Clinical Lead Respiratory Physiotherapist
Main area Physiotherapy Grade 8a Contract Permanent Full time – 37.5 hours per week (requirement to work out of core hours and over 7 days as required by the service). Job ref 220-WHT-3950.
Employer: Whittington Health NHS Trust. Salary: £66,274 – £73,496 per annum. Closing 16/06/2026 23:59.
Job overview
Opportunity at Whittington Hospital for a clinician to lead respiratory physiotherapy. The ideal candidate possesses expert-level respiratory knowledge and delivers clinical leadership for high-acuity and complex respiratory patients across critical care, acute medicine, and surgery. The role includes managing acute ward-based non-invasive ventilation (NIV), providing training on NIV setup to others, acting as a visible clinical role model, supervising physiotherapists, students, and the wider MDT, and contributing to service development and quality improvement initiatives.
Main duties of the job
* Possess expert knowledge and clinical experience in respiratory physiotherapy, role modelling high-level clinical practice.
* Previous experience working within an acute setting.
* Provide advanced clinical leadership for the service ensuring safe, effective assessment and treatment based on current best evidence and national guidance.
* Act as a clinical expert for complex adult acute respiratory presentations and offer specialist advice to support high-level clinical decision‑making.
* Provide expert clinical advice on critical care and ward‑based respiratory physiotherapy.
* Use audit findings, research and evidence‑based guidance to inform the strategic development of respiratory and physiotherapy services.
* Co‑ordinate the 24‑hour non‑invasive ventilation (NIV) service and on‑call physiotherapy service, providing training and support to staff to meet expected level of competence.
* Provide operational leadership for the acute team, comprising PT, OT, apprentice and therapy assistant staff, ensuring safe, effective and efficient delivery of therapy assessment and interventions in line with Trust, HCPC and professional body standards.
* Be clinically accountable for service quality within the area of responsibility.
* Support staff development, acting as a positive role model and promoting a culture of continuous learning.
* Maintain a flexible approach to working, including on‑call, late shift and weekend commitments as required.
Person specification
Education and qualifications
* Degree in Physiotherapy or equivalent.
* Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registration.
* Education to GCSE level English or equivalent (IELTS level 7 for international candidates).
* Evidence of experience/post‑graduate training and education to master’s level or equivalent and CPD relevant to speciality area.
* Evidence of continuous and current professional and academic development relevant to clinical field.
* Evidence of structured training on appraisal and supervisory skills.
* Leadership / Management training.
* Membership of relevant professional groups and specialist interest groups.
Skills, knowledge and abilities
* Expert clinical reasoning skills in applying techniques and approaches to the management of respiratory patients.
* Expert skills in acute respiratory physiotherapy with advanced clinical decision‑making and reasoning.
* Expert knowledge and application of best evidence‑based practice in relevant speciality area and application of therapy assessments and interventions.
* Expert knowledge of assessment, management and rehabilitation of patients in critical care settings.
* Ability to develop, implement and evaluate individual programmes of care for respiratory patients with multiple pathologies.
* Ability to communicate effectively and flexibly, adapting communication style to the needs of patients and staff.
* To lead, inspire, motivate and empower teams using effective clinical leadership qualities in an integrated service.
* Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships.
* Proven negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
* Skills in presentation and training in both formal and informal environments.
* Ability to organise, prioritise, delegate and work to deadlines effectively.
* Proven excellence in developing and providing education and teaching to other professionals and students.
* Advanced supervision skills.
* Advanced written and oral communication skills.
* Fluent in English, verbal and written.
* Advanced knowledge of clinical quality and patient safety issues and policy.
* Highly developed planning, problem‑solving and decision‑making skills in demanding situations.
* Ability to use audit, quality standard setting and risk management processes for clinical effectiveness.
* Ability to select and analyse activity and outcome data accurately and objectively to support service development.
* Ability to deliver on service improvement projects to completion.
* Ability to carry out physical effort during the working day and carry out concurrent activities requiring skill and dexterity.
* Ability to make sound judgments and reliable decisions in a variety of demanding situations.
* Demonstrate ability to be empathetic and handle difficult or emotional situations.
* Knowledge of the influence of psychosocial and cultural factors on health/illness behaviours.
Experience
* Extensive experience post‑qualification with evidenced experience at a senior level within relevant speciality.
* Experience supervising and appraising qualified therapy staff and students.
* Experience managing staff on performance and other workforce policies.
* Experience of incident investigation and implementation of change of practice as a result.
* Evaluation of clinical practice, including participation in research, audit, service evaluation and quality improvement projects.
* Experience of leading an effective team.
* Experience of using clinical governance framework to monitor and improve quality of patient care.
* Experience of leading change.
* Previous Band 8a experience.
* Clinical leadership of staff in other professional groups.
* Evidence of participation in research projects.
Personal qualities
* Able to do the required hours and shift pattern including on‑call and weekend duties.
* Physically fit and able to comply with Trust Manual Handling Guidelines.
* Ability to reflect on and critically appraise own performance.
* Resilience and ability to cope with working in a demanding environment.
* Possess strategies for dealing with stressful interpersonal situations.
* Desire to constantly improve own performance.
* Self‑motivated and good team player.
* Professional attitude and appearance.
Other
* Demonstrable ability to meet Trust values and a positive attitude towards change.
* Able to work flexibly according to the needs of the service.
* Able to meet the requirements of the role with any reasonable adjustments.
Safeguarding Children and Adults
* Ensure you are familiar with and comply with the London Child Protection Procedures and protocols for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people.
* Ensure you are familiar and comply with the London Multi‑Agency Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Pan London Procedures.
* Ensure you are familiar and comply with local protocols and systems for information sharing.
* Know the appropriate contact numbers and required reporting lines.
* Participate in required training and supervision.
* Comply with required professional boundaries and codes of conduct.
We would welcome applications from individuals who are from under‑represented groups in the organisation.
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