Overview
Rotations at both University Hospital Lewisham & Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich. We are seeking a dynamic and talented senior physiotherapist to work across our inpatient and outpatient specialty services. This is a cross-site role with rotations across three London Boroughs - Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley. Rotations are 8 months in duration and include:
* Specialist Respiratory: Critical Care (ICU & HDU), Cystic Fibrosis, AVUs including NIV management, Surgery, Tracheostomy, Pulmonary Rehab, Respiratory Outpatients, Respiratory Medicine
* Specialist Paediatrics: NICU, Cystic Fibrosis In and Outpatients, Rheumatology, MSK Outpatients and Hydrotherapy, Trauma and Orthopaedics, Baby Clinic, Haematology, Neuro-developmental, Acute Respiratory
* Specialist Neurology: Neurology inpatients and outpatients, Acute Stroke, Community Stroke Rehab
* Specialist Rehabilitation: Trauma and Orthopaedics, Oncology and Haematology, Amputee Prosthetic Rehab, Community Services
* Specialist Emergency Department Discharge Team: ED, Resus, Short Stay and Acute Medical Unit, Same Day Emergency Care, Frailty, Ambulatory Care
* Specialist Older Adult Services: Frailty, Geriatric Medicine
* Specialist Musculoskeletal Services: Hydrotherapy, Paediatrics, Fracture Clinic, GP practices, Staff Service, Classes
Main duties
We offer a robust training and mentorship program with supervision and clinical-based teaching forming the foundation for your learning. The breadth of clinical services allows you to specialise or diversify according to your interests. We support staff to attend courses and further education to progress towards a chosen clinical specialty, as well as senior leadership skills. This is supported with access to paid study leave and course funding. All senior therapists are encouraged to take an active role in trust-wide quality improvement, audit and service development.
As a Band 6 physiotherapist you will play a key role in the clinical provision of services to a varied patient caseload. Therapies are an integral part of the multi-disciplinary team at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust with close MDT working. The department is known for an inclusive and supportive culture; this is a dynamic, friendly and innovative environment with the benefits of a large London Trust.
If you take a cross-site role, it is anticipated that over a two-year period you would complete two rotations at University Hospital Lewisham or in the community to one rotation at Queen Elizabeth Site.
About us
Cost area supplements (HCAS) vary by rotation site and salary. The Trust emphasises Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) with staff networks and programs to support engagement. Details of EDI aspirations include representation at senior levels, widening access and employability, improving staff experience, and mainstreaming equalities.
Job details: Date posted 11 September 2025; Pay scheme Agenda for Change; Band 6; Salary £38,682 to £46,580 per year plus HCAS; Contract Permanent; Working pattern Full-time; Reference 197-UT7292; Job locations University Hospital Lewisham; Physiotherapy Department, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust; London SE13 6LH.
Job responsibilities
JOB PURPOSE
The Specialist Physiotherapist is an experienced clinician who independently manages a full specialised clinical caseload and supervises designated staff within the specialist team. The post holder rotates through speciality pathways on an 8-monthly basis and works under supervision of an allocated Team Lead. Rotations span University Hospital Lewisham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Greenwich and Lewisham Community Services. The rotations may change to meet service demands and the postholder may be required to work at any site within the Trust. 7-day working for Therapies is under development; weekends may be required on a roster basis. Clinical governance and support are provided by the Band 7 Physiotherapy Team Lead, with a rolling programme of education, clinical evaluation, audit and research.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Band 5 Physiotherapists, Team Lead Physiotherapists, Inpatient and Outpatient Site Leads, Heads of Therapies, Therapy Support Workers, Medical Consultants, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Dietitians, Nursing Staff, Referring Hospitals, Social Services, Community Services, GPs, Voluntary Services, Academic Institutions and external Specialists to L&G.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical
* To undertake all aspects of clinical duties with a significant autonomous caseload, including complex presentations
* To work at an advanced level and be professionally and legally accountable for a specialised caseload, setting priorities for own work area
* To be responsible for all aspects of own work and the work of staff under supervision, including clinical risk and governance, and knowledge of techniques per national and Trust guidelines
* To assess patient capacity and gain informed consent; where capacity is lacking, work within a legal framework
* To undertake comprehensive assessment and diagnosis of patients using clinical reasoning
* To perform physical treatment techniques with highly developed manual skills
* To ensure safe and competent use of gym, electrotherapy, manual handling equipment and other aids; ensure competency of Band 5 staff
* To formulate individualised management programmes and plan specialised care
* To use outcome measures to evaluate interventions and ensure progression
* To provide advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other disciplines; ensure continuity of treatment
* To participate in multidisciplinary and multi-agency meetings for coordination of care
* To maintain links with GPs and other involved professionals; ensure discharge communication
* To keep accurate clinical records per Trust guidance
* To communicate effectively with patients and carers, including interpreters when needed
* To ensure practice is user-focused and reflects patient views
* To employ persuasion, motivation and negotiation to support ongoing treatment
* To communicate sensitively about prognosis or disability
* To receive complex information from patients/relatives to plan case management
* To provide specialist clinical advice for complex cases and discharge planning
* To contribute to audit, outcome measurement and research as appropriate
* To participate in on-call and extended rotas when competent and in absence of Band 7 staff
* To work in GP outreach clinics as required
* All clinical staff are accountable for their own competence and must work within guidelines from professional bodies.
Person Specification – Qualifications and Training
Essential
* Diploma / Degree in Physiotherapy
* HCPC registration
* Postgraduate courses and clinical educators training
Desirable
* MCSP
* Member of Special Interest Group
* Managerial training
Experience
Essential
* Wide-ranging rotational physiotherapy experience at Band 5
* Experience in audits and evidence-based projects
* Experience in MDT groups and evaluating training effectiveness
* Experience working collaboratively within MDT
* Experience managing limited resources and high workloads
Desirable
* Previous Band 6 experience
* Research experience
* Supervision and appraisal of staff and students
Knowledge
Essential
* Evidence-based practice in specialist areas
* Knowledge of national guidelines and standards
* Understanding of clinical governance and NHS structure
* Understanding of legal responsibilities of the profession
Skills
Essential
* Clinical reasoning in complex cases
* Identify and act on adverse signs
* Clear communication with patients, carers and professionals
* Teamwork and time management
* Self-directed learning and CPD portfolio
* Clear written and verbal reporting
* Teaching, presentation and IT skills
* Ability to manage stress and provide support to others
Desirable
* Advanced IT/data formatting skills
* Leadership and motivational skills
Other information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A DBS disclosure may be required.
Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK will be considered. For information, refer to UK Visas and Immigration guidance. UK criminal record checks guidance may apply for overseas applicants.
UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
Employer details
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Address: University Hospital Lewisham, Physiotherapy Department, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, London, SE13 6LH
Employer website: Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
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