Physiotherapy Assistant Practitioner

FHFT Education Academy; Frimley; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust in Frimley Park Hospital is seeking a Physiotherapy Assistant Practitioner Band 4 to join the inpatient orthopaedic unit. You will work with experienced physiotherapists assessing and treating trauma and orthopaedic patients, supporting a patient-centred service.

The role requires Diploma level education or equivalent, NHS experience in acute settings, and collaboration with the Physiotherapy Team within a multidisciplinary environment.

Qualifications

• Diploma level education or equivalent experience.
• GCSE or equivalent qualification in English and Mathematics.
• Experience as physiotherapy technical instructor.
• Experience in an acute setting working in inpatient/outpatient environments.
• Leading and delivering exercise programmes in a hospital setting.
• Experience of orthopaedic in-patients as assistant/student.

Responsibilities

• Work as an integral and active part of the Physiotherapy Team and Multidisciplinary team.
• Support the physiotherapy team in providing a patient-centred service in an efficient and cost-effective way.
• Work under the indirect supervision of Physiotherapists to provide a high standard Physiotherapy service.
• Take sole responsibility and accountability for a clinical caseload within defined guidelines and codes of practice, including thorough documentation in the Electronic Patient Record.
• Within department policies and competence conduct initial assessments of patients and teach, supervise, and advance exercise programmes for a designated caseload.
• Motivate and support patients to engage in exercise, addressing barriers to compliance and promoting adherence to treatment plans.
• Offer both spontaneous and planned advice, instruction, and teaching to patients, families, carers, and other professionals to ensure alignment and understanding of therapy goals and consistent patient care.

Skills

Clinical knowledge

Interpersonal communication

Organisational skills

Anatomy knowledge

Negotiation skills

Risk assessment

Education

Diploma level education or equivalent experience

GCSE English and Mathematics

Job description

Physiotherapy assistant practitioner Band 4

Physiotherapy Department – Frimley Park Hospital

37.5 hours

Orthopaedic wards

Responsible to: Physiotherapy team lead

We are excited to advertise an assistant practitioner role on the in-patient orthopaedic unit. You will be working with experienced physiotherapists assessing and treating patients on the trauma and orthopaedic wards.

Main duties of the job

• To work as an integral and active part of the Physiotherapy Team and Multidisciplinary team.
• Responsible for supporting the physiotherapy team in the provision of a patient
  centred service, in an efficient and cost-effective way
• Work under the indirect supervision of Physiotherapists in providing a high standard Physiotherapy service.

Working for our organisation

Visa Sponsorship:
This position is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already hold the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the contract.

Why Join Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust?

At Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, our people are at the heart of everything we do.

As a Disability Confident Employer and recipient of the Gold Award in the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme, we actively champion equality, diversity and inclusion, creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds to build rewarding careers within the NHS.

We also recognise the importance of a healthy work-life balance. By supporting flexible working arrangements wherever possible, we enable our colleagues to balance their professional and personal commitments while continuing to deliver outstanding care to our patients. Whether flexibility means adjusted hours, part-time working, hybrid arrangements or alternative working patterns, we work in partnership with our staff to meet both individual and service needs.

Join Us
Whether you're at the start of your career or looking for your next challenge, Frimley Health offers the opportunity to be part of a inclusive, forward-thinking organisation that is committed to excellence, innovation and compassionate care. Together, we can shape the future of healthcare and make a real difference to the lives of the communities we serve.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Take sole responsibility and accountability for a clinical caseload within defined guidelines and codes of practice, including thorough documentation in the Electronic Patient Record.
• Within department policies and competence conduct initial assessments of patients and teach, supervise, and advance exercise programmes for a designated caseload. This may encompass mobility, transfers, balance and strengthening exercises, and basic breathing techniques.
• Motivate and support patients to engage in exercise, addressing barriers to compliance and promoting adherence to treatment plans.
• Offer both spontaneous and planned advice, instruction, and teaching to patients, families, carers, and other professionals to ensure alignment and understanding of therapy goals and consistent patient care.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Diploma level education or equivalent experience.
• GCSE or equivalent qualification in English and Mathematics.

Experience

• Experience as physiotherapy technical instructor.
• Experience in an acute setting working in inpatients/outpatients environments.
• Leading and delivering exercise programmes in a hospital setting.
• Experience of orthopaedic in patients as assistant / student
• Assessing cardiovascular and respiratory status.
• Experience in an acute setting working with neuro patients.
• Undertaking exercise prescription for people with long term conditions.

Skills and knowledge

• Specific clinical knowledge relevant to specialty.
• Interpersonal skills to include concise and effective verbal and written communication.
• Organisational skills, ability to prioritise and manage day.
• Knowledge of anatomy/physiology.
• Negotiation skills, able to overcome barriers to exercise.
• Understanding of Risk Assessment.

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust (FHFT) is proud of its strong reputation, record of achievement and ambition for the future. We serve a population of over 900,000 people across Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey and South Buckinghamshire, and remain committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our communities.

Our new organisational strategy – FHFT 2030 – sets out our ambition to be the best place to receive care and the best place to work in the NHS. Underpinned by our Trust values – Committed to Excellence, Working Together, Facing the Future, and being a modern, compassionate, Healthcare Organisation – we are creating a culture where our people can thrive and patients always come first.

We continue to invest heavily in our services and facilities. This includes the development of a new hospital at Frimley Park, major expansion of diagnostics and inpatient capacity, and the continued transformation of services across our sites. We have already delivered a brand-new £100m state-of-the-art Heatherwood Hospital, a £49m Emergency Assessment Centre at Wexham Park, and a £10m upgrade to maternity services.

We are also committed to sustainability and the NHS Net Zero ambition. Our new hospital and estate developments are being designed to be environmentally responsible, energy efficient, and future-proofed, featuring on-site renewables energy and intelligent energy systems. Th rough our green plan, we are embedding sustainable practices across all areas of care and operations, ensuring we reduce our environmental impact while improving population health and wellbeing. Our staff are key to helps us deliver on our ambition and to ensure sustainability is a core component of care delivery and our operations.

Alongside estates’ investments, we are embedding a strong focus on digital innovation and quality improvement. Our electronic patient record (Epic), launched in 2024, is already enabling safer, more connected, and more effective care for patients, while giving staff the tools they need to do their best work. Our electronic patient record also supports safe and effective digitised care pathways, savings time and carbon, whilst delivering excellent quality of care.

Everything we do is guided by our values, shaping how we care for patients, support colleagues, and build a sustainable future for healthcare together.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. We would advise that you complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.