Job overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role

Main duties of the job

We have an exciting opportunity for an Advanced Therapy Technician to work as part of our large Therapy services department at University Hospital Southampton. Working on the acute wards, alongside Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, and other therapy support staff, the postholder will have their own caseload of patients and support proactive and timely discharges.

The work involves assessing and treating patients, preparing them for home, and includes manual handling, personal care of patients, and fitting of equipment.

You will work as part of a combined therapy services team delivering patient care across a 7-day service, including weekends and bank holidays, on a roster basis. 

This post is part of the wider Therapy services department. You will have many opportunities to develop new skills and knowledge through our in-service training. You will be part of a large department of over 290wte Therapy staff including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Therapy support staff.

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care. 

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We are looking for people who thrive working in busy clinical environments and who want to support patients to regain, or maintain their independence, through therapeutic intervention. UHS is a fast-paced environment where effective communication, prioritisation, and delegation skills are needed to support safe and timely discharges.

What you’ll do
•    You will be involved in the assessment and treatment of patients with a wide range of needs, working alongside qualified therapists.
•    Engage in training and developmental opportunities for yourself and others, including students.
•    Participate in 7-day working pattern and bank holiday working, according to rosters.

We’re looking for someone who:
•    Demonstrates care and compassion.
•    Is happy to help patients with their personal care.
•    Understands the acute and busy hospital environment.
•    Is happy working alone, as well as in a team.
•    Either has experience as an OT/PT technician/assistant, or equivalent experience working in a healthcare, education  or customer facing setting.
•    Has the flexibility to participate in 7-day working pattern and bank holiday working, according to rosters.
•    Has experience of working within a large MDT and communicating effectively.
•    Has IT skills, e.g., using Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
•    Can stay calm and make appropriate decisions under pressure in a fast-paced environment. 
•    Has experience in managing challenging conversations.

Each year we actively encourage our Therapy technicians to consider a therapy career and offer the opportunity to apply for an apprenticeship whilst working as a B4.
Please ensure you fulfil all the essential criteria and have read the job description before applying.
We actively encourage all potential applicants to contact us to ask any questions you may have. 

We allocate area of work following interview, based on your skill set and the overall service need.

PLEASE NOTE:  AI-generated application forms may not be considered for shortlisting.

If this post is not for you and you are interested in finding out about other Therapy opportunities, please email [email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you.

Person specification

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

Essential criteria

• NVQ4 in a health or social care subject or equivalent level of experience
• Relevant experience working in a healthcare, education or customer facing setting
• Demonstrates the ability to acknowledge changes in the patient’s physical/psychological needs and manage as appropriate

Desirable criteria

• Experience working in an acute hospital

Skills and competencies

Essential criteria

• Communication
• Time management
• Prioritisation
• Diplomacy
• Working autonomously
• Interpersonal skills
• Taking the initiative
• Teamwork
• Record keeping
• Emotional intelligence

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large numbers of applications are received.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date of this post, please presume that you have not been selected for interview.

Applicants from University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust whose posts are considered to be ‘At Risk’ will be given prior consideration for this post

Our Trust runs the return to practice course each year for nurses who have been out of the profession and wish to return. To find out more please visit our website:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/WorkingHere/Typesofjob/Nurses/Returntonursing.aspx

http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/   Information on Southampton as a place to live and enjoy

https://www.uhs-vle.co.uk/   See what fantastic training and development we have on offer at UHS

http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthamptonHospitals learn about the Trust through visiting our YouTube channel 

Getting to Work

Application can be made for parking on site at UHS or through one of the park and ride schemes. This will be based on specific criteria to determine eligibility for site parking as this can be very limited.  UHS encourages staff to utilise other green methods of getting to work such as cycling or walking where possible. UHS is well connected through bus services to the city centre and other areas.

Please note that we will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.

Our staff are positive about working at UHS and rate us above average compared to other NHS Trusts in the Staff Attitude Survey. We are rated strongly on a number of areas including teamwork, communication and engagement.

Equality remains at the centre of all Trust policy making, service delivery and employment practice with all employees being given equality of opportunity to develop, apply for promotion and have working arrangements that enable them to achieve a manageable work-life balance.

The Trust actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for managers and staff to ensure this happens. The Trust also closely monitors recruitment activity, training and development and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and age.

As a service provider the Trust ensures equality of access and delivery of our services through the provision of interpreter services, facilities for the disabled and sensitivity for patients ethnic and religious differences and needs.

Relocating to Southampton

If you are thinking of moving to the Hampshire area, please find below a link to our website which offers guidance on finding accommodation:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/relocating-to-southampton

The Trust is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.