Job overview

Would you like to work in a supportive specialist team? We may be the team for you.

This is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic and committed person to join the Community COPD Service in West Sussex as a Band 3 Community COPD Rehabilitation Assistant. You will be working as part of a dynamic multi-disciplinary team comprising of nurses, physios, occupational therapist, and community rehabilitation assistants.

The COPD team support chronic respiratory patients in the community. We work to help patients independently manage their lung condition on a day to day basis and to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.  The main focus of the role is to assist in pulmonary rehabilitation provision. 

It is essential that applicants hold a full UK driving licence and have a car available for work, as the successful applicant will be required to attend clinic settings.

Please note: Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules, this role is unlikely to 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 the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.

Skilled Worker visa: going rates for eligible occupation codes - GOV.UK

Health and Care Worker visa: If you’ll need to meet different salary requirements - GOV.UK

Main duties of the job

a) Under the supervision of a qualified practitioner, participate in planned treatment activities (such as spirometry, nebuliser provision, inhaler technique, Home exercise programmes) taking into account the fluctuating needs of the patient.

b) To implement care plans and follow programmes set up by Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Nurses.

c) To observe any changes in a patient’s condition, record accurately and report back any changes or concerns to an appropriate clinician.

d) To undertake patients physical measurements under the direction of a qualified practitioner.

e) To maintain effective documentation in patient records as required by the integrated respiratory service and Sussex community NHS Trust

f) To undertake further training to gain skills and knowledge in specific clinical areas as needed eg spirometry

g) To assist the qualified practitioner with home assessments if required.

h) To assess and instruct in the use of prescribed daily living equipment if necessary and practice its safe use with the patient.

i) To report effectively to the team on patient’s progress and performance in relation to the patient goals.

j) To assist in the induction, training and education of students, volunteers and other staff members.

k) To participate in audit and evaluation of the service as requested.

l) To assist in the provision of Pulmonary rehabilitation

Working for our organisation

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.

Why work for us?
•    Positive 2024 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

Our values—Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence—guide everything we do.

We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.

This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.