• Job Description

  Req#: C9216-25-1176?language=en&page=468&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is currently looking for an existing Band 6 or Band 5 Physiotherapist who is wishing to extend and develop their assessment and treatment skills to join our trauma service.

  This post is also suitable for a Band 5 transitioning to Band 6 on completion of training and competency to deliver trauma services within UHP NHS Trust.

  The successful candidate will be joining already established teams in delivering an enhanced seven day physiotherapy service inclusive of weekend working and evening work to patients as part of the wider physiotherapy department including a commitment to respiratory on-call. There is a comprehensive on-call competency pack and pathway to support staff going on-call.

  These teams provide physiotherapy services to Cardiothoracics (cardiac and thoracic wards and cardiac ICU/HDU), Neurosurgery (neurosurgical ward and neuro ICU), Orthopaedics (major trauma, paediatric orthopaedic, fractured neck of femur, day-case, fracture clinic, elective orthopaedic and outpatient orthopaedic), Health Care of Elderly and Emergency Department (emergency care, medical assessment, acute assessment and short-stay units).

  ***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

  Main duties of the job

  To provide a high standard physiotherapy service to the patients in the clinical areas which you have rotated. This involves working across the trust and peripheral sites in a range of settings providing a seven day service including weekends and evening to Cardiothoracics (cardiac and thoracic wards and cardiac ICU/HDU), Neurosurgery (neurosurgical ward and neuro ICU), Orthopaedics (major trauma, paediatric orthopaedic, fractured neck of femur, day-case, fracture clinic, elective orthopaedic and outpatient orthopaedic), Health Care of Elderly, Emergency Department (emergency care, medical assessment, acute assessment and short-stay units) and trauma ward, providing assessment and treatment to major trauma patients as well as elective surgery patients across those areas.

  To assist the Team Leaders in planning, coordinating, delivering and evaluating the Physiotherapy Service provided to patients within the team, on a day-to-day basis.

  To assess and treat own caseload of patients, who may have complex presentations, and maintain own records as an autonomous practitioner.

  At times community / home visits may be required to be undertaken.

  To deputise for the Team Leaders when necessary.

  To perform advanced physiotherapeutic assessment of patients with diverse presentations and complex physical and psychological conditions, to provide a diagnosis and develop and deliver an individualised treatment programme.

  About us

  We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100.

  We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams.

  It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

  Details

  Date posted

  15 September 2025

  Pay scheme

  Agenda for change

  Band

  Band 6

  Salary

  £38,682 to £46,580 a year Per Annum

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Full-time

  Reference number

  216-CB-C7462534

  Job locations

  Derriford Hospital

  Derriford Road

  Plymouth

  PL6 8DH

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  1. To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of patients in your care
  2. To be responsible for maintaining accurate and comprehensive patient treatment records in line with Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) standards and local/Trust policy. To communicate appropriately with other disciplines (this might include meetings, report and letter writing
  3. To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations/multi pathologies; use advanced clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment techniques to provide an accurate clinical diagnosis of their condition
  4. Formulate and deliver an individual physiotherapy treatment programme based on a sound knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options using clinical assessment, reasoning skills and knowledge of treatment skills e.g. specialist neurological or respiratory techniques, manual physiotherapy techniques, patient education, and other alternative options
  5. To take delegated responsibility from the Band 7 physiotherapist for managing patients with particular conditions and be responsible for providing specialist physiotherapy assessment and treatment plans for patients with these conditions
  6. Formulate accurate prognoses and recommend best course of intervention, developing comprehensive management plans
  7. Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent, which must be documented and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment. To comply with local confidentiality policies, child protection and vulnerable adult procedures
  8. Use an extensive range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients/carers; to motivate, gain co-operation, to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating. For example, patients may be dysphasic, depressed, deaf, blind or who may be unable to accept diagnosis, or realistic expectations of Physiotherapy intervention
  9. Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment programmes if required
  10. To manage clinical risk within own patient caseload and to report incidents and near misses
  11. Work within trust clinical guidelines and CSP guidelines and to have a good working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor own and others quality of practice as appropriate
  12. Rarely, when working in the community and domiciliary settings, work as a lone practitioner with telephone support from a senior physiotherapist if required.
  13. To be an active member of the respiratory evening and weekend on-call rota and medical / surgical / cardiothoracic and critical care seven day services. Individual to ensure competencies are maintained.
  14. When working on the emergency duty rota, undertake the assessment and treatment of acutely ill patients with respiratory/orthopaedic/ neuro problems, who may have a complex presentation and maintain associated records as an autonomous practitioner
  15. When working on the emergency duty on-call rota, provide advice to medical and nursing staff and other members of the multi-disciplinary team regarding patients respiratory/ major trauma orthopaedic/ neurology and chest functions/condition and its management.
  16. To train, clinically supervise and performance management more junior staff, technical instructors, assistants and students, with assistance from more senior members of the physiotherapy team. This will include the use of formal appraisal documentation
  17. Represent physiotherapy service and /or individual patients at the multi-disciplinary team meetings, to ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service, and integrate physiotherapy treatment into the treatment programme. This will include discussion of patient care, patient progress and involvement in discharge planning
  18. To be responsible for the safe and competent use of all electrotherapy equipment, gym equipment and patient appliances and aids by patients and ensure that junior staff/assistants attain competency prior to use.

  For further details please see attached JD&PS

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  1. To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of patients in your care
  2. To be responsible for maintaining accurate and comprehensive patient treatment records in line with Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) standards and local/Trust policy. To communicate appropriately with other disciplines (this might include meetings, report and letter writing
  3. To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations/multi pathologies; use advanced clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment techniques to provide an accurate clinical diagnosis of their condition
  4. Formulate and deliver an individual physiotherapy treatment programme based on a sound knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options using clinical assessment, reasoning skills and knowledge of treatment skills e.g. specialist neurological or respiratory techniques, manual physiotherapy techniques, patient education, and other alternative options
  5. To take delegated responsibility from the Band 7 physiotherapist for managing patients with particular conditions and be responsible for providing specialist physiotherapy assessment and treatment plans for patients with these conditions
  6. Formulate accurate prognoses and recommend best course of intervention, developing comprehensive management plans
  7. Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent, which must be documented and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment. To comply with local confidentiality policies, child protection and vulnerable adult procedures
  8. Use an extensive range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients/carers; to motivate, gain co-operation, to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating. For example, patients may be dysphasic, depressed, deaf, blind or who may be unable to accept diagnosis, or realistic expectations of Physiotherapy intervention
  9. Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment programmes if required
  10. To manage clinical risk within own patient caseload and to report incidents and near misses
  11. Work within trust clinical guidelines and CSP guidelines and to have a good working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor own and others quality of practice as appropriate
  12. Rarely, when working in the community and domiciliary settings, work as a lone practitioner with telephone support from a senior physiotherapist if required.
  13. To be an active member of the respiratory evening and weekend on-call rota and medical / surgical / cardiothoracic and critical care seven day services. Individual to ensure competencies are maintained.
  14. When working on the emergency duty rota, undertake the assessment and treatment of acutely ill patients with respiratory/orthopaedic/ neuro problems, who may have a complex presentation and maintain associated records as an autonomous practitioner
  15. When working on the emergency duty on-call rota, provide advice to medical and nursing staff and other members of the multi-disciplinary team regarding patients respiratory/ major trauma orthopaedic/ neurology and chest functions/condition and its management.
  16. To train, clinically supervise and performance management more junior staff, technical instructors, assistants and students, with assistance from more senior members of the physiotherapy team. This will include the use of formal appraisal documentation
  17. Represent physiotherapy service and /or individual patients at the multi-disciplinary team meetings, to ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service, and integrate physiotherapy treatment into the treatment programme. This will include discussion of patient care, patient progress and involvement in discharge planning
  18. To be responsible for the safe and competent use of all electrotherapy equipment, gym equipment and patient appliances and aids by patients and ensure that junior staff/assistants attain competency prior to use.

  For further details please see attached JD&PS

  Person Specification

  Knowledge and Experience

  Essential

  • Demonstrable broad post graduate clinical experience in Neurology, Acute Respiratory, Trauma and Orthopaedics / and Frailty
  • Proven evidence of contribution to clinical education / supervision of less experienced staff, students or assistants
  • An awareness of current NHS and Health issues related to Trauma Care
  • Demonstrable experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
  • Proven evidence of relevant CPD

  Desirable

  • Previous demonstrable experience of working in Cardiothoracics/ Neurosurgery/ ICU/ Emergency care/Health Care for the Older Person/ Major trauma / MSK patients.
  • Clinical educator course
  • Demonstrable experience within a large acute healthcare environment

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • Degree (BSc Hons Physiotherapy) or equivalent.
  • HCPC registration.
  • Proven attendance at additional relevant professional courses

  Desirable

  • MSc relevant to the area
  • Leadership qualification

  APTITUDE & ABILITIES

  Essential

  • Demonstrates effective and adaptable communication skills including written and verbal
  • Ability to prioritise workload

  Desirable

  • Proven evidence of Service Improvement

  Person Specification

  Knowledge and Experience

  Essential

  • Demonstrable broad post graduate clinical experience in Neurology, Acute Respiratory, Trauma and Orthopaedics / and Frailty
  • Proven evidence of contribution to clinical education / supervision of less experienced staff, students or assistants
  • An awareness of current NHS and Health issues related to Trauma Care
  • Demonstrable experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
  • Proven evidence of relevant CPD

  Desirable

  • Previous demonstrable experience of working in Cardiothoracics/ Neurosurgery/ ICU/ Emergency care/Health Care for the Older Person/ Major trauma / MSK patients.
  • Clinical educator course
  • Demonstrable experience within a large acute healthcare environment

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • Degree (BSc Hons Physiotherapy) or equivalent.
  • HCPC registration.
  • Proven attendance at additional relevant professional courses

  Desirable

  • MSc relevant to the area
  • Leadership qualification

  APTITUDE & ABILITIES

  Essential

  • Demonstrates effective and adaptable communication skills including written and verbal
  • Ability to prioritise workload

  Desirable

  • Proven evidence of Service Improvement

  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.

  Certificate of Sponsorship

  Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

  From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

  UK Registration

  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

  Additional information

  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.

  Certificate of Sponsorship

  Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

  From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

  UK Registration

  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

  Employer details

  Employer name

  University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

  Address

  Derriford Hospital

  Derriford Road

  Plymouth

  PL6 8DH

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

  Employer details

  Employer name

  University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

  Address

  Derriford Hospital

  Derriford Road

  Plymouth

  PL6 8DH

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

Notice