Job summary
- Main area
- Physiotherapy
- Grade
- Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent: Includes weekend working as part of 7-day service
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job share
- Flexible working
- Other
- Job ref
- 279-7525006-OCT25
- Employer
- 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Princess Royal Hospital
- Town
- Haywards Heath
- Salary
- £24,937 - £26,598 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 21/10/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Physiotherapy Technical Instructor
Band 3
About our Trust
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form:
https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
We have an exciting opportunity to join the inpatient orthopaedic team at the Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath.
Within the heart of Mid Sussex, the Princess Royal Hospital is home to the dedicated fractured hip unit and also the specialist service for infected joint arthroplasties and other complex hip surgery. We also treat elective patients that have more complex needs.
The team is looking to recruit enthusiastic and team-orientated physiotherapy technical instructors, to support the team's superb patient-focused delivery of care.
The role would especially suit therapy assistants and technical instructors that have a particular interest and desire to work in orthopaedics and ambition to develop the skill and experience in this area of physiotherapy.
Please note that Bank roles may also be considered within the advert.
Main duties of the job
To assist the physiotherapists in the assessment and treatment of inpatients across the inpatient orthopaedic wards, including the High Dependency Unit (HDU) in order to promote independence with mobility and recovery from orthopaedic surgery and injury.
Duties will include mobilising patients, practice of activities of daily living and personal care, safety on stairs, teaching of exercises and the issuing of equipment in order to facilitate a safe discharge from hospital.
Physiotherapy technical instructors are directly supervised by a senior physiotherapist. Once relevant competencies have been achieved you will manage a delegated caseload of patients with non-complex presentation, within clearly defined parameters, without direct supervision and report back to the qualified therapist as necessary. The physiotherapy technical instructor (Band 3) will also be able to progress exercises and mobility of some of the patients on their caseload.
The role includes supporting the physiotherapy team with non-clinical (administrative) tasks and duties as required.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
Communication
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To communicate effectively with all other disciplines / other parties involved in the patient’s care.
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To ensure timely and effective communication with the physiotherapists on all professional matters.
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To communicate effectively with patients especially those who have significant barriers to understanding such as cognitive, visual and hearing impairment.
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To communicate sensitively regarding information in an understandable form to patients, carers and other staff members.
Service Delivery and Improvement
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Ensure ward stock of physio equipment is maintained at the designated level.
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Photocopying, filing and faxing, as requested
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Retrieve, as requested, patient notes other medical records from various sources.
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Provide administrative support to the orthopaedic physiotherapy team, as required.
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Maintain updated and accurate daily records of patient’s treatment in line with the department’s documentation policy.
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Maintain and collate activity statistics
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Assist, as requested, with typing patient related information. To be competent in basic word and excel skills and other IT systems.
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Become familiar and use Trust IT systems
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Assist in the provision of a seamless orthopaedic physiotherapy service
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As needed, work cohesively with other physiotherapy support staff and physiotherapy teams across the hospital.
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To participate in service improvement projects and team meetings/Huddles.
People Management and Development
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Maintain professionalism in public/ ward areas.
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Maintain patient confidentiality and dignity at all times.
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Adhere to Trust and departmental policies and procedures, inc. The Health and Safety at Work Act.
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Participate in the department’s annual appraisal scheme.
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Attend and participate in departmental/ specialty in-service training as directed by senior or superintendent staff.
Patient Care Delivery
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Assist the physiotherapist and/or other technical instructors in patient care, moving and handling and treatment programmes.
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Undertake basic prescribed treatment or exercise programmes on a delegated caseload of patients that have previously been assessed by a physiotherapist. Progress and modify treatment in light of patient performance independently and within competency framework. Progress and variances reported to the appropriate physiotherapist at the earliest opportunity, and clearly documented.
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Prepare patients and treatment areas for activity i.e. the initial greeting of patients and carers, assisting with dressing, undressing and toileting of patients, ensuring call bells and drinks are readily available.
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Maintain a clean, safe and tidy working environment.
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To be responsible for the effective and safe operation of equipment during treatment sessions, the cleaning of equipment used and the reporting of any faults that would otherwise compromise patient care and safety.
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Undertake basic mobility assessment on patients. Measure and instruct in the use of the appropriate walking aid, progress and modify mobility independently and within competency framework
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Provide relevant advice to the patient/ carer regarding safety issues associated with the mobility aid being used and according to departmental policy and as per manufacture instructions.
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Assist the physiotherapist or Technical Instructor with stair assessments.
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To reassess patient’s condition in all aspects of physical health – report any relevant changes to physiotherapist / MDT / and or carer.
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Complete as appropriate a mobility aid/ appliance loan form accurately upon issue of equipment if required by team.
Learning and Development
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Attend mandatory training updates as required.
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Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.
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Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
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Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager
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Participate in the Trust’s appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.
This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Evidence of previous experience working as therapy assistant
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience working as a physiotherapy technical instructor
- Previous experience working in inpatient orthopaedic setting
Communication
Essential criteria
- Demonstrates ability to present information clearly
- Evidence of communication with colleagues and patients/relatives
Desirable criteria
- Experience of communicating with people with significant barriers to communication
Skills
Essential criteria
- Evidence of excellent time management and organisational skills
- Evidence and examples of working under own initiative
- Evidence and examples of working within an effective team
Desirable criteria
- Experience of exercise instruction
Equality Diversity Inclusion
Essential criteria
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issue
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- James Nixon
- Job title
- Clinical Lead Physiotherapist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01444 441881
- Additional information
Informal visits can be considered.
Please contact James Nixon via email or telephone:
01444 441881 ext 65689
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