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From the employer's careers site First seen 7 Nov 2026

Senior Respiratory Support Worker

Description

The Community Respiratory Support Worker provides practical, person-centred support to adults living with respiratory conditions within the community. Working as part of a multidisciplinary respiratory team, the post holder will help patients manage their condition, improve their quality of life, and remain as independent as possible in their own homes.

The role involves supporting patients with respiratory health education, self-management, lifestyle changes, and adherence to agreed care plans. The post holder may undertake routine observations and assessments within their scope of practice, recognise changes in a patient's condition, and escalate concerns appropriately to registered healthcare professionals.

The Community Respiratory Support Worker will work closely with patients, families, carers, community services, and other healthcare professionals to promote effective communication and continuity of care. They will provide compassionate support to individuals who may experience breathlessness, reduced mobility, anxiety, or difficulties managing their respiratory condition.

Main duties of the job:

  • Supporting patients with chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD, asthma and bronchiectasis.
  • Providing education and encouragement around respiratory self-management and healthy lifestyle choices.
  • Supporting patients with agreed breathing, exercise, activity and rehabilitation programmes.
  • Monitoring and recording observations and reporting any deterioration or concerns promptly.
  • Encouraging medication adherence and reinforcing information provided by registered clinicians, within the boundaries of the role.
  • Supporting patients and carers to recognise signs of deterioration and understand when and how to seek further help.
  • Maintaining accurate, timely and confidential patient records.
  • Working collaboratively with nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, respiratory clinicians, GPs and other community services.
  • Promoting independence, wellbeing and confidence in managing long-term respiratory conditions.
  • Contributing to a safe, inclusive and respectful service that puts patients and their individual needs at the centre of care.

Benefits:

  • 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
  • Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
  • Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
  • Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Skills

Required

  • respiratory health education
  • self-management
  • lifestyle changes
  • care plans
  • observations
  • assessments

Nice to have

  • previous experience of working with respiratory patients in an acute or community setting

Ready to apply?

You apply with the employer directly. Their original posting is here: https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9364-26-1080

Apply on Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust