Assistant practitioners work under the supervision and guidance of registered healthcare professionals. They can complete patient assessments and may help to deliver interventions to support patients in their recovery from illness or injury. The duties of the role will vary depending on the place of work.

Typical duties for these roles may include:

• supporting patients to achieve their goals 
• providing education and advice to patients and carers
• supporting patients to take part in activity and exercise programmes
• supporting patients to understand and manage a long-term condition
• working with families and carers
• managing a caseload of patients with supervision from an allied health professional
• completing therapy assessments
• delivering group interventions to patients 
• working in partnership with other organisations
• writing reports about the care and treatment a patient has received.

Examples of Band 4 roles include:

Speech and language therapy assistants (SLTAs):

SLTAs work with people of all ages and a variety of conditions, such as developmental speech and language difficulties, acquired speech and language difficulties (for example, following a stroke), hearing impairment, cleft palate, head and neck cancer, learning disabilities, and autism. They may help with assessments and carry out therapy with individuals or groups, following a plan devised by a speech and language therapist. SLTAs also support therapists with the delivery of training to other professionals and make resources such as communication books. 

Career pathway

We expect good literacy and numeracy skills and ask for GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths. You will also need to complete The Care Certificate and prior experience in healthcare or care work in the form of paid, voluntary, work experience or placement work. We would expect you to have a Level 5 healthcare qualification, such as an assistant practitioner or nursing associate.

Occupational therapists provide care and support to people with physical, psychological, or social problems that are caused by an illness or disability.

Occupational therapists help people to overcome all kinds of day-to-day challenges and support them to live as independently as possible. This might involve helping them to learn new ways of doing things or making changes to the environment to make things easier. 

At our Trust, occupational therapists work with a range of patients from children and young people to adults and older adults. Many of our occupational therapists will travel between sites across Coventry and Warwickshire to deliver care to people in the community. They work in all of our services and may specialise in learning disabilities, mental health, or community health and wellbeing.

Occupational therapists need to be patient, have a caring manner, and be able to work creatively to meet the needs of each individual. They also need to be knowledgeable regarding practical approaches to support patients in achieving as much independence as possible, so that they can live full and satisfying lives.

Career Pathway

To become an occupational therapist, you will need to obtain a BSc in Occupational Therapy to be eligible for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.

The Trust offers an integrated degree apprenticeship for this role, as well as an integrated master’s degree. To apply for these courses, we expect a Level 4 qualification in a relevant role, a Level 3 qualification in a health-related subject, and GCSE’s A-C/9-4 or Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English.

As these apprenticeships are Level 6 and 7, aspiring applicants must have already secured a relevant position at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust. Contact talentforcare@covwarkpt.nhs.uk for more information. 

Physiotherapists supporting patient

Physiotherapists support people to improve their mobility, this may be after an accident or injury, or due to ageing or a disability. They asses the body as a whole and treat each patient individually.

Physiotherapists support people by:

• providing general advice and knowledge about factors that can affect a patient’s experience of everyday life, such as techniques and postures aimed at preventing injuries
• using manual therapy. This is a practical approach that involves the physiotherapist using their hands to relieve pain and stress, as well as encourage better body movement
• recommending exercises to improve overall health, and mobility and to strengthen areas of the body. These exercises are movement-related and tailored for the patient by the physiotherapist, as well as supplemented with advice for physical activity.

At Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, physiotherapists work within our mental health, learning disability and autism, and community physical health services. Physiotherapists may travel to patients’ homes or other areas where support is required, to provide excellent care. Physiotherapists work with people of all ages, including children and young people, adults, and older adults. 

Career Pathway

To become a physiotherapist at our Trust, you will need to have a BSc in Physiotherapy, as well as eligibility for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.

The Trust offers an integrated degree apprenticeship to equip you with the skills, knowledge, behaviours, and experience for this role, and we also offer an integrated master’s degree for Physiotherapy.

To apply for these courses, we expect a Level 4 qualification in a relevant role, a Level 3 qualification in a health-related subject, and GCSE’s A-C/9-4 or Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English.

As these apprenticeships are Level 6 and 7, aspiring applicants must have already secured a relevant position at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust. Contact talentforcare@covwarkpt.nhs.uk for more information. 

Dramatherapists support the recovery and wellbeing of people with physical, mental, or emotional difficulties or illness, by using aspects of drama and theatre to help patients explore and reflect on their feelings.

Dramatherapists use practices such as role play, voice work, movement, and storytelling to enable patients to explore solutions to personal issues. They help to create a safe environment to allow patients to confidently express themselves.

Typical duties of this role may include:

• planning and facilitating group and/or individual dramatherapy treatment programmes
• carrying out assessments and visits to support a patient's treatment plan
• creating an open, safe, and secure space for patients to freely express themselves and build upon their self-confidence and self-awareness
• monitoring and evaluating a patient's progress and writing accurate reports.

Career pathway

To become a dramatherapist, you will need to obtain a relevant degree qualification and a postgraduate diploma/Master's programme that has been approved by the Health and Care Professions Council.