Job overview
This senior clinical leadership role provides strategic, operational and professional oversight of Critical Care, Medical and Surgical Therapy Services, alongside Trust‑wide leadership for the Non‑Registered (Therapy Support Worker) workforce. The post holder manages a highly complex clinical caseload with advanced autonomy, delivering expert assessment, intervention and decision‑making across acute pathways. They coordinate care across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring therapy provision meets national GPIC standards, supports organisational risk reduction and delivers high‑quality, evidence‑based outcomes.
The role leads service development, quality improvement, governance, education and research activity, acting as a specialist resource for colleagues and external partners. It includes responsibility for developing, supervising and managing Therapy Support Workers, overseeing their budget, shaping workforce strategy and representing the Trust at local, regional and national levels. The post holder ensures robust policies, standards and data systems are in place, working with colleagues across the organisation and wider region to strengthen business intelligence, optimise demand and capacity planning, and evidence therapy impact.
Main duties of the job
* Clinically and operationally lead Critical Care, Medical and Surgical Therapy Teams.
* Manage a highly complex clinical caseload with advanced professional autonomy, accountability and decision‑making.
* Provide expert, holistic assessment and management of patients using specialist techniques, investigations and interventions.
* Plan and coordinate episodes of care across the patient pathway, working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and external agencies to optimise outcomes and resource use.
* Lead service development and improvement initiatives aligned with values‑based care, organisational priorities and current evidence.
* Ensure acute therapy provision meets national GPIC standards and supports organisational risk reduction.
* Develop Therapy Support Workers through structured opportunities to build skills for effective, up‑to‑date care.
* Manage the Therapy Support Worker workforce and associated budget.
* Ensure robust policies, standards and clinical governance arrangements are in place and adhered to across the Therapy Service for Adults.
* Work with colleagues across DCH and the Southwest to establish and oversee Business Intelligence reporting.
Working for our organisation
At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff.
Our Mission is to work in partnership to provide high quality, compassionate services and to nurture an environment where people can be at their best. Our vision is healthier lives, empowered citizens, thriving communities.
We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.
We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application materials. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role. Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process. We value honesty and appreciate applications that are genuine and representative of the individual behind them.
UKVI Sponsorship: This role is eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). We welcome applications from individuals who require sponsorship to work in the UK. Sponsorship will be offered subject to meeting UKVI eligibility criteria.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.
Person specification
Education, Qualifications & Training
Essential criteria
* •Degree in relevant profession
* •HCPC registered.
* •Master’s degree or equivalent study/experience at master’s level
* •Management/ Leadership qualification or training
* •Appropriate range of post graduate clinical training.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
* •Specialist knowledge and skills in the advanced assessment and treatment of a wide range of complex acute respiratory clinical presentations.
* •Ability to manage a highly complex caseload and apply a broad range of evidence‑based treatment options.
* •Knowledge and experience in data capture, evaluation and the use of information systems to support clinical practice and service development.
* •Advanced understanding of professional and legal requirements, including confidentiality, consent and equality legislation.
* •Understanding of NHS funding structures and principles of budget management.
* •Strong knowledge and application of clinical governance, including quality improvement, audit, risk management, incident review and complaint handling.
* •Leadership and team‑management experience, including performance management and staff appraisal.
* •Expertise in clinical audit or research and the ability to apply findings to improve practice.
* •Evidence of relevant continued professional development to advanced level in clinical area
* •Advanced communication skill training / counselling skills training
* •Advanced mentoring and supervision skills.
Desirable criteria
* Expertise in clinical audit or research and the ability to apply findings to improve practice
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
* Excellent time‑management, planning and organisational skills, including understanding demand and capacity and prioritising effectively.
* Ability to work within a Professional Code of Conduct and interpret local and national guidelines to ensure safe service delivery.
* Strong critical analysis, judgement and decision making skills
* Clear and effective communication skills, both verbal and written, including the ability to convey complex clinical information.
* Ability to lead, motivate and support team members, demonstrating strong self‑motivation.
* Skilled in negotiation and delegation.
* Effective collaboration skills for working with managerial and multi‑professional teams to support service development.
* Demonstrable project leadership skills; scoping, development, resource management, delivery and evaluation.
* Strong critical appraisal skills to evaluate research and apply evidence.
Desirable criteria
* Highly competent computer skills
* Ability to plan and deliver clinical audit programmes.
* Car driver with own use of transportation
Our Mission
Outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them.
Our Vision
Dorset County Hospital, working with our health and social care partners, will be at the heart of improving the well-being of our communities.
Our Values
Integrity, Respect, Teamwork, Excellence
We are a Trust that celebrates diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We would welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
Please read the job description and person specification carefully to ensure your application reflects the knowledge, skills and experience required.
The closing date/interview date is subject to amendment; this vacancy may therefore expire at short notice, so we recommend that you submit an application at your earliest convenience. We reserve the right to close any vacancies without notice.
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted via email; therefore it is important that you check your personal email account regularly.
Unfortunately we are unable to respond to every application; if we do not contact you within 4 weeks of the closing date, please be advised that you not have been shortlisted on this occasion.
You can contact us on 01305 254655 to find out whether you have been shortlisted or if you would like feedback.