University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Senior Physiotherapy Technical Instructor Orthopaedics

The closing date is 18 August 2025

Job summary

We are looking for a proactive and motivated Physiotherapy Technical Instructor to join our team. Following a period of competency training you will be expected to carry a caseload of patients. You will assess and treat orthopaedic patients immediately post-operative until discharge, often without the need to see a physiotherapist (according to your competency level and scope of practice).

Working as part of a rotational team of you will work both on the trauma unit at the Princess Royal Hospital, and at our elective unit at Sussex Orthopaedic Treatment Centre (SOTC).

SOTC is a modern stand-alone unit treating patients undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery, including major joint replacements and day case surgery. It is recognised as a centre of excellence and is one of only a few nationally accredited surgical hubs, following the Enhanced Recovery Programme to provide excellent patient care to the Sussex and further afield.

The trauma unit at the Princess Royal Hospital is a dedicated Fractured Neck of Femur Unit, recognised by The National Hip Fracture Database. Other trauma patients, and patients undergoing complex revision joint arthroplasty are also treated on this site.

Please contact us if you would like an informal visit.

We are also recruiting bank staff at this time. Please indicate in our supporting information whether your application is for the part-time permanent hours or bank post.

Main duties of the job

Assessing and treating a caseload of orthopaedic patients relevant to your level of competency and scope of practice.

Managing and prioritising your own caseload of patients and working with other members of the physiotherapy and multidisciplinary teams to support this.

Active involvement in team and wider department learning opportunities that may involve you leading on some aspects of teaching (e.g. in-service training and mentoring students).

Participate in physiotherapy and multidisciplinary team meetings and patient-related meetings (e.g. discharge planning meetings) as required.

Departmental administrative tasks and other clinical and non-clinical duties as required by the clinical team lead.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Date posted

05 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

279-7349594-AUG25

Job locations

Princess Royal Hospital

Lewes Road

Haywards Heath

RH16 4EX

Job description

Job responsibilities

Assessment and treatment of post-operative patients.

Progression of mobility and gait re-education following orthopaedic surgery. With appropriate provision of walking aids.

Assist other physiotherapists with management of orthopaedic patients.

Teach and instruct on exercise programmes.

Make appropriate discharge plans in conjunction with the patient, family, the multidisciplinary team and making relevant referrals.

Other non-clinical tasks as deemed necessary by clinical lead physiotherapist.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Assessment and treatment of post-operative patients.

Progression of mobility and gait re-education following orthopaedic surgery. With appropriate provision of walking aids.

Assist other physiotherapists with management of orthopaedic patients.

Teach and instruct on exercise programmes.

Make appropriate discharge plans in conjunction with the patient, family, the multidisciplinary team and making relevant referrals.

Other non-clinical tasks as deemed necessary by clinical lead physiotherapist.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Appropriate Qualifications outlined in JD

Desirable

Demonstrates Knowledge of anatomy and human biology
Demonstrates knowledge of exercise techniques (relevant to Orthopaedics)

Experience

Essential

Previous Experience working in physiotherapy or related relevant profession

Desirable

Previous experience working in inpatient physiotherapy or related job (e.g. sports therapy)
Previous experience working in trauma orthopaedic physiotherapy
Previous experience working in Elective Orthopaedics
Understanding of Orthopaedic Physiotherapy caseload and conditions
Evidence of MDT working
Discharge planning experience

Communication

Essential

Experience communicating with patients and family members

Desirable

Able to communicate effectively with patients with barriers e.g. dementia, hearing impairment
Personal examples of working with patients with communication difficulties
Evidence of communication skills with other professionals and colleagues
Evidence of different methods of communication skills verbal/non verbal

Supervision and training Skills

Essential

Previous experience of supervision or being a supervisee

Desirable

Experience of working with students
Experience supervising or teaching students
Experience supervising physio assistants
Evidence of providing informal teaching to staff, patients/clients or relatives e.g health promotion/education/exercises

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Essential

Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Appropriate Qualifications outlined in JD

Desirable

Demonstrates Knowledge of anatomy and human biology
Demonstrates knowledge of exercise techniques (relevant to Orthopaedics)

Experience

Essential

Previous Experience working in physiotherapy or related relevant profession

Desirable

Previous experience working in inpatient physiotherapy or related job (e.g. sports therapy)
Previous experience working in trauma orthopaedic physiotherapy
Previous experience working in Elective Orthopaedics
Understanding of Orthopaedic Physiotherapy caseload and conditions
Evidence of MDT working
Discharge planning experience

Communication

Essential

Experience communicating with patients and family members

Desirable

Able to communicate effectively with patients with barriers e.g. dementia, hearing impairment
Personal examples of working with patients with communication difficulties
Evidence of communication skills with other professionals and colleagues
Evidence of different methods of communication skills verbal/non verbal

Supervision and training Skills

Essential

Previous experience of supervision or being a supervisee

Desirable

Experience of working with students
Experience supervising or teaching students
Experience supervising physio assistants
Evidence of providing informal teaching to staff, patients/clients or relatives e.g health promotion/education/exercises

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Essential

Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

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.

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Princess Royal Hospital

Lewes Road

Haywards Heath

RH16 4EX

Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Princess Royal Hospital

Lewes Road

Haywards Heath

RH16 4EX

Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)