Generic Therapy Assistant Practitioner

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust; New Zealand; On-site; NZD 61,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Generic Therapy Assistant Practitioner to join the Trauma and Orthopaedic Therapy Team at Royal Derby Hospital. You will support patients through orthopaedic and trauma pathways, undertake pre-operative assessments, and contribute to discharge planning to ensure safe, timely patient journeys.

The role involves working within a multidisciplinary team in a busy acute setting, providing compassionate care, and supporting

Qualifications

• Experience as a Therapy Assistant or Healthcare Assistant within an acute inpatient setting.
• Excellent communication and teamworking skills.
• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent Band 3/4 Therapy Assistant competencies required.
• A full driving licence is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assess and treat patients with orthopaedic and trauma-related conditions.
• Work across therapy professions using competency-based practice to provide holistic care.
• Support and lead discharge planning to facilitate safe and timely discharge.
• Work closely with the multidisciplinary team in a fast-paced acute environment.
• Undertake one-to-one pre-operative assessments for elective orthopaedic patients.
• Manage a ward-based caseload and contribute to high-quality patient care.
• Support the learning and development of therapy students on placement.
• Contribute to service improvement initiatives and the ongoing development of the orthopaedic therapy service.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Clinical assessment

Rehabilitation support

Discharge planning

Education

NVQ Level 3

Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship (Level 3)

Band 3/4 Therapy Assistant competencies

Job description

The successful candidate will manage a varied caseload, supporting patients following elective hip and knee replacements, undertaking pre-operative assessments, contributing to discharge planning, and assisting with the assessment and rehabilitation of trauma patients. We are committed to staff development and offer competency-based training to support the development of clinical skills within orthopaedic rehabilitation and acute care. The service operates seven days a week. The post includes a rota covering early evenings and weekends, with enhancements paid in line with NHS Terms and Conditions. The successful candidate will:

• Assess and treat patients with a wide variety of orthopaedic and trauma-related conditions.
• Work across therapy professions using competency-based practice to provide holistic care within the orthopaedic department.
• Support and lead discharge planning to facilitate safe and timely patient discharge.
• Work closely with the multidisciplinary team in a fast-paced acute environment.
• Undertake one-to-one pre-operative assessments for elective orthopaedic patients.
• Manage a ward-based caseload and contribute to the delivery of high-quality patient care.
• Support the learning and development of therapy students on placement.
• Contribute to service improvement initiatives and the ongoing development of the orthopaedic therapy service.

Closing date of applications: 4 November 2026 Date of interview: 23 November 2026 As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.

In return we will offer:

• Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development
• On-going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
• Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes

Key Facts:

• We see on average 4810 OP appointments a day.
  The Trauma and Orthopaedic Therapy Team at Royal Derby Hospital is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Generic Therapy Assistant Practitioner to join our supportive and forward-thinking team.

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to high-quality patient care within a busy acute orthopaedic service. The team supports patients across trauma and elective pathways, helping them achieve the best possible outcomes throughout their hospital stay. Applicants should have excellent communication and teamworking skills, along with experience as a Therapy Assistant or Healthcare Assistant within an acute inpatient setting, with an understanding of the therapy role. Candidates must hold an NVQ Level 3, Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship, or equivalent Band 3/4 Therapy Assistant competencies. A full driving licence is desirable.

• We are the 4thbusiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England - an average of 2077 per week.
• An average of 1115 patients are seen in A&E across our network every day - 3rd largest in the country.
• Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily.
• Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres.
• We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres.
• We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day.
• UHDB is a research active University Hospital with a large and varied portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff.