About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Hand Therapy Team as a Band 4 Assistant within the renowned Pulvertaft Hand Unit. We are a busy, friendly clinical service specialising in hand and upper-limb conditions and injuries. Although the wider Unit includes Doctors, Nurses, Therapists and Extended Scope Practitioners, this role focuses on supporting our Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care.
As a Hand Therapy Assistant, you will work under the supervision of qualified therapy staff to support patients throughout their rehabilitation journey. You will also manage an independent caseload of patients with clearly defined treatment plans, helping them progress through their personalised rehabilitation programmes.
This role is ideal for someone who is compassionate, motivated, and eager to develop specialist skills within a supportive multidisciplinary environment.
Working Hours
This post offers a structured weekly timetable:
Monday: 08:00-17:00 Tuesday: 09:00-18:30 Wednesday: 08:00-16:00 Thursday: 08:00-16:30 Friday: 08:30-13:00
Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities
Managing a defined caseload with minimal support from the delegating therapist. Teaching and supervising exercise programmes to support patient recovery. Assessing, issuing and teaching the use of walking aids where required. Fitting and teaching the use of appliances or splints for agreed conditions. Supporting safe moving and handling in line with Trust policies. Training & Development
You will be welcomed into a team that values learning and professional growth. We offer regular, comprehensive training and encourage ongoing development to help you build confidence and specialist skills in hand therapy.
Key Dates
Closing date for applications: 28 September 2026 Interview date: 12 October 2026
About us
As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together
Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.
In return we will offer:
Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development On-going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond. Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes Key Facts:
We see on average 4810 OP appointments a day. We are the 4th busiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England - an average of 2077 per week. An average of 1115 patients are seen in A&Es across our network every day - 3rd largest in the country. Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily. Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres. We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres. We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day. UHDB is a research active University Hospital with a large and varied portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please see attached Job description and Person Specification. To apply please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.
Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click on the link to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship Impacts of the changes to the UK immigration policy | NHS Employers
Person Specification
Qualifications & Knowledge Essential
GCSE English and Maths or Equivalent Educated to NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience or be able to evidence/knowledge within a similar therapy assistant setting IT knowledge
Desirable
Experience specifically in the area of Hand Therapy or outpatient setting Experience of stock control/stock taking To understand the roles of other rehabilitation professionals
Experience Essential
NHS experience or working in an Acute NHS setting
Desirable
Experience in supervision Able to demonstrate managing a caseload
Behaviours Essential
Demonstrates team player attributes Able to demonstrate communication skills. Able to demonstrate reliability and responsibility
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.
Employer details Employer name University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Address Royal Derby Hospital
Uttoxeter Road
Derby
DE22 3NE
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.uhdb.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)