Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist - Inpatient Mental Health

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Reading; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization located in Reading is seeking an experienced Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist. The role involves leading a mental health Physiotherapy team, delivering evidence-based care, and supporting patient recovery. Candidates should have a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy, leadership experience, and excellent communication skills. A commitment to professional development and collaboration within a multidisciplinary team is essential. Opportunities include flexible working arrangements and career development.

Benefits

Flexible working options

27 days’ annual leave

Generous NHS pension scheme

Excellent learning and career development opportunities

Cycle to Work scheme

Access to wellbeing tools and services

Discounts at popular retailers

Support for equality and diversity

Free parking across Trust sites

Qualifications

• Evidence of continued professional development (CPD).
• Experience with older people medical conditions.
• Experience of leading a team or acting up in the lead's absence.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mental health Physiotherapy team providing quality care.
• Co-ordinate and deliver a clinically effective service.
• Support patients with a recovery focus throughout their care.
• Work within hospital and community venues.
• Provide effective supervision to less experienced staff.
• Plan and deliver education and training.

Skills

Leadership experience

Excellent communication skills

Empathy and sensitivity

Therapeutic engagement

Ability to work with diverse populations

Education

BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy

Job description

A Vacancy at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Are you an experienced Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist with leadership experience ready to take the next step in your career?

We are recruiting for an exciting role as a band 7 Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist to lead our mental health Physiotherapy team based at Prospect Park Hospital in Reading.

You will lead the mental health Physiotherapy team and ensure that the service provides high quality, evidence based care to its service users. You will be accountable to the Therapy Manager but responsible for maintaining and developing a high quality Physiotherapy service.

About you

Enthusiastic and experienced working with working age adults and older adults, you will have a passion for caring, a warm personality and the resilience to play a vital role in helping patients take the next step in their journey. With excellent communication and people skills, you will be empathetic and sensitive to the needs of patients, their families and carers. You will engage and motivate patients therapeutically, using verbal and non‑verbal skills where there are barriers to communication and understanding. Collaborating with our multidisciplinary team, you will be eager to learn. Helping patients return into the community, you will enjoy working across multiple locations and have access to your own car. Your energy and drive will be rewarded with the support of an enthusiastic Therapy team that strives to create a warm, friendly and compassionate environment.

Responsibilities & Key Duties

• The post holder will lead the mental health Physiotherapy team and ensure that the service provides high quality, evidence based care to its service users. They will be accountable to the Therapy Manager but responsible for maintaining and developing a high quality Physiotherapy service.
• The post holder will be responsible for the co‑ordination and delivery of a clinically effective Physiotherapy service to older adults and adults with a mental health diagnosis within the specialist inpatient services at Prospect Park Hospital.
• To provide quality, care and support which enables patients to be supported with a recovery focus throughout their in‑patient care episode, whilst promoting independence and protecting choice, dignity, privacy and safety.
• To work within both the hospital and community venues as required.
• Work autonomously within the context of the multi‑disciplinary setting.
• Participate actively in the development of practice within the Mental Health Inpatient Therapy Service.
• Provide effective supervision to less experienced staff and student physiotherapists.
• Plan, develop and deliver education and training.
• Deputise for the team leader in their absence.

About Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Benefits

• Flexible working options to support work‑life balance
• 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

The “must haves” for this role

• BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy
• Evidence of continued professional development (CPD)
• Experience with older people medical conditions
• Experience of leading a team or acting up in the leads absence

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point‑by‑point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

Equality & Diversity

We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

Contact

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to contact: Michelle Mbayiwa, [e-mail] or 07876 578401, who’ll be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

This advert closes on Sunday 4 Jan 2026