Job summary
Inpatient Therapy Assistant
Department: Therapies
Band 3 pro rata if part-time
Hours: 0.8 WTE
30 hrs 12 month fixed term contract
The Inpatient Therapy Service is looking for an individual with a passion for providing compassionate person-centered care as a Therapy Assistant.
Working as part of a team of dedicated and skilled clinicians, you will support the Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists to provide safe quality care to a range of patients on the wards.
You will be based within our complex medicine wards; these patients are older adults with frailty and often complex with a variety of medical conditions. You will be supporting activities to promote independence. You may also be involved in assisting with home visits or patients on other wards as required.
Previous experience in a healthcare setting is essential, and experience of working with patients in a rehabilitation context will be an advantage. The ability to demonstrate a proactive, flexible approach and to be able to work well on your own initiative is essential.
You will be supported to complete our therapy assistant competency package, supported by our dedicated Therapy Practice education team.
For an informal discussion or further information please contact Laura Sturgeon, Laura.sturgeon@mkuh.nhs.uk
Interview date: 7/01/2026
This role can not be sponsored
Main duties of the job
To act as an assistant to the registered Therapy staff on the Inpatient medical or surgical wards with all duties including:
o To implement treatment programmes with appropriate patients o To organize and assist with the running of appropriate therapy groups o To monitor stock and equipment in the Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy departments o To assist in the cleaning and maintenance where appropriate o To be well presented, polite and courteous at all times. o To undertake any other duties that might be considered appropriate by the Therapy Services Manager.
If you have the appropriate experience to work with these patients, an understanding of the importance of multi-disciplinary rehabilitation and can demonstrate a commitment to compassionate care we would love to hear from you.
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description
Job responsibilities
- As part of a patients therapeutic care plan and under the supervision of a registered therapist provide support with the practice of activities of daily living including personal care, continence management, feeding, exercise and mobility programmes and support registered therapists with home visits when necessary.
Personal Development
To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities and to maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development.
- To participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraisee and be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development programmes to meet set knowledge and competencies.
- To participate and support in the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of evidence based practice projects, audit and outcome measures in conjunction with the qualified therapists.
Organisational
To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date documentation, in line with legal and departmental requirements.
To ensure compliance with organisational and departmental policies and procedures.
To be responsible for the administration of stock, therapy equipment and mobility aids; checking the safety of aids and equipment for patient use and ensuring that supplies are ordered as necessary.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- As part of a patients therapeutic care plan and under the supervision of a registered therapist provide support with the practice of activities of daily living including personal care, continence management, feeding, exercise and mobility programmes and support registered therapists with home visits when necessary.
Personal Development
To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities and to maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development.
- To participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraisee and be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development programmes to meet set knowledge and competencies.
- To participate and support in the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of evidence based practice projects, audit and outcome measures in conjunction with the qualified therapists.
Organisational
To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date documentation, in line with legal and departmental requirements.
To ensure compliance with organisational and departmental policies and procedures.
To be responsible for the administration of stock, therapy equipment and mobility aids; checking the safety of aids and equipment for patient use and ensuring that supplies are ordered as necessary.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Educated to GCSE 'O' level or equivalent with two passes at 'C or 4' or above, in Mathematics and English
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
- Computer literacy
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working in health care
- Experience of working with the general public
Desirable
- Previous experience as an Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy assistant
Skills
Essential
- Good time management skills
- Ability to multi-task
- Ability to be aware of clinical and non-clinical complications and risks
- Timely management of patient medical records
- Recognition of need for timely and accurate data
- Ability to organise and respond effectively to information
- Ability to take direction from others, follow instructions and act within guidelines
- Be able to present information in a clear and logical manner
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Good observation skills
- Ability to prioritise appropriately
- Good IT skills
Desirable
- Understanding of audit and outcome measurement
Personal and people development
Essential
- Be able to reflect and critically appraise own performance and acknowledge own needs and limitations
- Be able to deal with unpleasant working conditions especially vomit, blood and wound secretions
- Self-motivated and self-directed
- Team worker
- Ability to work under pressure
- Motivational
- Lateral thinker
Communication
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
- Ability to keep accurate and legible patient notes
Desirable
- To have experience working with patients with communication difficulties.
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- To be able to work as part of the 7-day weekend rota system ( if relevant to team)
- To be a car driver with access to a car that can be used for work.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Educated to GCSE 'O' level or equivalent with two passes at 'C or 4' or above, in Mathematics and English
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
- Computer literacy
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working in health care
- Experience of working with the general public
Desirable
- Previous experience as an Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy assistant
Skills
Essential
- Good time management skills
- Ability to multi-task
- Ability to be aware of clinical and non-clinical complications and risks
- Timely management of patient medical records
- Recognition of need for timely and accurate data
- Ability to organise and respond effectively to information
- Ability to take direction from others, follow instructions and act within guidelines
- Be able to present information in a clear and logical manner
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Good observation skills
- Ability to prioritise appropriately
- Good IT skills
Desirable
- Understanding of audit and outcome measurement
Personal and people development
Essential
- Be able to reflect and critically appraise own performance and acknowledge own needs and limitations
- Be able to deal with unpleasant working conditions especially vomit, blood and wound secretions
- Self-motivated and self-directed
- Team worker
- Ability to work under pressure
- Motivational
- Lateral thinker
Communication
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
- Ability to keep accurate and legible patient notes
Desirable
- To have experience working with patients with communication difficulties.
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- To be able to work as part of the 7-day weekend rota system ( if relevant to team)
- To be a car driver with access to a car that can be used for work.
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.
