Main area Lead Therapist for MSK Joint Therapy Services Grade Band 8a Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 373-NBH0858
Employer Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS FoundationTrust Employer type NHS Site Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Town Chester Salary Dependant on experience Closing 23/03/2026 23:59 Interview date 13/04/2026
Lead Therapist for MSK Joint Therapy Services
Band 8a
Job overview
The postholder will be responsible for the operational management and clinical leadership of MSK rehabilitation services across the collaboration between Cheshire and Wirral Partnership and the Countess of Chester Hospital (COCH) with bases at Ellesmere Port Hospital (EPH), COCH and a range of community bases across the West Cheshire patch.
The successful candidate will manage a team of therapists and support staff, ensuring all governance and performance targets are met within the allotted resources and ensure strategic development of the service in line with regional and national initiatives, keeping abreast of expansion in the roles of AHPs, whilst working with acute and primary care to fully exploit the service opportunities.
The MSK Lead will carry a clinical caseload to maintain skills and retain authenticity. The ability to communicate across a range of formats is essential, along with highly evolved interpersonal and diplomatic skills.
This is a rare opportunity to work in a forward looking and dynamic environment working alongside the MSK Lead Therapist in Advanced Practice and Primary Care. The role is challenging but enormously satisfying, providing the chance to shape an outstanding MSK service to the benefit of Western Cheshire patients, families and health care colleagues.
This post is part time 30 hours per week.
Shortlisting for this vacancy is due to commence on 24/03/2026 and the proposed interview date is week commencing 13/04/2026.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will be responsible for the operational management and clinical leadership of MSK rehabilitation services across the collaboration between Cheshire and Wirral Partnership and the Countess of Chester Hospital, with bases at both Ellesmere Port Hospital, the Countess of Chester Hospital and a range of community bases across the West Cheshire patch.
The successful candidate will manage a large team of therapists and support staff, ensuring all governance and performance targets are met within the allotted resources. A key aspect of the role is to ensure strategic development of the service in line with regional and national initiatives, keeping abreast of expansion in the roles of AHPs, whilst working with acute and primary care to fully exploit the service opportunities.
It will be expected that the MSK Lead Therapist will carry a clinical caseload to maintain skills and retain authenticity. The ability to communicate across a range of formats is essential, along with highly evolved interpersonal and diplomatic skills.
Working for our organisation
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire.
We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton, Liverpool and Stockport.
Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.
As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.
All new starters will commence in post on one fixed start date each month, in line with our Prepare to Care (P2C) induction programme date. P2C offers up to 3 weeks training to support you to meet the induction / initial training requirements of the role.
Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you’ll find something to suit you at CWP.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please download a copy of the job description (see ‘documents to download’ section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.
At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.
CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust’s Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trust’s Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trust’s Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.
An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!
Person specification
Qualifications
* First Level Registered Nurse or equivalent clinical qualification relevant to service area
* Specialist Practitioner qualification or equivalent clinical qualification relevant to service area
* Evidence of continuing professional development
* Master’s degree in relevant field or equivalent post graduate validated courses and experience
* ECDL or equivalent
Knowledge and Expertise
* Expert clinical knowledge in the field of clinical services
* The Implications of the national agenda for NHS Provider services Of clinical governance and the Health Care Standards
* Of the relationship between Commissioners, Providers, Local Authority and third sector
* Knowledge of recent NHS policies and innovative practice in both primary and secondary care services
Experience
* Evidence of considerable management experience underpinned by in depth study and experiential learning
* Experience of working in a clinical setting at a senior level, i.e. Team Leader or above
* Sound clinical knowledge and track performance within own discipline
* Evidence of leadership and change management
* Evidence of quality improvement and innovation
* Proven competency at clinical specialist level
* Research and Audit
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Name Alex Holroyd Job title Associate Director of Therapies Email address alex.holroyd@nhs.net Telephone number 01244 364219 Additional information
If you consider yourself Neurodivergent and need help to complete your application form, please contact cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or telephone 01244 393100
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