Job summary
Join Our Dynamic MSK Physiotherapy Team!
Are you a passionate Senior MSK Physiotherapist ready for
your next exciting career move?
Join County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, one of the UKs largest
and most innovative healthcare providers and be part of our friendly,
forward-thinking MSK team.
Were recruiting for posts across Durham Hospitals,
Peterlee, and Bishop Auckland, with opportunities to support our Barnard Castle
satellite clinic too.
Why Join Us?
Specialist
MSK Service Work across Upper & Lower Limb, Spinal, A&E, Hand, and
Rheumatology services
Exciting
Rotations Gain hands-on experience in Fracture Clinics, Urgent Care,
Plastics, Hydrotherapy, and Group Rehab
Tailored
CPD & Training Develop clinical, supervisory, and leadership skills with
support from experienced Senior and ESP Physiotherapists
Endless
Career Progression Thrive in a large, integrated service with diverse
experiences and leadership pathways
Supportive
Team Culture Enjoy a strong supervision framework, regular training, and a
team that prioritises wellbeing and professional growth
Main duties of the job
As a Specialist MSK Physiotherapist, youll play a key role
in delivering expert, evidence-based assessment, treatment and rehabilitation
to a wide-ranging caseload.
Referrals come from across Primary and Secondary Care, including First Contact
Practitioners and our self-referral pathway, offering rich clinical variety and
scope.
Day to day, youll work closely with Advanced Physiotherapy
Practitioners, receiving high-quality mentorship to develop your clinical
reasoning, leadership and advanced practice skills.
Youll actively contribute to service development, provide clinical support to
Therapy Assistants, and help shape the future workforce by supervising students
and mentoring junior colleagues.
You'll thrive in a supportive, forward-thinking
MSK team with access to protected CPD time, structured supervision, and clear
progression routes, all within a culture that prioritises wellbeing and
professional growth.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents
Over reliance on
AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of
success
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years
of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider
sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and
have a current visa expiring within 3 months)
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Senior MSK Physiotherapist within our CDiMSK service,
you'll deliver specialised, evidence-based care to patients with
musculoskeletal disorders. Managing your own diverse caseload, you'll provide
comprehensive assessments, clinically-reasoned treatment plans, expert
guidance, and tailored rehabilitation programs. You'll independently handle
complex cases referred through multiple pathways, including Primary care,
Secondary care, and self-referrals. This role includes mentoring and supporting
junior colleagues and peers within the CD iMSK service, helping to develop
clinical excellence across our team.
Throughout your working day, you'll have Senior
Physiotherapist and ESP support readily available for patient escalation,
arranging further investigations, injections, or clinical discussions. Our
comprehensive Physiotherapy intranet site offers easy access to local MSK
pathways, protocols, and evidence-based patient resources. Your appointment
template allows flexibility to manage reviews via telephone, face-to-face, or
video consultations based on patient needs.
Dedicated Physiotherapy Assistants are available at main
sites to support your rehabilitation plans. You can refer patients for
individualised care with appropriate protocols in place. You'll have allocated
gym time in our well-equipped facilities for both individual and group
rehabilitation sessions.
CDDFT values your professional development with protected
supervision time tailored to your individual needs. You'll have opportunities
to contribute to service development and quality improvement projects that
align with your interests and skills.
We offer diverse learning experiences through shadowing and
training across the servicefrom consultant clinics and A&E to plastics,
FCPs in GP practices, specialised ESP work, gym rehabilitation, and
hydrotherapy. These opportunities form part of your personal development plan.
Regular in-service training sessions complement access to e-learning resources.
For 2024-2025, all AHP staff receive a personal training budget for
postgraduate education through Teesside University or other approved
physiotherapy courses.
We use SystmOne for clinical documentation, with comprehensive
training available if needed. CDDFT provides a thorough induction program
including mandatory training, physiotherapy-specific orientation, and customised
ICT training.
Full training for student supervision is arranged through
our partner universities, with ongoing peer support to develop your teaching
skills.
You'll have access to the RehabMyPatient program for
personalised exercise prescriptions, plus evidence-based resources developed by
our special interest groups, available in both print and digital formats.
Leadership development opportunities complement your
clinical progression, including interviewer training and appraisal skills.
CD_iMS actively encourages staff involvement in quality improvement projects
and supports career advancement.
Our department prioritises staff wellbeing, following CDDFT
guidelines and providing access to the North East & North Cumbria
Integrated Care System (NENC ICS) wellbeing hub. You can also join the North
East NHS outdoor wellbeing group for additional support.
CDIMS is committed to collaborative working with the NENC
ICS on workforce planning and MSK projects, giving you opportunities to
contribute to regional initiatives.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Senior MSK Physiotherapist within our CDiMSK service,
you'll deliver specialised, evidence-based care to patients with
musculoskeletal disorders. Managing your own diverse caseload, you'll provide
comprehensive assessments, clinically-reasoned treatment plans, expert
guidance, and tailored rehabilitation programs. You'll independently handle
complex cases referred through multiple pathways, including Primary care,
Secondary care, and self-referrals. This role includes mentoring and supporting
junior colleagues and peers within the CD iMSK service, helping to develop
clinical excellence across our team.
Throughout your working day, you'll have Senior
Physiotherapist and ESP support readily available for patient escalation,
arranging further investigations, injections, or clinical discussions. Our
comprehensive Physiotherapy intranet site offers easy access to local MSK
pathways, protocols, and evidence-based patient resources. Your appointment
template allows flexibility to manage reviews via telephone, face-to-face, or
video consultations based on patient needs.
Dedicated Physiotherapy Assistants are available at main
sites to support your rehabilitation plans. You can refer patients for
individualised care with appropriate protocols in place. You'll have allocated
gym time in our well-equipped facilities for both individual and group
rehabilitation sessions.
CDDFT values your professional development with protected
supervision time tailored to your individual needs. You'll have opportunities
to contribute to service development and quality improvement projects that
align with your interests and skills.
We offer diverse learning experiences through shadowing and
training across the servicefrom consultant clinics and A&E to plastics,
FCPs in GP practices, specialised ESP work, gym rehabilitation, and
hydrotherapy. These opportunities form part of your personal development plan.
Regular in-service training sessions complement access to e-learning resources.
For 2024-2025, all AHP staff receive a personal training budget for
postgraduate education through Teesside University or other approved
physiotherapy courses.
We use SystmOne for clinical documentation, with comprehensive
training available if needed. CDDFT provides a thorough induction program
including mandatory training, physiotherapy-specific orientation, and customised
ICT training.
Full training for student supervision is arranged through
our partner universities, with ongoing peer support to develop your teaching
skills.
You'll have access to the RehabMyPatient program for
personalised exercise prescriptions, plus evidence-based resources developed by
our special interest groups, available in both print and digital formats.
Leadership development opportunities complement your
clinical progression, including interviewer training and appraisal skills.
CD_iMS actively encourages staff involvement in quality improvement projects
and supports career advancement.
Our department prioritises staff wellbeing, following CDDFT
guidelines and providing access to the North East & North Cumbria
Integrated Care System (NENC ICS) wellbeing hub. You can also join the North
East NHS outdoor wellbeing group for additional support.
CDIMS is committed to collaborative working with the NENC
ICS on workforce planning and MSK projects, giving you opportunities to
contribute to regional initiatives.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc Physiotherapy or equivalent. Continuing Professional Development Diary including evidence of reflective practice, training and clinical experience.
Desirable
- Recognised relevant academic qualification in relation to MSK conditions. An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing. Appropriate post graduate MSK training
Statutory Registration
Essential
Desirable
Special Requirements
Essential
- Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post
Desirable
- Experience of SystmOne for clinical note keeping
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Up to date knowledge of professional practice and new research in management of MSK
- An understanding of legal responsibilities within the profession. Able to present information, written and orally in a clear and logical manner.
- Ability to organise and prioritise and work to 18 RTT. Clear ability to manage waiting list pressures. Ability to maintain high levels of concentration and analysis of presenting symptoms from patients.
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal. ICT and clinical system skills.
- Presentational skills
Desirable
- Innovative approach to working life
- Able to use own initiative appropriately to enhance service delivery. Knowledge, evidence and application of audit and research. Experience of quality improvement.
Experience
Essential
- Experience in Out Patient MSK NHS physiotherapy. Experience including core competencies within musculoskeletal, neurology and pain management within the NHS setting. Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team and positively implement change. Evidence of communication skills within a wide variety of settings.
Desirable
- Experience of clinical supervision of staff and students Experience of Cognitive behavioural therapy and Bio psycho-social model of care
- Consolidated respiratory training for on-call / emergency work
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc Physiotherapy or equivalent. Continuing Professional Development Diary including evidence of reflective practice, training and clinical experience.
Desirable
- Recognised relevant academic qualification in relation to MSK conditions. An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing. Appropriate post graduate MSK training
Statutory Registration
Essential
Desirable
Special Requirements
Essential
- Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post
Desirable
- Experience of SystmOne for clinical note keeping
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Up to date knowledge of professional practice and new research in management of MSK
- An understanding of legal responsibilities within the profession. Able to present information, written and orally in a clear and logical manner.
- Ability to organise and prioritise and work to 18 RTT. Clear ability to manage waiting list pressures. Ability to maintain high levels of concentration and analysis of presenting symptoms from patients.
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal. ICT and clinical system skills.
- Presentational skills
Desirable
- Innovative approach to working life
- Able to use own initiative appropriately to enhance service delivery. Knowledge, evidence and application of audit and research. Experience of quality improvement.
Experience
Essential
- Experience in Out Patient MSK NHS physiotherapy. Experience including core competencies within musculoskeletal, neurology and pain management within the NHS setting. Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team and positively implement change. Evidence of communication skills within a wide variety of settings.
Desirable
- Experience of clinical supervision of staff and students Experience of Cognitive behavioural therapy and Bio psycho-social model of care
- Consolidated respiratory training for on-call / emergency work
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
