West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Band 4 - Assistant Practitioner (Therapies), Inpatient Physiotherapy

The closing date is 17 February 2026

Job summary

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Therapy Assistant Practitioner to join the Acute Stroke Unit at Watford General Hospital.

This role involves supporting stroke patients and progressing their early rehab towards discharge into the community.

This is a part time post (20.25 hours), working Monday to Friday (days service dependent), but also has a commitment to participate in 7 day working providing therapy over the weekend, with a ratio of approximately 1:6 weekends.

This post does not include any evening/overnight responsibilities, but the successful post holder would have a responsibility in participating in the weekend and Bank Holiday seven day working rotas (1:4 - 1:6 weekend working frequency).

This post will meet the ever-growing demand for stroke rehabilitation in the acute setting, to shorten length of stay and improve patient outcome. It is an exciting time to join the team with extensive changes in service provision as delegated by the recent SSNAP changes.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant must have significant experience as a therapy or nursing assistant in the NHS and have a passion for rehabilitating patients on the stroke wards.

The role includes supporting our qualified members of staff, both Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists.

The post holder will be assessing patients, delivering group sessions and complex treatments to dependent patients under the guidance of the qualified staff.

The role is a mixture of clinical and non-clinical duties; some non-clinical duties involve assisting with the running of the department including data collection and equipment ordering

The successful candidate will work independently making treatment and discharge decisions autonomously for a select group of patients

You will be line managed by a Physiotherapist and will work with and be supported by the Inpatient Therapy team based on the medical wards at Watford General Hospital.

Regular supervision will be provided, and we have a training programme that we run for our support worker staff to aid your personal development.

About us

With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us.

We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.

Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.

Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.

We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance.www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking

If you have a disability or long-term health condition and require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net

If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.

We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Date posted

03 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,860 to £31,671 a year inc HCA pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

360-C-10973

Job locations

Watford General Hospital

Watford

WD18 0HB

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for a full list of duties and details about the role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for a full list of duties and details about the role.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications:

Essential

Good general education up to GSCE or equivalent.
NVQ level 3 in health-related subject or equivalent qualification.
No HCPC required.

Desirable

Evidence of recent study in field of health care and/or rehabilitation.

Knowledge:

Essential

Understanding of the therapy assistant role within rehab and discharge planning.

Desirable

Knowledge of local services for onward referral.

Experience:

Essential

Significant experience as a therapy assistant in the NHS.
Experience in an Acute environment.
Experience of managing and prioritising own caseload.

Desirable

Experience of outcome measures and common rehab techniques.
Experience of working with medical patients

Person Specification

Education and qualifications:

Essential

Good general education up to GSCE or equivalent.
NVQ level 3 in health-related subject or equivalent qualification.
No HCPC required.

Desirable

Evidence of recent study in field of health care and/or rehabilitation.

Knowledge:

Essential

Understanding of the therapy assistant role within rehab and discharge planning.

Desirable

Knowledge of local services for onward referral.

Experience:

Essential

Significant experience as a therapy assistant in the NHS.
Experience in an Acute environment.
Experience of managing and prioritising own caseload.

Desirable

Experience of outcome measures and common rehab techniques.
Experience of working with medical patients

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

Certificate of Sponsorship

Employer details

Employer name

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Watford General Hospital

Watford

WD18 0HB

Employer's website

http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Watford General Hospital

Watford

WD18 0HB

Employer's website

http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)