Musculoskeletal Therapy Assistant Practitioner in Walsall

Musculoskeletal Therapy Assistant Practitioner

NHS AfC: Band 4

Main area Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Assistant Practitioner Grade NHS AfC: Band 4 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Will at least involve one evening work till 7pm) Job ref 407-COMMUNITY-8214535-A

Site Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust- Manor Hospital Town Walsall Salary £28,392 - £31,157 pa Salary period Yearly Closing 09/11/2026 23:59

Walsall Manor Hospital is a busy district general hospital offering compete range of acute services. The Trust primarily serves the immediate population of Walsall with some patients requiring more specialised treatment at other, neighbouring Trusts. The Trust continues to invest in its facilities and services, supporting high-quality care for the communities it serves.

This role offers the opportunity to work within our integrated care model, contributing to high-quality services that help people remain independent in their own homes and communities.

We are committed to investing in our workforce and creating an environment where colleagues can learn, contribute and develop. Our new Urgent Emergency Care Centre, opened in March 2023, demonstrates our ongoing investment in facilities and services.

As an employee, you’ll benefit from an attractive salary and comprehensive benefits package (detailed in Employer Description above), plus access to NHS pension arrangements and staff accommodation where available.

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is proud to be part of the Armed Forces Covenant, currently holding the Bronze Award, underlining our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community.

RESPECT – COMPASSION – TEAMWORK – PROFESSIONALISM

Job overview

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapy Assistant to join our MSK outpatient physiotherapy service.

This Band 4 position requires an individual with an existing foundation of knowledge and practical experience in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, exercise delivery and patient mobility. The successful candidate will be expected to work with a significant degree of independence, applying their existing knowledge and skills to support patients through rehabilitation.

Applicants must have relevant experience in either physiotherapy, rehabilitation, therapy assistant or suitable exercise-based role, with a working understanding of the musculoskeletal system and how common MSK conditions affect movement, function and exercise tolerance.

The role involves independently assessing patients’ suitability for walking aids, supporting safe mobility, and progressing or regressing prescribed exercise programmes in response to patients’ abilities and presentation. It also includes delivering group exercise classes and supporting patients to achieve their rehabilitation goals.

General healthcare or care experience without relevant rehabilitation, exercise or therapy experience will not, on its own, meet the requirements of this post.

Please note that this is a Band 4 support role rather than a qualified physiotherapist position. We are seeking applicants who are genuinely interested in working within this role

*Previous Applicants need not apply*

Main duties of the job

Knowledge, training, and experience — Essential

• Relevant experience working in a physiotherapy, rehabilitation, therapy assistant or exercise-based role.
• A working knowledge of the musculoskeletal system and common musculoskeletal conditions, injuries and their impact on function and mobility.
• Previous practical experience supporting and delivering exercise or rehabilitation programmes, including adapting exercises according to an individual’s ability and response.
• Experience supporting patients with mobility and functional activities, with an understanding of walking aids and safe mobilisation.
• Ability to work independently within the scope of the role, using clinical instructions, established protocols and own judgement appropriately, and recognising when advice or escalation is required.
• Understanding of patient safety, risk assessment and the importance of working within professional boundaries and competence.
• Previous experience in an MSK outpatient physiotherapy service.
• Experience independently assessing patients’ suitability for walking aids and providing appropriate instruction in their use.
• Experience progressing and regressing prescribed exercise programmes according to patient presentation, ability and response.
• Experience delivering group rehabilitation or exercise classes.
• Experience working within the NHS or a similar clinical setting.

Working for our organisation

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 284,300. It provides inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community. Walsall Manor houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The £170 million development was completed in 2010, and ongoing upgrades ensure the Trust now has state-of-the-art facilities, including a Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit. A new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre, opened in March 2023, has significantly improved emergency care facilities and capacity, providing almost 5,000 square metres of additional clinical space.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

To manage a caseload of patients fulfilling a pre-specified criteria from all various sources eg Primary or Secondary care, and deliver an assessment or treatment session.

To undertake physiotherapy rehabilitation programmes as delegated by qualified staff, to assist the patient to achieve optimal function and safe discharge. To report back to the physiotherapist any changes or unexpected outcomes from the programme including lack of progress or deterioration.

To work with patients in a group/class setting, either with the physiotherapist or on own, after selection of patients by the physiotherapist.

To assess patient’s mobility, including progression of walking aids, without direct supervision of physiotherapist.

To measure, issue and instruct patients in the safe use of a variety of walking aids.

To clean and check any physiotherapy equipment in their area and report any faults immediately to the appropriate department, taking the item out of service where required.

To monitor stock levels of equipment such as walking aids in order that patient treatment or discharge is not delayed due to the lack of equipment.

To provide support for all clinics to maintain its cleanliness and efficiency, including keeping each clinic tidy and well kept.

Select and safely implement the correct moving and handling techniques for each patient individually.

To initiate and carry out specific physiotherapy treatments after appropriate competency based training.

Where applicable, assist patients to help improve their ability to perform their own activities of daily living.

To have theoretical knowledge of patient observations and their implications for the rehabilitative process, in order to determine patient suitability for treatment.

To have a basic theoretical knowledge of the common medical conditions encountered and their implications for treatment, in order to determine patient suitability for treatment. To reassure patients and ensure understanding of the treatment process and what is expected of the patient, using appropriate means of communication dependent upon the requirements of the patient (ie. patients may be deaf, confused etc).

PROFESSIONAL

To be responsible for maintaining own levels of knowledge and ability through CPD activities and maintain evidence records of this.

To actively participate in the departments CPD programme by delivering and attending training sessions

To attend organised training sessions, including all mandatory Trust training and any in-service training in agreement with supervisor

Adhere to trust guidelines regarding patient consent and confidentiality of information about patients, staff and health service business in accordance with data protection act.

To undertake, as directed, collection of data for use in service audit and PEPI projects and make recommendations to clinical lead/manager changes to practice by the team. May implement specific changes to practice.

To be responsible for own professional actions and recognise own professional boundaries through interpretation of clinic/professional policies relevant to the local team and/or identified area of expertise.

To work on own initiative ensuring that the organisational requirements and standards are met.

To demonstrate an understanding of risk management and clinical governance and apply to all work environments

To be involved in the co-ordination, induction and training of new members of staff, in addition to supporting Physiotherapist in the

ORGANISATIONAL

To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date documentation in line with legal and departmental requirements

To be able and willing to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the work day. To include manoeuvring and mobilising clients; spending prolonged periods on the floor or at very low level

To be actively involved in the collection of appropriate data and statistics for the use of the department and the directorate.

To be aware of Health and safety aspects of your work and follow policies which may be required to improve the safety of all your work areas, including the prompt reporting and recording of incidents to managers.

To be aware of and work according to confidentiality and data protection issues in relation to written and electronic records.

Please see attached JD and PS for full responsibilities

Person specification

Qualifications

• Foundation degree Health and Social Care, or equivalent level 3 qualification; plus, A-levels and GCSEs or equivalent(s), including Functional Skills (level 2). Or – Equivalent level of relevant experience in physiotherapy, rehabilitation, therapy support or exercise-based practice
• Care Certificate

Knowledge and Experience

• Working knowledge of the musculoskeletal system and common MSK conditions
• Experience delivering and adapting exercise or rehabilitation programmes
• Experience with mobility, walking aids and functional rehabilitation
• Experience supporting or delivering group exercise classes
• Experience of administration, IT systems and record keeping

Skills and Aptitudes

• Ability to work independently, exercise appropriate judgement and recognise when to escalation concerns
• Effective communication with patients and colleagues
• Organisation, time management and prioritisation
• Ability to demonstrate exercises and provide clear instructions to patients

Flexibility

• Being able to commute to different locations to undertake a variety of duties.
• Being able to work evenings to support exercise class provision

Other

• Basic IT skills and ability to undertake routine administration

Please note your application will be transferred from the NHS Jobs system to the internal Walsall Healthcare Trac System. All correspondence will be sent via Trac.

Sponsorship and Visas

We welcome applications from all candidates with the right to work in the UK, including those on Health and Care Visas, Graduate Visas, or other valid permissions. All candidates will be considered on equal terms.

This Trust currently recruits successfully from the domestic labour market and has a sufficient pool of suitably qualified candidates for Band 3 roles. Visa sponsorship is therefore not available for this role currently. Candidates who already hold the right to work in the UK, including those on an existing Health and Care Visa, Graduate Visa, or any other valid permission are welcome to apply and will be considered on equal terms. This position is reviewed regularly in line with Home Office guidance. Right to work will be verified at each stage of the recruitment and monitored throughout employment. All candidates who are offered a position will be required to provide evidence of their right to work in the UK as part of the pre-employment checks process. Where a candidates' right to work is derived from another person’s immigration permission, the Trust will discuss the implications of this with the candidate before a permanent post is confirmed, to ensure that both parties understand the terms on which employment can be sustained.

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments for disabled candidates at any stage. Please contact us to discuss your needs.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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.

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