Specialist Physiotherapist

Job responsibilities

1. Clinical

• Undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous and accountable practitioner.

• Manage a complex and varied caseload of patients across Melly and Victoria Wards, often presenting with long-term, complex or chronic conditions.

• Perform advanced, comprehensive assessments using clinical reasoning and skilled manual techniques to determine accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.

• Develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-based individualised treatment programmes, adjusting as necessary based on patient response.

• Communicate effectively with patients who may have cognitive, sensory or language barriers, using a variety of advanced communication strategies.

• Utilise persuasive, motivational, and reassurance skills to encourage patient participation and optimise rehabilitation outcomes.

• Gain valid, informed consent, and where patients lack capacity, work within legal and ethical frameworks.

• Provide expert advice, education, and instruction to patients, families, carers, and other professionals to promote understanding and consistency in care delivery.

• Participate in the physiotherapy respiratory on-call and weekend rota as required.

• Manage clinical risk within own caseload to ensure safe and effective patient care.

• Maintain accurate and comprehensive patient records in line with professional and trust standards.

• Demonstrate safe and competent use of equipment and support junior staff and students in its appropriate use.

2. Leadership and Management

• Provide supervision, mentorship and clinical guidance to Band 5 physiotherapists working on each ward.

• Supervise and support therapy assistants and undergraduate physiotherapy and occupational therapy students.

• Act as a clinical role model, demonstrating high standards of practice and professional behaviour.

• Support the Band 7 Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist (team lead), who is based on a separate ward but fully contactable for guidance and advice.

• Contribute to service improvement projects, pathway development, and clinical audits to enhance patient care and service delivery.

• Participate in the development and review of local clinical guidelines, policies, and standards in line with national best practice.

• Assist with the operational running of the physiotherapy service on the wards as delegated by the Band 7 lead.

3. Education and Training

• Support the delivery of structured teaching, induction, and training programmes for junior staff, assistants, students, and members of the wider MDT.

• Identify own learning needs and maintain professional development through CPD activities, clinical supervision, and reflective practice.

• Participate in regular in-service training and clinical governance activities to contribute to team learning and continuous quality improvement.

4. Communication and Teamwork

• Work collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team including occupational therapists, nurses, doctors, and discharge planners to ensure coordinated, patient-centred care.

• Represent physiotherapy at ward rounds, case discussions, and family meetings.

• Communicate clearly and sensitively with patients and families regarding treatment plans, progress, and expected outcomes.

5. Professional and Ethical Practice

• Maintain HCPC registration and adhere to all relevant professional standards and Trust policies.

• Ensure that all aspects of practice are conducted in line with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapys Code of Professional Values and Behaviour.

• Promote patient dignity, safeguarding, equality, diversity, and inclusion at all times.

• Prioritise and manage workload independently, ensuring timely and effective patient care delivery.

6. Service Delivery

• Support the delivery of a high-quality physiotherapy service across both wards within core hours of Monday to Friday, 08:3016:30.

• Contribute to the implementation of a flexible, responsive 7-day service model, including participation in the respiratory on-call and weekend working rota.

• Assist with data collection and analysis for service evaluation and KPI monitoring.

7. Health, Safety and Risk Management

• Comply with Trust health and safety policies and take personal responsibility for the safety of yourself and others.

• Contribute to risk assessments and incident reporting, promoting a culture of safety and continuous improvement.

• Support incident investigations and implement actions to minimise recurrence where required.

For a full comprehensive list of main responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to job description and personal specification attached.

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

• Minimum 18 months post-graduate experience in relevant clinical area
• Broad Band 5 rotational experience
• Supervisory experience
• Previous Acute NHS experience

Desirable

• Involvement in audit
• Contribution to clinical education of less experienced staff
• Previous senior experience in area

Qualification and Professional Training

Essential

• Bachelor degree in Physiotherapy
• Good standard of general education including GCSE (or equivalent) maths and English grade C and above
• Registration with HCPC
• Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio including recent attendance at relevant post-graduate courses

Desirable

• CSP membership
• Involvement /membership in Special Interest Group

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Understanding of clinical governance
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including an ability to provide and receive complex, sensitive and contentious information
• Able to prioritise and organise own workload
• Able to cope with a range of complex options, find solutions, analyse, compare and decide on appropriate course of action
• Able to work as part of an inter-disciplinary team
• IT skills - computer literate in email, Word & PowerPoint

Desirable

• Driving license and access to a car

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Evidence to support personal initiatives in supporting service deliver
• Able to carry out moderate physical effort throughout concurrent activities
• Motivated
• Flexible and adaptable
• Diplomatic and sensitive to others need
• To follow the Trusts values of EXCEL and COMPACT

Other

Essential

• Able to commit to flexible working and weekend working

Desirable

• Driving license and access to motor vehicle for work purposes

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).