Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Apprentice Physiotherapy Assistant

The closing date is 25 March 2026

Job summary

*This is a fixed term contract for 14 months*

We have an exciting opportunity for three Apprentice Physiotherapy Assistants to join our Physiotherapy Department, with roles within our Older Persons Medicine and Respiratory Inpatient Teams and a role in our Musculoskeletal Outpatients Team.

In outpatients our apprentice will support the musculoskeletal physiotherapy team by undertaking a wider range of administrative and housekeeping tasks than a ward based physiotherapy apprentice. So, in addition to working with patients alongside our team in clinics or gym + hydrotherapy classes, your day will include preparing our treatment rooms and stocking up equipment, undertaking and recording equipment + department safety checks, supporting our housekeeper to manage deliveries and contacting patients about appointments and booking appointments.

In our inpatient roles you will be working within a team of Physiotherapists and Physiotherapy Assistants within busy ward environments to support early mobilisation and acute rehabilitation for patients who are being medically optimised prior to discharge. This could include supporting mobility practice, completion of exercise programmes, supporting qualified staff with patient assessments as well as undertaking a variety of non-clinical tasks such as data capture, documentation and stocking up equipment to support the delivery of physiotherapy services to our patients.

Main duties of the job

- To assist qualified physiotherapists with patient care and rehabilitation

- To teach and supervise simple exercise programs prescribed by a qualified physiotherapist or assistant practitioner

- To assist with holistic patient care

- To promote and encourage independent and restoration of function

- To prepare the treatment area and tidy up after patients in line with trust policy

- To communicate responsibly and effectively with patients and carers.

- To communicate with the physiotherapist and other members of the multidisciplinary team regarding the patient's condition or other relevant information

- Continue personal development in relation to identified objectives.

- Undertake and successfully complete the Level 2 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare support within the 13 month contract of employment

Please note this job is an apprenticeship role, on completion of which you will have achieved the Level 2 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare Support. This does not result in a Physiotherapy qualification.

Please refer to the Job Description for the full specification of responsibilities and requirements for this post.

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 at NNUH Colney Lane site
  • 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 Colney Lane site
  • Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
  • On-site Nursery at NNUH Colney Lane
  • On-site cafes offering staff discounts at NNUH Colney Lane
  • Support in career development
  • Flexible staff bank
  • Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics

Details

Date posted

20 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£14,722 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

14 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

234-25-F1695

Job locations

Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital

Colney Lane

Norwich

NR4 7UY


Job description

Job responsibilities

We as a Trust encourage and support your progression beyond your Apprenticeship and will be here to help!

We welcome applications from individuals wishing to become an Apprentice and gain experience in the NHS. You will develop new skills and knowledge whilst working with an established team gaining valuable work experience and a recognised apprenticeship qualification.

Apprenticeship Eligibility Criteria:

All applicants must be:

Aged 16+

Resident in the UK/EEA for the last three consecutive years

Must not have a qualification in a similar subject at the same level or above

Must not be in any form of formal government-funded education upon the start of their apprenticeship

Qualifications and Skills Required:

Good general standard of education

4 GCSEs at Grade D/3 or above (or equivalent) subject to the job specification

Good standard of literacy and numeracy

Good communication and interpersonal skills

Good IT skills

We are very proud of our Apprentice success rates, with 92% of Apprentices successfully obtaining a substantive post within the Trust at the end of their Apprenticeship contract, and 98% of Apprentices having further plans in place following their Apprenticeship e.g. going on to further education, joining the NNUH staff bank or obtaining employment at another organisation.

Excellent communication skills are essential as you will be working as part of a team and with a caseload of patients with possible complex communication needs.

Full time: 37.5 hrs per week

Interview date: 9th April 2026

Please view the attached job description for full details of the role, and use your supporting statement to confirm how you meet the essential and desirable criteria on the job specification.

Please note due to high volume of applications for some posts, this post may close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role asap.

Please note that this advertised position, which is part of occupation code 6131 does not meet the UKVI eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa (this includes if you are already in a sponsored post and looking to change employer). The Trust would not be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

We as a Trust encourage and support your progression beyond your Apprenticeship and will be here to help!

We welcome applications from individuals wishing to become an Apprentice and gain experience in the NHS. You will develop new skills and knowledge whilst working with an established team gaining valuable work experience and a recognised apprenticeship qualification.

Apprenticeship Eligibility Criteria:

All applicants must be:

Aged 16+

Resident in the UK/EEA for the last three consecutive years

Must not have a qualification in a similar subject at the same level or above

Must not be in any form of formal government-funded education upon the start of their apprenticeship

Qualifications and Skills Required:

Good general standard of education

4 GCSEs at Grade D/3 or above (or equivalent) subject to the job specification

Good standard of literacy and numeracy

Good communication and interpersonal skills

Good IT skills

We are very proud of our Apprentice success rates, with 92% of Apprentices successfully obtaining a substantive post within the Trust at the end of their Apprenticeship contract, and 98% of Apprentices having further plans in place following their Apprenticeship e.g. going on to further education, joining the NNUH staff bank or obtaining employment at another organisation.

Excellent communication skills are essential as you will be working as part of a team and with a caseload of patients with possible complex communication needs.

Full time: 37.5 hrs per week

Interview date: 9th April 2026

Please view the attached job description for full details of the role, and use your supporting statement to confirm how you meet the essential and desirable criteria on the job specification.

Please note due to high volume of applications for some posts, this post may close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role asap.

Please note that this advertised position, which is part of occupation code 6131 does not meet the UKVI eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa (this includes if you are already in a sponsored post and looking to change employer). The Trust would not be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • 4 GCSE's at Grade D/3 or above ideally including English and Maths
  • Must be willing to undertake and complete the Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship Standard within the 14-month contract

Experience

Desirable

  • Previous experience working in a team and in a customer facing environment

Skills

Essential

  • Evidence of effective communication skills
  • Demonstrates good organisational skills
  • Evidence of working effectively in a team
  • Evidence of ability to use initiative appropriately

Attitude & Aptitude

Essential

  • Able to work under pressure
  • 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
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • 4 GCSE's at Grade D/3 or above ideally including English and Maths
  • Must be willing to undertake and complete the Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship Standard within the 14-month contract

Experience

Desirable

  • Previous experience working in a team and in a customer facing environment

Skills

Essential

  • Evidence of effective communication skills
  • Demonstrates good organisational skills
  • Evidence of working effectively in a team
  • Evidence of ability to use initiative appropriately

Attitude & Aptitude

Essential

  • Able to work under pressure
  • 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

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

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Address

Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital

Colney Lane

Norwich

NR4 7UY


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Address

Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital

Colney Lane

Norwich

NR4 7UY


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Operational Lead Physiotherapist Respiratory Team

Laura Grimsey

laura.grimsey@nnuh.nhs.uk

01603286286

Details

Date posted

20 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£14,722 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

14 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

234-25-F1695

Job locations

Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital

Colney Lane

Norwich

NR4 7UY


Supporting documents

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