Band 8a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist

Barking Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust; Romford; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS hospital trust in Romford is seeking a motivated Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist. This role involves overseeing complex patient assessments and leading a diverse team within the Emergency Department, focusing on frailty management. The ideal candidate should have extensive experience at Band 7 level and demonstrate strong clinical leadership and communication skills. The position supports a culture of patient-centered care and service improvement.

Benefits

London Living Wage

Opportunities for professional development

Qualifications

• Extensive experience at Band 7 level in an Emergency Department.
• Strong interest and expertise in frailty and acute assessment.
• Proven clinical leadership in ED and rapid assessment areas.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced Physiotherapy service to complex patients mainly in ED.
• Lead education and professional development for the Physiotherapy team.
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives in service delivery.

Skills

Complex patient assessment

Leadership in clinical settings

Communication and change management

Team development

Patient-centered care

Job description

A Vacancy at Barking Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Are you a motivated and dynamic Physiotherapist looking to take the next step in your career? We are excited to offer an exceptional opportunity for a Band 8a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist to join our innovative and supportive team at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT). This role is based in the Emergency Department and acute rapid assessment areas at Queen’s Hospital.

About the Role

As a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, you will play a pivotal role in a large, fast‑paced multidisciplinary team. You will:

• Demonstrate expert clinical skills and knowledge.
• Manage a complex caseload autonomously.
• Lead on education, training, and professional development for Physiotherapists within the team.
• Contribute to service development and quality improvement initiatives.

You will be working in an integrated therapies team with a focus on frailty, providing highly specialist input in high‑pressure acute and rapid assessment areas.

Key Responsibilities

• Through a holistic approach, provide a specialist standard of Physiotherapy service to a range of highly complex patients and carers, majority being frail and elderly, facilitating efficient, effective and co‑ordinated assessment and treatment primarily within the Emergency Department (ED) and other front door pathways including acute assessment areas.
• To demonstrate advanced and expert knowledge and skills in the autonomous management of frailty patients within acute rapid assessment areas. To act as a source of expertise on the Physiotherapy management of frailty and current evidence‑based practice.
• To take a lead role as an advanced autonomous practitioner in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of a diverse caseload giving highly specialist guidance and advice to other members of the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) on matters relating to your specialist area.
• To develop strong links with each of the Teams working in ED, e.g. Community Treatment Team (CTT), Virtual Frailty Ward (VFW), Frail Older Peoples Advice and Liaison Service (FOPALS), Collar and Brace After Care Service (CBACS). This will provide seamless care for the patient attending ED.
• Alongside Geriatricians and Frailty Nurses, identify patients for the frailty pathways and signpost to the relevant ward areas or teams.
• To support the Consultant Geriatricians in providing Comprehensive Geriatric Assessments (CGA) to patients who meet the referral criteria. This holistic assessment will include clinical, social, functional, emotional and cognitive elements.
• To use the CGA knowledge gained, initiating and advocating plans which not only enables an early discharge but also meets the needs of the patient and reduces the likelihood of an unnecessary readmission.
• To provide leadership on a day‑to‑day basis for the Physiotherapy profession within the Acute Frailty Therapy Team service areas in planning, co‑ordinating, delivering and evaluating the Physiotherapy service provided to patients within your specialist area.
• Undertake supervision, mentoring and performance development plans to promote clinical excellence and professional development of self and others.
• Alongside the Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist, to lead, develop and provide expert teaching, supervision, guidance and advice to Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Support Workers, students and the wider Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) within the Trust on matters relating to Frailty and complex patient management, on a daily basis and with a view to future development.
• To evaluate the day to day running and development of the service through the promotion, adaptation and development of policies, procedures and guidelines using evidence‑based practice, current and own research. This will include interpreting National Guidelines and application to clinical context within the speciality at the Barking Havering and Redbridge University NHS Trust Hospitals.
• To contribute to the strategic development of Physiotherapy and Frailty within the Acute Frailty Therapy Team and Trust’s ED and Frailty Pathways, in the context of the government initiatives planned by the Trust.
• To continually review the standards of practice and efficacy / efficiency of service delivery to patients and their carers throughout your area of responsibility and recommend changes in line with National Service Frameworks and clinical guidelines.
• Along with Clinical Leads, collect and evaluate data to demonstrate the value of the therapy service in the ED and assessment areas.
• To assist the Therapies Service Manager in the planning, development and delivery of the Physiotherapy Service as and where expertise is required, to ensure caseload receive timely Physiotherapy intervention.
• To represent the service at Trust and countywide meetings as delegated by Therapy Manager.
• To deputise in the absence of the Therapy Manager and other Therapy Leads/Specialists as required.

What We’re Looking For

• Highly specialist skills in assessing and treating complex and frail patients in acute settings, particularly in ED and rapid assessment areas.
• Extensive experience at Band 7 level within the Emergency Department.
• Proven clinical leadership in ED and rapid assessment areas.
• A strong interest and expertise in frailty and acute assessment.
• A commitment to patient‑centred care, service improvement, and team development.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and change management skills.

We’re a London Living Wage employer.

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.

The person specification listed below is not the full specification requirements for the role. Please ensure you review the full specification on the job description prior to submitting your application.

Applicants are advised to read all the information on the advert and the supporting information before completing and submitting an application. As you complete your application please ensure you clearly demonstrate how you meet the criteria in the person specification for this post by adequately completing the supporting information section of the application form.

All new staff appointed at the Trust are subject to a probationary period.

Applications should be made online; however, queries regarding the application process, assistance with completion of the application form or if you require any adjustments (for applicants with a disability) please contact Sarah Wood, Recruitment Advisor, on 01708 435000 ext. 4188. Further details regarding the post may be obtained by contacting the manager as per the contact details above.

This advert closes on Monday 17 Nov 2025.