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Physiotherapist Apprentice

Please Note: The application deadline for this vacancy has now passed.

Role Summary

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust are pleased to be able to offer a number of Physiotherapy apprenticeships to internal candidates across Northern and Eastern Devon commencing in January 2025. With posts available across the Northern and Eastern Community Services.

The successful candidates following an internal interview, can apply to UWE Bristol for the 4-year apprenticeship programme. Please note that the application for a post is for one of the posts across the organisation and not necessarily in the team you currently work.

Following gaining entry to the programme, successful completion of the Apprenticeship and HCPC registration, the post holder will join the relevant Band 5 Physiotherapy rotation.

Please note, there are two vacancies available for this role. One will be Northern based and one will be Eastern based.

About the Role

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role

Please note that the job descriptions attached are what the post holder will be working towards being able to fulfil by the end of the four-year programme. 

This role is to train as a Physiotherapist whilst in paid employment.

Physiotherapy is a science-based profession and takes a ‘whole person’ approach to health and wellbeing, which includes the patient’s general lifestyle. At the core is the patient’s involvement in their own care, through education, awareness, empowerment and participation in their treatment.

Physiotherapists help people affected by injury, illness or disability through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice. They maintain health for people of all ages, helping patients to manage pain and prevent disease. The profession helps to encourage development and facilitate recovery, enabling people to stay in work while helping them remain independent for as long as possible.

Physios use their knowledge and skills to improve a range of conditions associated with different systems of the body, such as:

Neurological (strokemultiple sclerosisParkinson's)

Neuromusculoskeletal (back pain, whiplash associated disorder, sports injuriesarthritis)

Cardiovascular (chronic heart diseaserehabilitation after heart attack)

Respiratory (asthmachronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis).

Physiotherapist work in a number of settings across Acute, Community, Mental Health, Learning disabilities, Paediatrics, and Outpatients services. . Additionally, some physiotherapists are involved in education, research and service management.

Do you:

  • Have experience working as a Support worker or Assistant Practitioner in health care.
  • Have the passion to become a Physiotherapist.
  • Have an enthusiasm to learn about Physiotherapy, as well as fundamentals of anatomy and physiology, psychology and sociology.
  • Have enthusiasm to learn about evidence-based practice and research.
  • Have the appropriate entry requirements.

Working Pattern: Work based Apprenticeship, 20 % off the job hours. Some teams have a requirement for weekend working.

Pay information: Year 1 and Year 2: Band 3 or 4 reflective of current pay point.

                              Year 3: Band 4 reflective of current pay point.

                               Year 4: Band 4 if at top of pay scale or annex 21 Band 5 if at bottom of                                       Band 4 pay scale. 

The post holder will complete work-based learning, attend university with scheduled learning delivered through online or face to face teaching, complete clinical placements in a setting outside of the workplace. You will study a range of subject areas from anatomy and physiology, neuroscience, Cardiorespiratory, exercise, develop your assessment and treatment skills, sound clinical reasoning skills, progressing towards being able to effectively manage complex clinical scenarios.

Assessment takes the form of a mix of module assessments including a written exam, essays, presentations and oral examinations.

In order to apply for this role, the entry requirements are:

  • 128 UCAS points
  • GCSE: Grade C/4 or above in English, Mathematics and Double Science or equivalent (we accept Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths and English).
  • A-level subjects: Grade C in Biology or Human Biology.
  • EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: You'll need a minimum of five units in Biology or Human Biology. UWE also consider BTEC Sport and Exercise Science and Applied Science.
  • Access15 Level 3 credits at Merit in Biology.
  • Baccalaureate IB: A minimum grade 6 in Higher Level Biology or Human Biology.
  • Irish Highers: H1 in Biology or Human Biology.
  • T Levels: Science. If you partially achieve your T Level, you can meet UWE subject requirements if you have at least a C in your Core Section

All applicants are expected to ring the University and check that they meet the entry criteria.  Please bring evidence of entry requirement certificates to the trust interview.

Working Pattern: 08:00/08:30 - 16:00/16:30. Work based Apprenticeship, 20% off the job hours. Some teams have a requirement for weekend working.

Interview Date: To be confirmed.

For further information please contact: Kathryn Edwards, Community Physiotherapist on kathrynedwards@nhs.net

This is an internal vacancy for Royal Devon employees, therefore Bank workers are currently not eligible to apply for this vacancy.

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

About Us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.

Our values are at the heart of everything we do, click here to find out more

It has never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you will help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Benefits

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you are starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:

  • National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
  • Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
  • Car lease schemes.
  • The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
  • Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available – if the role is something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you.

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