Job summary
Therapy Educator Assistant Practitioner
Department: Inpatient Therapies
Band 4 £27,485 - £30,162 per annum
Full-time 37.5hrs per week, 7 day working, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Do you have a relevant Level 5 (or above) qualifications and experience of working on Acute Hospital wards as a Therapy/Rehab Assistant? Then we have an exciting opportunity for you!
We are delighted to offer 2 fixed-term contract opportunities for 9 months each to join our growing Therapy Practice Education Team as a Therapy Educator Assistant Practitioner.
In this role, you will work with our Therapy Practice Education Team and Therapy colleagues on our wards to develop a suite of resources to support robust delegation practices that will drive enhanced access to prevention of deconditioning and re-ablement for patients on our wards. You will also support clinical teams as a Therapy Assistant Practitioner when required, within your personal scope of practice, including supporting the development and implementation of ward-based group activity protocols.
If you have the desire to be part of a team that will be developing Therapy Services in Milton Keynes and a strong commitment to compassionate care, we would love to hear from you.
For further information or an informal discussion about the role, please contact Claire Fordham at Claire.Fordham@mkuh.nhs.uk
Interview date: 17.10.2025
Main duties of the job
You will be supported to develop your knowledge and skills as an educator and will be an integral part of a growing Trust wide Practice Education team. There will be opportunities to contribute to the wide work of the Therapy Practice Education Team.
Previous experience as a Therapy/Rehab Assistant or Assistant Practitioner is essential along with proven ability to work in a proactive and flexible way using your own initiative and as part of a ward-based multidisciplinary team.
- To facilitate the development of staff to become competent and capable practitioners through teaching, supervising, coaching, and supporting in both the classroom and within clinical practice.
- Contributeto the development and maintenance of a positive learning environment.
- To developand implement treatment programmes for appropriate patients.
- To providesupervision as required to Therapy HCA's and students.
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical:
- Toundertake assessment, treatment and discharge of appropriate patients as delegated by registered physiotherapist (PT) or Occupational Therapist (OT), adhering to agreed departmental guidelines & protocols.
Personal & people development:
- To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities and to maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development.
Communication:
- Instructpatients and carers by providing direction and guidance on therapy programmes. Encourage them in an active approach to regaining and maintaining personal independence using empathy, sensitivity, and good interpersonal skills.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical:
- Toundertake assessment, treatment and discharge of appropriate patients as delegated by registered physiotherapist (PT) or Occupational Therapist (OT), adhering to agreed departmental guidelines & protocols.
Personal & people development:
- To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities and to maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development.
Communication:
- Instructpatients and carers by providing direction and guidance on therapy programmes. Encourage them in an active approach to regaining and maintaining personal independence using empathy, sensitivity, and good interpersonal skills.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Hold a Level 5 Healthcare Assistant Practitioner Diploma or Apprenticeship Qualification that was obtained whilst working in practice within Physiotherapy and/or Occupational Therapy or other suitable level 5 or higher qualification such as a Sports Science degree
- Suitable level of experience as demonstrated by a CPD portfolio to match the job description
- Evidence of a good standard of education 5 GCSE's grade C and above or equivalent, including English and Math's
Desirable
- Willingness to complete Assistant Practitioner training provided by the Trust
- Assistant Membership of professional body e.g. COT or CSP
- Willingness to undertake training to meet competency framework
- Have an understanding of electronic notes systems, and have good IT skills
- Understanding of the scope of the role of the Assistant Practitioner in context of the team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development.
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working as a therapy assistant (or similar role)
- Substational previous experience in health or social care setting/NHS including rehabilitation/reablement and multidisciplinary working
Desirable
- Experience of exercise prescription.
- Previous experience of supporting the learning of others
- Previous experience of independent caseload management.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills and able to appreciate the need for different communication styles for different individuals and situations .
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office systems and the ability to use software to deliver training
- Knowledge of eCare and other clinical IT applications
- Ability to work independently within the scope of the role and operational policies, protocols and procedures.
- Ability to prioritise own workload appropriately and have excellent time management skills
- Ability to accurately record clinical record in a timely and concise way within required documentation standards
- Ability to be aware of clinical & non-clinical complications & risks.
- Understanding of audit and patient outcomes.
Personal and people development
Desirable
- Aware of key factors that affect an individuals ability to learn .
- Able to evaluate training sessions .
- Able to use constructive feedback to facilitate learning
Communication
Essential
- Demonstrates the ability to provide and receive complex and sensitive information, including relating to service users
- Understands the communication needs of others and adapts communication style accordingly
- Able to present simple data about training in reports and other written forms .
Desirable
- Ability to use IT in complex communication situations
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Hold a Level 5 Healthcare Assistant Practitioner Diploma or Apprenticeship Qualification that was obtained whilst working in practice within Physiotherapy and/or Occupational Therapy or other suitable level 5 or higher qualification such as a Sports Science degree
- Suitable level of experience as demonstrated by a CPD portfolio to match the job description
- Evidence of a good standard of education 5 GCSE's grade C and above or equivalent, including English and Math's
Desirable
- Willingness to complete Assistant Practitioner training provided by the Trust
- Assistant Membership of professional body e.g. COT or CSP
- Willingness to undertake training to meet competency framework
- Have an understanding of electronic notes systems, and have good IT skills
- Understanding of the scope of the role of the Assistant Practitioner in context of the team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development.
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working as a therapy assistant (or similar role)
- Substational previous experience in health or social care setting/NHS including rehabilitation/reablement and multidisciplinary working
Desirable
- Experience of exercise prescription.
- Previous experience of supporting the learning of others
- Previous experience of independent caseload management.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills and able to appreciate the need for different communication styles for different individuals and situations .
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office systems and the ability to use software to deliver training
- Knowledge of eCare and other clinical IT applications
- Ability to work independently within the scope of the role and operational policies, protocols and procedures.
- Ability to prioritise own workload appropriately and have excellent time management skills
- Ability to accurately record clinical record in a timely and concise way within required documentation standards
- Ability to be aware of clinical & non-clinical complications & risks.
- Understanding of audit and patient outcomes.
Personal and people development
Desirable
- Aware of key factors that affect an individuals ability to learn .
- Able to evaluate training sessions .
- Able to use constructive feedback to facilitate learning
Communication
Essential
- Demonstrates the ability to provide and receive complex and sensitive information, including relating to service users
- Understands the communication needs of others and adapts communication style accordingly
- Able to present simple data about training in reports and other written forms .
Desirable
- Ability to use IT in complex communication situations
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
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.
