Clinical Lead Physiotherapist - Spinal

Transformationunitgm; Huddersfield; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust is seeking a Clinical Lead Physiotherapist specializing in spinal care. This permanent, full-time position involves managing a team and providing expert assessment and treatment for patients with chronic spinal conditions. The role emphasizes flexible working arrangements to support a balanced work-life approach.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Support for training and development

Compassionate care environment

Qualifications

• Registered physiotherapist with experience managing patients with spinal conditions.
• Evidence of relevant postgraduate training and leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of out-patient physiotherapy staff.
• Conduct specialist assessment and treatment of patients with Chronic Pain.
• Develop and implement individual treatment programs.

Skills

Communication

Problem Solving

Interpersonal Skills

Leadership

Education

Registered with HCPC

Study to Masters level or equivalent

Clinical Educator Training

Job description

Main area MSK Outpatient Physiotherapy Grade NHS AfC: Band 7 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (up to 37.5 hours minimum) Job ref 372-COM2527

Employer Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Huddersfield Royal Infirmary Town Huddersfield Salary £47,810 - £54,710 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 29/06/2025 23:59 Interview date 08/07/2025

Clinical Lead Physiotherapist - Spinal

NHS AfC: Band 7

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics.

We are committed to recruiting to our values. Leading One Culture of Care underpins our values by creating an environment, tone and behaviours across all parts of the Trust that are fundamentally rooted in compassionate care.

We are open to considering a wide range of flexible working arrangements. There are opportunities to flex the days of the week, hours and times of work and place of work including: part-time, job-share, flexible working hours and the possibility to work from home when appropriate. Please talk to us during the interview process to discuss any flexibility that you may require.

We received our Silver Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme which is helping actively promote SaBRE - Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employers. This means that we provided its statement of intent to support all Defence personnel and we welcome application to work for us. Find out more - Why Choose CHFT?

Our Future Plans

The Department of Health and Social Care has awarded capital funding to invest in local health services at both Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. This is a significant investment and an opportunity to enhance services for our populations in Calderdale and Huddersfield and West Yorkshire for generations to come. To find out more, please visithttps://future.cht.nhs.uk/

Job overview

MSK Physiotherapy Services at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust are looking to recruit a full time dynamic and experienced physiotherapist to join our team as Clinical Lead in Spinal and Spinal Chronic Pain.

The post-holder will manage a team of out-patient physiotherapy staff and play a key role in helping to shape out-patient spinal physiotherapy services in line with latest guidelines and provide support and training to the wider physiotherapy team. The ability to build relationships with other services involved in the care of patients with spinal conditions is essential.

Our integrated MSK Service provides First Contact Practitioners to the Calderdale PCNs and the post holder will be expected to undertake some hours in an FCP capacity as part of their job plan.

We seek an individual who is proactive, well organised and with strong communication and problem-solving skills. CHFT will offer support for training and development as required for this post.

Interview date: 8th July 2025

Main duties of the job

Main Tasks

· To perform highly specialist assessment and treatment of patients, in particular those with Chronic Pain, to facilitate a smooth, efficient and effective patient pathway

To determine a clinical diagnosis, develop, deliver, implement, evaluate and modify individualised treatment programmes and/or provide highly specialist advice, ensuring appropriate pathways of care and communication via liaison and referral to other agencies as required.

· To manage own highly specialist caseload in this area.

· Establish relationships with other stakeholders and services involved in the care of chronic pain patients.

· To support and advise other chronic pain services, eg Pain Clinic, on the delivery of the service.

· To educate and train Physiotherapists and qualified and non-qualified healthcare/ social services / education staff including medical staff.

· To work autonomously within Trust policies and standards of professional practice, maintaining accurate and comprehensive up to date records.

· To assist the Team Leader in thedaily operational management of the Out-Patient Physiotherapy Team.

Working for our organisation

We employ more than 6,500 staffwho deliver compassionate care from our two main hospitals,Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary as well as in community sites, healthcentres and in patients’ homes. We also are incredibly proud to have almost 150 volunteers here at CHFT.

We provide a range of services including urgent and emergency care; medical; surgical; maternity; gynaecology; critical care; children’s and young people’s services; end of life care and outpatient and diagnostic imaging services.

We provide community health services, including sexual health services in Calderdale from Calderdale Royal and local health centres. These include Todmorden Health Centre and Broad Street Plaza.

We continue to modernise and invest in our health services to build on our strong reputation.Foundation trusts are public leaders in improving quality in health services. They are part of the NHS– yet decisions about what they do and how they do it are driven by independent boards. Boardslisten to their Council of Governors and respond to the needs of their members – patients, staff andthe local community.

Foundation trusts provide what the health service wants, yet are also free to invest quickly in thechanges to the local community needs, in striving to be the best, and in putting their patients first.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Duties

· To work within the Out-Patient Physiotherapy Service leading, co-ordinating and developing effective clinical interventions within the speciality of, but not exclusive to, Chronic Pain in order to advance clinical practice across the service in line with the current evidence base.

· To manage autonomously a clinical workload of patients/clientsat a highly specialist level, assessing and treating patients and maintaining clinicalrecords.

· To have highly specialist assessment and treatment skills in the areas listedbut not limited to:

o Physical rehabilitation through manual therapy

o Physical rehabilitation through exercise and function

o Physical rehabilitation through pain relief: could include acupuncture, injection therapy, electrotherapy etc.

o Complex bio-psychosocial assessment of patients and carers

o Cognitive and perceptual understanding of condition/person

o Falls assessment

· To apply evidence based knowledge within the highly specialist clinical area. This knowledge will have been acquired through experience and academic study.

· To act as a resource to provide advice for relevant members of staff about the assessment, treatment, management and care of patients / clients who have Chronic Pain and/or complex psychosocial needs.

· To work collaboratively with other providers involved in the patients care including medical and surgical consultants, health and social care community and acutecolleagues.

· To take a lead, and work with any appropriate member of staff to ensure effective care pathwaysand transfer of care/discharges.

· To proactively and appropriately facilitate a seamless transfer of care and continuing therapeutic management of physiotherapy outpatient patients between care settings.

· To work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary manner with any appropriate member of staff, being able to debate the blurring of boundaries if appropriate.

· To develop highly specialist programmes of assessment, treatment and intervention for physiotherapy patients in particular those with Chronic Pain.

· To manage and prioritise own clinical workload as appropriate, working efficiently to manage professional time and delegate according to the training and competency levels of other team members to ensure the effective delivery of the service.

· To participate in the supervision process with staff on a daily basis and for students as required.

· To ensure a high standard of patient care is provided including implementing and reviewing clinical standards relevant to the work undertaken.

· To provide highly specialist assessment and advice for the Calderdale and Huddersfield Health Economy.

· To use networks locally, regionally and nationally where appropriate in order to share information and good practice.

Professional Duties

· To comply with and , along with the team leader , write, develop and implement protocols, procedures and guidelines both clinical and service specific . To give feedback on policies when required which may impact on themanagement and care of Out-Patient Physiotherapy Patients

· To participate in governance initiatives on a regular basis, measuring and evaluating individual and the Out-Patient Physiotherapy teams’ clinical practice, e.g. CPD, clinical effectiveness, clinical audit and service activity data and research and development.

· To ensure specialised treatments offered to patients/clients are based on the best available clinical evidence by keeping up to date with current literature, implementing research tools and liaising with other practitioners, both within and outside the service, in order to develop and maintain best practice.

· To be responsible for the issue and safe use of equipment used in your area of work and to adhere to the appropriate service policies.

· Along with the Team Leader/Advanced Practitioner generate, collect, analyse and disseminate data as required for the service, both manually and computerised.

· To lead, develop and actively undertake clinical audit, some of it complex.

· On a day to day basis, to support members of the physiotherapy and assistant team to enable them to meet their objectives and development needs.

· To assist the Team Leader/Advanced Practitioner to manage the performance of the physiotherapy and assistant staff.

· To identify, develop and evaluate a training programme for out-patient physiotherapy which addresses the needs of the physiotherapy service and the wider multi professional team as appropriate.

· To organise, participate and lead in-service training programmes, ensuring appropriate training is delivered.

· To undertake appropriate development opportunities as identified at yearly personal development reviews and through personal development plans. To incorporate acquired knowledge into working practice as appropriate, following discussion with peers. To disseminate information from training effectively to all appropriate members of staff.

· To participate in the Trust’s supervision process and peer review and maintain an up to date CPD portfolio including evidence of experiential learning, reflective practice and any relevant training or experience. This should demonstrate responsibility for maintaining own competency to practice.

· To participate in the Trust appraisal process taking responsibility to comply with an agreed personal development plan.

· To give highly specialist advice, teaching and training to patients / clients, carers, volunteers and other health, educational and social care professionals, as appropriate to ensure provision of good patient care.

· To be responsible for the supervision and education of student physiotherapists to graduate levelin the role of clinical educator.

· To be responsible for the supervision and education of students from other professional groups e.g. Nurses, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists in as required.

· To make links with HEI and be instrumental in influencing undergraduate and post graduate training within the field of Out-Patient Physiotherapy.

Managerial Duties

· To support and advise on the delivery of the Out-Patient Physiotherapy service across the Calderdale and Huddersfield Health Economy.

· To provide the Team Leader/Advanced Practitioner with advice/information in the planning and development of the service and to identify and evaluate potential areas for service and quality improvement.

· In conjunction with the Team Leader ensure adequate staff cover within the team by agreeing annual leave, study leave, and report sickness absence to the Team Leader.

· To assist the Out-Patient Therapies Service Manager /Team Leader in achieving the serviceobjectives.

· To actively participate in the professional development programme of the Physiotherapy service.

· To assist the Out-Patient Therapies Service Manager /Team Leader in the monitoring of professional, clinical and departmental standards and assist implementation of change as appropriate.

· To comply with the national, professional, Trust and service policies and procedures and to be involved in the reviewing and updating process as appropriate.

· To participate in the staff recruitment process and in issues of staff retention.

· Maintain confidentiality of all patient identifiable information in line with Trust policies relating to the Data Protection Act.

· Initiate discussions with the Team Leader about any circumstances that could prevent the post holder or other staff fulfilling the requirements of the job description.

· Work in accordance with all Trust policies and procedures.

· Attend induction and regular update training on risk management policies and procedures.

· Identify through risk assessment, any risks within their department or in the community during the delivery of their service.

· Provide incident reports and supporting documentation for any unexpected event or incident. To work with the Team Leader, assisting them in the management of complaints and incidents.

To support the Locality Manager/ General Manager and Team Leader in helping identify ways in which we can best utilise staffing resources and financial resources within the Surgical and Orthopaedic Team

Managing Self

· Participate in regular supervision.

· Attend all mandatory training.

· Participate annually identifying, developing and agreeing your own development plan with your Line Manager using the Trust Appraisal.

· Comply with all Trust policies, procedures and protocols.

· Carry out duties with due regard to the Trust’s Equal Opportunity Policy.

· Seek advice and support from Line Manager whenever necessary.

· Maintain professional conduct including appearance at all times.

· Ensure maintenance of Professional Registration.

This job description is an outline only and is not definitive or restrictive in any way. It will be regularly reviewed and may be amended in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder. Undertake all such reasonable other duties as may be required as part of the role.

Person specification

QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING

• Registered with HCPC
• Evidence of relevant post graduate training
• Clinical Educator Training
• Member of Professional Body
• Study to Masters level or equivalent
• Leadership Training

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

• Experience of managing patients with spinal conditions. Able to demonstrate mastery / fluency of one approach and a good understanding of alternative approaches.
• Excellent communication skills including talking and listening as well as being aware of non-verbal communication i.e. Motivational Interviewing/ADP
• Extensive experience and reflective practice in physiotherapy including substantial experience of treating complex conditions
• Significant NHS experience as a senior physiotherapist
• Ability to manage customer expectation e.g. dealing with complaints.
• Experience Developing Staff e.g. Supervision, PDR’s
• Proven ability to manage clients with complex needs
• Ability to identify own learning needs and engage in self-directed learning for CPD
• Ability to identify learning needs of others.
• Demonstrate Reflective Practice and evidence of experiential learning
• Knowledge of relevant guidelines, NHS policies, local and national initiatives
• Relevant and comprehensive evidence of Life-Long Learning and post-graduation training.
• Experience in planning, allocating and delegating tasks
• Knowledge and use of the bio-psychosocial approach.
• Teaching/presentation skills.
• Knowledge and use of the bio-psychosocial approach.

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)

• Experience in contributing to service improvements.
• Critical Appraisal Skills.
• Demonstrates understanding of Documentation requirements.
• Attendance of relevant SIGs.
• Demonstrates positive attitudes and behaviours.
• Proven clinical leadership skills.
• Ability to support and coach others in the management of complex cases.
• Self-motivation and ability to work independently and influence others.
• Ability to work in a stressful environment and concentrate in conditions requiring emotional demands.
• Ability to recognise own limitations and have a willingness to share and learn skills from others.
• Ability to prioritise own and others caseloads.
• Ability to pay excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to recognise stress in self and others and develop effective coping strategies.

Our vision is to provide One Culture of Care for one another in order that we can provide compassionate care for the people who use our services. We are passionate about creating a workplace where we work together to get results, encouraging colleagues to have their say, in order to co create the change we want to see. We take pride in the diversity of our workforce that’s why we encourage applications from all.Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants.

Please ensure your application is submitted with referees who can verify your employment/education history over the last three years and include valid email addresses for them. We will request electronic Factual Employment References from your previous employers. These references will be requested before you are issued with an unconditional offer of employment letter.

Candidates who require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the United Kingdom can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for this position by assessing their circumstances against the criteria specified on theCheck if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK website. We encourage all applicants to review these criteria carefully to understand their eligibility for sponsorship.

If you are appointed to a post, information will also be transferred into the NHS Electronic Staff Records system. The Inter-Authority Transfer (IAT) process is a critical and beneficial component of ESR and following interview your previous NHS employment data, if applicable will be transferred from your current / most recent employer.

You may be required to undertake a DBS. The Trust will administer the DBS check on your behalf and will recover the cost (Enhanced £54.40, Standard £26.40 or Basic £26.40) from your salary when you commence in post (including Internal staff). You will also be required to participate in the DBS Update Service and pay the £16 cost per year. This is a condition of your employment.

CHFT is part of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), a collaborative of the NHS hospital trusts from across West Yorkshire and Harrogate working together to provide the best possible care for our patients.

If you have any questions please contact [e-mail] for assistance.

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.