Job summary
Closing Date: 21.07.25
Shortlisting to take place in the week following closing date: commencing 22.07.25
Interview expected to take place in the week following shortlisting: commencing 28.07.25
We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated, driven and dynamic individual to join the In-patient Therapy Team at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as an Orthopaedic Therapy Assistant Practitioner.
The post offers the opportunity to work with a team of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapist and other therapy assistants, providing highly effective therapy treatment for elective Orthopaedic and trauma patients.
We deliver patient care across in-patient wards, day case units and clinics as well as domiciliary visits as part of our early supported discharge service.
The successful applicant will have experience in health or social care as a therapy assistant and an interest in the area of Orthopaedic therapy and be committed to personal development. They will provide therapy interventions for patients admitted following trauma or having elective procedures including day case or joint replacements as part of the patient pathway either as an in patient or in preparation for surgery and their rehabilitation post operatively.
The individual may need to work across different sites including Bradford Royal infirmary, St Luke's and undertake domiciliary visits.
Main duties of the job
- To deliver a high standard of health care supporting both Occupational therapists and Physiotherapists, together with the wider MDT, to assess, plan and implement a range of therapeutic activities and treatments to improve the physical, cognitive and functional ability, mood and well-being of patients.
- The postholder will be responsible for delivering defined therapy input without direct supervision, but will have access to a qualified therapist for advice and direction as required.
- To manage and prioritise own caseload delegated by qualified therapists, evaluating and adapting interventions, informing lead physiotherapist of any changes or developments in patient's progress in a timely manner.
- To facilitate safe and timely discharge from hospital.
- To aid rehabilitation and improve functional ability, confidence and social integration of patients.
- To assist qualified physiotherapists and occupational therapists in the implementation of treatment that requires more than 1 therapist.
- To work as an active member of the Orthopaedic multidisciplinary teams.
- To contribute to team and service development.
- To provide support to other team members and students.
- The postholder will be required to work flexibly in accordance with patients and service needs.
- The postholder will be required to assist in the practical training of trainee and therapy assistants.
About us
Our People Charter outlines the behaviours we can expect from one another and what you can expect from Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust:
- We value people
- We are one team
- We care
We're keen to meet people who share these values and are passionate about delivering the highest quality of care to our patients.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
- To deliver therapy intervention as screened and delegated by a qualified therapist in line with agreed local pathways and national targets.
- To manage and prioritise own clinical workload of delegated, less complex cases.
- To carry out initial and follow-up physical and cognitive assessments and treatments for delegated patients to establish their level of functioning, interests and activities.
- To formulate appropriate treatment goals for patients.
- To monitor and evaluate the outcome of interventions in partnership with therapists and in conjunction with patients, carers and colleagues. To report any changes back to the therapists in an appropriate and agreed timescale. To act upon adjustments or modifications specified by the relevant physiotherapist. In some delegated situations, analyse a choice of options to make a judgement about a plan of treatment.
- To assess for and fit aids to daily living and refer for home adaptations as appropriate.
- To assess for and provide necessary therapy adjuncts e.g. orthotic devices, walking aids etc. in partnership with qualified therapists.
- To use relevant recognised outcome measures.
- To assist in the instructions and education of patient and carers, and provide information on local resources and support services according to individual need.
- To work in both the ward, clinic and community environments alone and with other therapists/professionals.
- To facilitate safe and timely discharge from hospital, referring on to relevant services as indicated and in conjunction with qualified therapists.
- To record patient information in accordance with Trust and Therapy documentation standards.
- To treat patients individually or within a group, in an appropriate therapeutic environment in partnership with qualified therapists.
- To work in a collaborative and co-operative manner with other therapy, healthcare staff, patients and patients families or carers, recognising and respecting their involvement in the structuring and delivery of care.
- To demonstrate required handling and therapeutic skills relevant to specific patient groups.
- To be prepared to respond to unforeseen situations that take precedence over planned workload.
Organisational
- To manage and prioritise a case load as delegated by therapists.
- To be aware of, and adhere to, Trust, Directorate and NHS policies and procedures.
- To monitor and maintain a good working condition of equipment specific to orthopaedics rehabilitation.
- To record departmental statistics as required by Therapy managers/co-ordinators.
- To participate in collating data for audit purposes as delegated by clinicians.
- To act as an advocate for therapy assistants issues with therapy service managers.
- To assist in the induction of new staff (band 2-3) and students.
- To follow procedures to sensitively deal with complaints, directing each to an appropriate individual within the team.
Service Development
- To assist qualified therapists and clinical governance staff in auditing aspects of service delivery and provision.
- To assist in any service development projects and as required by Therapy managers/co-ordinators.
Training and Personal Development Continuous Professional Development
- To take part in appraisal, in order to identify your personal development and training needs.
- The jobholder must take responsibility in agreement with his/her line manager for his/her own personal development by ensuring that Continuous Professional Development remains a priority.
- To undertake competency assessment and maintain core competancies at Assistant Practitioner level.
- To develop knowledge through a formal training programme and maintain this knowledge and skill base through participation in and delivery of appropriate in service training.
- To complete and maintain mandatory training.
- To assist in the practical training and continual development of students, trainee and Band 2/3 therapy assistant staff.
- To undertake and complete any relevant informal /formal study deemed necessary for the job role either provided internally or by external providors.
Communication
- To maintain effective written and electronic clinical records.
- To feedback patient information to appropriate members of the multi-disciplinary team.
- To liaise with, and feedback regularly to, supervising therapist(s).
- To use effective communication skills to establish good working relationships with colleagues, patients and carers.
- To use effective verbal and non-verbal communication tools, to communicate therapy programmes and obtain consent from patients who may have barriers to understanding.
- To encourage patients and their carers to actively participate in regaining and maintaining their personal independence using persuasion and motivational skills.
- To understand barriers to communication due to patients physical or non-physical conditions e.g. mood and cognition or speech and language deficits.
- To provide advice and direction regarding therapy related issues to individuals and groups.
- To facilitate links to local statutory and voluntary organisations to increase knowledge of resources available in the community.
- To maintain confidentiality at all times and adhere to information governance policies.
- To attend and participate in team and wider organisational meetings as required.
Managerial
- To undertake supervision and appraisal of band 2/3 therapy assistants.
- To assist in the recruitment process of trainee and Band 2/3 therapy assistants.
- To act as an autonomous assistant practitioner within prescribed clinical areas.
- To delegate appropriate tasks to band 2/3 therapy assistants.
Other
- Such other duties at a comparable level of responsibility as may normally be agreed with the jobholder.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
- To deliver therapy intervention as screened and delegated by a qualified therapist in line with agreed local pathways and national targets.
- To manage and prioritise own clinical workload of delegated, less complex cases.
- To carry out initial and follow-up physical and cognitive assessments and treatments for delegated patients to establish their level of functioning, interests and activities.
- To formulate appropriate treatment goals for patients.
- To monitor and evaluate the outcome of interventions in partnership with therapists and in conjunction with patients, carers and colleagues. To report any changes back to the therapists in an appropriate and agreed timescale. To act upon adjustments or modifications specified by the relevant physiotherapist. In some delegated situations, analyse a choice of options to make a judgement about a plan of treatment.
- To assess for and fit aids to daily living and refer for home adaptations as appropriate.
- To assess for and provide necessary therapy adjuncts e.g. orthotic devices, walking aids etc. in partnership with qualified therapists.
- To use relevant recognised outcome measures.
- To assist in the instructions and education of patient and carers, and provide information on local resources and support services according to individual need.
- To work in both the ward, clinic and community environments alone and with other therapists/professionals.
- To facilitate safe and timely discharge from hospital, referring on to relevant services as indicated and in conjunction with qualified therapists.
- To record patient information in accordance with Trust and Therapy documentation standards.
- To treat patients individually or within a group, in an appropriate therapeutic environment in partnership with qualified therapists.
- To work in a collaborative and co-operative manner with other therapy, healthcare staff, patients and patients families or carers, recognising and respecting their involvement in the structuring and delivery of care.
- To demonstrate required handling and therapeutic skills relevant to specific patient groups.
- To be prepared to respond to unforeseen situations that take precedence over planned workload.
Organisational
- To manage and prioritise a case load as delegated by therapists.
- To be aware of, and adhere to, Trust, Directorate and NHS policies and procedures.
- To monitor and maintain a good working condition of equipment specific to orthopaedics rehabilitation.
- To record departmental statistics as required by Therapy managers/co-ordinators.
- To participate in collating data for audit purposes as delegated by clinicians.
- To act as an advocate for therapy assistants issues with therapy service managers.
- To assist in the induction of new staff (band 2-3) and students.
- To follow procedures to sensitively deal with complaints, directing each to an appropriate individual within the team.
Service Development
- To assist qualified therapists and clinical governance staff in auditing aspects of service delivery and provision.
- To assist in any service development projects and as required by Therapy managers/co-ordinators.
Training and Personal Development Continuous Professional Development
- To take part in appraisal, in order to identify your personal development and training needs.
- The jobholder must take responsibility in agreement with his/her line manager for his/her own personal development by ensuring that Continuous Professional Development remains a priority.
- To undertake competency assessment and maintain core competancies at Assistant Practitioner level.
- To develop knowledge through a formal training programme and maintain this knowledge and skill base through participation in and delivery of appropriate in service training.
- To complete and maintain mandatory training.
- To assist in the practical training and continual development of students, trainee and Band 2/3 therapy assistant staff.
- To undertake and complete any relevant informal /formal study deemed necessary for the job role either provided internally or by external providors.
Communication
- To maintain effective written and electronic clinical records.
- To feedback patient information to appropriate members of the multi-disciplinary team.
- To liaise with, and feedback regularly to, supervising therapist(s).
- To use effective communication skills to establish good working relationships with colleagues, patients and carers.
- To use effective verbal and non-verbal communication tools, to communicate therapy programmes and obtain consent from patients who may have barriers to understanding.
- To encourage patients and their carers to actively participate in regaining and maintaining their personal independence using persuasion and motivational skills.
- To understand barriers to communication due to patients physical or non-physical conditions e.g. mood and cognition or speech and language deficits.
- To provide advice and direction regarding therapy related issues to individuals and groups.
- To facilitate links to local statutory and voluntary organisations to increase knowledge of resources available in the community.
- To maintain confidentiality at all times and adhere to information governance policies.
- To attend and participate in team and wider organisational meetings as required.
Managerial
- To undertake supervision and appraisal of band 2/3 therapy assistants.
- To assist in the recruitment process of trainee and Band 2/3 therapy assistants.
- To act as an autonomous assistant practitioner within prescribed clinical areas.
- To delegate appropriate tasks to band 2/3 therapy assistants.
Other
- Such other duties at a comparable level of responsibility as may normally be agreed with the jobholder.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Therapy Assistant experience in an NHS Setting/ equivalent experience.
- Evidence to demonstrate own learning and to support experience
Desirable
- Experience of carrying out assessments and/or therapeutic interventions with people with orthopaedic conditions
- Experience of assisting in the therapy provision for patients with complex and /or progressive orthopaedic conditions.
- Experience of lone working in the community setting
- Experience of practical training/supervision/appraisal and development of Band 2 therapy assistants
- Experience of data collection for audit as directed by qualified therapists
Skills
Essential
- Good organisational and time management skills. Including caseload management of a delegated caseload.
- Effective written and oral communication skills
- Competency in core Therapy Assistant skills
- Be able to work effectively alongside all members of the multi-disciplinary team.
- Able to undertake home treatment sessions and environmental visits.
- Able to assess, monitor and review basic treatment plans.
- Able to use own initiative
Desirable
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree Apprenticeship Healthcare Assistant Practitioner - Level 5 Foundation degree or higher qualification in relevant subject
Desirable
- GCSE Maths and English or Maths and English - level 2 functional skills
- Courses with relevance to the job role.
- NVQ Level 3 study or evidence of level 3 study or evidence of extensive clinical experience in a health and social care
Other
Essential
- Full driving license and access to a car (reasonable adjustments will be considered)
- Able to undertake moving and handling tasks appropriate to patient group
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of Information Governance and Confidentiality
- Knowledge of specific patient conditions & forms of therapy
- Evidence of CPD
- Have an understanding of Rehabilitation and the role of Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Therapy Assistant experience in an NHS Setting/ equivalent experience.
- Evidence to demonstrate own learning and to support experience
Desirable
- Experience of carrying out assessments and/or therapeutic interventions with people with orthopaedic conditions
- Experience of assisting in the therapy provision for patients with complex and /or progressive orthopaedic conditions.
- Experience of lone working in the community setting
- Experience of practical training/supervision/appraisal and development of Band 2 therapy assistants
- Experience of data collection for audit as directed by qualified therapists
Skills
Essential
- Good organisational and time management skills. Including caseload management of a delegated caseload.
- Effective written and oral communication skills
- Competency in core Therapy Assistant skills
- Be able to work effectively alongside all members of the multi-disciplinary team.
- Able to undertake home treatment sessions and environmental visits.
- Able to assess, monitor and review basic treatment plans.
- Able to use own initiative
Desirable
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree Apprenticeship Healthcare Assistant Practitioner - Level 5 Foundation degree or higher qualification in relevant subject
Desirable
- GCSE Maths and English or Maths and English - level 2 functional skills
- Courses with relevance to the job role.
- NVQ Level 3 study or evidence of level 3 study or evidence of extensive clinical experience in a health and social care
Other
Essential
- Full driving license and access to a car (reasonable adjustments will be considered)
- Able to undertake moving and handling tasks appropriate to patient group
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of Information Governance and Confidentiality
- Knowledge of specific patient conditions & forms of therapy
- Evidence of CPD
- Have an understanding of Rehabilitation and the role of Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy.
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.
