South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Physiotherapist

The closing date is 29 October 2025

Job summary

Applications for this vacancy are restricted to current Trust employees only.

We are looking for a Band 6 specialised MSK physiotherapist to join The Sunderland Integrated Musculoskeletal Team (SIMS) as a Physiotherapist specializing in the delivery of care to patients with MSK conditions. The service offers patients a route to full specialist assessments, necessary diagnostic tests, and treatment as an alternative pathway to hospital referral. Applicants should be able to demonstrate excellent skills and knowledge, leadership, motivation and organization to become part of our enthusiastic team who will support you in developing and advancing your musculoskeletal and management skills. You must have excellent communication skills with experience of sharing specialized information and ideas across multiple disciplines.

Main duties of the job

The SIMS team is part on the community division within South Tyneside and Sunderland Foundation Trust. The team is based in Community health centres across Sunderland. You would be working alongside a team of GPWSI, ESP and Physiotherapists, but also developing close working relationships with secondary care consultants. The candidate should have gained experience across a number of specialities and should have musculoskeletal experience or looking to develop this. You should also have a good grounding in the NHS.

You should be looking to work as an autonomous practitioner within a specialist team using specialist clinical reasoning skills to provide specialist physiotherapy assessment, diagnosis, treatment and advice to an independently managed caseload which will incorporate routine and complex presentation of conditions. To begin to develop specialist skills to take a lead role in clinical practice issues, raising the profile of the service and offering specialist advice to planning and service development teams in order to assist in the implementation of service.

The service operates working one late night and alternative Saturday mornings.

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,600 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Details

Date posted

15 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9155-CMAHP-1025-05

Job locations

Southwick Health Centre

The Green

Southwick

Sunderland

SR52LT


Job description

Job responsibilities

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

  • To work as an autonomous practitioner within a specialist team using specialist clinical reasoning skills to provide specialist physiotherapy assessment, diagnosis, treatment and advice to an independently managed caseload which will incorporate routine and complex presentation of conditions.
  • To begin to develop specialist skills to take a lead role in clinical practice issues, raising the profile of the service and offering specialist advice to planning and service development teams in order to assist in the implementation of service improvements.
  • To consolidate post-graduate skills and continue professional development, including participation in physiotherapy in-service training programmes and external postgraduate training.
  • To develop the clinical education of staff within the specialism and be responsible for the supervision of unqualified and newly qualified Physiotherapists who work under your direct supervision.
  • To undertake research relevant to the needs of the specialist area.
  • To comply with the trusts vision, values and behavioural compact.

Job description

Job responsibilities

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

  • To work as an autonomous practitioner within a specialist team using specialist clinical reasoning skills to provide specialist physiotherapy assessment, diagnosis, treatment and advice to an independently managed caseload which will incorporate routine and complex presentation of conditions.
  • To begin to develop specialist skills to take a lead role in clinical practice issues, raising the profile of the service and offering specialist advice to planning and service development teams in order to assist in the implementation of service improvements.
  • To consolidate post-graduate skills and continue professional development, including participation in physiotherapy in-service training programmes and external postgraduate training.
  • To develop the clinical education of staff within the specialism and be responsible for the supervision of unqualified and newly qualified Physiotherapists who work under your direct supervision.
  • To undertake research relevant to the needs of the specialist area.
  • To comply with the trusts vision, values and behavioural compact.

Person Specification

Attitude

Essential

  • A proactive ability to represent the profession and the Trust with positive enthusiasm.
  • Commitment, motivation and adaptability.
  • Good levels of general fitness.
  • Flexibility.

Desirable

  • Adaptability.

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and to work within an environment with competing demands.
  • Ability to maintain high levels of concentration.

Desirable

  • Evidence of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Physical Skills

Essential

  • Ability to move and handle safely without causing harm to themselves or others.
  • Car Driver with valid UK licence and have access to a car for work purposes.

Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of high level communication skills within a wide variety of settings.
  • Evidence of high level of post graduate training including CPD.

Desirable

  • Evidence of working on strategic planning and development.
  • Evidence of working within MSK services.

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc Physiotherapy or equivalent.
  • HCPC State Registration.
  • Comprehensive experience at band 5 level incorporating some experience within a range of specialities.
  • Basic numeracy and literacy skills to level 1 or equivalent.
  • Basic IT skills.

Desirable

  • An understanding of South Tyneside and Sunderland Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing.
  • Experience in specialist field to post graduate diploma level or equivalent.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • Ability to manage staff.
  • Ability to lead in service developments.
  • Ability to lead on audit.
  • Able to present information, written and orally in a clear and logical manner.
  • Ability to communicate at all levels.
  • Basic IT skills.

Desirable

  • Able to use own initiative appropriately to enhance service delivery.
  • Evidence of ability to be innovative and proactive.
  • Intermediate IT skills.
  • Presentational skills.
Person Specification

Attitude

Essential

  • A proactive ability to represent the profession and the Trust with positive enthusiasm.
  • Commitment, motivation and adaptability.
  • Good levels of general fitness.
  • Flexibility.

Desirable

  • Adaptability.

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and to work within an environment with competing demands.
  • Ability to maintain high levels of concentration.

Desirable

  • Evidence of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Physical Skills

Essential

  • Ability to move and handle safely without causing harm to themselves or others.
  • Car Driver with valid UK licence and have access to a car for work purposes.

Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of high level communication skills within a wide variety of settings.
  • Evidence of high level of post graduate training including CPD.

Desirable

  • Evidence of working on strategic planning and development.
  • Evidence of working within MSK services.

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc Physiotherapy or equivalent.
  • HCPC State Registration.
  • Comprehensive experience at band 5 level incorporating some experience within a range of specialities.
  • Basic numeracy and literacy skills to level 1 or equivalent.
  • Basic IT skills.

Desirable

  • An understanding of South Tyneside and Sunderland Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing.
  • Experience in specialist field to post graduate diploma level or equivalent.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • Ability to manage staff.
  • Ability to lead in service developments.
  • Ability to lead on audit.
  • Able to present information, written and orally in a clear and logical manner.
  • Ability to communicate at all levels.
  • Basic IT skills.

Desirable

  • Able to use own initiative appropriately to enhance service delivery.
  • Evidence of ability to be innovative and proactive.
  • Intermediate IT skills.
  • Presentational skills.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Southwick Health Centre

The Green

Southwick

Sunderland

SR52LT


Employer's website

https://www.stsft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Southwick Health Centre

The Green

Southwick

Sunderland

SR52LT


Employer's website

https://www.stsft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Operational Lead for SIMS

Jill Clark

jill.clark5@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

15 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9155-CMAHP-1025-05

Job locations

Southwick Health Centre

The Green

Southwick

Sunderland

SR52LT


Supporting documents

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