Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Rotational Physiotherapist (Bank)

The closing date is 08 August 2025

Job summary

Are you looking for your first qualified job as a physiotherapist? Are you ready to start your career with us?!

Bedford Hospital is looking for an enthusiastic, flexible and dynamic Physiotherapist to join the trust on a bank basis.

The successful candidate will be working within the band 5 rotations at Bedford Hospital , not only to treat patients with a variety of conditions, but also to assist with the development of the service and the therapy staff within it. The 9 rotations will provide at least 3 years of exposure to a wide range of clinical conditions and diagnosis.

The 9 rotations cover:-

Acute Frailty
Respiratory Inpatients
Orthopaedics and Surgery
Neurology Inpatients and Stroke
Urgent and Emergency Medicine
Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit
Paediatrics
Community
MSK Outpatients

Main duties of the job

The rotations are offered on a 4 monthly rotation scheme and are all lead and supported by experienced senior staff. Each rotation gives you the opportunity to advance your clinical skillset, working alongside members of the MDT , whilst providing you with the tools you need in order to progress to a more senior position.

You will need to have proven clinical knowledge and skills within your placements, and, a problem solving approach to patient management as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

We have a very strong learning and development ethos, and appreciate you may have acquired different skills and experience from your career so far. Every physiotherapist is unique and so we tailor your training in the role depending on your needs in order for your time with us to be a real success.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job

Date posted

25 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Bank

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

Bedford

Job locations

Bedford Hospital

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis

Conduct comprehensive assessments using advanced clinical reasoning and manual techniques to formulate accurate diagnoses.

Evaluate patient progress regularly, using objective measures and clinical judgment to adapt and refine treatment plans as necessary.

Deliver patient-centered care with treatment programmes based on sound clinical knowledge and the latest evidence-based practices.

Treatment Planning and Delivery

Design, implement, and monitor individualised rehabilitation programmes that promote recovery and functional independence.

Provide therapeutic interventions requiring manual dexterity, coordination, and therapeutic handling tailored to patient needs.

Develop safe and effective discharge plans, incorporating appropriate referrals to other services and agencies.

Professional Accountability and Governance

Maintain professional and legal accountability for all aspects of clinical work, adhering to Trust policies, HCPC, and CSP standards.

Work within national and local clinical guidelines, contributing to the monitoring and enhancement of practice quality.

Manage clinical risk effectively, particularly within your own caseload, adjusting treatment priorities in response to patient and service demands.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Actively contribute to case conferences and multidisciplinary meetings, offering specialist advice and treatment recommendations.

Collaborate with healthcare professionals, voluntary agencies, and community services to ensure cohesive patient care.

Communicate effectively with patients, families, and carers using both verbal and non-verbal skills, including the delivery of complex or sensitive information with empathy.

Community and Domiciliary Care

Provide assessment and treatment in patient homes where appropriate, promoting safety, independence, and function in a familiar environment.

Work independently in community settings, with remote support from senior staff as needed.

Emergency and On-Call Service

Following induction and training, participate in the emergency on-call respiratory service, assessing and treating acutely unwell patients, including those with complex needs.

Use escalation protocols and seek senior input when appropriate to ensure patient safety.

Education, Supervision and Professional Development

Participate actively in departmental training and continuous professional development to maintain clinical competency and current best practice knowledge.

Support the supervision and coordination of students, Therapy Practitioners, and assistant staff, fostering a positive learning environment.

Deliver training sessions to staff, carers, and patients on manual handling, record keeping, and self-management strategies.

Audit, Research and Service Improvement

Engage in audit and service development projects to support innovation and evidence-based improvements in clinical practice.

Contribute to the evaluation of service delivery models and make recommendations for change.

Documentation and Reporting

Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive clinical records in line with Trust and professional standards.

Submit service activity data in accordance with Trust requirements and contribute to service reporting.

Equipment and Safety

Ensure safe and competent use of therapy and rehabilitation equipment

Provide training and written guidance to ensure patients can safely use equipment at home.

Flexible Working

Participate in weekend and bank holiday rotas and accommodate flexible working patterns to meet service needs.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis

Conduct comprehensive assessments using advanced clinical reasoning and manual techniques to formulate accurate diagnoses.

Evaluate patient progress regularly, using objective measures and clinical judgment to adapt and refine treatment plans as necessary.

Deliver patient-centered care with treatment programmes based on sound clinical knowledge and the latest evidence-based practices.

Treatment Planning and Delivery

Design, implement, and monitor individualised rehabilitation programmes that promote recovery and functional independence.

Provide therapeutic interventions requiring manual dexterity, coordination, and therapeutic handling tailored to patient needs.

Develop safe and effective discharge plans, incorporating appropriate referrals to other services and agencies.

Professional Accountability and Governance

Maintain professional and legal accountability for all aspects of clinical work, adhering to Trust policies, HCPC, and CSP standards.

Work within national and local clinical guidelines, contributing to the monitoring and enhancement of practice quality.

Manage clinical risk effectively, particularly within your own caseload, adjusting treatment priorities in response to patient and service demands.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Actively contribute to case conferences and multidisciplinary meetings, offering specialist advice and treatment recommendations.

Collaborate with healthcare professionals, voluntary agencies, and community services to ensure cohesive patient care.

Communicate effectively with patients, families, and carers using both verbal and non-verbal skills, including the delivery of complex or sensitive information with empathy.

Community and Domiciliary Care

Provide assessment and treatment in patient homes where appropriate, promoting safety, independence, and function in a familiar environment.

Work independently in community settings, with remote support from senior staff as needed.

Emergency and On-Call Service

Following induction and training, participate in the emergency on-call respiratory service, assessing and treating acutely unwell patients, including those with complex needs.

Use escalation protocols and seek senior input when appropriate to ensure patient safety.

Education, Supervision and Professional Development

Participate actively in departmental training and continuous professional development to maintain clinical competency and current best practice knowledge.

Support the supervision and coordination of students, Therapy Practitioners, and assistant staff, fostering a positive learning environment.

Deliver training sessions to staff, carers, and patients on manual handling, record keeping, and self-management strategies.

Audit, Research and Service Improvement

Engage in audit and service development projects to support innovation and evidence-based improvements in clinical practice.

Contribute to the evaluation of service delivery models and make recommendations for change.

Documentation and Reporting

Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive clinical records in line with Trust and professional standards.

Submit service activity data in accordance with Trust requirements and contribute to service reporting.

Equipment and Safety

Ensure safe and competent use of therapy and rehabilitation equipment

Provide training and written guidance to ensure patients can safely use equipment at home.

Flexible Working

Participate in weekend and bank holiday rotas and accommodate flexible working patterns to meet service needs.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

oRecognised qualification degree / equivalent in physiotherapy
oHCPC Registration

Desirable

oMembership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)

Experience

Essential

oExperience in the NHS at placement or qualified level
oExperience as working as part of a multidisciplinary team within a hospital setting

Knowledge

Essential

oAbility to manage a clinical caseload
oAbility to communicate with healthcare professionals and the public

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

oRecognised qualification degree / equivalent in physiotherapy
oHCPC Registration

Desirable

oMembership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)

Experience

Essential

oExperience in the NHS at placement or qualified level
oExperience as working as part of a multidisciplinary team within a hospital setting

Knowledge

Essential

oAbility to manage a clinical caseload
oAbility to communicate with healthcare professionals and the public

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

Certificate of Sponsorship

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

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bedford Hospital

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ

Employer's website

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bedford Hospital

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ

Employer's website

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)