Clinical Lead Therapist - Hand and Wrist

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

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Huddersfield is seeking an experienced Clinical Lead Therapist for Hand Therapy. This role involves leading the therapy team, shaping patient-focused services, and providing expertise in hand therapy. The ideal candidate will have significant NHS experience, proven leadership skills, and a passion for improving patient outcomes. The position offers competitive salary and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Supportive team environment

Training and professional development opportunities

Strong multidisciplinary links

Qualifications

• Experience in the NHS, with proven expertise in hand therapy and splinting.
• Registered with HCPC.
• Evidence of Splinting experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the therapy team in delivering hand therapy services.
• Act as a specialist resource, providing expert clinical support.
• Perform highly specialist assessment and treatment of hand and wrist patients.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Hand therapy expertise

Patient-focused care

Education

Evidence of relevant post graduate training

Registered with HCPC

Study to Masters level or equivalent

Job description

Clinical Lead Therapist - Hand and Wrist

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 25 September 2025

MSK Physiotherapy Services - Hand Therapy- Clinical lead

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Are you an experienced Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist with a passion for hand therapy?

We are looking for a dynamic, proactive, and skilled clinician to join our MSK Therapy Service as Clinical Lead in Hand Therapy.

What you'll be doing

• Lead and support the therapy team in delivering hand therapy services, working collaboratively with Hand and Wrist Consultants.
• Shaping and developing a modern, patient-focused hand therapy service in line with the latest guidelines.
• Acting as a specialist resource, providing expert clinical support, training, and mentorship to colleagues across the wider therapy workforce.

What we're looking for:

We are seeking someone who is:

• Proactive, well organised, and confident in communication and problem-solving.
• Experienced in the NHS, with proven expertise in hand therapy and splinting (essential).
• Enthusiastic about developing services and supporting the growth of others.

Main duties of the job

To act as the Clinical Lead for the Hand and Wrist Therapy Outpatient service, which includes Trauma and Elective surgical patients.

To advance clinical practice in this area of work and take a lead in evolving and embedding best practice.

About us

What we can offer you

• A supportive and friendly team environment.
• Opportunities to influence service development and make a real difference for patients.
• Ongoing investment in your training and professional development.
• Strong multidisciplinary links with consultants, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and surgical colleagues.

You will be supported through regular multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings and have direct access to surgeons for any clinical queries or case discussions. In addition, you will receive guidance and input from the managerial and wider team to support service development, quality improvement, and the delivery of strategic objectives.

This is a unique opportunity to lead and shape a specialist outpatient therapy service, combining advanced clinical expertise with team leadership and service development.

To be eligible to apply for this role candidates must have undergraduate and/or postgraduate experience in the NHS as a physiotherapist or occupational therapist.

Interviews will be face to face and will take place on 16th October 2025

Job responsibilities

• To perform highly specialist assessment and treatment of hand and wrist patients, to facilitate a smooth, efficient and effective patient pathway
• To determine a clinical diagnosis and develop, deliver, 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 hand and wrist patients.
• To educate and train therapists 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 the daily operational management of the Out-Patient therapy Team
• Previous NHS physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy experience either as an undergraduate or postgraduate is essential to role.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING

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

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

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

• Significant experience working at a senior level with hand conditions including post-operative and trauma.
• 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 including substantial experience of treating complex conditions
• Detailed and up to date knowledge of musculoskeletal hand surgeries and treatment options.
• Current knowledge of evidence based practice relevant to the position
• Knowledge and use of the bio-psychosocial approach
• Able to demonstrate advanced decision making / clinical reasoning skill through the analysis and interpretation of the clinical examination
• Ability to manage customer expectation e.g. dealing with complaints.
• Experience Developing Staff e.g. Supervision, PDR's
• Clinical Educator training
• Proven ability to case 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
• Evidence of experiential learning
• Knowledge of relevant Legislation, NSF\'S/ Local and National initiatives
• Teaching/presentation skills
• Recent experience working at band 7 level
• Significant, relevant NHS experience as a senior MSK therapist
• Experience in planning, allocating and delegating tasks

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.

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

£47,810 to £54,710 a year, per annum