Hand Therapy Assistant Practitioner Apprentice

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

The closing date is 04 February 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and enthusiastic Hand Therapy Assistant Practitioner Apprentice. This developmental role is ideal for someone who is passionate about patient care and rehabilitation.

The successful applicant will work towards a Level 5 Assistant Practitioner Foundation Degree over two years
, while simultaneously gaining practical, hands‑on experience within the department. You will support Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, and upper limb surgeons in the assessment and treatment of hand and wrist injuries and conditions, contributing to high‑quality, patient‑centred care.

A typical day may include supporting therapist‑led fracture clinics, fabricating small bespoke splints (for example, for mallet injuries), or delivering one‑to‑one hand rehabilitation for patients requiring additional support to regain mobility and strength. Working under supervision, progressing to independent practice as competence develops.

You will be empowered to carry out agreed procedures and follow established protocols within outpatient hospital clinics at Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, and Sussex Orthopaedic Treatment Centre, Haywards Heath
, with access to guidance and support from the wider multidisciplinary team.

We are looking for someone currently working in healthcare, ideally in a clinical support role with strong organisational, communication, and team‑working skills, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to service development.

Support Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists in the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of patients with hand and wrist injuries and conditions.

Deliver agreed, delegated treatment programmes to patients on a one‑to‑one basis and within therapist‑led fracture or rehabilitation groups, in line with individual care plans.

Fabricate, fit and adjust simple bespoke splints (e.g. mallet splints) under supervision, ensuring patient comfort, safety and correct usage.

Monitor patient progress, provide feedback to supervising therapists, and contribute to the ongoing evaluation of treatment outcomes.

Support the smooth running of hand therapy clinics within outpatient settings, including Royal Sussex County Hospital and Sussex Orthopaedic Treatment Centre.

Maintain accurate, timely and confidential patient records in line with Trust policies and professional standards.

Participate fully in the Level 5 Assistant Practitioner Foundation Degree programme, combining academic study with workplace learning and assessment.

Take responsibility for own learning and development, engaging in supervision, reflective practice and competency‑based training.

Adhere to Trust policies, including infection control, health and safety, safeguarding, and information governance.

Contribute to service development, quality improvement initiatives, and the promotion of best practice within the hand therapy service.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in.

We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level
3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work‑life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be.…