Therapy Assistant Practitioner (T&O)

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust

The closing date is 08 April 2025

Job summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated Band 4 Therapy Assistant Practitioner to join in our acute therapy team within Trauma and Orthopaedics. This post will be largely focused on working with our elective orthopaedic surgery patients but may incorporate work on our trauma wards also.

The successful candidate will work across our inpatient Orthopaedics wards completing assessments of patients function to determine discharge planning with guidance from qualified Therapists. You would be joining the team during an exciting time where we are moving towards same day discharge of arthroplasty patients which is in line with the latest Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) guidelines. The role forms part of a team of generic support workers who currently work between the Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy teams. The candidate must have experience of working either within or alongside physiotherapy and/or occupational therapy and experience working within an acute, NHS therapy team is essential.

We are delighted to be able to offer patients the opportunity of assessment by the Therapy Team for discharge over the weekend and Bank Holidays and the post holders would be expected to participate in the 7-day working rota. This will involve working a full day at a weekend as part of the departmental rota.

We would welcome any interested persons contacting the department for a discussion or to arrange a visit prior to applying/ interview if shortlisted.

Main duties of the job

The post holders will assist with supporting patients and families to manage their physical, social and psychological needs and carry their own caseload including advice and support in terms of discharge planning. The post involves working alongside qualified therapists as well as with other members of the support worker team to provide therapy input to patients on Trauma and Orthopaedics.

The role includes work with patients who have been admitted secondary to a traumatic event and those who have chosen to have elective orthopaedic surgery.

The post holder needs to be flexible, have good time management skills, confident IT skills, and work well in a team as well as independently.

This role may include cross site working between PRH and RSH in light of the Hospital Transformation Programme.

About us

We are a friendly, forward thinking team working in a fast paced rewarding environment. High quality patient care is at the forefront of our decision making and we are enthusiastic about welcoming new ideas and staff development.

The Therapy department are working towards being at the forefront of innovation in leading the way by undertaking development and service evaluation.

Date posted

25 March 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Job share

Reference number

TEMP_500

Job locations

The Princess Royal Hospital, Telford

Telford

TF1 6TF


Job description

Job responsibilities

For full duties and responsibilities please refer to the attached document entitled Job Description.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full duties and responsibilities please refer to the attached document entitled Job Description.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSEs in Maths and English (Grades 9-4/A-C)
  • Evidence of Knowledge and skills sufficient to demonstrate the ability and willingness to study and work at the level equivalent to a foundation degree
  • Foundation Degree or equivalent / or willingness to work towards

Work experience

Essential

  • Previous therapy assistant experience at B3 or above
  • Knowledge and experience in caring for patients within T&O
  • Previous NHS experience in an acute setting

Desirable

  • Experience working within elective orthopaedics

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of therapy interventions acquired through training or experience within a healthcare setting to foundation degree level
  • Knowledge of the role of the assistant practitioner and the boundaries of the position
  • Knowledge of Orthopaedic conditions and their management in the acute setting

Desirable

  • Additional CPD linked to Trauma and Orthopaedics
  • Understanding of enhanced recovery and national guidelines in T&O

Skills

Essential

  • Experience in liaising with other agencies
  • Evidence of complex discharge planning
  • Evidence of Prioritisation and time management
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSEs in Maths and English (Grades 9-4/A-C)
  • Evidence of Knowledge and skills sufficient to demonstrate the ability and willingness to study and work at the level equivalent to a foundation degree
  • Foundation Degree or equivalent / or willingness to work towards

Work experience

Essential

  • Previous therapy assistant experience at B3 or above
  • Knowledge and experience in caring for patients within T&O
  • Previous NHS experience in an acute setting

Desirable

  • Experience working within elective orthopaedics

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of therapy interventions acquired through training or experience within a healthcare setting to foundation degree level
  • Knowledge of the role of the assistant practitioner and the boundaries of the position
  • Knowledge of Orthopaedic conditions and their management in the acute setting

Desirable

  • Additional CPD linked to Trauma and Orthopaedics
  • Understanding of enhanced recovery and national guidelines in T&O

Skills

Essential

  • Experience in liaising with other agencies
  • Evidence of complex discharge planning
  • Evidence of Prioritisation and time management

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust

Address

The Princess Royal Hospital, Telford

Telford

TF1 6TF


Employer details

Employer name

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust

Address

The Princess Royal Hospital, Telford

Telford

TF1 6TF


For questions about the job, contact:

Therapy Team Manager Trauma and Orthopaedics

Luke Fox

luke.fox1@nhs.net

07729080396

Date posted

25 March 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Job share

Reference number

TEMP_500

Job locations

The Princess Royal Hospital, Telford

Telford

TF1 6TF


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)