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Main area Physiotherapy Grade Band 2 Contract 24 months (Apprenticeship) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday- Friday) Job ref 279-7591672-DEC25
Employer University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Worthing Hospital Town Worthing Salary £24,465 Per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 18/12/2025 23:59
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. 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 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance – because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form: https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
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. 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 3) 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 a developmental role. The trainee/apprentice will undertake and complete all elements of the Senior Healthcare Support Worker Standard (Level 3) Apprenticeship. The post holder will receive paid study time within their working hours to complete their apprenticeship. It is an expectation that the apprenticeship qualification would be completed in 18-24 months.
The apprentice will develop and maintain knowledge, skills and competencies related to the role of a physiotherapy assistant.
Tasks include:
* To support the planning and delivery of individual or generalised patient treatment programmes
* Assisting mobilisation of patients in clinical settings.
* Have a good basic knowledge of all equipment and mobility aids used in the workplace.
* Collect data and relevant statistics for reporting to management.
* Maintain computer competencies to assist in data collection and patients information
* Maintain stock levels – making management aware of any problems.
* General housekeeping including keeping department tidy and ready for working day.
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, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. 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 treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
Tasks include:
1. To support physiotherapy and inpatient teams to deliver the best patient care possible.
2. To report any complaints and incidences to the immediate senior member of staff as soon as possible.
3. To carry own caseload of patients with predictable conditions who require treatments. Liaising with physiotherapist as required. The size of the caseload will be small in nature initially and will increase during the apprenticeship.
4. Involved in the rehabilitation of patients using knowledge learned during the apprenticeship.
5. To assist nursing staff and therapists as required regarding day‑to‑day care of patients, e.g. transfers, maintaining hygienic environment.
6. To be able to measure and issue appropriate walking aid for patients, ensuring completion of competencies and adherence to medical devices policies.
7. To work collaboratively with relevant Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Professionals (e.g. health care assistants, occupational therapy assistants, and nursing staff, Orthotists) to assist achievement of patient centred goals and maximising the patient’s potential.
8. To contribute to the education of patients, on a range of topics covering Physiotherapy techniques (with physiotherapy support where required) e.g. Exercises, mobility activities including using walking aids and mobility.
9. Be able to read and interpret monitored information to ensure patient and therapist safety during therapy session e.g. BP, HR, SaO2 etc. To request support with this where uncertain.
Person specification
Experience/Qualifications
* 5 x GCSEs (or equivalent) grade A-C or 4-9 including Maths and English.
* Previous experience of working with people
* Awareness of confidentially
* Science GCSE (A-C)
* A-levels
* Previous experience working in a care environment
Skills
* Ability to give clinical and non-clinical information to patients under supervision
* Demonstrable professional attitude in a highly pressurised working environment.
* Basic IT skills, good knowledge of relevant healthcare computer systems.
* Full range of physical activity associated with a helper role. i.e. must be able to handle and move equipment and patients.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
* Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
* Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
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
Further Information
For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nursingteam@nhs.net.
For help with the application process for Non‑Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nonnursingteam@nhs.net.
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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