Generic Therapy Assistant Practitioner


Company:	University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Salary:	£28,392 - £31,157 pa
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Derby, DE22 3NE
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	21 Oct 2026
Closing date:	20 Nov 2026

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Summary

A Vacancy at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust.

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.

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.

• 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&Es 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.

Please see attached Job description and Person Specification. To apply please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB – this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.

UHDB is committed to fair and transparent recruitment. We welcome authentic applications that reflect your own skills, experience and motivations for the role. While we understand that candidates may use AI tools for grammar, formatting or accessibility purposes, applications that appear to be substantially AI‑generated may be subject to additional review. If this applies to your submission, we will let you know and may ask for clarification. Please ensure your application accurately represents your experience and is written in your own words.

Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click on the link to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship Skilled worker: Health and Care Visa | NHS Employers

Important visa information:Due to UK Home Office immigration rule changes effective from 22 July 2025, applicants sponsored under Occupation Code 6131 (Nursing Auxiliaries and Assistants) may not be eligible to bring dependants under the Skilled Worker route if their Certificate of Sponsorship is issued on or after this date. Applicants are responsible for understanding how these rules apply to their individual circumstances. The Trust cannot provide immigration advice. Further information is available on theSkilled Worker visa: Your partner and children - GOV.UK

Your application (for shortlisting purposes) is assessed based on the Person Specification in the job advert (below).

This advert closes on Wednesday 4 Nov 2026

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