Job summary
We are seeking an exceptional Consultant Physiotherapist to join our highly specialised Sleep and Ventilation team at Royal Brompton Hospital, a world-leading tertiary centre for respiratory and cardiac conditions.
This is a senior clinical leadership role focused on neuromuscular diseases, transition clinics, and airway clearance techniques, working with a complex and highly specialised patient group. You will be responsible for the development, delivery, and innovation of advanced physiotherapy services within one of the UK's most renowned respiratory departments.
Main duties of the job
Deliver and lead expert physiotherapy care for patients with complex neuromuscular diseases, including those requiring long-term ventilation.
Run specialist airway clearance clinics and transition clinics for adolescents moving from paediatric to adult services.
Work as part of the Sleep and Ventilation team, contributing to advanced management of patients requiring home or in-hospital non-invasive ventilation.
Provide clinical leadership and advanced supervision to junior and senior physiotherapists.
Actively participate in service development, audit, and research, contributing to national and international best practices.
Represent the Trust at professional forums and conferences both nationally and internationally.
About us
Royal Brompton Hospital is part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and is internationally recognised for its expertise in respiratory and cardiac care. Our physiotherapy team is deeply integrated within multidisciplinary services, and you will work alongside experts in respiratory medicine, neurology, and rehabilitation to deliver world-class patient care.
You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and be part of a supportive and research-active environment committed to innovation and professional excellence.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Consultant Physiotherapist will lead on the design, implementation, and delivery of specialist airway clearance and transition clinics within the Sleep and Ventilation department at Royal Brompton Hospital. These services will cater to patients with complex neuromuscular conditions requiring integrated respiratory and rehabilitative support.
Key Responsibilities Include:
Establish and lead airway clearance clinics for adults with neuromuscular diseases, ensuring access to advanced physiotherapy interventions including mechanical cough assist, oscillation devices, manual techniques, and patient education.
Develop robust referral pathways and criteria for the identification and inclusion of patients with chronic neuromuscular respiratory compromise, in collaboration with neurology, respiratory, and community teams.
Work closely with the multidisciplinary team to embed airway clearance as a core component of long-term management, ensuring patient safety and effectiveness of care.
Design and implement structured transition clinics for young people with neuromuscular conditions, providing coordinated handover from paediatric to adult services.
Ensure transition clinics address the holistic needs of young adults including ventilation, musculoskeletal care, and psychosocial support.
Create standard operating procedures (SOPs), clinical protocols, and documentation standards for both services.
Provide specialist supervision and training to physiotherapists and MDT colleagues in airway clearance techniques and transitional care.
Lead on audit and quality improvement projects to evaluate service effectiveness, inform development, and contribute to national standards.
Represent the Trust in regional and national forums related to airway clearance, neuromuscular physiotherapy, and transition services.
Actively support patient and family education, co-producing materials where appropriate to support self-management and continuity of care.
These responsibilities form a core pillar of the departments ambition to deliver world-class, integrated, and age-appropriate care to a highly complex patient population.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Consultant Physiotherapist will lead on the design, implementation, and delivery of specialist airway clearance and transition clinics within the Sleep and Ventilation department at Royal Brompton Hospital. These services will cater to patients with complex neuromuscular conditions requiring integrated respiratory and rehabilitative support.
Key Responsibilities Include:
Establish and lead airway clearance clinics for adults with neuromuscular diseases, ensuring access to advanced physiotherapy interventions including mechanical cough assist, oscillation devices, manual techniques, and patient education.
Develop robust referral pathways and criteria for the identification and inclusion of patients with chronic neuromuscular respiratory compromise, in collaboration with neurology, respiratory, and community teams.
Work closely with the multidisciplinary team to embed airway clearance as a core component of long-term management, ensuring patient safety and effectiveness of care.
Design and implement structured transition clinics for young people with neuromuscular conditions, providing coordinated handover from paediatric to adult services.
Ensure transition clinics address the holistic needs of young adults including ventilation, musculoskeletal care, and psychosocial support.
Create standard operating procedures (SOPs), clinical protocols, and documentation standards for both services.
Provide specialist supervision and training to physiotherapists and MDT colleagues in airway clearance techniques and transitional care.
Lead on audit and quality improvement projects to evaluate service effectiveness, inform development, and contribute to national standards.
Represent the Trust in regional and national forums related to airway clearance, neuromuscular physiotherapy, and transition services.
Actively support patient and family education, co-producing materials where appropriate to support self-management and continuity of care.
These responsibilities form a core pillar of the departments ambition to deliver world-class, integrated, and age-appropriate care to a highly complex patient population.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Doctorate (PhD) in a relevant field such as respiratory physiotherapy, neuromuscular disorders, or pulmonary rehabilitation.
- HCPC registration as a Physiotherapist.
- Evidence of continued professional development in respiratory physiotherapy and neuromuscular care.
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience (typically 10+ years) working in respiratory physiotherapy, with clear progression to an advanced practice or consultant level.
- Demonstrated clinical leadership in the management of patients requiring ventilatory support and complex airway clearance.
- Proven track record of setting up, leading, or contributing to specialist clinics in ventilation, airway clearance, or transition services for neuromuscular conditions.
- Experience in developing and leading multidisciplinary teams.
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Expert knowledge of respiratory pathophysiology, particularly as it relates to neuromuscular disorders.
- Skilled in non-invasive ventilation (NIV) support, cough augmentation techniques, secretion clearance devices, and transition planning for young adults with chronic neuromuscular conditions.
- Strong research profile with published peer-reviewed work in international journals.
- Excellent communication, teaching, and mentoring skills.
- Familiarity with national and international clinical guidelines and best practices in respiratory care.
Recognition
Essential
- International recognition for contributions to the field, including conference presentations, invited lectureships, or collaborations with global experts or institutions.
- Active membership in relevant professional bodies (e.g., ACPRC, ERS, BTS).
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Doctorate (PhD) in a relevant field such as respiratory physiotherapy, neuromuscular disorders, or pulmonary rehabilitation.
- HCPC registration as a Physiotherapist.
- Evidence of continued professional development in respiratory physiotherapy and neuromuscular care.
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience (typically 10+ years) working in respiratory physiotherapy, with clear progression to an advanced practice or consultant level.
- Demonstrated clinical leadership in the management of patients requiring ventilatory support and complex airway clearance.
- Proven track record of setting up, leading, or contributing to specialist clinics in ventilation, airway clearance, or transition services for neuromuscular conditions.
- Experience in developing and leading multidisciplinary teams.
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Expert knowledge of respiratory pathophysiology, particularly as it relates to neuromuscular disorders.
- Skilled in non-invasive ventilation (NIV) support, cough augmentation techniques, secretion clearance devices, and transition planning for young adults with chronic neuromuscular conditions.
- Strong research profile with published peer-reviewed work in international journals.
- Excellent communication, teaching, and mentoring skills.
- Familiarity with national and international clinical guidelines and best practices in respiratory care.
Recognition
Essential
- International recognition for contributions to the field, including conference presentations, invited lectureships, or collaborations with global experts or institutions.
- Active membership in relevant professional bodies (e.g., ACPRC, ERS, BTS).
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.
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.
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).
