Therapy Assistant in oncology

Operational Manager

Oncology Physiotherapist

Operational Manager

Oncology Physiotherapist

Therapy support workers help patients with a cancer diagnosis to live as full and independent life as possible. They work alongside allied health professionals (AHPs) and may support in one or more areas to include occupational therapy, dietetics and physiotherapy.

Therapy assistants are typically based in a hospital but may visit people in the community or in their own homes depending on the needs of their patients.

As a therapy assistant you would be most likely to:

Work closely with patients understanding their individual needs
Work alongside registered AHP’s
Keep patient records up to date
Run support and rehab groups

The different assistant roles will have a different focus:

An OT assistant could help patients to use aids and equipment as well as assistive technology to support them to live independently
A dietetic assistant would support patients with their diet and nutrition, understanding the impact of their cancer diagnosis and treatment on their overall nutritional needs
A physiotherapy assistant may work with patients before or after surgery or treatment helping them with exercises and strength

Entry Requirements

There are no set entry requirements for therapy assistant roles, but you would ideally have good literacy, numeracy and IT skills.

The following would be helpful but not always essential

Five GCSEs at grades A-C/9-4 including Maths and English would be preferable but not always essential
A BTEC or equivalent vocational qualifications in health and social care
Relevant work or voluntary experience, in health or social care

Training Routes

There is no single route to becoming a Therapy Assistant and you can bring other transferable skills from other areas.

If you are interested in this career gaining experience in a health and social care setting would be advantageous, particularly within cancer services.

You will be offered training in the role and typically have the opportunity to study for healthcare related qualifications such as

the NCFE CACHE level 2 Certificate in Healthcare Support Services
the NCFE CACHE level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support

Key Skills

you will be:

A great communicator
Able to listen to individual needs
A people motivator
Able to solve problems
Organised
Confident to work with groups
Willing to travel
A good team player
Interested in lifestyle and science

Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy will require you to be

Hands on with patients
Able to demonstrate use of equipment and exercises

Pay and benefits

As a therapy assistants you will be paid on the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay system roles starting at a Band 3 or 4 depending on experience.

Career Development

Each AHP has an association you could join as an associate members to access relevant development opportunities

With experience, you could become a team leader supervising the work of other therapy assistants.

With the correct qualifications you could go on to train in one of the allied health professionals such as dietetics, occupational therapy or physiotherapy, accessing a degree or degree apprenticeship.

FURTHER INFORMATION

NHS Occupational Therapy Support Worker Role

NHS Physiotherapy Assistant Role

NHS Dietetic Assistant Worker Role