Director of Physiotherapy

American Hospital Dubai; Dubai; On-site; AED 420,000 - 620,000; Full time

Job summary

American Hospital Dubai is seeking a strategic leader to direct the Physiotherapy Division, aligning clinical excellence with the division’s growth and financial stewardship. You will oversee program development, service delivery, research, and innovation while ensuring JCI accreditation and DHA compliance, and fostering patient-centered care through multidisciplinary collaboration.

You will mentor staff, drive quality improvement, and manage KPIs to improve access, outcomes, and efficiency in a

Qualifications

• DPT or MSc in Physiotherapy with DHA licensure or eligibility.
• 9+ years of physiotherapy with 2+ years in leadership.
• Knowledge of JCI standards and DHA requirements.

Responsibilities

• Directs overall operations of Physiotherapy Division, including clinical, admin, and financial functions.
• Provides vision to align services with hospital goals and budget planning.
• Develops strategic plans to expand services and improve access and outcomes.
• Mentors staff, conducts appraisals, and leads recruitment and promotions.
• Oversees research, education, and collaboration with academia.
• Ensures JCI accreditation, quality indicators, and governance compliance.
• Coordinates multidisciplinary care and communication with physicians.
• Drives KPIs for patient satisfaction, throughput, and efficiency.
• Promotes digital health and AI integration in rehabilitation.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Business acumen

Budgeting and finance

Healthcare governance

Multidisciplinary team leadership

Quality improvement

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Education

Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT)

Master’s Degree in Physiotherapy

DHA license or eligibility

Tools

EMR systems

AI-enabled rehabilitation tools

Tele-rehabilitation platforms

Job description

Directs and leads the strategic development, clinical excellence, financial performance, and operational management of the Physiotherapy Division. Provides leadership in program development, service delivery, research, innovation, and patient-centred care, ensuring compliance with Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation standards, DHA regulatory requirements, and global benchmarks while promoting excellence and innovation in physiotherapy services.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategy

• Directs the overall operations of the Physiotherapy Division, including clinical, administrative, and financial functions.
• Provides vision and leadership to ensure physiotherapy programs and services are effectively delivered and aligned with hospital goals.
• Develops and implements strategic plans to expand physiotherapy services and enhance patient access, outcomes, and cost efficiencies.
• Prepares and manages the annual budget, staffing plan, and resource allocation.
• Generates annual reports highlighting activities, achievements, and progress of the division.
• Benchmarks physiotherapy practices against international standards to maintain competitiveness and excellence.

Clinical and Quality Oversight

• Ensures continued JCI accreditation and compliance of the Physiotherapy Division.
• Reviews and addresses quality issues, monitors quality indicators, and implements continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Oversees coordination of multidisciplinary patient care, ensuring smooth transitions and integrated treatment pathways.
• Assesses patients, request diagnostic tests, and initiate appropriate physiotherapy treatment plans.
• Ensures appropriate coordination with physicians regarding patient medication management, particularly in cases impacting physiotherapy care or emergencies.
• Monitors and achieves divisional KPIs, including patient satisfaction, treatment outcomes, throughput, and wait times.

Staff Management and Development

• Mentors and evaluates staff performance, conducting annual appraisals and participating in peer review activities.
• Leads recruitment, appointments, reappointments, and promotions within the division.
• Develops and runs multidisciplinary meetings, ensuring effective collaboration among physicians and allied health staff.
• Holds regular departmental meetings and promotes continuous professional development through hospital educational activities.
• Fosters a culture of innovation, evidence-based practice, and lifelong learning among physiotherapy staff.

Research, Innovation, and Academic Contribution

• Supports and contributes to research initiatives, publications, and professional presentations in physiotherapy and rehabilitation sciences.
• Collaborates with academic institutions, universities, and professional bodies to advance physiotherapy education and training.
• Promotes the integration of digital health solutions, including tele-rehabilitation, EMR integration, and AI-enabled rehabilitation tools.
• Stays abreast of emerging global trends and innovations in physiotherapy and implements best practices that improve patient care and service delivery.

Policies, Procedures, and Governance

• Develops, updates, and implements departmental policies, procedures, and clinical protocols.
• Ensures compliance with hospital policies, JCI accreditation standards, and ethical requirements in all aspects of practice.
• Represents the division in hospital committees and sub-committees, contributing to institutional strategy and decision-making.

Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

• Communicates the division’s progress, achievements, and development plans to key stakeholders.
• Builds relationships with internal and external providers to identify opportunities for service growth, research collaboration, and innovation.
• Participates in hospital rounds, in-service sessions, and professional conferences to promote awareness of physiotherapy services and achievements.

Qualifications

• Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT) or Master’s Degree in Physiotherapy.
• Dubai Health Authority (DHA) license or eligibility.
• Minimum of nine (9) years of progressive physiotherapy experience, including at least two (2) years in a supervisory or management role within a clinical or hospital setting.
• Knowledge of physiotherapy clinical practices, regulatory standards, and JCI accreditation requirements.
• Knowledge of evidence-based protocols, quality improvement methodologies, and clinical governance processes.
• Knowledge of emerging digital health trends, including tele-rehabilitation, EMR integration, and AI-assisted rehabilitation solutions.
• Skills in leadership, decision-making, and multidisciplinary team management.
• Skills in financial and operational management, including budgeting, staffing, and resource allocation.
• Skills in policy development, guideline creation, and implementation of clinical protocols.
• Skills in patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and clinical documentation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, staff, academic partners, and stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to mentor, coach, and develop staff while fostering a collaborative and innovative culture.
• Ability to manage divisional KPIs to meet hospital and international benchmarks for patient outcomes, satisfaction, and efficiency.
• Ability to contribute to research, publications, and academic partnerships that advance the field of physiotherapy.