Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist or Nurse Assessor
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 £568 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 12- month maternity cover post, with positions available at Eastbourne District General Hospital and Conquest Hospital.
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
We are proud to provide ‘Outstanding’ care and be a great place to work
We provide safe, compassionate and high quality care to half a million people living or visiting East Sussex. We are one of the largest organisations in East Sussex, the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex. Our extensive services are provided by 7000 + members of staff working from acute hospitals in Hastings and Eastbourne, three community hospitals in Bexhill, Rye and Uckfield, over 100 community sites and in people’s own homes.
In 2020 the Care Quality Commission rated us as ‘Good’ overall, and ‘Outstanding’ for being caring and effective. The Conquest Hospital and our Community Services are rated ‘Outstanding’. Eastbourne DGH rated ‘Good’.
In 2020, the Trust launched its ambitious ‘Building for our Future’ programme. This once in a lifetime programme aims to repair, redevelop and expand our hospitals, transforming the environment in which we provide care for generations to come.
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
- 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
- Experience working within Gateway wards, or in discharge/ admission avoidance teams
- Some experience of clinical supervision or action learning
- Worked in multi professional teams
Knowledge/Skills
Essential criteria- Knowledge of complex, multi pathologies and long term chronic conditions
- Knowledge of Legislation, DH/ NICE guidelines and clinical governance relevant to area
Patients come first at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.
Our vision is to be:
- The healthcare provider of first choice for the people of East Sussex.
Our mission is to:
- Deliver better health outcomes and an excellent experience for everyone we provide with healthcare services.
Our strategic objectives are to:
- Improve quality and clinical outcomes by ensuring that safe patient care is our highest priority.
- Play a leading role in local partnerships to meet the needs of our local population and improve and enhance patients’ experiences.
- Use our resources efficiently and effectively for the benefit of our patients and their care to ensure our services are clinically, operationally and financially sustainable.
Our aims are that all services delivered by the Trust are:
- Safe
- Effective
- Caring
- Responsive and
- Well led