Band 6 Rotational Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
This is an exciting opportunity for physiotherapists seeking their first musculoskeletal/orthopaedic Band 6 position, or for those already working at this level who wish to expand their experience in the musculoskeletal field working in a well-supported Centre of Excellence.
Rotations Overview
This rotational post consists of 8 rotations through 3 different MSK outpatient departments, Hand Therapy, Trauma inpatient wards, Elective Orthopaedic Surgery inpatient wards and our Optimise pain management service. These rotations are across three of the OUH sites: the John Radcliffe Hospital, the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and the Horton General Hospital, providing a varied range of learning as well as the opportunity to progress leadership skills.
There is a well established Physiotherapy Research Unit based at the NOC. Staff are encouraged to be actively involved in research.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS POST MAY CLOSE EARLY IF SUFFICIENT APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED
The 8‑month rotations in more detail
Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre
* MSK outpatients – A mix of consultant and post‑elective surgery patients which can be highly complex. You will be part of a large team of mostly Band 6s and 7s, treating patients individually as well as in hydrotherapy and gym classes.
* Hand Therapy – Specialist upper limb service, splinting and complex hand surgery patients.
* Elective Orthopaedic Inpatients – working on the wards treating patients post‑operatively. Surgery includes complex limb reconstruction and sarcoma surgery alongside innovative enhanced recovery pathways for primary joint replacements.
* Optimise Pain Management service – A unique opportunity to gain experience managing some of the more complex conditions supported by experienced physiotherapists and psychologists.
* Physiotherapy Research Unit – the opportunity to assist with existing trials, data collection, conducting literature reviews, submitting funding applications and seeking future ethics approval.
John Radcliffe Hospital
* Trauma inpatients – Working on the wards in a Major Trauma Centre alongside experienced clinicians. A wide variety of complex trauma patients, working with the MDT.
* Trauma outpatients – Following these patients up as outpatients as well as specialist fracture clinic work.
Horton General Hospital
* MSK outpatients – A mix of GP referrals and post trauma outpatients in a small friendly team.
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. Find out more here www.ouh.nhs.uk
The Trust comprises four hospitals – the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital, and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.
Clinical Service Areas
* Orthopaedic Inpatients – Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre
* MSK/Orthopaedic Outpatients – Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre
* Physiotherapy Research Unit – Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre
* Trauma Outpatients – John Radcliffe Hospital
* Trauma Inpatients – John Radcliffe Hospital
* Musculoskeletal Outpatients (GP, trauma and orthopaedics) – Horton Hospital, Banbury, Physiotherapy Department
* Optimise Pain Management Service – Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre
* Hand Therapy – NOC/JR
Job Statement
* To assess and treat own patient caseload, who may have a complex presentation, and maintain associated records, as an autonomous practitioner.
* To supervise and teach band 5 Physiotherapists, Physiotherapy Assistants and student Physiotherapists.
* To undertake evidence‑based projects, including recommendations for change in practice and participate in departmental research and audit.
* To deputise for Physiotherapy Team Leaders in operational management.
Clinical Responsibilities
1. Be professionally and legally responsible for all aspects of the post-holder's own work.
2. Manage a complex and busy caseload, demonstrating the ability to work flexibly to deliver efficient patient services in a range of models.
3. Carry out assessment of patients as an autonomous practitioner, including those with diverse or complex presentations/multi‑pathologies, and using clinical reasoning skills, knowledge of evidence‑based practice, determine appropriate care plan, utilising wide range of treatment skills and options.
4. Interpret and analyze clinical and non‑clinical facts to form accurate diagnoses in a wide range of conditions including those with a complex presentation, with occasional guidance from specialist physiotherapists.
5. Formulate accurate diagnoses and recommend best course of intervention, developing comprehensive treatment and discharge plans, based on sound knowledge of evidence‑based practice and treatment skills.
6. Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter / progress the treatment programme as required.
7. Assess a patient’s capacity to understand and to gain valid, informed consent for treatment, and work within a legal framework with patients who lack the capacity to consent or refuse treatment.
8. Co‑ordinate intervention which may include other disciplines; advise and educate patient/carers/relatives/other health professionals.
9. Maintain accurate written records, in line with Professional Standards.
10. Demonstrate physical ability to carry out physiotherapy assessment and interventions including manual therapy techniques and therapeutic handling.
11. Demonstrate, teach and observe excellent manual handling and demonstrate therapeutic patient handling when needed.
12. Demonstrate highly developed dexterity, coordination and palpatory sensory skills for assessment and manual treatment of patients.
13. Be able to manage potentially stressful, upsetting, or emotional situations in an empathetic manner.
14. Represent physiotherapy and / or individual patients at multidisciplinary team meetings, to ensure delivery of co‑ordinated care; this will include discussion of patient care / discharge planning.
15. Be able to motivate and persuade others through effective communication skills, with the benefit of verbal and non‑verbal skills, using written and electronic information where needed.
16. Demonstrate the ability to communicate complex and sensitive information to patient, carers and other staff, where there may be barriers to communication (e.g., non‑English speakers, those with communication disorders, impaired sight or hearing).
17. Contribute regularly to on‑call and weekend physiotherapy services demonstrating competence and confidence in the assessment and treatment of patients with physiotherapy amenable respiratory conditions when required.
Management Responsibilities
1. Be responsible for competent use and maintenance reporting of all equipment, including but not limited to electrotherapy, gym equipment, hoists, IPPB ventilators, saturation monitors and patient appliances, and to ensure that junior staff/students and assistants attain competency prior to use.
2. Assist in the supervision, teaching and appraisal of junior staff and assistants.
3. Be responsible for the operational management of the designated team in the absence of the team leader or as required.
4. Plan and organise own time, patient caseload, meetings, training and adjusting plans as required according to staffing levels.
5. Be able to respond to unpredictable work patterns and frequent interruptions.
6. Assist in the planning of juniors, students and assistants’ timetables and deputise for the team leader in organisational duties.
7. Ensure that performance data is recorded and reported within the service timescales.
Education Responsibilities
1. Contribute to the education of multidisciplinary groups, patients, families, and carers as appropriate.
2. Be responsible for Band 5 / Student Physiotherapists as allocated by the Team Leader.
3. Be pro‑active regarding learning from other physiotherapy staff within the department, and other MDT staff in the Trust.
4. Be responsible for and actively record own professional development and maintain a CPD portfolio to reflect this.
5. Be proactive with regular clinical supervision with supervisor and plan suitable sessions.
6. Keep abreast in understanding and knowledge of new developments applicable to specific physiotherapy treatments.
7. Attend and actively participate in departmental in‑service training program and other outside courses / lectures as appropriate.
8. Assist in organising and actively participate in the in‑service and post‑registration education programme within the specialist clinical area.
9. Maintain and develop current knowledge of evidence‑based practice in the areas in each rotation, developing specialist knowledge of particular conditions and patient types.
10. Participate in the mentorship programme offered on the rotation.
11. Actively engage with fellow rotational staff and to play active role in peer learning and development in rotational group meetings.
12. Plan and conduct in‑rotation specific service development plans, clinical audits and CPD as guided by supervisor and to plan and encourage between‑rotation projects for other rotational staff to continue.
General Requirements
1. Carry out assessments and treatments, with moderate physical effort on a daily basis.
2. Comply with the Trusts Manual Handling Policy and local therapeutic handling guidelines.
3. Be presentable, punctual and represent the trust and the values at all times.
4. Work in an environment where the work patterns may be disrupted by frequent demands from patients, clinical staff, students, and administrative support staff.
5. Deal sensitively with distressing or emotional circumstances regarding patient care such as realistic expectations of rehabilitation outcome.
6. Support juniors when indicated in the management of challenging patients.
7. Remain professional and supportive of patients suffering from pain states that may lead to anxiety and aggressive behaviour.
This advert closes on Thursday 16 Apr 2026.
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