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Job summary

Main area
Weight Management
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 4
Contract
Fixed term: 12 months (Until end march 2026)
Hours
  • Full time
  • Flexible working
  • Compressed hours
37.5 hours per week (Would be required to work 1 evening per week)
Job ref
287-DSS-50-25
Employer
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Aintree Hospital
Town
Liverpool
Salary
£26,530 - £29,114 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
12/05/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Therapy Assistant Practitioner (Weight Management)

NHS AfC: Band 4

Job overview

Are you a graduate with a lifestyle related degree, looking for an opportunity to support people living with obesity?

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Assistant Practitioner to join the Aintree LOSS specialist Tier 3 Weight Management team for Liverpool,  based at Aintree Hospital. Applicants must have a Health & Social Care Assistant Practitioner Foundation Degree (or suitable equivalent qualification, NVQ level 4,5, HNC, HND). A keen interest in weight management, health promotion and behaviour change is essential.

The varied Assistant Practitioner role involves supporting individuals in both 1:1 and group settings, and will include face-to-face, telephone and virtual appointments. 

You will be part of a wider multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and will work closely with and be supported by physiotherapists and dietitians in an effective and safe manner.  You will attend monthly operational meetings and actively participate in MDT meetings. 

The service has a strong commitment to providing a high standard of care and the post holder will work flexibly to meet the service needs. In return, we offer a flexible approach to working patterns and a structured staff development programme, which will enable you to gain relevant competencies for the role.

This is a great opportunity to gain new skills and work in a highly rewarding role alongside a committed multi-disciplinary team.

Main duties of the job

You will support the physiotherapists, dietitians and wider MDT in the delivery of the service to adults living with obesity , including the implementation of personalised plans for the service users.

You will use behaviour change techniques such as motivational interviewing skills to support patients to make positive lifestyle and dietary changes, and facilitate a positive and open dialogue to help them achieve their personal goals. 

You will have the opportunity to work closely with service users in both group and 1:1 settings (telephone and face to face)  to help them manage their weight.

You will be delivering educational topics and exercise circuits at the group sessions, as well as assisting other health professionals in the safe running of groups.  

You will take an active role in MDT meetings, and be an open communicator with the wider team.

Working for our organisation

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.

UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond. 

For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.

Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Women’s Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK’s largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.

For roles at Liverpool Women’s, visit their careers page.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Qualifications: Health and Social Care Assistant Practitioner Foundation Degree or suitable equivalent. 

Knowledge, Training  & Experience:

Broad understanding of what constitutes healthy/unhealthy lifestyles; general understanding of clinical conditions relevant to team specialty; effective written/oral communication skills; awareness of external agencies within the local community; practical working knowledge of health/ social care environments; willingness to work towards specified competencies; basic administrative skills, including use of Information Technology (including Internet, e-mail and word processing packages); commitment to personal development/willingness to learn;  

Skills and aptitude: 

Ability to work independently and as part of a team; demonstrate diplomacy, tact and empathy; ability to be reliable and responsible and to demonstrate initiative;  ability to demonstrate problem solving approach; good organisational skills and ability to plan and manage own time, demonstrate good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with others

The attached job description and person specification will go into further detail on the key responsibilities of the Assistant Practitioner role.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Foundation degree/equivalent qualification

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of care agencies and how to access them
Desirable criteria
  • Able to demonstrate awareness of current NHS issues

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of therapy work in a health care setting
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of issuing and retrieving patient equipment
  • Experience of carrying out mobility and exercise programmes

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Capable of working on own initiative
  • Able to communicate written information clearly - Excellent communication skills
  • Ability to work flexibly and prioritise workload
  • Good level of admin/clerical skills
  • Able to work as a team member
  • Evidence of organisational abilities

Other

Essential criteria
  • Willingness to work flexibly

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Fair Employment Charter Status - Aspiring LevelNHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleInvestors in PeopleArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident committedStep into health

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Angela Jacques
Job title
Lead Physiotherapist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0151 529 6465
Additional information

Alternatively please contact Michaela James, Dietitian & Operational lead on 0151 529 5938 or  [email protected]

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