Band 3 Advanced Physiotherapy Assistant

Main area

Stroke & Neuro

Grade

3

Contract

Permanent

Hours

Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm)

Job ref

196-LIS9728

Employer

Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust

Employer type

NHS

Site

St Thomas Hospital

Town

London

Salary

£30,546 - £32,207 per annum

Salary period

Yearly

Closing

06/08/2025 23:59

Guys and St Thomas is among the UKs busiest and most successful NHS foundation trusts. We provide a full range of hospital and community services for people in south London and as well as specialist care for patients from further afield including cancer, renal, orthopaedic, respiratory and cardiovascular services.

Guys is home to the largest dental school in Europe and a £160 million Cancer Centre opened in 2016. As part of our commitment to provide care closer to home, in 2017 we also opened a cancer centre and a kidney treatment centre at Queen Marys Hospital in Sidcup. St Thomas has one of the largest critical care units in the UK and one of the busiest emergency departments in London. It is also home to Evelina London Childrens Hospital.

Evelina London cares for local children in Lambeth and Southwark and provides specialist services across south east England including cardiac, renal and critical care services. We lead a number of specialist service networks aiming to ensure children are treated locally where possible, but have access to specialist expertise when they need it. Our community services include health visiting, school nursing and support for families of children with long-term conditions. 

Our adult community services teams deliver care at the heart of the local communities we serve, working in partnership with GPs, local authorities and other healthcare and voluntary sector organisations. Working with our partners in Lambeth and Southwark, we are focusing on new ways of working to improve care for local patients.

In February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield joined Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, bringing together world-leading expertise in the care and research of heart and lung disease. Our merger provides a once in a generation opportunity to build a lasting, world-renowned heart and lung centre, providing the highest quality care for patients and conducting world-leading research.

We have a reputation for clinical excellence and high quality teaching and research. We are part of Kings Health Partners, one of eight accredited UK academic health sciences centres. In partnership with Kings College London we have dedicated clinical research facilities including an MHRA accredited Phase I clinical trials unit.

Patients are at the heart of everything we do and we pride ourselves on ensuring the best possible patient experience as well as safe, high quality care. We are proud to have one of the lowest mortality rates in the NHS. Following a comprehensive Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in 2019 we maintained our overall rating of ‘good. Our adult community services achieved a rating of ‘outstanding.

The commitment of our 23,500 staff is key to our success. We are one of the largest local employers and we aim to develop and support all our staff so they are able to deliver high quality, safe and efficient care. The 2019 NHS staff survey results show that we have one of the most engaged and motivated workforces in the NHS. We know this has a positive impact on the care provided to our patients.

We have one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes anywhere in the NHS.

The current vacancy is within the neuro-inpatient physiotherapy team based on Mark Ward at St Thomas Hospital. This ward treats a variety of stroke and neuro patients with multiple complex needs including physical, cognitive, communicative & swallowing.

This role will allow the successful candidate to work closely with other members of the multi-disciplinary team and to further develop their skills working with patients and other members of the public.

Physiotherapy Department Information

The physiotherapy department employs around 300 staff to provide physiotherapy services to the frontline directorates at Guys, St Thomas and Evelina Childrens hospitals as well as Lambeth and Southwark Community Health services.

Job Summary

To assist physiotherapists in providing a high standard physiotherapy service to patients within the Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and to undertake duties to support the smooth functioning of the physiotherapy department and service by:

§ Assisting the physiotherapist to carry out delegated physiotherapy duties

§ Treating own delegated workload of patients and maintaining associated patient records

§ Ensuring equipment is cleaned and available to the physiotherapy team in a timely fashion

§ Assisting in the administration and clerical duties of the department

The current vacancy is within the neuro-inpatient team at St Thomas.

Key Relationships

Key relationships will vary dependent on which clinical area you are working in. However, this will always include the other physiotherapists and support staff working in the area. 

Physiotherapists, Clinical Lead Physiotherapists, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapists, Heads of Physiotherapy, Service Delivery Managers, Junior Medical Staff, Nursing Staff, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Allied Health Professionals, Administrative and Clerical Support Staff, Healthcare Scientists.

Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UKs best known hospitals - Guys, St Thomas, Evelina London Childrens Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield - as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation. We are among the UKs busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark.

We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and - as part of Kings Health Partners - we are one of Englands eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the National Institute for Health Researchs biomedical research centres, established with Kings College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities.

We have around 23,700 staff, making us one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country and one of the biggest employers locally. We aim to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and continue to develop new and existing partnerships with local people, patients, neighbouring NHS organisations, local authorities and charitable bodies and GPs.

Patient Care 

§ To carry own caseload of patients with a medically stable condition as delegated by the physiotherapist.

§ To provide competent treatment to patients within set clinical protocols.

§ Able to work with minimal or no immediate supervision of a physiotherapist or registered nurse.

§ To use own clinical judgement and knowledge in regards to progressing and/or making minor modifications to treatment programmes within agreed clinical protocols and parameters.

§ To assist with the care of patients including preparing drinks, supervising drinking, toileting, dressing and undressing.

§ To assist the physiotherapist with individual treatments and exercise programmes

§ To be able to recognise change in the condition of a patient with guidance from physiotherapists and to watch the patient response to any treatment undertaken.

§ To monitor the reaction of patients to specific physiotherapy techniques undertaken.

§ To demonstrate an awareness of clinical risk and ability to manage clinical risk within own caseload at all times including observing patients in all situations applicable to physiotherapy, ensuring safety and security at all times.

§ To comply, at all times, with the requirements of the Health and Safety Regulations and to take responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of others in the working environment

§ To demonstrate physical ability to carry out physiotherapy interventions including manual therapy techniques and therapeutic handling

§ To demonstrate dexterity, co-ordination and palpatory sensory skills for physiotherapy treatment of patients.

§ To be able to cope with occasional, potentially stressful, upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner.

§ To attend mandatory annual training (Fire, Manual Handling and Adult Basic Life Support)

Management

Physical resources

§ To be responsible for competent use and maintenance of all equipment used, to report defects in equipment in a timely manner.

§ To undertake routine and general light cleaning/tidying tasks within departmental clinical areas.

§ To undertake some administrative tasks particularly related to record keeping, filing, supplies, errands and message taking in consultation with physiotherapy staff.

§ To ensure the supply and change of laundry in departmental clinical areas including hydrotherapy.

§ To prepare and clean equipment used in treatment.

§ To maintain stocks of walking aids and other equipment in the department and on the critical care unit.    

§ To report all complaints and accidents immediately to a member of physiotherapy staff.

Human resources

§ To be responsible for non-clinical induction of assistants and students as required.

Information resources

§ Responsible for maintenance of accurate electronic health records using POMR system and use of computerised data collection and records.

§ To have excellent IT skills, utilising multiple different platforms such as excel, word and online note systems.

Planning and Organisation

§ To organise and prioritise own delegated work tasks and activities being flexible to the needs of the service as directed by the physiotherapist.

§ To assist the physiotherapist in the planning of activities or programmes.

Communication

§ To be able to motivate and persuade patients through effective communication skills, with the benefit of verbal and non-verbal skills

§ Ability to communicate information where there may be barriers to communication and or understanding i.e. patients with cognitive impairment, non-English speaking patients; use of interpreters; excess noise or lack of privacy; tracheostomised patients

§ To liaise with ward staff and physiotherapists as appropriate

§ To be responsible to and report regularly to either the physiotherapist or senior physiotherapist in the clinical area of placement.

§ To liaise with other physiotherapists or health professionals as necessary with regard to patient care.

§ To liaise with managers, other administrative and support staff as necessary to ensure the smooth running of the department.

§ To attend any meetings and seminars/case conferences as deemed appropriate by physiotherapy staff, including staff meetings and assistant meetings.

Education

§ To participate in the Performance Review Scheme.

§ To participate in the assistant and Department in-service education programme.

§ To be responsible for personal CPD, and ensure that this is reflective in clinical practice.

§ To utilise and be responsible for the completion of the PTA competency document.

 Research Quality and Audit

§ To participate in the departments ongoing audit programme as required.

Effort

§ To carry out assessments and treatments, with moderate to intense physical effort on a daily basis.

§ To comply with the Trusts Manual Handling Policy and local therapeutic handling guidelines

§ To work in an environment where the work patterns may be disrupted by frequent demands from patients, clinical staff, students and administrative support staff

§ To sensitively deal with distressing or emotional circumstances regarding patient care such as realistic expectations of rehabilitation outcome or distressed relatives

§ To support junior when indicated in the management of challenging patients

§ To deal with patients suffering from illnesses or pain states that may lead to anxiety and aggressive behaviour

As part of the physiotherapy departments commitment to meeting patient needs and delivering excellence we provide a 24hours, 7 day service. It is therefore essential the post holder be able to work their hours flexibly and contribute fully to both existing and new rotas.

The neuro-inpatient team Band 3 is expected to work 5 days per week (Mon-Fri).

The post holder may be required to undertake any other duties after discussion and training if necessary.

Guys and St Thomas celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or studys at the Trust,  or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity , gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.  

Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. Equality of opportunity is our policy.

As an organisation we are committed to developing our services in ways that best suit the needs of our patients. This means that some staff groups will increasingly be asked to work a more flexible shift pattern so that we can offer services in the evenings or at weekends.

Flexible working

We are committed to supporting all employees to achieve a healthy work life balance and to work in a way that is best for them and our patients. We will consider all requests to work flexibly, taking in to account the individuals personal circumstances as well the needs of the service. We encourage all prospective applicants to discuss their individual circumstances with the recruiting manager as part of the on-boarding process.

Your e-mail address is important to us - We communicate to all job applicants via the e-mail address which has been provided on the application form. Please ensure that you check your e-mail on a regular basis.

Please apply for this post by clicking "Apply Online Now."

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Sophie Badcock Job title Senor Neuro Specialist Physiotherapist Email address ***************@nhs.net Telephone number 0207 188 2073

Information :

• Company : St Thomas' Hospital
• Position : Band 3 Advanced Physiotherapy Assistant
• Location : London, Greater London
• Country : US