs posting to complete your application.