Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Therapy Assistant Practitioner

The closing date is 25 June 2025

Job summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic, flexible and dynamic person with excellent communication skills to support the musculoskeletal physiotherapy service on a permanent basis.

You will be working as a Therapy Assistant Practitioner.

You will be expected to undertake specific highly skilled support work to assist the Physiotherapists in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients within the musculo-skeletal outpatient team.

Although we have a very strong learning and development function, you will need to have acquired some skills and experience from your career in order for your time with us to be a real success. These can be found in the Person and Job Description attachments.

The post is 30 hours/week, working over 5 days.

Main duties of the job

To undertake specific highly skilled support work to assist the Physiotherapists in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients within the Musculo-skeletal Outpatient team.

1. To accept patients referred by a Physiotherapist and hold responsibility for own caseload, mainly working without direct supervision but with regular liaison with the Therapist. At these times access to advice and support from a Therapist is available if required. All clinical work is routinely evaluated and monitored by a Physiotherapist on a regular basis.

2. To treat all patients according to set treatment protocols, monitor progression and make alterations as required, within agreed parameters.

3. To carry out individual and group treatment programmes as established and delegated in broad terms by the Therapist, having the ability to teach and demonstrate specific exercises and techniques to patients and assist the patient in regaining independence in respect to activities of daily living.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.

Our Values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Date posted

16 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year pa

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

418-AHP2345-MR

Job locations

Gilbert Hitchcock House

Kimbolton Road

Bedford

MK40 2NU

Job description

Job responsibilities

As a highly skilled support worker, assist the Physiotherapists in the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of patients in order to maximise their potential.

To hold delegated responsibility for the therapy management of a discrete area of the service, specifically named musculo-skeletal outpatients.

To carry out individual and group treatment programmes as established and delegated in broad terms by the Therapist, having the ability to teach and demonstrate specific exercises and techniques to patients and assist the patient in regaining independence in respect to activities of daily living.

To obtain reports of current and new patients within the designated areas from the appropriate source. To screen and prioritise new referrals for discussion with the Therapists. To screen and prioritise daily case load as necessary.

Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals and gain valid informed consent.

Monitor and analyse the patients condition during and following treatment. This necessitates the ability to record, understand and interpret clinical observations.

To use clinical reasoning skills to alter / progress treatment within the post holders scope of competence and within treatment parameters agreed by the Physiotherapist.

Where required, conduct functional assessments, analysing and reporting findings to the Therapists.

To attend and actively participate at meetings.

Maintain up to date, comprehensive and accurate patient treatment records. In accordance with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) standards and departmental policies.

To conduct clinical treatment with respect to individual patients dignity, privacy and cultural needs at all times.

To have a sound working knowledge of the musculo-skeletal team and the availability of follow-up rehabilitation and treatment services.

Use a wide range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients and all team members. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding or in communicating. For example, patients may be depressed, confused, or do not have English as a first language.

Able to persuade, negotiate and motivate patients to co-operate with their exercise programmes both on an individual and group basis. Use tact and reassurance when dealing with patients, relatives and carers.

Provide and receive complex and/or sensitive information including information regarding prognosis, limitation to function and/or mobility and changes in social function. To communicate this information in an appropriate and sensitive manner to other therapy staff and MDT members.

To establish effective working relationships through use of sound communication skills with patients and other colleagues both within the trust and outside agencies.

To plan and prioritise own daily activities (clinical and administrative) in liaison with the team Therapists. Respond appropriately to changing circumstances that impact the delegated caseload and report back any difficulties to the Therapists on a timely basis.

To remain flexible and respond to changing situations and priorities within area and department.

To delegate work appropriately to a named Therapy Assistant colleague within their scope of competence and to inform the Therapist responsible for the patient of this.

To ensure that supplies of paperwork (e.g. for patient notes, information leaflets) are stocked well and maintained in appropriate locations.

To participate actively in the hospital induction programme and in the departmental on the job training.

To be an active member of the in-service training programme by attending and participating in department in-service training sessions, tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses and peer review.

To attend any Trust mandatory training sessions annually and ensure that all e-learning modules are updated as required

To work within Trust-wide clinical guidelines, policies and procedures and also those locally agreed within the physiotherapy department. Adhere to the CSP professional standards and guidelines.

To undertake, as directed, the collection of data for use in service audit and research projects.

To undertake the measurement and evaluation of work and current practices through the use of evidence based practice projects, audit and outcome measures, as directed by the Occupational Therapist & Physiotherapist

To assist, through discussions and comments, in the development of appropriate standards, protocols and operational policies.

To work within the bounds of own competencies and recognise limitations

To participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraisee and be responsible for complying with the agreed personal development programmes in order to meet set knowledge and competencies.