Therapy Assistant Practitioner | Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Posting date:	06 February 2026
Salary:	Not specified
Additional salary information:	£27,485 - £30,162 pa
Hours:	Part time
Closing date:	08 March 2026
Location:	Bedford, MK40 2NU
Company:	Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	7778766/418-AHP8766-MA

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.

To undertake highly skilled support work to assist the Physiotherapists in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients within the Musculoskeletal Outpatient team.
1. To accept patients referred by a Physiotherapist and assume responsibility for managing an individual caseload, primarily working independently but maintaining regular communication with the Therapist. Access to advice and support from the Therapist is available when needed. All clinical work is routinely evaluated and monitored by the Physiotherapist on a regular basis.
2. To provide treatment to all patients according to established treatment protocols, monitoring progress and making adjustments as necessary within the agreed parameters.
3. To carry out individual and group treatment programs as directed by the Therapist, demonstrating and teaching specific exercises and techniques to patients. This includes assisting patients in regaining independence with respect to activities of daily living.

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.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Informed Consent and Patient Understanding:
• Assess the patient’s 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Active Participation in Meetings:
• Attend and actively contribute to team meetings, case discussions, and departmental meetings to ensure clear communication and collaborative decision-making.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. Compliance with Clinical Guidelines:
• Adhere to the Trust’s clinical guidelines, policies, and procedures, as well as the CSP professional standards.
• Ensure that treatments are delivered within established clinical frameworks and safety guidelines.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.


This advert closes on Saturday 21 Feb 2026