Job overview
We are seeking a motivated and passionate individual who is eager to start or progress their career in the NHS and Physiotherapy. If you are looking to progress, or start your career, in the NHS, and have a desire to enhance your knowledge and skills, this apprenticeship offers an ideal opportunity for professional growth, resulting in becoming a registered Physiotherapist at the end of the apprenticeship. You must have excellent communication skills as you will work alongside qualified and unqualified staff to provide direct support to patients requiring physio support. You will be an integral part of the team, assisting physiotherapists with giving individualised care to patients. As part of this team you will be able to work with a variety of people providing an outstanding service to the Trust. You will work with in- patients in a variety of settings alongside completing all elements of the Senior Healthcare Support Worker Standard (Level 6) Apprenticeship. This involves working with our training provider and an assessor to develop a work-based portfolio, this will include completing work-based assessments, assignments and projects relating to the apprenticeship standard. You will complete end point assessment. You will be supported, within your working hours, to complete the apprenticeship.
You will develop and maintain knowledge, skills and competencies related to the role of a physiotherapy apprentice assistant.
Main duties of the job
This is an Apprenticeship / Developmental role.
The trainee will work towards progression into the post of B5 Rotational Physiotherapist through successful completion of the Physiotherapy Apprenticeship Programme which includes the attainment of Degree Standard Physiotherapist Level 6.
The Physiotherapy Apprenticeship programme combines, and integrates both academic and work-based learning. You will be required to continuously develop our skills and knowledge as you progress through the degree-programme, so that when competent you can manage, and be responsible for a clinical caseload with supervision from a qualified Physiotherapist.
Working for our organisation
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 look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria. For example, applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the same role to qualify for sponsorship.
If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
You will learn:
·To Work effectively as a member of the multi-disciplinary team in providing a programme of Physiotherapy assessments and treatments for a selected caseload of patients, being able to make alterations when required by assessment of patient progress.
·Provide individual or group interventions as identified by the Physiotherapist.
·Develop by the end of the apprenticeship period the ability to work independently and autonomously with robust clinical reasoning.
Communication
·To liaise where appropriate with other members of the team, other related statutory, private, and voluntary organisations, family, and carers.
·To develop therapeutic relationships with patients and carers and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture and manage potential barriers to communication such as dysphasia, learning difficulty, cognitive and sensory difficulties, other language etc.
·To gather and accurately record information where required, to enable patient referrals to be prioritised.
·To accurately feedback relevant observations of patient interventions to the Physiotherapist and other relevant members of the multi-disciplinary team.
Service Delivery and Improvement
·To demonstrate understanding and implications of manual handling legislation and current best practice, applying this knowledge under guidance from a Physiotherapist to the practice of therapeutic manual handling.
·Undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the Physiotherapy service.
·To participate in clinical governance and quality improvement projects under the guidance of a registered Physiotherapist.
·To take responsibility for risk management and health and safety in the workplace by adhering to and promoting Health and Safety regulations, trust, and departmental policies.
·To comply with Equal opportunities, Disability Discrimination, and data protection legislation.
People Management and Development
·To seek supervision from a Physiotherapist to inform analysis and reasoning, and when more complex needs of situations become apparent. To exercise good personal time management, punctuality, and consistent reliable attendance.
·The trainee will plan and manage competing demands of job role, study, and placement activities.
Patient Care Delivery
·Under regular supervision of registered Physiotherapist to assist in treatment of individual patients and groups, on the wards, in the Physiotherapy department and on home visits.
·Through the apprenticeship to develop understanding of all elements of the Physiotherapy role. Under the Registered Physiotherapist to assess, plan, provide intervention and evaluation of Physiotherapy input.
·To gather and accurately record information where required, to enable patient referrals to be prioritised.
·To accurately feedback relevant observations of patient interventions to the Physiotherapist and other relevant members of the multi-disciplinary team.
·To seek supervision from a Physiotherapist to inform analysis and reasoning, and when more complex needs of situations become apparent.
·To arrange, under guidance from a Physiotherapist, for the provision of standard specialist disability equipment and to teach and demonstrate the use of equipment or other techniques to optimise the patient’s functional ability, independence, and safety.
·To have an awareness of good resource management, to maintain and advise on stock and resources necessary to carry out the work of the Physiotherapy service.
·To co-ordinate the deliveries and collections of equipment, to keep the stores clean and tidy, to clean contaminated equipment according to local standards and policies, and ensure returned equipment is kept in the designated area.
Person specification
Experience/Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. 5 x GCSEs (or equivalent) grade A-C or 4-9 including Maths and English
2. Able to undertake a range of Physiotherapy assessments to a competent level.
Skills
Essential criteria
3. Good verbal and written communication skills.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Essential criteria
4. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
5. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications