Physiotherapy Support Worker

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; West of England; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 4 Physiotherapy Support Worker to join the Trauma & Orthopaedic team at Southmead Hospital, Bristol. The role involves working across busy elective and trauma wards in a hub for the region.

Hours include extended rostered shifts 8am-8pm, across 7 days. A dynamic team environment with opportunities for training and service development is offered.

Qualifications

• Essential criteria: Higher level apprenticeship, foundation degree or equivalent clinical experience.
• Essential criteria: Numeracy and Literacy Level 2 or equivalent.
• Desirable criteria: T&O specific courses.
• Experience of healthcare environment (Essential).
• Experience of working in a high-pressured environment (Essential).
• Desirable: Experience as therapy support worker; Experience with T&O patients; Experience with projects/service improvement.

Responsibilities

• Provide physiotherapy assessments, exercise plans and support patients from admission to discharge.
• Full in-service training program available for the successful candidate.
• Carry out autonomous assessments and treatments of protocol-led post-operative patients or those with acute injuries.
• Work in busy medi-rooms to provide information, advice and equipment for day-case surgery.
• Be a proactive team member and contribute at team meetings.
• Support the delivery of training for new starters and students.
• Complete onward referrals and administrative tasks such as mediquip ordering.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

IT skills

Prioritisation

Education

Higher level apprenticeship or foundation degree or equivalent

Numeracy and Literacy Level 2

Commitment to ongoing learning

Job description

Education/Training/Qualifications

Essential criteria

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Job Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 4 Physiotherapy Support Worker to join our large T&O Team based at Southmead Hospital Bristol.

This post will involve working across our busy elective and trauma wards. Electively we are a Hub for the region and have our own purposed building. From a trauma perspective we are the major trauma center for the region.

We have a dynamic team, that is always looking at improving services for the benefits of our patients. Hours are considered across 7 days and will include extended hours rostered shifts that cover elective services 8am-8pm.

Main duties of the job

To provide a high standard of care as part of the Physiotherapy Team, assisting with the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of patients across inpatient services.

The post holder will manage a delegated caseload, working under indirect supervision from a registered Physiotherapist and adhering to agreed therapeutic programmes and protocols.

The post holder will monitor patient progress, adapt treatment interventions within agreed parameters, undertake delegated assessments, support discharge planning and contribute to service development activities. Access to advice and support from a registered therapist is available on a daily basis.

• Providing physiotherapy assessments, exercise plans and support patients from admission to discharge
• A full training and in service training program is available for the successful candidate.
• To carry out autonomous assessments and treatments of protocol led post-operative patients or those admitted with acute injuries.
• Working in a busy medi-rooms to provide information, advice and equipment for those undergoing day case surgery
• To be a proactive member of the team and actively input at team meetings
• To support the delivery of training for new starters and students
• To complete onward referrals as required, administrative tasks such as mediquip ordering.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

• Providing physiotherapy assessments, exercise plans and support patients from admission to discharge
• A full training and in service training program is available for the successful candidate.
• To carry out autonomous assessments and treatments of protocol led post-operative patients or those admitted with acute injuries.
• Working in a busy medi-rooms to provide information, advice and equipment for those undergoing day case surgery
• To be a proactive member of the team and actively input at team meetings
• To support the delivery of training for new starters and students
• To complete onward referrals as required, administrative tasks such as mediquip ordering.

Person specification

Education/Training/Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Evidence of higher level apprenticeship, foundation degree or equivalent clinical experience
• Numeracy and Literacy Level 2 or equivalent
• Evidence of a continued desire to learn and develop self.

Desirable criteria

• T&O specific courses

Work experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of healthcare environment
• Experience of working in high pressured environment

Desirable criteria

• Experience working as therapy support worker
• Experience working with T&O patient group
• Experience of projects, service improvement ideas

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of role and relevant skills required
• Good IT skills can work across different systems
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to prioritise workloads
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team

Desirable criteria

• Experience in teaching and educating others

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Important

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.