Therapy Support Worker

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

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Job Overview

Are you ready for your next step in your personal and career development?

We are now recruiting to Therapy Support Worker roles within our Occupational Therapy & Physiotherapy services across Neurosciences & Stroke.

Based at Southmead Hospital you would be joining highly motivated and talented Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists is a dynamic and supportive culture.

The main duties of the job are below, and to learn more about our wider Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy services please watch our videos;

click here to watch our OT video.

click here to watch our Physio video

Main duties of the job

Under the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist, the post holder will provide high-quality rehabilitation and support interventions to patients within acute inpatient services. The post holder will work with patients to maximise functional independence, support recovery from illness or injury and contribute to safe, effective and timely discharge planning. The role involves delivering delegated treatment programmes, supporting personal and domestic activities of daily living, undertaking delegated assessment activities within agreed protocols, providing equipment, monitoring and reporting progress, maintaining clinical records and contributing to service improvement initiatives.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. 

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Interpersonal and communication skills

• Develop effective therapeutic relationships with patients, carers and families.
• Adapt communication methods for individuals with cognitive, sensory, perceptual or communication difficulties.
• Provide clear explanations regarding therapy activities, equipment and rehabilitation goals.
• Communicate effectively with nursing staff, therapists and the multidisciplinary team.
  
  

Professional knowledge and expertise

• Apply knowledge of common medical, surgical and rehabilitation conditions.
• Deliver delegated interventions in accordance with treatment plans and protocols.
• Maintain competence through mandatory and role-specific training.
  
  

Problem-solving and decision-making

• Monitor patient progress and identify changes in presentation.
• Modify delegated activities within agreed parameters and seek guidance when required.
• Escalate concerns relating to risk, safety or deterioration.
  
  

Planning and coordination

• Organise and prioritise workload across a busy acute environment.
• Coordinate patient sessions and support discharge pathways.
• Work flexibly across teams during periods of staff shortage.
  
  

Practical And Technical Skills

• Undertake delegated physical and functional assessments.
• To be able to conduct basic mobility assessments with patients identified as appropriate by an occupational therapist or physiotherapist e.g. assessment of sit to stand and walking ability with or without aid  
• Assess and issue walking aids and check safe use.
• Fit prescribed orthotics as directed.
• Assess washing, dressing, toileting, feeding, kitchen and domestic activities.
• Use therapeutic and manual handling techniques safely.
  
  

Patient care and support

• Implement treatment programmes designed by a registered occupational therapist or physiotherapist.
• Support individuals and groups undertaking rehabilitation.
• Teach and demonstrate equipment use to patients and carers.
• Order and provide agreed daily living equipment.
• Promote dignity, independence and patient-centred care.
  
  

Service development and improvement

• Participate in audit and quality improvement activities.
• Contribute to Trust and therapy service developments.
  
  

Finance and resource management

• Ensure safe use and storage of equipment.
• Identify faulty equipment and arrange removal from use.
  
  

Leadership and team management

• Support induction and training of new staff and students.
• Demonstrate Trust values and positive team behaviours.
  
  

Information and data management

• Maintain accurate electronic and written patient records.
• Record activity and outcome data in line with policy.
  
  

Innovation and continuous improvement

• Participate in appraisal, supervision and reflective practice.
• Undertake learning activities to support development.
  
  

Autonomy and decision authority

• Work independently within delegated responsibilities.
• Recognise limits of competence and seek support appropriately.
  
  

Physical demands

• Frequent standing, walking, therapeutic and manual handling and transfer activities.
• Transport and adjust equipment throughout the working day.
  
  

Cognitive demands

• Maintain concentration whilst managing competing priorities and interruptions.
  
  

Emotional resilience

• Support patients who may be distressed, anxious, confused or acutely unwell.
  
  

Work environment

• Frequent exposure to clinical environments, bodily fluids and confined spaces in accordance with infection prevention procedures.
  
  

Person specification

Education & Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Good Standard of General Education including Literacy & Numeracy
• Evidence of ability to learn & apply practical clinical skills
  
  

Desirable criteria

• NVQ Level 3 Health & Social Care of Equivalent
  
  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of Common medical and surgical conditions
• Understanding effects of illness on daily function
• Effective verbal & written communication skills
• Ability to motivate patients and work within professional boundaries
  
  

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of Healthcare work with direct patient contact
• Experience of manual handling and therapeutic support activities
• Evidence of multidisciplinary team working and record keeping
  
  

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

• Caring, compassionate and professional approach
• Flexible, reliable and committed to equality & development
  
  

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
• Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.
  
  

Important

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.