University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Extended Scope Practitioner

The closing date is 30 September 2025

Job summary

To provide an expert service as an Extended Scope Practitioner Physiotherapist in the spinal management of patients referred to the South West Neurosurgical Centre.

Working within the single point of access for spinal pathways.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

Undertaking triage and assessment for SPOA. Undertake clinic on behalf of the consultant spinal surgeons and providing initial assessment and diagnosis, and after appropriate training requesting investigations and listing for surgical and therapeutic procedures and follow up of patients on behalf of the spinal surgical service, and referring on to other medical disciplines if appropriate.

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY.If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100.We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams.It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details

Date posted

04 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year £55,690 - £62,682 Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-AM-S7423920

Job locations

Neurosurgery Unit, Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide an expert service as an Extended Scope Practitioner Physiotherapist in the spinal management of patients referred to the South West Neurosurgical Centre undertaking clinics on behalf of the consultant spinal surgeons and providing initial assessment and diagnosis, and after appropriate training requesting investigationsand listing for surgical and therapeutic procedures and follow up of patients on behalf of the spinal surgical service, and referring on to other medical disciplines if appropriate.To be an expert in the rehabilitation of patients with spinal musculoskeletal conditions.To work in partnership with physiotherapy and other medical and allied health professional departments as an expert resource in musculoskeletal matters.To support spinal screening and triage for patients referred.To provide high level training and education, supervision and mentorship for physiotherapists both within UHP and across Devon and Cornwall.To see a min of 16 new patients and 16 follow-up per week (based on a 42 working weeks and on a pro rata basis) in outpatient environment (location to be agreed).To provide cross cover for other members of the Neurosurgical Spinal ESP team.Location of clinics may be within the UHP site or within the community and these will be face to face and virtual.Other responsibilities include ensuring service compliance with the clinical governance, agenda, ongoing service development and evaluation of outcomes and identification of audit priorities within the specialty of musculoskeletal work.You will need to be proactive in leading and developing services in line with patient need, Trust wide developments and national standards and provide professional advice and expertise, working with managers of services to ensure equity of service.

For further details please see the attached JD & PS

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide an expert service as an Extended Scope Practitioner Physiotherapist in the spinal management of patients referred to the South West Neurosurgical Centre undertaking clinics on behalf of the consultant spinal surgeons and providing initial assessment and diagnosis, and after appropriate training requesting investigationsand listing for surgical and therapeutic procedures and follow up of patients on behalf of the spinal surgical service, and referring on to other medical disciplines if appropriate.To be an expert in the rehabilitation of patients with spinal musculoskeletal conditions.To work in partnership with physiotherapy and other medical and allied health professional departments as an expert resource in musculoskeletal matters.To support spinal screening and triage for patients referred.To provide high level training and education, supervision and mentorship for physiotherapists both within UHP and across Devon and Cornwall.To see a min of 16 new patients and 16 follow-up per week (based on a 42 working weeks and on a pro rata basis) in outpatient environment (location to be agreed).To provide cross cover for other members of the Neurosurgical Spinal ESP team.Location of clinics may be within the UHP site or within the community and these will be face to face and virtual.Other responsibilities include ensuring service compliance with the clinical governance, agenda, ongoing service development and evaluation of outcomes and identification of audit priorities within the specialty of musculoskeletal work.You will need to be proactive in leading and developing services in line with patient need, Trust wide developments and national standards and provide professional advice and expertise, working with managers of services to ensure equity of service.

For further details please see the attached JD & PS

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Good understanding of primary and secondary care and the aims and priorities of Health and Social Care
  • Proven evidence of continuing professional development
  • Proven knowledge of appropriate national policies e.g. NSFs, NICE

Qualifications

Essential

  • HCPC Registered
  • Recognised Physiotherapy training
  • B.Sc. / B.Sc (Hons) / MSc Physiotherapy/equivalent

Desirable

  • Additional education relevant to the post
  • Previous demonstrable experience in MSK

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential

  • o Proven ability of complex case management
  • o Excellent communication skills
Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Good understanding of primary and secondary care and the aims and priorities of Health and Social Care
  • Proven evidence of continuing professional development
  • Proven knowledge of appropriate national policies e.g. NSFs, NICE

Qualifications

Essential

  • HCPC Registered
  • Recognised Physiotherapy training
  • B.Sc. / B.Sc (Hons) / MSc Physiotherapy/equivalent

Desirable

  • Additional education relevant to the post
  • Previous demonstrable experience in MSK

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential

  • o Proven ability of complex case management
  • o Excellent communication 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

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Neurosurgery Unit, Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Neurosurgery Unit, Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Service Line Cluster Manager

Rachael Buller

rachaelbuller@nhs.net

01752437157

Details

Date posted

04 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year £55,690 - £62,682 Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-AM-S7423920

Job locations

Neurosurgery Unit, Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Supporting documents

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