Therapy Assistant Practitioner
| Posting date: | 06 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £27,485.00 to £30,162.00 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £27485.00 - £30162.00 a year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 21 February 2026 |
| Location: | Bedford, MK40 2NU |
| Company: | NHS Jobs |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | C9418-26-0140 |
Summary
Support Physiotherapists in Assessment and Rehabilitation: Assist physiotherapists in the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal patients to maximize their potential. Carry out individual and group treatment programs as delegated by the physiotherapists, demonstrating exercises and techniques to patients. Support patients in regaining independence with activities of daily living (ADLs) by teaching functional exercises and mobility strategies. Delegated Responsibility in Musculoskeletal Outpatients: Hold responsibility for a designated area of service, specifically musculoskeletal outpatient care, ensuring the treatment and rehabilitation plans are followed and updated. Assess and manage individual patients within this scope, maintaining high-quality care standards in line with physiotherapist guidance. Referral Screening and Prioritization: Obtain and review reports for current and new patients in the designated areas to determine appropriate treatment plans. Screen and prioritize new referrals based on clinical urgency, discussing cases with physiotherapists as needed. Monitor and prioritize daily caseloads, adjusting treatment plans as necessary. Informed Consent and Patient Understanding: Assess the patients understanding of proposed treatments and gain informed consent, ensuring patients are aware of their treatment options, risks, and benefits. Engage patients in their care decisions to ensure compliance and improve outcomes. Monitoring and Clinical Reasoning: Continuously monitor patient condition during and following treatment, interpreting clinical observations to gauge progress. Use clinical reasoning to adjust treatments, progressing or altering techniques within the scope of competence and as directed by the physiotherapist. Functional Assessments: Conduct functional assessments to evaluate the impact of musculoskeletal conditions on daily living and report findings to physiotherapists. Assist in the evaluation of functional status and mobility levels to inform ongoing treatment strategies. Active Participation in Meetings: Attend and actively contribute to team meetings, case discussions, and departmental meetings to ensure clear communication and collaborative decision-making. Documentation and Record Keeping: Maintain accurate and comprehensive patient treatment records, adhering to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) standards and departmental policies. Ensure records are kept up-to-date with all relevant clinical information and treatment progress. Respecting Patient Dignity and Cultural Needs: Treat patients with respect and dignity, considering their cultural and individual needs during clinical interactions. Ensure privacy is maintained at all times, and that patients' emotional and social needs are considered as part of their rehabilitation plan. Communication Skills: Use a variety of verbal and non-verbal communication techniques to engage effectively with patients and team members. Adapt communication methods for patients with language barriers, cognitive difficulties, or emotional challenges (e.g., patients with depression or confusion). Provide clear explanations, motivation, and reassurance to patients, relatives, and carers to foster cooperation with treatment plans. Handling Sensitive Information: Communicate complex or sensitive information regarding prognosis, mobility limitations, or social function changes to patients and staff with empathy and care. Ensure that information is delivered appropriately and sensitively, both within the team and to the patient. Collaboration and Relationship Building: Establish effective working relationships with patients, physiotherapists, and other healthcare professionals within the multidisciplinary team (MDT). Collaborate with external agencies to ensure holistic patient care, facilitating smooth transitions between treatment phases. Time and Caseload Management: Prioritize and plan daily activities, balancing clinical and administrative duties in collaboration with the physiotherapy team. Adapt to changing priorities, adjusting caseload management as required and informing the physiotherapists of any issues promptly. Delegating Work to Therapy Assistants: Delegate appropriate tasks to Therapy Assistants within their scope of competence, ensuring effective use of team resources and reporting back to physiotherapists. Administrative and Organizational Support: Maintain adequate supplies of treatment materials and paperwork (e.g., patient notes, information leaflets) to support patient care. Assist in organizing and maintaining treatment areas, ensuring everything is stocked and prepared. Training and Professional Development: Participate in hospital induction programs and on-the-job training to enhance clinical skills and knowledge. Engage in the departmental in-service training program, including attending tutorials, external courses, peer reviews, and training sessions. Attend mandatory Trust training and update e-learning modules as required to maintain competencies. Compliance with Clinical Guidelines: Adhere to the Trusts clinical guidelines, policies, and procedures, as well as the CSP professional standards. Ensure that treatments are delivered within established clinical frameworks and safety guidelines. Contributing to Audits and Research: Assist in collecting data for service audits and research projects to assess and improve service delivery. Participate in evaluating work practices using evidence-based methodologies, contributing to audits, research, and outcome measures as directed. Development of Protocols and Standards: Provide input into the development of protocols, operational policies, and departmental standards based on clinical experience and practice. Collaborate with physiotherapists and other team members to review and improve clinical guidelines. Competency and Appraisals: Work within your scope of competence, recognizing limitations and seeking supervision or advice when necessary. Participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraisee, setting personal development goals and ensuring progress through ongoing learning.