Job summary
Permanent post - 37.5hrs per week
Fixed term/secondment post - 37.5hrs per week for 28 weeks.
We have a fantastic opportunity for two Senior Physiotherapy Assistants to work within our Neurosciences and Cancer Care Team supporting inpatients recovering from a variety of neurological conditions. These roles help us ensure that we meet with the Trust's vision to provide every patient with the care we want for those we love the most.
Working within Neurosciences will provide you with an opportunity to work alongside not only an experienced and dedicated Physiotherapy Team but also an experienced Multidisciplinary Team that focuses on early assessment, rehabilitation and timely discharge of patients that have sustained a stroke or neurological conditions such as MS/Traumatic Brain Injury/Peripheral Nerve Injuries. You will assist the Physiotherapists with their interventions and carry out prescribed physical programs that will benefit patients and support the team.
Previous experience within Physiotherapy is essential for this role and you will be required to be an active member of our weekend working rota.
Our patients often present with complex communication needs, cognitive challenges and frailty requiring compassionate care and support. Excellent communication skills are essential. The patients that you will be required to see are frequently extremely unwell and therefore previous experience of working in a care setting is essential.
Main duties of the job
As a Senior Physiotherapy Assistant you will:
- work on our inpatient wards with our experienced and dedicated team of registered and unregistered therapists supporting patients during recovery from acute illness.
- be an active part of the wider multi-disciplinary team and will have the opportunity to develop new skills with access to training and professional development.
- undertake a variety of non-clinical and clinical tasks to support the delivery of physiotherapy services to our Neurosciences patients.
- work without direct supervision within a specified clinical area to undertake a variety of delegated clinical tasks to support the delivery of Physiotherapy to patients, in accordance with agreed guidance/care pathways.
- undertake a limited supported teaching and supervisory role.
- work under direction to undertake a variety of non-clinical administrative tasks to support the Physiotherapy service
- work under direct/indirect supervision and direction of registered Physiotherapists and Physiotherapy Assistant Practitioners/Senior Physiotherapy Assistants in the performance of specific tasks for individuals or groups of patients as part of treatment and rehabilitation programmes.
If you are considering applying for this post on a secondment basis, please discuss with your Line Manager prior to applying to ascertain whether this could be supported.
Interview date: 21st January 2026
About us
Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff!
The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.
We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity
We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:
- Flexible working hours
- Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
- Multi Faith prayer room
- Discounted gym memberships
- Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
- Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
- Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH site
- Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
- On-site Nursery
- On-site cafes offering staff discounts
- Support in career development
- Flexible staff bank
- Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics
Job description
Job responsibilities
With support and supervision, to manage an allocated workload efficiently and effectively with regard to clinical priorities and use of time, in accordance with agreed guidance/care pathways.
Collect relevant patient information from a variety of sources to assist with clinical prioritisation and patient management e.g. ward handovers, observation charts, medical, nursing records and Physiotherapy notes, personal educational files.
Use good communication to gain valid informed consent prior to undertaking any clinical tasks. With support, to work within the legal framework with patients who lack the capacity to consent to treatment. Work under direct/indirect supervision and direction of registered Physiotherapists and Physiotherapy Assistant Practitioners/Senior Physiotherapy Assistants in the performance of specific tasks for individuals or groups of patients as part of treatment and rehabilitation programmes.
Such tasks may include:
Assist registered Physiotherapists with patient care and rehabilitation
Assist patients with functional activities of daily living e.g. walking, dressing, undressing, toileting.
Teach and supervise simple exercise programmes.
Assess, issue and teach the use of walking aids. Apply a variety of treatment modalities following appropriate testing for suitability e.g. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and hot pack therapy.
Fit and teach the use of appliances.
Assist with moving and handling of patients in line with Trust policies.
Assist with treatment e.g. balance training, gait re-education, stair assessment, hydrotherapy.
Please refer to the Job Description for the full specification of responsibilities and requirements for this post.
Consideration of other similar roles within department may be given to suitable candidates.
These exciting roles offer the opportunity to develop clinical and non-clinical skills with access to in-service training and personal development. You will receive supervision and annual appraisal and take an active role within your own personal development.
Job description
Job responsibilities
With support and supervision, to manage an allocated workload efficiently and effectively with regard to clinical priorities and use of time, in accordance with agreed guidance/care pathways.
Collect relevant patient information from a variety of sources to assist with clinical prioritisation and patient management e.g. ward handovers, observation charts, medical, nursing records and Physiotherapy notes, personal educational files.
Use good communication to gain valid informed consent prior to undertaking any clinical tasks. With support, to work within the legal framework with patients who lack the capacity to consent to treatment. Work under direct/indirect supervision and direction of registered Physiotherapists and Physiotherapy Assistant Practitioners/Senior Physiotherapy Assistants in the performance of specific tasks for individuals or groups of patients as part of treatment and rehabilitation programmes.
Such tasks may include:
Assist registered Physiotherapists with patient care and rehabilitation
Assist patients with functional activities of daily living e.g. walking, dressing, undressing, toileting.
Teach and supervise simple exercise programmes.
Assess, issue and teach the use of walking aids. Apply a variety of treatment modalities following appropriate testing for suitability e.g. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and hot pack therapy.
Fit and teach the use of appliances.
Assist with moving and handling of patients in line with Trust policies.
Assist with treatment e.g. balance training, gait re-education, stair assessment, hydrotherapy.
Please refer to the Job Description for the full specification of responsibilities and requirements for this post.
Consideration of other similar roles within department may be given to suitable candidates.
These exciting roles offer the opportunity to develop clinical and non-clinical skills with access to in-service training and personal development. You will receive supervision and annual appraisal and take an active role within your own personal development.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Evidence of completion of Physiotherapy Assistant competencies and their application in clinical practice
- Level 3 Diploma in Allied Health Support, NVQ in Care or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential
- Significant previous experience as a Health care (support) worker, including some experience in relevant specialties within a Physiotherapy Service.
Attitude, aptitude
Essential
- Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH's PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence
- Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Skills
Essential
- Ability to work as part of a team
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Evidence of completion of Physiotherapy Assistant competencies and their application in clinical practice
- Level 3 Diploma in Allied Health Support, NVQ in Care or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential
- Significant previous experience as a Health care (support) worker, including some experience in relevant specialties within a Physiotherapy Service.
Attitude, aptitude
Essential
- Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH's PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence
- Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Skills
Essential
- Ability to work as part of a team
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.
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.
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).
