Job overview
The Band 6 Physiotherapist will be a key member of our Acute Frailty service, delivering timely, person‑centred physiotherapy to older adults living with frailty, multimorbidity, and complex functional needs. Working as an autonomous clinician within a fast‑paced acute environment, you will provide comprehensive assessment, early intervention, and rehabilitation aimed at preventing deconditioning, supporting safe discharge, and optimising functional independence.
You will manage a varied and often rapidly changing caseload, applying advanced clinical reasoning to identify functional decline, assess falls risk, and implement evidence‑based interventions that support patients to remain as active and independent as possible. The role requires close collaboration with the multidisciplinary team—including geriatricians, nurses, occupational therapists, therapy assistants, and discharge teams—to ensure coordinated, holistic care.
This part‑time position is ideal for a physiotherapist with a passion for frailty care who thrives in a dynamic clinical environment and is committed to improving outcomes for older adults.
Main duties of the job
• Complete timely, holistic physiotherapy assessments for patients presenting with frailty, acute illness, reduced mobility, or functional decline.
• Formulate and deliver individualised treatment plans focused on early mobilisation, falls prevention, strength and balance training, and functional rehabilitation.
• Use advanced clinical reasoning to identify reversible factors contributing to decline and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Work closely with the MDT to support safe, effective discharge planning, including participation in board rounds, case discussions, and rapid decision‑making.
• Provide clinical leadership, supervision, and support to Band 5 physiotherapists, therapy assistants, and students.
• Contribute to service development initiatives aimed at improving patient flow, reducing length of stay, and enhancing patient experience.
• Maintain high‑quality clinical documentation and ensure practice aligns with HCPC, CSP, and organisational standards.
• Engage in ongoing CPD, reflective practice, and in‑service training to maintain and develop specialist skills in frailty and acute care.
Working for our organisation
St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey. Our sites include St George’s Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).
After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.
At gesh we are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any flexibility they may need during the recruitment process.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
• Participate in MDT board rounds, case discussions, and discharge planning meetings.
• Collaborate closely with occupational therapists, nurses, geriatricians, and therapy assistants to deliver coordinated, holistic care.
• Provide specialist physiotherapy advice to colleagues, patients, and carers.
• Provide clinical supervision, guidance, and support to Band 5 physiotherapists, therapy assistants, and students.
• Act as a role model for high‑quality, compassionate care within the frailty pathway.
• Contribute to the induction and development of new staff members.
• Participate in service improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing patient experience, safety, and efficiency.
• Contribute to audits, data collection, and evaluation of clinical outcomes.
• Support the implementation of evidence‑based practice and new models of care within the frailty service.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Degree in Physiotherapy
2. HCPC registered
Experience
Essential criteria
3. Band 5 experience in Frailty
4. Band 5 experience in Neurology
5. Band 5 experience in Respiratory
6. Band 5 experience in Orthopaedics
7. Experience in managing/ supervising students Band 3/4
Desirable criteria
8. Previous experience as band 6
Knowledge
Essential criteria
9. Evidence of good understanding of Frailty
10. Evidence of managing/ discharging complex patients
11. Ability to manage a varied caseload, balancing acute needs, rehab goals, and service pressures.
Desirable criteria
12. Good understanding of cognition and the impacts on mental capacity & consent
Leadership
Essential criteria
13. Experience supervising Band 5 staff, students, or support workers, including delegation and competency assessment.
Desirable criteria
14. Experience service development, pathway redesign, or quality improvement projects.
Your recruitment team
The NHS South West London Recruitment Hub is your dedicated recruitment team, here to support you at every stage of the process. If you have a query, please contact us:
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Your application
Please ensure your supporting statement clearly reflects the job description and person specification, as shortlisting will be based on these criteria.
Please refer to the latest UKVI guidance and ensure you have the appropriate right to work before applying for this role.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
We kindly ask that you avoid using AI tools to draft your application. We value authentic, individual responses that reflect your own experience and communication style.
References
Please provide a minimum of 3 years’ employment and/or education history, including professional email addresses (not personal accounts such as Hotmail or Gmail). If you cannot provide these, please inform the interview panel to avoid delays in pre-employment checks.
Closing date
To help us manage recruitment efficiently, some vacancies may close early once we have received a sufficient number of applications.
Shortlisting
If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be contacted by email or SMS from the South West London Recruitment Hub. Please check your registered TRAC email regularly.
Application feedback
If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion.
Safeguarding and DBS Checks
We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. For roles with direct access to these groups, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required. All staff are expected to understand and uphold their safeguarding responsibilities as part of their role.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Application numbers
This vacancy may have an application cap, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment. Ensure your supporting statement clearly shows how you meet the job specifications.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
NameFran TarlingJob titleAcute Physio LeadEmail addressTelephone number07795125147