East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Therapy Assistant Practitioner - MSK Outpatients
The closing date is 26 November 2025
We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated Band 4 Physiotherapy Technician to join our friendly MSK Outpatients service.
This is a great development post for someone who enjoys working in a fast‑paced clinical environment and wants to develop further in MSK rehabilitation, exercise prescription and active therapy.
We are interested in people who:
* have experience working in a therapy / health / exercise setting
* have good communication skills and can build rapport with patients
* are proactive, caring and organised
* can work well within a team and can adapt to changing circumstances
Previous MSK experience is desirable but not essential.
What we offer
* structured Band 4 induction
* CPD support and regular supervision
* opportunities to observe specialist MSK clinics and class‑based rehab
* a supportive, experienced team who value development
Main duties of the job
You will work closely with our MSK Physiotherapists to:
* support delivery of individual and group exercise rehab
* Pool side support for Physiotherapy led Hydro sessions
* supervise patients completing exercise programmes
* progress exercises in line with clinical goals
* Discharge reviews within competency
* provide education, encouragement and behaviour‑change support
* maintain accurate documentation in line with CSP standards
You will be expected to manage a delegated caseload; however senior physios will be available for guidance and clinical support.
About us
We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients’ own homes.
We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.
We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.
Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.
Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.
We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.
Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A
Job responsibilities
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.
Person Specification
Experience
* Experience as a Therapy Assistant or experience at a similar level in a related field of health care / health and fitness sector.
* Demonstrable experience of delivering tailored patient specific treatment with an associated level of senior responsibility.
* Knowledge of community resources and whole-systems/ pathways approach to care.
* Experience of working across and liaising with variety of teams. Completion of Integrated Therapies assistant core and/or specific competencies.
* IT literate.
* Experience of working with patients who have had elective or trauma orthopaedic surgery and managing recovery.
Qualifications
* Can demonstrate intermediate level of theoretical knowledge and clinical reasoning skills acquired through coursework, in‑house training and experience to NVQ/Diploma Level 3 or equivalent.
Knowledge
* Ability to exchange condition‑related information with MDT, patients and carers.
* Able to maintain clinical records and complete basic reports.
* Able to demonstrate role and duties to MDT and community colleagues.
* Able to support the provision of student placements and other experiential learning.
* Knowledge of common orthopaedic procedures and the potential complications following these.
* Understanding of the role and application of occupational therapy and physiotherapy.
* Knowledge of occupational therapy and physiotherapy within the MSK Outpatient setting.
* Experience of group work with patients.
* Ability to plan and deliver range of prescribed interventions.
Skills
* Good communication skills to overcome barriers of understanding particularly with adults with disabilities.
* Able to use computer systems and virtual consultation platforms.
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
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
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