Detailed job description
and main responsibilities
Working Relationships & Communication
·Communicate complex, sensitive, and sometimes distressing information to patients and families, including prognosis, rehabilitation potential, and treatment complexity.
·Use advanced communication strategies with patients who have cognitive, communication, or physical barriers (e.g., tracheostomy, intubation, dysphasia, reduced consciousness).
·Work collaboratively within the MDT to support safe, timely discharge planning and coordinated care.
·Provide written documentation including discharge summaries, therapy reports, care plans, and MDT contributions in line with CSP and Trust standards.
·Deliver teaching and training to MDT colleagues, students, and physiotherapy staff.
·Communicate performance feedback and support PDPs for junior staff.
Clinical Responsibilities
·Undertake highly specialist assessment and treatment of patients with acute and complex neurological and medical presentations, including:
·Stroke, neuromuscular disorders, rapidly deteriorating neurology
·Critical illness, complex respiratory compromise, high‑dependency needs
·Multi-pathology, frailty, complex discharge needs
·Interpret and analyse advanced diagnostics including CT/MRI imaging and complex medical information.
·Formulate individualised treatment plans using advanced clinical reasoning.
·Identify and respond promptly to acutely deteriorating patients, escalating appropriately.
·Deliver specialist interventions such as neuromuscular facilitation, complex respiratory care, positioning, casting/splinting, early mobilisation and rehabilitation.
·Support seamless transitions across acute, community, and outpatient services.
·Prioritise and manage own and team caseloads based on clinical need.
·Maintain high standards of clinical governance, safety, and risk management.
Leadership & Management Responsibilities
·Line manage and supervise junior physiotherapists, assistants, and students.
·Support recruitment, induction and workforce planning.
·Support management of service cover, annual/study leave, and sickness.
·Manage conflict sensitively within teams and follow Trust HR processes as needed.
·Deputise for senior leads as required.
·Ensure safe and effective use of therapy equipment, including assessing for and ordering specialist items.
Service Development & Improvement
·Lead and contribute to audits, quality improvement projects, research and evaluation of service outcomes.
·Deliver and contribute to in‑service training across neuro, medical and critical care pathways.
·Participate in Trust and regional networks to support evidence-based practice and guideline development.
·Contribute to strategic planning and operational development of neuro-medical physiotherapy services.
Handling Difficult Situations
·Provide empathetic support for patients and families experiencing distress, uncertainty or deterioration.
·Communicate difficult or unwelcome information in a professional and compassionate manner.
·Work in emotionally demanding environments, including critical care and deteriorating patients.
Physical Demands & Working Environment
·Frequent moderate to intense physical effort for patient mobility, positioning and manual therapy.
·Exposure to bodily fluids and challenging clinical environments.
·Work flexibly across areas, including rapid transitions during emergencies.
·Occasional lone working in community or off‑ward areas with remote senior support.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. HCPC
2. BSc/MSc Physiotherapy
Desirable criteria
3. Post Qualification- Neuro, Rehabilitation or Respiratory courses
4. Member of specialist interest group
Experience
Essential criteria
5. Minimal 2-3 years Band 6 experience- with neuro/respiratory
6. Band 5 experience in NHS
7. Supervision experience of Band 5 and or Students
8. Respiratory on call competence
Desirable criteria
9. Teaching to therapists and MDT
10. Audit or quality improvement experience
11. Attendance at conferences
12. Leadership courses