Job summary
- Main area
- Therapies
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Compressed hours
- Job ref
- 323-ACS6018-ED
- Employer
- Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Ashford Hospital
- Town
- Ashford
- Salary
- £28,860 - £31,671 per annum inc. HCAS
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 22/09/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Therapies Assistant Practitioner, Elective Orthopaedics
NHS AfC: Band 4
Job overview
This is an exciting time to join Ashford & St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, as we work on the expansion of our theatres at Ashford Hospital, moving towards this becoming our dedicated elective centre.
We are looking for a Therapy Assistant Practitioner to join our expanding Physiotherapy/ Occupational Therapy team at Ashford Hospital. We treat a variety of orthopaedic conditions such as Total Hip & Knee replacements, Shoulder surgery & Arthroscopic surgery.
We’re looking for an enthusiastic, motivated person with physiotherapy or occupational therapy assistant experience wishing to progress their skills, who has good communication skills & the ability to work autonomously as well as part of a team. You’ll assist with exciting developments such as the day case total hip arthroplasty pathway, progressing patients’ post-surgery to facilitate a timely discharge & ensure their onward recovery is optimised. Non-clinical duties will include; cleaning / maintenance of therapy equipment/treatment areas, pre-op telephone triage. You’ll be supported to develop your clinical skills via supervision & appraisal. There is a requirement to support weekend and extended day services 8-8pm. Part time/ compressed hours considered.
For further details: Carley Allen [email protected] / Jennie Williams [email protected] / [email protected]
Main duties of the job
The main duties of the role include the requirement to:
To undertake skilled support work to aid the rehabilitation of elective
orthopaedic patients. This will include an initial assessment of patients within set parameters and implementation of rehabilitation programmes in order to facilitate clients reaching their optimum level of independence and social integration.
To work, independently, as part of the orthopaedic team carrying a
delegated caseload, under the guidance and supervision of a qualified
member of staff, within set parameters, providing treatment as monitored by qualified staff.
To be independently responsible for time management, planning and
organisation of daily workloads as delegated by a qualified staff member.
To be responsible for reporting on patient changes/ progress to qualified staff and relevant team members/ professions
To continue professional development including participation in training programmes.
To undertake non-clinical duties related to the treatment and management of patients, i.e. registration of patients on computer, recording contacts, referrals, equipment ordering.
To take part in the orthopaedic weekend service on a rota basis and support late service cover until 8pm on a rota basis as we start to extend our service
Working for our organisation
Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people living in North-West Surrey, parts of Hounslow and beyond.
Over 3,700 highly trained doctors, nurses, midwives, therapists, healthcare scientists and other support staff make up our workforce, providing a wide range of services across our two hospital sites, Ashford, Surrey and St Peter's, Chertsey, Surrey.
We also run many specialist clinics in the community and local community hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Our vision is to be one of the best healthcare Trusts in the country. There has never been a better time to join us in the NHS at ASPH. We are committed to providing continuous professional development, staff benefits and flexibility to shape our workforce around our patient care.
This is an exciting time to join our Trust, as we work on the expansion of our theatres at Ashford Hospital and move towards this becoming our dedicated elective centre. We want to create a state-of-the-art centre for excellence for planned surgical procedures; with care delivered by dedicated, specialist teams in a modern and well-equipped environment.
We hope to use this centre to create an environment of learning and to facilitate training of the next generation of our skilled NHS workforce. Our plans are ambitious - why not, come and be a part of our journey.
Adverts may close early, so applicants are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the role and the essential and desirable criteria for applicants.
Main Duties:
- To carry out initial assessments (within scope of practice) and therapy regimes following assessment by qualified physiotherapy or occupational therapy staff and to be responsible for the monitoring of these care programmes in order to facilitate clients reaching their optimum level of independence and social integration.
- To adapt and progress the rehabilitation of patients within set guidelines including adapting treatments and approaches to take account of changes in the patients’ physical and mental state.
- To work with patients individually or in a group in a variety of settings without direct supervision or presence of a qualified therapist.
- To assess and supply aids and appliances (e.g. walking aids, ADL equipment) ensuring appropriate sizing and education of client in the correct use of appliance
- To participate in the discharge planning process.
- To be aware of problems that could affect the patient’s progress and report back any changes to the therapist/nurse.
- To be responsible for reporting on patient changes/ progress to qualified staff and relevant team members/ professions
- To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of patients in your care. To ensure a high standard of clinical practice for patients under your care.
- Take responsibility for the implementation of treatment programmes for an identified caseload, with access to supervision from senior therapy staff – both in hospital and patients own homes.
- To organise the identified workload efficiently and effectively with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.
- Identify those customers who may require treatment or intervention by more senior staff or other services.
- Make limited decisions and judgements on straightforward clinical treatments and prioritise within agreed parameters, applying clinical reasoning skills. Be able to judge when patient is unwell and deteriorating and call for appropriate assistance in a timely manner.
- Under Therapy direction plan, treat, evaluate and progress customer care to maximise their treatment potential for an identified specific caseload.
- To follow Trust and departmental procedures, policy, guidance and pathways where they exist eg lone working policy, manual handling, infection control.
- To identify and manage clinical risk within own clinical caseload, and report to supervising Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist.
- To have knowledge of a range of manual handling and mobility skills relevant to the management of patients, including safe use of transfer equipment.
- To provide Occupational Therapy /physiotherapy to patients to progress their functional abilities.
- To be aware of own safety and safety of others, assessing risk and reporting any adverse incidents or near misses.
- To participate in CPD and develop knowledge and skills by attending relevant training and keeping mandatory training up to date.
- The post requires a flexible approach to working, and requires the post holder to undertake weekend commitments as required. This includes being active member of the weekend duty rota, and cover of statutory and public holidays, maintaining the competency required to work at Band 4 level.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- GCSE/ O Level Maths and English
- • Foundation degree in Health and Social Care, or equivalent level 5 qualification
Desirable criteria
- Relevant training/ IST
Experience
Essential criteria
- • Substantial experience at Band 3 as an assistant in healthcare (NHS or related setting)
- • Experience of direct patient care with evidence of working alongside therapists and other clinicians
Desirable criteria
- Orthopaedic Ward experience
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Sound understanding of the role of the Therapy Assistant
- Awareness of elective orthopaedic surgeries/ procedures
- Sound understanding of the role of Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of Elective Joint Arthroplasty Post operative therapy intervention
Skills
Essential criteria
- Good communication skills with patients, families and the MDT
- Ability to organise and manage time effectively to enable completion of clinical and non-clinical duties
- Willingness to undertake self-development and attend training
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Carley Allen
- Job title
- Clinical Lead for Orthopaedic Therapies
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07890 384272
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