South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
MSK Physiotherapist
Closing date: 26 June 2026
Sunderland Integrated Musculoskeletal Service (SIMS) is looking for an enthusiastic and motivated band 5 physiotherapist with a keen interest in the musculoskeletal speciality to join our existing team.
If you are a proactive, highly motivated physiotherapist with a passion for patient care we would welcome your application.
The service offers patients specialist assessments, diagnostic tests and treatment. Staff should be able to demonstrate excellent skills, knowledge, motivation and organisation to become part of our enthusiastic team who will support you in developing and advancing your MSK diagnostic, treatment and management skills. You must have excellent communication skills with experience of sharing specialised information and ideas across the multi‑disciplinary team. Full support and ongoing CPD training is offered and opportunities for secondary‑care mentorship are also actively supported.
The post is 37.5 hours with a requirement for evening and some Saturday‑morning working. There is no emergency on‑call commitment attached to this post.
Main duties of the job
The SIMS team is based in community health centres across Sunderland. You will be working alongside a team of GP, WS, ESP and Physiotherapists, but also developing close working relationships with secondary‑care consultants. The candidate should have gained experience as an undergraduate and have a passion for MSK.
You will be working as an autonomous practitioner within a specialist team using clinical reasoning skills to provide specialist physiotherapy assessment, diagnosis, treatment and advice to an independently managed caseload which will incorporate routine and complex presentation of conditions.
We are a forward‑thinking, innovative team led by our operational lead, Jill Clark, and clinical lead, Dr. Glen Rae (Consultant in Sports and Exercise Medicine). We are dedicated to continuing professional development. We have an extensive in‑house training programme, strong direct links with secondary‑care colleagues who attend and contribute to our monthly CPD events. You would have access to an internal network of senior and specialist support including both medical and allied health professional (AHP) staff who provide leadership, educational, research and clinical support. We offer clinical supervision, coaching and mentoring and have team building/away days all to contribute to the development of SIMS staff.
Job responsibilities
* Work as an autonomous practitioner using clinical reasoning skills to provide a physiotherapy, musculoskeletal assessment, diagnosis, treatment and advice to an independently managed caseload.
* Always work to the HCPC Code.
* Undertake comprehensive holistic assessment of patients in both planned and unplanned situations, prioritise clinical need, initiate assessment including risk assessment and implement a plan of care reflecting evidence‑based guidance.
* Maintain agreed standards of care, integrity and dignity of all patients in the clinical environment which is conducive to caring for those patients.
* Triage and prioritise patients referred for therapy, coordinating and planning reviews as indicated.
* Work collaboratively with multi‑professional teams to ensure practice is efficient, effective and evidence based.
* Develop your scope of professional practice in order to support the team to meet service requirements in accordance with professional guidelines.
* Ensure the provision of expert knowledge to all users of the service.
* Comply with the Trust’s vision, values and behaviour compact.
Person Specification
Skills and Knowledge
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
* Good planning and organisational skills.
* Ability to delegate.
* Be able to organise workload, work autonomously and within a team.
* Clear, concise, accountable record‑keeping and report writing skills.
* IT literate.
Qualifications
* Physiotherapist with a current HCPC registration.
* Degree in Physiotherapy (UK equivalent).
Experience
* Pre and post‑registration experience in relevant settings.
* Portfolio and evidence of continuous professional development with a willingness to extend skills and knowledge.
* Multi‑disciplinary / multi‑agency working.
Physical Skills
* Ability to move and handle safely without causing harm to yourself or others.
* Car driver with valid UK licence and have access to a car 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.
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
We welcome all applications irrespective of race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under‑represented groups. Looking after our workforce health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.
#J-18808-Ljbffr