Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior MSK
Physiotherapist to join our friendly, well-established team at County Durham
and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, one of the largest integrated health
providers in the country.
Based at Peterlee Community Hospital, with some hours at
Sedgefield Community Hospital, the location offers excellent A19 links and easy
access to Durham, Sunderland, and Teesside.
You will work in a large, integrated MSK service covering
upper and lower limb, spinal, A&E, hand therapy, and rheumatology,
supported by ESPs, Senior, and Advanced Physiotherapists.
In this role, you will manage a complex caseload using NHS
pathways, while developing supervisory and leadership skills. You will access
tailored CPD and structured progression, with opportunities to gain experience
across specialist areas such as fracture clinic, urgent care, plastics,
hydrotherapy, and group rehab.
We seek candidates with NHS physiotherapy experience,
committed to high-quality, patient-centred care and contributing to the growth
of our service.
Join a supportive, collaborative team where
professional development is encouraged and staff wellbeing is valued.
Main duties of the job
As a Specialist MSK Physiotherapist, you will:
Deliver
evidence-based assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation to optimise patient
recovery, function, and quality of life.
Manage a
diverse caseload referred from primary and secondary care, including patients
from the wider MSK pathway such as First Contact Practitioners and
self-referral services.
Apply
advanced clinical reasoning to support timely, person-centred care and reduce
onward referrals and repeat attendances.
Work in
partnership with an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner to develop expertise in
complex case management, service improvement, and leadership.
Contribute
to service development initiatives that enhance patient experience and clinical
outcomes.
Support
the clinical education of physiotherapy students and development of junior
staff, ensuring consistent, high standards of care.
Supervise
and mentor Therapy Assistants, promoting safe, effective, and efficient patient
pathways.
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 the CD_iMSK Service,
you will independently manage a complex and varied caseload of patients with
musculoskeletal disorders, referred from primary care, secondary care, and
self-referral pathways. You will apply evidence-based assessment, clinical
reasoning, and rehabilitation strategies to optimise function, recovery, and
quality of life.
You will have support from Senior and ESP colleagues for
complex cases, investigations, or onward management, and benefit from clear
local pathways, protocols, and patient resources via the Physiotherapy
intranet. You will have flexibility to review patients face-to-face or
remotely, with assistance from Therapy Assistants and access to well-equipped
gyms for individual or group rehabilitation.
The role offers supervision and mentorship opportunities for
junior staff and students, as well as involvement in service development,
quality improvement, and specialty training across areas such as fracture
clinic, urgent care, plastics, hydrotherapy, and gym-based rehabilitation.
You will receive a comprehensive induction and training,
including SystmOne, ICT systems, and student supervision, alongside access to
Rehab My Patient software for personalised exercise prescriptions and
evidence-based patient education.
The Trust values leadership, professional growth, and staff
wellbeing, offering development in areas such as interviewer and appraisal
training, and access to the CDDFT Wellbeing Hub, NENC ICS wellbeing programmes,
and the North East NHS Outdoor Wellbeing Group.
You will also have the chance to influence
service delivery and MSK strategy through collaboration with the NENC
Integrated Care System, contributing to workforce planning and system-wide
improvement initiatives.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Senior MSK Physiotherapist within the CD_iMSK Service,
you will independently manage a complex and varied caseload of patients with
musculoskeletal disorders, referred from primary care, secondary care, and
self-referral pathways. You will apply evidence-based assessment, clinical
reasoning, and rehabilitation strategies to optimise function, recovery, and
quality of life.
You will have support from Senior and ESP colleagues for
complex cases, investigations, or onward management, and benefit from clear
local pathways, protocols, and patient resources via the Physiotherapy
intranet. You will have flexibility to review patients face-to-face or
remotely, with assistance from Therapy Assistants and access to well-equipped
gyms for individual or group rehabilitation.
The role offers supervision and mentorship opportunities for
junior staff and students, as well as involvement in service development,
quality improvement, and specialty training across areas such as fracture
clinic, urgent care, plastics, hydrotherapy, and gym-based rehabilitation.
You will receive a comprehensive induction and training,
including SystmOne, ICT systems, and student supervision, alongside access to
Rehab My Patient software for personalised exercise prescriptions and
evidence-based patient education.
The Trust values leadership, professional growth, and staff
wellbeing, offering development in areas such as interviewer and appraisal
training, and access to the CDDFT Wellbeing Hub, NENC ICS wellbeing programmes,
and the North East NHS Outdoor Wellbeing Group.
You will also have the chance to influence
service delivery and MSK strategy through collaboration with the NENC
Integrated Care System, contributing to workforce planning and system-wide
improvement initiatives.
Person Specification
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
Special Skills and 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.
Special Requirements
Essential
- Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post
Desirable
- Experience of SystmOne for clinical note keeping
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
Person Specification
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
Special Skills and 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.
Special Requirements
Essential
- Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post
Desirable
- Experience of SystmOne for clinical note keeping
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
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).
Employer details
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Sedgefield Community Hospital
Salters Lane
Sedgefield
Stockton-on-tees
Cleveland
TS21 3EE
Employer's website
https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
