Band 4 Therapy Assistant Practitioner - Cardio-Respiratory and Surgery
The closing date is 28 June 2026.
Permanent | Part Time (33 hours per week)
An exciting opportunity has become available for a Therapy Assistant Practitioner to join our supportive, forward‑looking Therapy Team.
We are seeking individuals to provide delegated treatment and rehabilitation to patients and support them in their discharge from the acute hospital in a timely manner. You will have your own clinical caseload and undertake assessments under the direction of both Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists. You will gain experience across our Respiratory, Surgical and Cardiac wards and work with a wide multidisciplinary team.
We are an innovative team and always looking at how we can improve what we provide to our patients and improve our services. We are particularly interested in candidates who share our passion for service development and increasing the profile of Therapy Assistant Practitioners to improve patient outcomes.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for positive, proactive candidates who want to work as part of a dynamic team in a busy clinical environment. You would play a key role in gathering information from patients and their relatives/carers to understand their social, environmental and living circumstances, and the impact of their illness or surgery on daily activities. You will be responsible for managing a caseload of patients, providing therapy and rehabilitation following a range of conditions which may impact patients physically and psychologically. You will plan and implement functional and cognitive interventions to support patients in achieving their goals, providing adaptive equipment and aids and evaluating outcomes of treatments.
You will also support flow throughout the hospital with timely assessments and planning discharges as part of each individual patient’s recovery journey to prevent delay. This will include liaison with and referring onto appropriate agencies as needed. You will also undertake administrative duties to support the functioning of the department.
In return, we would strive to offer suitable candidates a supportive, friendly working environment within a team who are open to new ideas. Opportunities for learning and working with the wider multidisciplinary team will be available and strongly encouraged.
Core working hours are 8.00am‑4.00pm but flexibility can be discussed, and you will work as part of our seven‑day roster.
About us
James Paget is a vibrant university hospital providing the best possible care to the people of east Norfolk and north Suffolk. Situated on the coast with beautiful beaches and the Broads National Park on the doorstep, we are within commuting distance of Norwich City. On‑site parking is also available.
We know that development and wellbeing are key to the success of your work, and you will receive regular one‑to‑one supervision to discuss your progress, any service evaluation and ideas. We are committed to service development, with many projects currently underway. We are forging strong links with the Research and Development Department and the University of East Anglia, and it is a really exciting time to join the Trust as these processes gain momentum. We thoroughly encourage attendance at courses and offer time and funding for innovation activity to widen personal knowledge base and bring new skills to the teams to keep our approach fresh and current. Our team has represented the Trust at CSP, RCOT and BOA conferences and supports future staff to do this. In addition, we have an embedded flexible working policy with flexible hours to enable a better work/life balance but still meet the needs of the service.
We are an Integrated Therapies Department and also have close working relationships with the community teams. The profile of Therapies is growing, and our voice and opinions are heard and valued at all levels, so this is a brilliant time to join us.
Job responsibilities
Applicants will ideally possess a Degree/Foundation Degree or be able to evidence equivalent knowledge and skills in a similar post. For applicants who do not meet this criteria, the minimum qualification requirement would be an NVQ III in Health and Social Care or equivalent, with the ability to complete the Foundation Degree being a condition of employment. In this instance, Annex 21 would be applied and there would be a variation in the salary offered during the training period.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
* Degree/Foundation Degree or evidenced equivalent knowledge and skills in a similar post. The requirement to complete a Foundation Degree if these cannot be met.
* NVQ III in Health and Social Care or equivalent – minimum qualification required for consideration for the position.
* Numeracy/literacy skills – Level 2 or Grade C at GCSE.
Knowledge and Experience
* Experience of working in health and therapy teams/working with people.
* Experience of working as a therapy or rehabilitation assistant.
* Clear understanding of therapy role/concepts of therapy and the enabling approach.
* Understands the health system and acute care.
Skills, Abilities and Competencies
* Good verbal and written communication skills/basic IT skills.
* Therapeutic and rehabilitation skills.
* Able to work independently and use own initiative.
* Team worker/confident/able to recognise self‑limitations.
* Role requires the ability to travel within the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area. Should hold a full current driving licence or be able to make own travelling arrangements to fulfil the duties of the post, including visits to patients’ homes with and without patients, delivery of equipment etc.
Other
* Good level of general health and physical fitness in order to practice manual handling techniques with patients.
* Evidence of motivation for the Therapy Assistant Practitioner role.
* Professional demeanour and appearance.
* Ability to take on responsibilities and additional duties.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer name
James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
£28,392 to £31,157 a year or pro rata
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