37.5 hours per week (Weekend working and on call)
Permanent
**This post may close early due to high numbers of applications, so you are advised to apply promptly. **
All correspondence for this vacancy will be sent by email; please check your account regularly including your Junk and SPAM areas.
A great and friendly place to work, so bring your passion, commitment and expertise and enjoy the opportunities to make a difference every day.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces Community - get in touch to find out more
Are you an experienced physiotherapist looking to step into a leadership role and make a real impact? We are offering an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Specialist Physiotherapist to join our dynamic therapy team at The George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, working across Melly and Victoria Ward.
Each ward has a dedicated Band 5 physiotherapist, and you will provide expert clinical oversight, supervision, and mentorship to ensure high-quality, safe, and effective care for patients with complex needs.
This role is for a motivated, confident physiotherapist who enjoys developing others, building relationships, and driving service excellence. In return, we offer excellent professional development opportunities, structured support, and the chance to be part of a valued, enthusiastic team where your expertise will be recognised.
Main duties of the job
Undertake advanced assessments, clinical diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment plans for patients with complex and/or chronic conditions across Melly and Victoria Wards. Manage a significant caseload independently, while collaborating closely with the wider multidisciplinary team.
Provide structured clinical supervision, mentorship, and guidance to Band 5 physiotherapists on each ward, ensuring high-quality physiotherapy care. Supervise and teach therapy assistants and undergraduate physiotherapy students to support their learning and development.
Demonstrate leadership within the therapy and MDT teams by contributing to clinical pathway development, audits, service evaluation, and quality improvement projects.
Therole is primarily Monday to Friday, 08:30-16:30. Participation in the on-call and weekend respiratory rota will be required.
Youwill be supported by a Band 7 Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, based on another ward but fully contactable for guidance and supervision as needed.
Working closely with occupational therapists, nurses, doctors, and discharge planners, you will contribute to delivering holistic care and supporting safe discharge planning.
* You will also have the autonomy to lead service development and quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient outcomes and rehabilitation pathways.
About us
Here at George Eliot our vision to 'excel at patient care' takes centre stage. An ever evolving clinically-led acute service provider we are on a journey to continually provide high quality, safe and responsive services delivered by inspiring, friendly and compassionate staff who share our corporate values which underpin everything we do. Our values are not just words on a piece of paper, they bond us together, reflect our ambition and shape who we are:
Effective Open Communication
excellence and safety in everything we do
Challenge but support
Expect respect and dignity
Local health that inspires confidence
Benefits: On-site nursery, 27 days minimum annual leave plus bank holidays, cycle to work scheme, flexible working, extensive in-house course learning directory, buying and selling of annual leave, subsidised restaurant, tranquillity garden and generous subsidised on-site parking.
Job responsibilities
1. Clinical
Undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous and accountable practitioner.
Manage a complex and varied caseload of patients across Melly and Victoria Wards, often presenting with long-term, complex or chronic conditions.
Perform advanced, comprehensive assessments using clinical reasoning and skilled manual techniques to determine accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.
Develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-based individualised treatment programmes, adjusting as necessary based on patient response.
Communicate effectively with patients who may have cognitive, sensory or language barriers, using a variety of advanced communication strategies.
Utilise persuasive, motivational, and reassurance skills to encourage patient participation and optimise rehabilitation outcomes.
Gain valid, informed consent, and where patients lack capacity, work within legal and ethical frameworks.
Provide expert advice, education, and instruction to patients, families, carers, and other professionals to promote understanding and consistency in care delivery.
Participate in the physiotherapy respiratory on-call and weekend rota as required.
Manage clinical risk within own caseload to ensure safe and effective patient care.
Maintain accurate and comprehensive patient records in line with professional and trust standards.
Demonstrate safe and competent use of equipment and support junior staff and students in its appropriate use.
2. Leadership and Management
Provide supervision, mentorship and clinical guidance to Band 5 physiotherapists working on each ward.
Supervise and support therapy assistants and undergraduate physiotherapy and occupational therapy students.
Act as a clinical role model, demonstrating high standards of practice and professional behaviour.
Support the Band 7 Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist (team lead), who is based on a separate ward but fully contactable for guidance and advice.
Contribute to service improvement projects, pathway development, and clinical audits to enhance patient care and service delivery.
Participate in the development and review of local clinical guidelines, policies, and standards in line with national best practice.
Assist with the operational running of the physiotherapy service on the wards as delegated by the Band 7 lead.
3. Education and Training
Support the delivery of structured teaching, induction, and training programmes for junior staff, assistants, students, and members of the wider MDT.
Identify own learning needs and maintain professional development through CPD activities, clinical supervision, and reflective practice.
Participate in regular in-service training and clinical governance activities to contribute to team learning and continuous quality improvement.
4. Communication and Teamwork
Work collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team including occupational therapists, nurses, doctors, and discharge planners to ensure coordinated, patient-centred care.
Represent physiotherapy at ward rounds, case discussions, and family meetings.
Communicate clearly and sensitively with patients and families regarding treatment plans, progress, and expected outcomes.
5. Professional and Ethical Practice
Maintain HCPC registration and adhere to all relevant professional standards and Trust policies.
Ensure that all aspects of practice are conducted in line with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapys Code of Professional Values and Behaviour.
Promote patient dignity, safeguarding, equality, diversity, and inclusion at all times.
Prioritise and manage workload independently, ensuring timely and effective patient care delivery.
6. Service Delivery
Support the delivery of a high-quality physiotherapy service across both wards within core hours of Monday to Friday, 08:3016:30.
Contribute to the implementation of a flexible, responsive 7-day service model, including participation in the respiratory on-call and weekend working rota.
Assist with data collection and analysis for service evaluation and KPI monitoring.
7. Health, Safety and Risk Management
Comply with Trust health and safety policies and take personal responsibility for the safety of yourself and others.
Contribute to risk assessments and incident reporting, promoting a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
Support incident investigations and implement actions to minimise recurrence where required.
For a full comprehensive list of main responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to job description and personal specification attached.
Person Specification
Experience and Knowledge
* Minimum 18 months post-graduate experience in relevant clinical area
* Broad Band 5 rotational experience
* Supervisory experience
* Previous Acute NHS experience
* Contribution to clinical education of less experienced staff
* Previous senior experience in area
Qualification and Professional Training
* Bachelor degree in Physiotherapy
* Good standard of general education including GCSE (or equivalent) maths and English grade C and above
* Registration with HCPC
* Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio including recent attendance at relevant post-graduate courses
* CSP membership
* Involvement /membership in Special Interest Group
Skills and Abilities
* Understanding of clinical governance
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills including an ability to provide and receive complex, sensitive and contentious information
* Able to prioritise and organise own workload
* Able to cope with a range of complex options, find solutions, analyse, compare and decide on appropriate course of action
* Able to work as part of an inter-disciplinary team
* IT skills - computer literate in email, Word & PowerPoint
* Driving license and access to a car
Personal Qualities
* Evidence to support personal initiatives in supporting service deliver
* Able to carry out moderate physical effort throughout concurrent activities
* Motivated
* Flexible and adaptable
* Diplomatic and sensitive to others need
* To follow the Trusts values of EXCEL and COMPACT
Other
* Able to commit to flexible working and weekend working
* Driving license and access to motor vehicle for work purposes
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.
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