Health and Therapy Assistant; Band 3

Overview

The Urgent Community Response (UCR) Service provides clinical interventions (including intravenous therapy) as part of a multidisciplinary team comprising Medics, Nurses, Paramedics, Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists for admission avoidance pathways (2 hour response and general virtual wards), in line with the national specification for UCR and general virtual wards.

As a Health and Therapy Assistant, the post holder will work across the disciplines of nursing, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy, carrying out assigned tasks involving direct patient care as part of the community-based multi-disciplinary team. This role will involve working with patients in their homes within the policies, procedures and philosophy of Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, in support of and supervised by registered nurses and therapies staff.

• Take observations and observe and record people's progress, sharing updates with the team to ensure care remains responsive and effective.
• Assist with wound care, rehabilitation programmes, and mobility equipment to support safe, person-centred care.
• Assist with medication and venepuncture where required and within scope of practise.
• Support patients in achieving recovery goals by delivering therapy exercises and health monitoring as part of individual care plans.
• Encourage, motivate and empower patients to build confidence and regain independence in daily living.
• Work closely with nurses, therapists and paramedics to deliver safe care aligned with each individual's plan.

• Experience or ability to work across nursing, physiotherapy and occupational therapy disciplines, with direct patient care duties.
• Willingness to work in patients' homes and follow Trust policies, procedures and philosophy.
• Right to work in the UK; note: due to immigration rules, this role may not be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered. Candidates requiring sponsorship should review eligibility on  for a Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Ability to participate in training and development opportunities, including Care Certificate and ongoing competency development.

We will support you with full training, the opportunity to complete your Care Certificate, and ongoing development through our competency framework. This role offers an excellent foundation to grow skills and open pathways into nursing, therapy, and other healthcare professions within Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.

Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services. Our values—Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence—guide everything we do.

• Positive 2023 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing
• Varied environments: community hospitals, patients' homes, and bases across Sussex
• Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retirement
• Excellent training, development, and research opportunities
• Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton
• Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networks
• Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust
• Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast