Rehabilitation Assistant - Elective Orthopaedics

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust; Urmston; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the United Kingdom is seeking a Band 3 Rehabilitation Assistant to join their Elective Orthopaedic Team. The role involves assisting qualified physiotherapists and occupational therapists to provide therapeutic care and rehabilitation for patients. Candidates should have excellent communication skills and experience in a healthcare setting is preferred. The position is based at Trafford Hospital and offers an opportunity to advance your career in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience working in a hospital setting or similar.
• Previous experience of working with Orthopaedic patients.

Responsibilities

• Support qualified Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists.
• Communicate effectively and empathetically with patients and families.
• Motivate and encourage patients to engage with rehabilitation programmes.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Ability to empathise with patients

Motivated and able to use own initiative

Good organisational skills

Education

Literacy and good written skills

Job description

Rehabilitation Assistant - Elective Orthopaedics

Go back Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 13 January 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 3 Rehabilitation Assistant to join our Elective Orthopaedic Team at the Trafford Surgical Elective Hub, Trafford Hospital.

As part of the Orthopaedic Therapy team, you will work alongside qualified Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists to deliver high-quality therapeutic care and rehabilitation to patients. This role requires an empathetic approach, excellent communication skills, and ideally previous experience in a healthcare setting.

You will have the chance to collaborate with the wider multidisciplinary team and contribute to our weekend and twilight service. Responsibilities will include supporting patient rehabilitation, carrying out delegated clinical tasks, and undertaking administrative duties, equipment management, and cleaning tasks. Good IT skills are essential.

We are looking for someone who can follow guidance from qualified therapists while confidently managing their own caseload and providing feedback to the team. You should be able to motivate patients to achieve their rehabilitation goals.

Experience working on a hospital ward and skills in moving and handling patients would be advantageous. A willingness to learn and develop new skills is essential.

Main duties of the job

• Support qualified Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists in delivering high-quality rehabilitation care and facilitating safe and timely patient discharges
• Work directly with patients to implement treatment programmes as delegated by therapists, providing feedback and assisting with more complex cases when required.
• Demonstrate safe and effective moving and handling skills when working with patients.
• Review day-surgery patients pre-operatively, offering routine surgical advice and prescribed exercises.
• Collaborate with the wider multidisciplinary team, attending handovers and ensuring accurate communication of patient information to and from the therapy team.
• Communicate effectively and empathetically with patients, their families, and colleagues, ensuring a patient-centred approach at all times.
• Motivate and encourage patients to engage with their rehabilitation programme to maximise recovery potential.
• Undertake administrative tasks including note writing, data collection for audit purposes, and equipment management.
• Maintain good general IT skills to support documentation and service delivery.

About us

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement. Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.There’s a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives. At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions. Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that you’re even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, you’ll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guide that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Evidence of personal development
• Literacy and good written skills

Experience

• Previous work in Hospital setting or similar
• Experience of working independently with minimal support
• Administrative skills and knowledge
• Recent working within a MDT
• Experience of dealing with challenging behaviour
• Previous experience of working with Orthopaedic patients
• Previous experience of working in or with Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy Teams

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Motivated and able to use own initiative
• Ability to complete tasks and demonstrate good organisational skills
• Ability to work without supervision but aware of scope of practice
• Work flexibly within defined role
• Ability to empathise with patients
• Ability to work under pressure
• Awareness of boundaries of the assistant role
• Ability to give feedback to and liaise with wide range of individuals
• Demonstrate good problem solving skills

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the role of the therapy team
• Willingness to gain further knowledge and skills in orthopaedics/surgery

Other

• Ability to travel cross site
• Flexible to meet service delivery needs
• Car Driver/Owner

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

£24,937 to £26,598 a yearPer Annum (Pro Rata)