Senior Therapy Support Worker- Band 4 (fixed term)

Job overview

A fantastic and exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and proactive Senior Therapy Support Worker to join our dynamic stroke therapy team for a fixed term until 14th November 2027. We are looking for candidate with relevant prior experience working as an Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy support worker or equivalent in a healthcare setting in the UK.

The successful candidate will be joining a supportive integrated therapy team consisting of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Therapy Support Workers alongside the opportunity to work alongside a wider multidisciplinary team. We are looking for an individual who is motivated with their development, enthusiastic and flexible in their approach to work. Excellent communication skills are essential, as well as the ability to work well as part of a team.

You will have the opportunity to work with patients throughout the hyper-acute and acute stroke pathway based at Cheltenham General Hospital. The post involves completing assessments, formulating and delivering treatment plans, discharge planning and close liaison with community colleagues.

There will be a requirement to contribute to the therapy service weekend working rota

Job description

- To use the principles of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy in an integrated and client-centered way, to promote independence, improve function and facilitate safe discharge. This will be achieved by implementing treatment plans and facilitating rehabilitation within agreed limitations through exercise, physical modalities and the use of occupation

- The post holder will expect and be willing to work across both hospitals sites and off-site locations, as required.

- To assess patients, identifying patients' problems, potential complications and contraindications and escalate for assessment by a registered practitioner/MDT, when necessary.

- To identify and organise/undertake appropriate treatment within a delegated framework of responsibilities, reporting back to a registered practitioner/MDT and referring on to other agencies, when necessary.

Job responsibilities

- To be responsible for the supervision of less experienced support workers including appraisal and training.

- To take a lead role in the induction of new staff into the clinical area.

- To support the supervision of less experienced staff and undergraduate students. To contribute to the training programme in the clinical area, passing on specialty specific knowledge to others.

- To use verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients/carers. This may include education, motivation, persuasion, and empowerment, including patients/carers

About the organisation

Join a forward-thinking, compassionate, and high-performing integrated Therapy Service at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. This is an exceptional opportunity for a passionate and skilled individual to make a meaningful impact within a supportive and collaborative environment, while developing a fulfilling career.

As a member of the Therapy Service, you will play a vital role in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care across a range of specialties.

What sets the service apart is our strong multi-disciplinary team culture and collaborative working with other colleagues. You'll benefit from excellent professional development opportunities, including access to structured supervision and educational frameworks, and the chance to be involved in innovative service improvement projects that shape the future of care.

By choosing Gloucestershire Hospitals Therapy Service, you are joining a team that truly values its people. We are proud of our supportive and inclusive culture through our compassionate leadership and our ongoing investment in staff wellbeing and development.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE level C / 4 or equivalent Maths and English
• Completed or working towards a Foundation Science degree (or equivalent); or NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) with CPD evidence demonstrating clinical reasoning, professional conduct, initiative, and leadership.

Desirable

• Valid full UK Driving License

Experience

Essential

• Proven experience as a physiotherapy or occupational therapy support worker working in the NHS or other care setting in the UK, and demonstration of skills by evidence e.g. portfolio
• Working knowledge of basic software packages e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook

Desirable

• Experience of providing training to other healthcare workers

Knowledge

Essential

• Demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills, both verbal and non-verbal and written when interacting with staff, patients, relatives and carers
• Excellent organisation skills, time management and prioritisation skills.
• Produce accurate and legible documentation of treatments
• Evidence of initiative and leadership
• Demonstrate an ability to act on own initiative when working independently in challenging environments.

Supporting documents

• 318-26-T0632 Job Description and Person Specification.pdf (PDF, 344 KB)