Musculoskeletal Therapy Assistant Practitioner | Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust; Walsall; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is seeking a Band 4 Musculoskeletal Therapy Assistant to join the MSK outpatient service. The role supports patients through rehabilitation, assesses suitability for walking aids, and helps progress exercise programmes with increasing independence.

You will deliver group rehabilitation sessions, monitor patient safety, and work within established protocols under supervision. NHS experience in MSK rehab or a therapy assistant role is desirable.

Qualifications

• Experience in physiotherapy, rehabilitation or therapy assistant roles.
• Knowledge of the musculoskeletal system and common MSK conditions.
• Experience supporting and delivering exercise or rehabilitation programmes and adapting exercises.
• Experience delivering group rehabilitation or exercise classes.
• Experience working in the NHS or a similar clinical setting.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of patients from diverse sources and deliver assessment or treatment sessions.
• Undertake physiotherapy rehabilitation programmes as delegated to assist optimal function and discharge.
• Work with patients in group or class settings, with or without the physiotherapist.
• Assess mobility and progression of walking aids.
• Instruct patients in safe use of walking aids and ensure equipment is safe.
• Maintain documentation and contribute to service audits and CPD.

Skills

MSK rehabilitation experience

Physiotherapy experience

Exercise-based role

Job description

Musculoskeletal Therapy Assistant Practitioner | Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapy Assistant to join our MSK outpatient physiotherapy service.

This Band 4 position requires an individual with an existing foundation of knowledge and practical experience in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, exercise delivery and patient mobility. The successful candidate will be expected to work with a significant degree of independence, applying their existing knowledge and skills to support patients through rehabilitation.

Applicants must have relevant experience in either physiotherapy, rehabilitation, therapy assistant or suitable exercise-based role, with a working understanding of the musculoskeletal system and how common MSK conditions affect movement, function and exercise tolerance.

The role involves independently assessing patients’ suitability for walking aids, supporting safe mobility, and progressing or regressing prescribed exercise programmes in response to patients’ abilities and presentation. It also includes delivering group exercise classes and supporting patients to achieve their rehabilitation goals.

General healthcare or care experience without relevant rehabilitation, exercise or therapy experience will not, on its own, meet the requirements of this post.

Please note that this is a Band 4 support role rather than a qualified physiotherapist position. We are seeking applicants who are genuinely interested in working within this role

*Previous Applicants need not apply*

• “Knowledge, training, and experience — Essential
• Relevant experience working in a physiotherapy, rehabilitation, therapy assistant or exercise-based role.
• A working knowledge of the musculoskeletal system and common musculoskeletal conditions, injuries and their impact on function and mobility.
• Previous practical experience supporting and delivering exercise or rehabilitation programmes, including adapting exercises according to an individual’s ability and response.
• Experience supporting patients with mobility and functional activities, with an understanding of walking aids and safe mobilisation.
• Ability to work independently within the scope of the role, using clinical instructions, established protocols and own judgement appropriately, and recognising when advice or escalation is required.
• Understanding of patient safety, risk assessment and the importance of working within professional boundaries and competence.
• Previous experience in an MSK outpatient physiotherapy service.
• Experience independently assessing patients’ suitability for walking aids and providing appropriate instruction in their use.
• Experience progressing and regressing prescribed exercise programmes according to patient presentation, ability and response.
• Experience delivering group rehabilitation or exercise classes.
• Experience working within the NHS or a similar clinical setting.

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 284,300. It provides inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community. Walsall Manor houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The £170 million development was completed in 2010, and ongoing upgrades ensure the Trust now has state-of-the-art facilities, including a Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit. A new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre, opened in March 2023, has significantly improved emergency care facilities and capacity, providing almost 5,000 square metres of additional clinical space.

Clinical

• To manage a caseload of patients fulfilling a pre-specified criteria from all various sources eg Primary or Secondary care, and deliver an assessment or treatment session.
• To undertake physiotherapy rehabilitation programmes as delegated by qualified staff, to assist the patient to achieve optimal function and safe discharge. To report back to the physiotherapist any changes or unexpected outcomes from the programme including lack of progress or deterioration.
• To work with patients in a group/class setting, either with the physiotherapist or on own, after selection of patients by the physiotherapist.
• To assess patient’s mobility, including progression of walking aids, without direct supervision of physiotherapist.
• To measure, issue and instruct patients in the safe use of a variety of walking aids.
• To clean and check any physiotherapy equipment in their area and report any faults immediately to the appropriate department, taking the item out of service where required.
• To monitor stock levels of equipment such as walking aids in order that patient treatment or discharge is not delayed due to the lack of equipment.
• To provide support for all clinics to maintain its cleanliness and efficiency, including keeping each clinic tidy and well kept.
• Select and safely implement the correct moving and handling techniques for each patient individually.
• To initiate and carry out specific physiotherapy treatments after appropriate competency based training.
• Where applicable, assist patients to help improve their ability to perform their own activities of daily living.
• To have theoretical knowledge of patient observations and their implications for the rehabilitative process, in order to determine patient suitability for treatment.
• To have a basic theoretical knowledge of the common medical conditions encountered and their implications for treatment, in order to determine patient suitability for treatment. To reassure patients and ensure understanding of the treatment process and what is expected of the patient, using appropriate means of communication dependent upon the requirements of the patient (ie. patients may be deaf, confused etc).

PROFESSIONAL

• To be responsible for maintaining own levels of knowledge and ability through CPD activities and maintain evidence records of this.
• To actively participate in the departments CPD programme by delivering and attending training sessions
• To attend organised training sessions, including all mandatory Trust training and any in-service training in agreement with supervisor
• Adhere to trust guidelines regarding patient consent and confidentiality of information about patients, staff and health service business in accordance with data protection act.
• To undertake, as directed, collection of data for use in service audit and PEPI projects and make recommendations to clinical lead/manager changes to practice by the team. May implement specific changes to practice.
• To be responsible for own professional actions and recognise own professional boundaries through interpretation of clinic/professional policies relevant to the local team and/or identified area of expertise.
• To work on own initiative ensuring that the organisational requirements and standards are met.
• To demonstrate an understanding of risk management and clinical governance and apply to all work environments
• To be involved in the co-ordination, induction and training of new members of staff, in addition to supporting Physiotherapist in the

ORGANISATIONAL

• To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date documentation in line with legal and departmental requirements
• To be able and willing to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the work day. To include manoeuvring and mobilising clients; spending prolonged periods on the floor or at very low level
• To be actively involved in the collection of appropriate data and statistics for the use of the department and the directorate.
• To be aware of Health and safety aspects of your work and follow policies which may be required to improve the safety of all your work areas, including the prompt reporting and recording of incidents to managers.
• To be aware of and work according to confidentiality and data protection issues in relation to written and electronic records.

Please see attached JD and PS for full responsibilities