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Job summary

Main area
Allied Healthcare Professionals
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 6
Contract
Permanent: Weekend cover required on a rota basis.
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week (HIT service hours are 8am-8pm weekdays and 8am-6pm on weekends.)
Job ref
374-KNCG1326
Employer
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Conquest Hospital
Town
Hastings
Salary
£39,959 - £48,117 per annum, pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
24/04/2026 23:59

Employer heading

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust logo

Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist or Nurse Assessor

NHS AfC: Band 6

We are proud to provide ‘Outstanding’ care and be a great place to work.

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust provides safe, compassionate and high quality hospital and community care to the half a million people living in East Sussex and those who visit our local area. 


We are one of the largest organisations in East Sussex with an annual income of £700 million and we are the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex. 


Our extensive health services are provided by over 8,000+ dedicated members of staff working from two acute hospitals in Hastings and Eastbourne, three community hospitals in Bexhill, Rye and Uckfield, over 100 community sites across East Sussex, and in people’s own homes. 


The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated us as ‘Good’ overall, and ‘Outstanding’ for being Caring and Effective. The Conquest Hospital in Hastings and our Community Services were rated ‘Outstanding’ and Eastbourne DGH was rated ‘Good’ Our two acute hospitals have Emergency Departments and provide 24 hour a day care, offering a comprehensive range of surgical, medical, outpatient and maternity services, supported by a full range of diagnostic and therapy services. 

 

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and skilled Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, or Nurse Assessor to join the Hospital Intervention Team (HIT) at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.

This is a permanent full time position (37.5 hours per week) at Conquest Hospital in Hastings. The service hours are Mon - Fri 8:00am - 8:00pm and Sat - Sun 8:00am - 6:00pm. 


About the Role
The HIT team is a well-established, dynamic, and forward-thinking multidisciplinary team, consisting of nurses, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists. We work across Emergency Departments and key gateway wards of the hospital to support admission avoidance and to facilitate timely, safe discharges. Our work directly supports patient flow across the hospital and wider healthcare system.

You will be part of a team that operates at the front door of the hospital, identifying patients suitable for early supported discharge, virtual ward referral, or community input. The role also includes opportunities to visit patients in their own homes to support rapid discharge and ensure continuity of care where needed.

Main duties of the job

Main Responsibilities

  • Proactively identify and assess patients suitable for safe and timely discharge

  • Prevent unnecessary hospital admissions through early intervention and MDT collaboration

  • Support virtual ward referrals and contribute to care planning for patients being managed in the community

  • Liaise effectively with acute, community, and social care teams to coordinate person-centred care

  • Contribute to service development and the ongoing refinement of interdisciplinary ways of working


What We’re Looking For We’re seeking experienced and enthusiastic clinicians with:

  • A professional registration with either HCPC (OT/Physio) or NMC (Nurse Assessor)

  • Clinical experience across core areas relevant to acute or community settings

  • Excellent assessment, communication, and problem-solving skills

  • A proactive, team-oriented approach to supporting patient care and system flow

  • The ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment

You will also have the opportunity to contribute to the development of the interdisciplinary assessment model and may be able to rotate into other clinical areas in the future.


Please Note:
All applications will be assessed against the Person Specification. Please ensure your application clearly demonstrates how you meet the key criteria. Only applicants with current HCPC or NMC registration will be considered for shortlisting.

Working for our organisation

A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.

In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year. 

There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.

Statement on the Use of AI

We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective.

Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.

We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the job description attached.

 

If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • BSc Physiotherapy/ Occupational Therapy/ Nurse MSc in Rehabilitation or equivalent
  • Current HCPC/NMC registration
  • Evidence of continued professional development to diploma level or equivalent level of knowledge and experience
Desirable criteria
  • ICES Trusted Assessor’s certificate
  • Post graduate qualification in relevant area
  • IT certificate (e.g.ECDL)

Experience

Essential criteria
  • At least 2 years as a band 5 Physiotherapist/Occupational Therapist/Nurse
  • Recent experience in a hospital or community setting
  • Evidence of personal development of self and others
  • Experience of being an appraisee and appraiser
  • Experience working within Gateway wards, or in discharge/ admission avoidance teams
Desirable criteria
  • Some experience of clinical supervision or action learning
  • Worked in multi professional teams

Knowledge/Skills

Essential criteria
  • Use of Single Assessment Tool
  • Experience delivering client centred assessments
  • Knowledge of complex, multi pathologies and long term chronic conditions
  • Knowledge of Legislation, DH/ NICE guidelines and clinical governance relevant to area
  • Knowledge of the role of nurses, OT’s and physiotherapists
  • Robust assessment skills
  • Excellent communication and negotiating skills
  • Worked in a multi-disciplinary team
  • Worked autonomously as well as a team player
  • Additional skills to include advanced clinical reasoning
  • Ability to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development
  • Good IT and keyboard skills
  • Ability to manually support patients
  • Able to manage long periods of standing / walking
Desirable criteria
  • Risk assessments of patients, staff and environment.
  • Awareness of support services, statute and voluntary, in the community
  • Ability to challenge poor or unsafe practice

Other

Essential criteria
  • Ability to travel independently across sites and occasional domiciliary joint visit as required
  • Able to work flexibly and to time scales
  • Amenable and empathetic
  • Calm during a crisis
  • Good attention to detail
  • Good organisation skills
  • Proactive and motivated to progress patients through pathways
  • Satisfactory Enhanced CRB Disclosure
  • Reliable work record
  • Evidence that personal behaviour reflects Trust Values

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyDisability confident leaderImproving working livesCare quality commission - GoodArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardNational Preceptorship for Nursing Quality MarkGold Award 2026 - Wellbeing at Work - East Sussex

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Claire Lockwood
Job title
Service Manager
Email address
[email protected]
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