University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Physiotherapy Senior Technical Instructor - Emergency Care

The closing date is 03 November 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced, motivated and passionate Senior Technical Instructor to join our Emergency Care Therapy. This dynamic team is looking for someone who is confident to deliver high quality therapeutic assessments and interventions within the therapy team which includes Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists. A valid and proactive contribution to support innovation and service development is actively encouraged from all team members.

The successful candidates must have experience in the field of Acute Medicine/Emergency Care/Frailty as a therapy assistant working in the NHS or similar environment. Excellent inter-personal skills, strong values based patient centred care and effective team work are essential to the post.

The successful candidate will be joining therapy teams in delivering an enhanced seven day therapy service inclusive of weekend working and evening work to patients as part of the wider therapy department. The mix of interventions you will deliver will vary over time depending on the patient's needs.

Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS at Risk staff throughout Devon who is able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.

Main duties of the job

To perform specific therapeutic (clinical and non-clinical) assessment, treatment and discharge of an identified caseload of patients within the Therapy Team as part of the MDT in Emergency Care. The clinical caseload will be allocated and indirectly supervised by registered Health and Care Professions Council registered therapists within the area.

To undertake all aspects of clinical duties within an agreed protocol within the individuals scope of practice. To ensure competence is gained and retained in all areas in which you practice.

To work independently, but under the direction of the HCPC registered Therapists to perform specific tasks for an individual or group of patients, as part of their assessment, rehabilitation and therapeutic care programmes as well as facilitating earlier discharge from inpatient settings.

To work within protocols and competencies specific to this post. To act as first contact in specific situations.

Patient management includes assessment and information gathering to identify patient needs; development of personalised treatment and care plans collaboratively with the registered therapy staff and review of progress and ongoing needs at regular intervals.

Treatment activities might include following exercise and mobility programmes; and educating & advising patients and their families about their situation and options for the future.

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details

Date posted

20 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year £27,485 - £30,162 Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-AM-C7549186

Job locations

Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

To be accountable for own clinical practice and caseload management. To work without direct supervision but under the direction of the qualified staff in the performance of specific tasks for emergency care patients, as part of their treatment and rehabilitation programmes. Duties may include:

Initial assessment, treatment of post-operative patients, in accordance with established protocols, scope of practice and competence.

Development and Implementation of rehabilitation treatment programmes.

To understand and communicate complex information in simple and clear terms to patients, relatives, carers and other members of the MDT.

Develop person-specific goals for individuals and their carers.

Training and education of emergency care staff in the delivery of rehabilitation exercise programmes.

Positioning advice and care.

Conduct basis physiotherapeutic respiratory assessment.

Recognise acute and chronic deterioration and modify treatment accordingly.

Assessing performance of activities of daily living.

Teaching the use of specialist rehabilitation equipment.

Carry out level 1 & 2 psychological interventions, e.g. active listening

To understand, provide, receive and exchange complex condition related information with patients and relatives, who may have communication difficulties. Patients may have complex acute or long term communication difficulties following trauma or long term ventilation, e.g. tracheostomy patients.

To be actively involved in the communication of information regarding patients conditions and any other useful information to the physiotherapists and other members of the multidisciplinary team.

To communicate effectively with patients and carers. Communication skills of persuasion, motivation and explanation will be needed. Barriers to communication may include loss of hearing, altered perception, pain and language disorders associated with brain injury.

To be aware at all times of the needs of patients during illness or disability and to promote and encourage independence and restoration of function.

Be aware of the entire emergency care pathway, including hyper acute / acute / rehab phases and the implications of this on standards of therapy care.

Plan and manage own patient caseload across emergency care areas.

To work independently, but under the direction of a Physiotherapist to perform procedures and treatment plans for an individual or group of patients, as part of their treatment and rehabilitation programmes.

For further details please see attached JD&PS.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

To be accountable for own clinical practice and caseload management. To work without direct supervision but under the direction of the qualified staff in the performance of specific tasks for emergency care patients, as part of their treatment and rehabilitation programmes. Duties may include:

Initial assessment, treatment of post-operative patients, in accordance with established protocols, scope of practice and competence.

Development and Implementation of rehabilitation treatment programmes.

To understand and communicate complex information in simple and clear terms to patients, relatives, carers and other members of the MDT.

Develop person-specific goals for individuals and their carers.

Training and education of emergency care staff in the delivery of rehabilitation exercise programmes.

Positioning advice and care.

Conduct basis physiotherapeutic respiratory assessment.

Recognise acute and chronic deterioration and modify treatment accordingly.

Assessing performance of activities of daily living.

Teaching the use of specialist rehabilitation equipment.

Carry out level 1 & 2 psychological interventions, e.g. active listening

To understand, provide, receive and exchange complex condition related information with patients and relatives, who may have communication difficulties. Patients may have complex acute or long term communication difficulties following trauma or long term ventilation, e.g. tracheostomy patients.

To be actively involved in the communication of information regarding patients conditions and any other useful information to the physiotherapists and other members of the multidisciplinary team.

To communicate effectively with patients and carers. Communication skills of persuasion, motivation and explanation will be needed. Barriers to communication may include loss of hearing, altered perception, pain and language disorders associated with brain injury.

To be aware at all times of the needs of patients during illness or disability and to promote and encourage independence and restoration of function.

Be aware of the entire emergency care pathway, including hyper acute / acute / rehab phases and the implications of this on standards of therapy care.

Plan and manage own patient caseload across emergency care areas.

To work independently, but under the direction of a Physiotherapist to perform procedures and treatment plans for an individual or group of patients, as part of their treatment and rehabilitation programmes.

For further details please see attached JD&PS.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Foundation degree or equivalent. or Minimum NVQ / diploma in healthcare or equivalent level 3.

Desirable

  • Attendance of additional professional courses.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Broad range acute hospital / healthcare demonstrable experience.
  • Previous employment / demonstrable experience working within the physiotherapy service at band 2 or above in medical specialities.

Desirable

  • Proven knowledge and demonstrable experience of exercise prescription / rehabilitation for a wide variety of clients.

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential

  • Legible and concise handwriting. Effective Interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Professional and patient focussed approach acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members.

Desirable

  • Proven evidence of personal leadership.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Foundation degree or equivalent. or Minimum NVQ / diploma in healthcare or equivalent level 3.

Desirable

  • Attendance of additional professional courses.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Broad range acute hospital / healthcare demonstrable experience.
  • Previous employment / demonstrable experience working within the physiotherapy service at band 2 or above in medical specialities.

Desirable

  • Proven knowledge and demonstrable experience of exercise prescription / rehabilitation for a wide variety of clients.

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential

  • Legible and concise handwriting. Effective Interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Professional and patient focussed approach acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members.

Desirable

  • Proven evidence of personal leadership.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Emergency Care Senior Clinical Lead

Luke Wakley

luke.wakley@nhs.net

01752430379

Details

Date posted

20 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year £27,485 - £30,162 Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-AM-C7549186

Job locations

Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Supporting documents

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