Job overview
Do you have a love for Neuro? Want to develop your skills in Neuro Outpatients? Looking to develop your Leadership and Operational Skills in managing a physiotherapy team? Then University Hospitals Sussex may be the place for you. We are seeking an experienced Band 7 Physiotherapist or someone looking to take on their first B7 role, to join our Neuro Outpatient Service for Maternity Leave cover from April 2026. This is a fantastic opportunity to take on a leadership role within a small, friendly, and supportive team, working with a mixed complexity caseload of patients. You will provide clinical expertise, guidance, and supervision to colleagues, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care. There will be opportunity to work with the wider Neurological Services including Consultants, Speciality Nurses and Community Neuro Services and work with them to develop pathways e.g. into FND care. You will have opportunities for service development, supporting innovation and best practice in the service.
Main duties of the job
Provide shared day to day operational management of the Neurological Outpatients Physiotherapy team based at Brighton General Hospital by undertaking a team leader role in planning, co-ordinating, delivering and evaluating the Neurological Outpatients Physiotherapy Service on a day-to-day basis.
Todeputisefor theClinicalTeamLeaderif required. Provide shared leadership to the physiotherapy team within a team-based structure at Brighton General Hospital as a specialist within the field of Neurological physiotherapy.
To actively promote and develop equality and diversity practices and strategic management in this area in order to promote equity of access of care for patientsand equity of access to job opportunities and development opportunities for staff.
Asanautonomous practitioner tocarryoutadvancedassessmentandtreatmentof a specialist caseload of patients within Neurological Outpatients who may have complex and/or chronic presentation, and to determine clinical diagnoses and physiotherapy treatment indicated, and to maintain records.
To provide specialist advice to other professionals both within the Trust and outside agencies e.g. GPs, Occupational Therapists, Orthotists.
To be responsible for teaching, supervision and appraisal of Static Band 6 Physiotherapist, Rotational Band 6 Neuro Physiotherapist and Band 4 Technical Instructor, and undergraduate students to ensure a high quality of clinical care within the specialty.
Working for our organisation
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria. For example, applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the same role to qualify for sponsorship.
If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
Communication
·To adapt communication skills with patients who have communication and understanding difficulties, e.g. dementia, learning difficulties, visual and hearing impairments, non-Englishspeaking patients, and dysphasia. Advise other members of staff on appropriate basic communication strategies where necessary.
·Toassesscapacitytogiveconsent,gaininformedconsentandhavetheability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment such as patients who have dementia, learning difficulties or who are acutely confused or have a neurological injury or illness resulting in impaired memory orcognition.
1. To persuade,motivate, empathise,reassure,explain andencourage patientsin undertakingtheirtreatmentprogramme,ensureunderstandingoftheir condition and communicate effectively withpatientsandcarers to maximise rehabilitation potential.
·To demonstrate expert ability to clearly communicate complex and sensitive informationtostaff,patientsandcarers.Thismayincludeexplainingdiagnoses or prognosesaboutlong-term/ permanent disabilitiesor chronic pain, where an educational and counselling role is required to be highly developed.
·Todemonstrateexpertabilitytoclearlycommunicateprognosisandensurethe patientsandcarershaverealisticexpectationsoftherehabilitationprocessand outcome.
·Tobeabletodiffusepotentiallyhostileandantagonisticsituationswithstaff, patients, and relatives usinghighly developednegotiationandinterpersonal skills.
·To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date documentation,in line with legal and departmental requirements, and communicate assessment and treatment results to the appropriate disciplines in the form of reports and letters.
·Tomaintaincloselinksandworkcollaborativelywithall staffandpeople involved inpatient care, student education, research or policy development and promote good working relationships at all times
·Torepresentthephysiotherapydepartmentonspecialityissueswithinthetrust and external agencies, e.g. GP’s, steering groups, working parties.
·Ensuretimelyandeffectivecommunicationwithallphysiotherapystaffon professional matters.
·Toresolveverbal complaintsandreportallformal complaints,incidentsand accidents to physiotherapy management as soon as possible, document according to trust policy and carry out preliminary investigation.
Service delivery and improvement
·Toberesponsible,inconjunctionwiththe Physiotherapyleadershipteamfor policy implementation for the designated area.
·Toberesponsibleforidentifyingandimplementingservicedevelopmentwithin the designated area and to ensure effectiveness of patient care is continually monitored and improved.
·Toensureasateamleaderthatdesignatedstaffimplementpolicyandservice developmental changes.
·To ensure that the service within the designated area responds to national initiativesandpolicywithintheframeworkofclinical governanceincludingclinical effectiveness, evidence-based health care, managing clinical risk, and research and development.
People management and development
·Responsible for carrying out duties in line with the Trust’s e-rostering processes, including managing rosters, supporting staff allocation, and contributing to effective budget reconciliation and workforce planning
2. As a team leader and clinical lead be responsible for the day-to- day management, supervision and co-ordination of the Neurological Outpatients Teamincludingallocationofwork,staffappraisalandperformancemanagement.
3. Tosupportthephysiotherapymanagementinmattersofgrievanceand disciplinary action if and when necessary.
·ToassistwherenecessaryintheinterviewingandappointmentofnewTrust Physiotherapy staff.
Patient care delivery
·Tohavesharedresponsibilityandaccountabilityforthedeliveryofpatientcarein the designated area and to influence physiotherapy practice trust-wide e.g. management of neurological acute and longer-term conditions.
·Tobeprofessionallyandlegally responsibleandaccountable,asanautonomous practitioner, for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients in your care.
·Toensurehighstandardsofclinical carewithinthedesignatedarea andbe responsible for ensuring all staff within the team adhere to Trust, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and Departmental standards of care.
·To be highly competent in the comprehensive assessment of a wide range of Neurological out and inpatients, including those with a highly complex presentation,usingadvancedtheoreticalknowledgeofanatomy,physiologyand pathology, often in situations where conflicting evidence is present.
·To interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts, which may be conflicting, using underpinning theoretical knowledge and experience to suggest diagnoses, identify main problems and form prognoses in a wide range of highly complex neurological conditions.
·To formulate individual patient management, treatment and discharge plans, using clinical reasoning, current evidence and a wide range of treatment skills.
·To demonstrate highly developed dexterity, co-ordination and palpatory skills for the assessment and manual treatment of patients e.g. specific soft tissue massage, facilitation of sequences of normal movement, mobilisation,therapeutic handling to alter neurological tone.
·To continually re-assess patients in order to progress treatments effectively and advise patients, employers and occupational health departments on the appropriate time to return to work, sports and other activities.
·To co-ordinate interventions which may include other disciplines through multidisciplinaryworking/meetings(facetoface,writtencommunication,orvia telephone) e.g. OT’s, Specialist Nurses, Orthotists, Speech and Language Therapists, Consultants, GP’s, Continence Nurse’s, District Nurses.
·Tomaintainpatientconfidentialityanddignityatalltimesandsupportpeoples’ equality, diversity and rights
·Touseadvancedtheoretical andpractical knowledgetorefertootherhealth disciplines as appropriate, in particular for further treatment or specialist consultant opinions and to ensure appropriate referral systems are used by departmental staff.
·Tobeanactivememberoftheeveningandweekendon-call serviceand/or orthopaedic service.
4. Tomaintainprofessionalisminpublic,wardandrehabilitation areas
Person specification
Professional Registration
Essential criteria
5. Diploma in Physiotherapy or BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy or overseas equivalent
Desirable criteria
6. Evidence of postgraduate management courses or training
Experience/Qualifications
Essential criteria
7. Experience of supervising less experienced staff and students
Skills Clinical
Essential criteria
8. Relevant experience, including work at Band 6 level within the specialty
9. High level of clinical skill in specialty area and ability to teach those skills (to own and other professions)
Desirable criteria
10. Clinical specialist/team leader level within the speciality
Freedom to Act
Essential criteria
11. Ability to work autonomously, liaise and coordinate with the Management Team on a day-to-day basis and to take appropriate action as necessary
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Essential criteria
12. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
13. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications