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Job summary

Main area
Division B - Physiotherapy
Grade
Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week (Full Time or Part Time / Flexible working hours may be considered)
Job ref
180-B-253099-RE
Employer
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Addenbrookes Hospital-Division B
Town
Cambridge
Salary
£27,485 - £30,162 p.a. pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
01/09/2025 23:59
Interview date
02/10/2025

Employer heading

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Assistant Practitioner - Physiotherapy

Band 4

Job overview

The physiotherapy service is looking for a dynamic member of the team to support the one to one and group rehabilitation of outpatient oncology patients within our REACT Service (Rehabilitation and Exercise during Addenbrooke’s Cancer Treatment). You will work within the large physiotherapy department with a team of experienced physiotherapists in a range of musculoskeletal specialties.

You should have proven knowledge and skills in exercise therapy outside of the NHS and have a passion for improving the quality of life of patients experiencing a variety of oncology related conditions.

The team is friendly and dedicated towards the delivery of an excellent service for all our users, as well as constantly looking at better ways to provide a service.

You will be strongly supported in learning new skills and gaining additional training and will be contributing to team development and redesign of the REACT programme as our Cancer Services plan and prepare to move into the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital in the next 5 years.  https://www.cambridgecancer.org.uk/

Main duties of the job

The REACT (Rehabilitation and Exercise during Addenbrooke’s Cancer Treatment) service is an innovative service to promote health and well-being in Cancer (oncology) patients.

To assist in physiotherapy and other ward / department related duties as directed by, and under the supervision of a State Registered Physiotherapist. Providing a high standard of assistance to physiotherapy staff in musculoskeletal and oncology outpatient and inpatient services.

Provide individual and group based exercise interventions for people living with and beyond Cancer. 

Work alongside Cancer Rehabilitation Specialist physiotherapists to develop the REACT programme pathway across the Trust.

Working for our organisation

Our Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people – patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing ‘outstanding’ care to our patients and rated ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH’s values – Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent – are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people’s age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:

  • applied for a Graduate visa
  • or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment
  • or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment

For NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, all applicants from NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have identified that they are at risk of redundancy will be prioritised over those not at risk. However, interviews cannot be guaranteed.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 1st September 2025.

Interviews are due to be held on 2nd October 2025.

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Good general education, to GCSE or equivalent including evidence of literacy and numeracy skills
  • Relevant health, sport or exercise degree or qualification (for example level 3 Exercise referral, BACR or equivalent)
Desirable criteria
  • Member of the Register of Exercise Professionals
  • Evidence of achievement of other relevant training

Experience

Essential criteria
  • General experience in dealing with members of the public
  • Previous experience training/supervising others
  • Previous Physiotherapy assistant experience in the NHS
  • Previous experience as an exercise practitioner including screening/assessment and design/delivery of individual exercise therapy to patients/clients.
  • Previous experience of modifying exercise and rehabilitation programmes to those with existing medical conditions.
  • Previous experience of leading group exercise classes.
Desirable criteria
  • Experience in reception work
  • Experience in a healthcare environment
  • Experience with oncology patients
  • Experience of working on a GP Exercise Referral scheme.
  • Experience of assessing and advising on healthy lifestyle issues
  • Experience of working with service users with physical health conditions 1

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Awareness/Knowledge of Allied Health professional roles such as Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists.
  • An understanding of commonly encountered medical conditions
  • An understanding of commonly encountered medical conditions
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of the physical and psychological impact of Cancer and its treatment
  • Knowledge of how cancer patients can benefit from exercise

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Ability to deal with patients unsupervised
  • Able to implement individual treatment plans
  • Administrative and IT skills
  • Evidence of self-directed learning
  • Ability to manage own caseload
  • Applies practical approach to problem solving
  • Able to demonstrate empathy, motivate and persuade patients with impaired cognitive abilities or physical senses
  • Committed to personal and team development
  • Able to assist with treatment, e.g. balance training, gait re-education, stair assessment, hydrotherapy
Desirable criteria
  • Willing to take on responsibility and coordination role
  • Ability to supervise a group of patients

Additional Requirements

Essential criteria
  • The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDVeteran AwareNo smoking policyDisability confident leaderArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Age-Friendly Employer PledgeCare quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.We offer Wagestream - A financial wellbeing benefit which lets you access your pay as you earn it.NHS Rainbow badgeTime to changeStep into healthApprenticeships Top 100 Employers 2024

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Nicola Day
Job title
Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01223 216673
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