Overview
Senior MSK Physiotherapist opportunity at County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. Based at Peterlee Community Hospital, with some hours at Sedgefield Community Hospital. The location offers excellent A19 links and easy access to Durham, Sunderland, and Teesside. You will work in a large, integrated MSK service covering upper and lower limb, spinal, A&E, hand therapy, and rheumatology, supported by ESPs, Senior, and Advanced Physiotherapists. The closing date is 12 November 2025.
We are looking for candidates with NHS physiotherapy experience who are committed to high-quality, patient-centred care and contributing to the growth of our service. Join a supportive, collaborative team where professional development is encouraged and staff wellbeing is valued.
Main duties of the job
As a Specialist MSK Physiotherapist, you will:
* Deliver evidence-based assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation to optimise patient recovery, function, and quality of life.
* Manage a diverse caseload referred from primary and secondary care, including patients from the wider MSK pathway such as First Contact Practitioners and self-referral services.
* Apply advanced clinical reasoning to support timely, person-centred care and reduce onward referrals and repeat attendances.
* Work in partnership with an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner to develop expertise in complex case management, service improvement, and leadership.
* Contribute to service development initiatives that enhance patient experience and clinical outcomes.
* Support the clinical education of physiotherapy students and development of junior staff, ensuring consistent, high standards of care.
* Supervise and mentor Therapy Assistants, promoting safe, effective, and efficient patient pathways.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager. You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites — Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community-based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 — Healthcare assistants — You must have a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months).
Job responsibilities
As a Senior MSK Physiotherapist within the CD_iMSK Service, you will independently manage a complex and varied caseload of patients with musculoskeletal disorders, referred from primary care, secondary care, and self-referral pathways. You will apply evidence-based assessment, clinical reasoning, and rehabilitation strategies to optimise function, recovery, and quality of life.
You will have support from Senior and ESP colleagues for complex cases, investigations, or onward management, and benefit from clear local pathways, protocols, and patient resources via the Physiotherapy intranet. You will have flexibility to review patients face-to-face or remotely, with assistance from Therapy Assistants and access to well-equipped gyms for individual or group rehabilitation.
The role offers supervision and mentorship opportunities for junior staff and students, as well as involvement in service development, quality improvement, and specialty training across areas such as fracture clinic, urgent care, plastics, hydrotherapy, and gym-based rehabilitation.
You will receive a comprehensive induction and training, including SystmOne, ICT systems, and student supervision, alongside access to Rehab My Patient software for personalised exercise prescriptions and evidence-based patient education.
The Trust values leadership, professional growth, and staff wellbeing, offering development in areas such as interviewer and appraisal training, and access to the CDDFT Wellbeing Hub, NENC ICS wellbeing programmes, and the North East NHS Outdoor Wellbeing Group.
You will also have the chance to influence service delivery and MSK strategy through collaboration with the NENC Integrated Care System, contributing to workforce planning and system-wide improvement initiatives.
Person Specification
Experience
* Experience in Out Patient MSK NHS physiotherapy. Experience including core competencies within musculoskeletal, neurology and pain management within the NHS setting. Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team and positively implement change. Evidence of communication skills within a wide variety of settings.
* Experience of clinical supervision of staff and students. Experience of Cognitive behavioural therapy and Bio psycho-social model of care.
* Consolidated respiratory training for on-call / emergency work.
Special Skills and Knowledge
* Up to date knowledge of professional practice and new research in management of MSK.
* An understanding of legal responsibilities within the profession. Able to present information, written and orally in a clear and logical manner.
* Ability to organise and prioritise and work to 18 RTT. Clear ability to manage waiting list pressures. Ability to maintain high levels of concentration and analysis of presenting symptoms from patients.
* Excellent communication skills both written and verbal. ICT and clinical system skills.
* Presentational skills. Innovative approach to working life. Able to use own initiative appropriately to enhance service delivery.
* Knowledge, evidence and application of audit and research. Experience of quality improvement.
Special Requirements
* Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post.
* Experience of SystmOne for clinical note keeping.
Qualifications
* BSc Physiotherapy or equivalent. Continuing Professional Development Diary including evidence of reflective practice, training and clinical experience.
* Recognised relevant academic qualification in relation to MSK conditions. An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing. Appropriate post graduate MSK training.
Statutory Registration
* HCPC registered
* Member of CSP
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.
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
£38,682 to £46,580 a year, per annum, pro rata
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