Pulmonary Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant Practitioner
At a glance
- Band
- Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
- Posted
- 14/08/2026
- Closes
- 30/08/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This contract type is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
NHS Trusts cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for part-time, bank, locum, zero-hours, job-share or short fixed-term (under 12 months) contracts under current Home Office rules. This applies even when the wider Trust holds a Skilled Worker licence.
Role summary
This role supports the pulmonary rehabilitation team, working under the supervision of qualified therapy staff. The postholder will provide assessment and treatment programmes for patients, managing a designated clinical caseload from assessment to discharge. This involves working in various settings including gyms, community venues, and patient homes, and assisting with administrative duties. The role is based at Dorset County Hospital but requires travel across the county.
Key responsibilities
- Work under the supervision of qualified Therapy staff providing assessment and treatment programmes for patients in the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service.
- Carry out a full episode of care from assessment to discharge for a specified and designated clinical caseload identified by a qualified clinician.
- Work in a wide variety of settings including gym, community venues, outpatients, telephone appointments and occasionally visiting patients in their own homes.
- Assist in the administration and clerical duties for the team and department.
- Work at any site within the trust or used for the delivery of the pulmonary rehabilitation service.
Essential criteria
- BTEC/HND/NVQ Level 3 or o Level 3 Advanced Fitness/Gym Instructor with knowledge to diploma level and Referral Programme Consultation/exercise referral qualification or equivalent experience in relevant subject
- Foundation degree (or willing to work towards foundation degree within first 2 years in post)
- Able to demonstrate an intermediate level of knowledge of respiratory conditions, including COPD
- Awareness of clinical governance and it's implications for therapy
- Significant experience in health or social care or exercise prescription setting
- Experience and ability to work collaboratively within MDT
- Experience in delivering and developing therapy or exercise plans
- Experience of working with people with long term conditions
- Willingness and ability to undertake competency based skills programme
- The ability to identify and act upon potential clinical risks
- Able to communicate complex information to patients, carers and within the MDT
- Positive interpersonal skills
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment
- Good time management skills and ability to organise and prioritise
- Proactive approach to learning, demonstrated in a CPD portfolio
- Able to provide a good standard of clear, concise, written and verbal reports in English
- IT skills including word processing, email, spreadsheets and databases
- Ability to manage own stress and work in a stressful and unpredictable environment
- To show empathy and fairness to give support to others
- Ability to work autonomously
- Self motivated
- Be able to demonstrate flexibility and reliability
- Able to use own initiative
- Work in a flexible manner and adapt to changing environments
- Physically fit and able to comply with the trusts moving and handling guidelines, therapeutic handling
- Professional manner and appearance
- Available for altered work patterns where clinically appropriate
- Car driver
Desirable criteria
- CSP/RCOT associate member
- Relevant healthcare courses
- Awareness and understanding of the NHS Structure
- Knowledge of local service
- Previous experience of working within a therapy rehabilitation area, therapy assistant or equivalent
- Experience of an NHS environment
- Demonstrate good motivational skills
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 4 at £26,530 – £29,114 a year, across England.
This advert: £28,392 – £31,157 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 16d ago · Closes in 1d
Applications close soon — apply now if this is a fit.
Full advert · preview
Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant Practitioner
The closing date is 30 August 2026
Job summary
This is an exciting time for the pulmonary rehabilitation team as we work towards gaining service accreditation. Are you an experienced Therapy Assistant, Healthcare Assistant or Level 3 Advanced Fitness/Gym Instructor with Referral Programme Consultation qualification? Do you feel you can make a difference to people living with long term health conditions? We are recruiting for a full time Band 4 position to support us in the pulmonary rehabilitation team. The role will involve working alongside clinical staff in assessment clinics and supporting our respiratory patients through their rehabilitation course in a group environment.
The successful candidate will be based at Dorset County Hospital but required to work in different sites across the county to meet the needs of the service.
We are a supportive and friendly team and can offer you a competency based learning structure, continuing professional development with regular clinical supervision and an opportunity to help shape the future of our service.
For further information please contact:
[contact details removed], Clinical Service Manager- [contact details removed], Dorset County Hospital [phone number removed]
Charlotte Walters, Specialist Physiotherapist [phone
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