Job summary
- Main area
- Therapy Assistant Practitioner
- Grade
- Band 4
- Contract
- 9 months (Fixed term)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 153-SP05143
- Employer
- University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Christchurch Hospital
- Town
- Christchurch
- Salary
- £27,485 - £30,162 pa
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 13/11/2025 23:59
- Interview date
- 05/12/2025
Employer heading
Therapy Practitioner - Exercise Lead
Band 4
As University Hospitals Dorset we are a three site acute trust with ‘university hospital’ status through our partnership with Bournemouth University, working with an annual budget of £730m.
We offer highly regarded health services, employing some 10,000 staff. Our ambitious £250m estates programme is well on the way to delivering state-of-the-art facilities over the next two years to meet the current and future healthcare needs of the populations we serve.
In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over seven miles of sandy beaches you’ll find inspirational opportunities to achieve your perfect work/life balance. With the New Forest and the Purbecks on our doorstep, we’re also less than three hours from London by road or train. The thriving towns of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch give way to idyllic villages and unspoilt landscapes just minutes from our hospitals.
We believe that having a diverse workforce, and allowing people to be themselves, is essential in ensuring we offer an inclusive, welcoming and productive place to work.
We especially welcome applications from minority groups in the community who may be underrepresented in our workforce.
At UHD our active staff network groups are the Women's Network, Black Asian Minority Ethnic Group (BAME), Pride Network, European (EU), Pro Ability Staff Network, and the Armed Forces Support Group.
As a Trust we are proudly signed up to the Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant guaranteed interview schemes.
We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support the preparation of their application. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of your own experience and suitability. Personal integrity is an important part of the recruitment process.
Job overview
Are you passionate about helping patients restore movement, improve strength, and enhance quality of life? Do you have a background in exercise instruction and a drive to make a meaningful impact within the NHS? We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Exercise Lead to join our Musculoskeletal (MSK) Outpatient Physiotherapy team in Christchurch, Dorset.
About You:
To succeed in this role, you should have a strong foundation in exercise science or fitness instruction and a genuine passion for patient care. You should be organised, compassionate, and comfortable working in a clinical setting. Prior experience in a healthcare or physiotherapy environment is beneficial but not essential.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a supportive, multidisciplinary team within a respected NHS trust.
- Opportunities for professional growth, training, and development.
- Flexible working hours to support work-life balance.
- The chance to make a tangible difference in patients' lives.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your career and are excited about contributing to high-quality MSK physiotherapy care, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and become part of a dedicated NHS team committed to transforming lives through rehabilitation.
Interview Date: 5th December 2025
Main duties of the job
About the Role:
As a Band 4 Exercise Lead, you will play a vital role in delivering tailored exercise programs to patients with musculoskeletal conditions, working alongside a team of physiotherapists and support staff. You will guide patients through rehabilitation exercises, provide support and motivation, and monitor progress to help them achieve their goals. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a difference in the recovery journey of our patients and to contribute to a compassionate and collaborative clinical team.
Working for our organisation
Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued teammates and colleagues.
UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme.
This means that some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term. Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions that you have about this at interview.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
- Deliver safe, effective, and individualised exercise programs to MSK outpatients under the guidance of physiotherapists in a rehab gym and group exercise classes.
- Educate patients on exercise techniques, equipment use, and injury prevention.
- Monitor patient progress and provide feedback to physiotherapists to support optimal care.
- Collaborate with the MSK team to contribute to service improvement initiatives and enhance the quality of patient care.
- Maintain accurate documentation and records in line with NHS policies and standards.
Person specification
Educational
Essential criteria
- • Foundation degree Health and Social Care, or equivalent level 5 qualification; plus, A-levels and GCSEs or equivalent(s), including Functional Skills (level 2) • Or - as a level 5 apprenticeship, such as the Assistant Practitioner apprenticeship
- Experience with patient/public facing roles
Desirable criteria
- Bsc in relevant area
- NHS experience
Communication
Essential criteria
- Develops and maintains positive relationships with patients and staff
- Understands the principles of health promotion
- Understands the main legal responsibilities of healthcare practitioners and able to keep timely and accurate medical records
Desirable criteria
- Understands the range of organisations in the health and social care sector
Clinical
Essential criteria
- Understands role boundaries and importance of supervision and carrying out delegated tasks. Able to follow procedure and protocols
- Able to work independently with patients
- Good time management and able to manage own diary
- Understands importance of gaining consent
Desirable criteria
- Able to prioritise more complex cases and seek guidance where appropriate
Personal
Essential criteria
- Able to work under pressure
- Able to withstand modest physical exertion at work including working in warm environments
- Able to speak English to level required for the role
- Acts with honesty and integrity in keeping with UHD values
- Respects diversity and acts without prejudice or discrimination
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Pete Webster
- Job title
- MSK Outpatient Therapy Operations Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0300 019 6661
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