Musculoskeletal Specialist physiotherapist

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading NHS trust as a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist in London. This role offers diverse rotations, excellent mentorship, and opportunities for professional development. You will work with a dynamic team, providing high-quality care across various clinical settings.

Qualifications

• Wide ranging rotational physiotherapy experience at Band 5 level.
• Experience in managing limited resources and high workloads.

Responsibilities

• Provide physiotherapy assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management.
• Participate in the Band 6 MSK rotation scheme.
• Supervise Band 5 physiotherapists and assistants.

Skills

Communication

Clinical Reasoning

Teamwork

Education

Diploma / Degree in Physiotherapy

HCPC registration

Tools

Electrotherapy

Gym Equipment

Job description

Job summary

Are you seeking to specialise in MSK? Would you like excellent mentorship and training? If yes, then join our team!

We have an exciting opportunity for a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist to join our Outpatient Musculoskeletal Team here at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust working cross site at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich and University Hospital Lewisham, a large London acute NHS trust with excellent transport links to central London.

Main duties of the job

We are a dynamic and forward-thinking department accepting patients from a wide range of sources including Consultants and GPs. You will rotate through specific musculoskeletal rotations of 8-month duration. We have a wide variety of rotations each with an emphasis on a specific area of the service, for example Hydrotherapy, our Staff Service, Fracture Clinic, Pelvic Health, Paediatrics, GP Practices, A&E, Back Rehabilitation, ACL Rehabilitation, Circuits, ESCAPE Knee Rehabilitation. We offer fantastic support and development opportunities with regular supervision and excellent in-service training.

Successful candidates will have a commitment to work on a weekend rota covering Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation.

About us

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust is a community focused provider of local and acute care, providing high quality services to over one million people living across the London boroughs of Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley. With a turnover of around £700 million, we provide services at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, University Hospital Lewisham and a range of community settings in Lewisham. We also provide some services at Queen Mary's Hospital in Sidcup.

Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:

• Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
• Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
• Improving the experience of staff with disability
• Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development

Making equalities mainstream

Details Date posted

07 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum plus HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

197-UT6746

Job locations

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Woolwich

London

SE18 4QH

Job description Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

1 To provide physiotherapy assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of patients in the Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust.

2 To participate in the Band 6 MSK rotation scheme, which involves out-patient clinical areas. Rotations are approximately eight months' duration.

JOB SUMMARY

1 To undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner.

2 To perform advanced physiotherapeutic assessment of patients with diverse presentations and complex physical and psychological conditions; to provide a provisional diagnosis and develop and deliver an individualised treatment programme.

3 To take responsibility for own caseload, being responsible for a defined area of the service, with the support of a Band 7/8 physiotherapist.

4 With the team, to participate in evidence-based audit / research activity to further the team's clinical practice within each rotation. To make recommendations to the lead Band 7/8 for any changes to practice by the team.

5 To supervise band 5 physiotherapists physiotherapy assistants and physiotherapy students in the clinical setting.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• CLINICAL

1.1 To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of your own work,including the management of patients in your care.

1.2 To undertake a comprehensive and holistic assessment of patients including those with complex presentations / multi-pathologies.

1.3 To use manual and other assessment techniques and clinical reasoning skills toprovide an accurate diagnosis of patients' conditions and identify their problems.

1.4 To assess patients' understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informedconsent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients wholack the capacity to consent to treatment.

1.5 To use clinical assessment and reasoning skills combined with a specialist knowledge and clinical experience of pathophysiology, evidence-based practice and treatment strategies to provide an effective treatment plan and goals in collaboration with the patient.

1.6 To evaluate patients' progress, re-assess and alter treatment programmes as required.

1.7 To formulate accurate prognoses and liaise with the multi-disciplinary team regarding discharge planning, where necessary, to ensure safe, timely and effective discharge from hospital, or following an outpatient episode of care.

1.8 To be responsible for the safe and competent use of gym, electrotherapy, and manual handling equipment, as well as the use of other aids and appliancesby patients in your working area, ensuring that any Band 5 Physiotherapists andAssistants attain competency prior to use.

1.9 To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication skills to communicateeffectively with patients during assessment and treatment. To communicateappropriately at all times with all individuals in a respectful manner.

1.10 To use active listening and optimum communication skills to discuss patientsconcerns, worries and prognoses with them and their families, for example patientswho have progressive, degenerative or terminal illnesses and those with newlyacquired disabilities.

1.11 To be an active member of the Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation weekend rotas. When working at weekends and in the absence of Band 7 staff, to be responsible for any Band 5 physiotherapists in the team.

1.13 To supervise and delegate to Assistants and Band 5 Physiotherapists.

1.14 To work within Trust, departmental and CSP guidelines, ensuring a good working knowledge of national and local standards.

1.15 To work in GP outreach clinics as necessary, with telephone support from a senior physiotherapist if required.

• MANAGEMENT

2.1 To maintain an accurate and evaluative record keeping system in accordance with the Trust and departmental policies, and which can be used for audit and legal purposes.

2.2 To be responsible for organising, prioritising and planning your own caseload tomeet service needs and patient priorities, adjusting plans as situations arise.

2.3 To identify and manage clinical risk within your own patient caseload and clinicalarea.

2.4 To comply with all Trust policies and procedures, the Health & Safety at WorkAct, and the Data Protection Act. To report on complaints, accidents and clinicalincidents to the immediate senior as soon as possible.

2.5 To be familiar with and comply with local fire procedures.

2.6 To be familiar with all Trust and Therapy emergency and precautionary procedures, both on and off site, and to respond as necessary e.g., hydrotherapy, emergency resuscitation, infection control etc.

2.7 To ensure that all equipment defects are reported to the Therapy Manager immediately, and that appropriate action is then taken.

2.8 To advise and demonstrate to carers, nursing and other staff on the safe manual handling, positioning and moving of patients.

2.9 To provide training on the use of equipment and management of conditions forcarers, nursing and other staff when necessary.

2.10 To deputise for the Band 7 in their absence, taking responsibility for operational management of the team, allocating and organising the work of band 5 and assistant staff to meet service priorities on a daily basis.

2.11 To be responsible for the supervision and co-ordination of students, band 5 staff and assistants on a day-to-day basis.

2.12 To make appropriate referrals to other health professionals following assessment / identification of need.

2.13 To participate in the managerial matters of the department as required, and to attend staff meetings.

2.14 To participate in the induction programme for all new staff where appropriate.

2.15 To undertake additional duties as may be deemed necessary, as requested by theteam leader in the specific rotation.

• EDUCATION AND TRAINING

3.1 To participate in individual performance review (appraisal) and be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development plan to meet set goals.

3.2 To be responsible for maintaining your competence to practise and StateRegistration through C.P.D. activities and maintaining a portfolio which reflectspersonal development.

3.3 To supervise band 5 physiotherapists and assistants, being actively involved in theirsupervision and appraisal, reporting performance issues to a relevant person.

3.4 To participate in and contribute to the in-service education programmes of the specific rotation and of the department.

3.5 To participate in mandatory and statutory training, having an awareness of andcomplying with Trust and departmental procedures.

3.6 To attend Trust in-house training sessions / programmes and external courses asappropriate.

3.7 To contribute to the education of Therapy Assistants when necessary.

3.8 To be responsible for the clinical education of student physiotherapists, teachingthem to graduate level on physiotherapeutic skills and knowledge within the coreclinical areas, reporting performance issues to a relevant person.

Job description Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

1 To provide physiotherapy assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of patients in the Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust.

2 To participate in the Band 6 MSK rotation scheme, which involves out-patient clinical areas. Rotations are approximately eight months' duration.

JOB SUMMARY

1 To undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner.

2 To perform advanced physiotherapeutic assessment of patients with diverse presentations and complex physical and psychological conditions; to provide a provisional diagnosis and develop and deliver an individualised treatment programme.

3 To take responsibility for own caseload, being responsible for a defined area of the service, with the support of a Band 7/8 physiotherapist.

4 With the team, to participate in evidence-based audit / research activity to further the team's clinical practice within each rotation. To make recommendations to the lead Band 7/8 for any changes to practice by the team.

5 To supervise band 5 physiotherapists physiotherapy assistants and physiotherapy students in the clinical setting.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• CLINICAL

1.1 To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of your own work,including the management of patients in your care.

1.2 To undertake a comprehensive and holistic assessment of patients including those with complex presentations / multi-pathologies.

1.3 To use manual and other assessment techniques and clinical reasoning skills toprovide an accurate diagnosis of patients' conditions and identify their problems.

1.4 To assess patients' understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informedconsent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients wholack the capacity to consent to treatment.

1.5 To use clinical assessment and reasoning skills combined with a specialist knowledge and clinical experience of pathophysiology, evidence-based practice and treatment strategies to provide an effective treatment plan and goals in collaboration with the patient.

1.6 To evaluate patients' progress, re-assess and alter treatment programmes as required.

1.7 To formulate accurate prognoses and liaise with the multi-disciplinary team regarding discharge planning, where necessary, to ensure safe, timely and effective discharge from hospital, or following an outpatient episode of care.

1.8 To be responsible for the safe and competent use of gym, electrotherapy, and manual handling equipment, as well as the use of other aids and appliancesby patients in your working area, ensuring that any Band 5 Physiotherapists andAssistants attain competency prior to use.

1.9 To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication skills to communicateeffectively with patients during assessment and treatment. To communicateappropriately at all times with all individuals in a respectful manner.

1.10 To use active listening and optimum communication skills to discuss patientsconcerns, worries and prognoses with them and their families, for example patientswho have progressive, degenerative or terminal illnesses and those with newlyacquired disabilities.

1.11 To be an active member of the Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation weekend rotas. When working at weekends and in the absence of Band 7 staff, to be responsible for any Band 5 physiotherapists in the team.

1.13 To supervise and delegate to Assistants and Band 5 Physiotherapists.

1.14 To work within Trust, departmental and CSP guidelines, ensuring a good working knowledge of national and local standards.

1.15 To work in GP outreach clinics as necessary, with telephone support from a senior physiotherapist if required.

• MANAGEMENT

2.1 To maintain an accurate and evaluative record keeping system in accordance with the Trust and departmental policies, and which can be used for audit and legal purposes.

2.2 To be responsible for organising, prioritising and planning your own caseload tomeet service needs and patient priorities, adjusting plans as situations arise.

2.3 To identify and manage clinical risk within your own patient caseload and clinicalarea.

2.4 To comply with all Trust policies and procedures, the Health & Safety at WorkAct, and the Data Protection Act. To report on complaints, accidents and clinicalincidents to the immediate senior as soon as possible.

2.5 To be familiar with and comply with local fire procedures.

2.6 To be familiar with all Trust and Therapy emergency and precautionary procedures, both on and off site, and to respond as necessary e.g., hydrotherapy, emergency resuscitation, infection control etc.

2.7 To ensure that all equipment defects are reported to the Therapy Manager immediately, and that appropriate action is then taken.

2.8 To advise and demonstrate to carers, nursing and other staff on the safe manual handling, positioning and moving of patients.

2.9 To provide training on the use of equipment and management of conditions forcarers, nursing and other staff when necessary.

2.10 To deputise for the Band 7 in their absence, taking responsibility for operational management of the team, allocating and organising the work of band 5 and assistant staff to meet service priorities on a daily basis.

2.11 To be responsible for the supervision and co-ordination of students, band 5 staff and assistants on a day-to-day basis.

2.12 To make appropriate referrals to other health professionals following assessment / identification of need.

2.13 To participate in the managerial matters of the department as required, and to attend staff meetings.

2.14 To participate in the induction programme for all new staff where appropriate.

2.15 To undertake additional duties as may be deemed necessary, as requested by theteam leader in the specific rotation.

• EDUCATION AND TRAINING

3.1 To participate in individual performance review (appraisal) and be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development plan to meet set goals.

3.2 To be responsible for maintaining your competence to practise and StateRegistration through C.P.D. activities and maintaining a portfolio which reflectspersonal development.

3.3 To supervise band 5 physiotherapists and assistants, being actively involved in theirsupervision and appraisal, reporting performance issues to a relevant person.

3.4 To participate in and contribute to the in-service education programmes of the specific rotation and of the department.

3.5 To participate in mandatory and statutory training, having an awareness of andcomplying with Trust and departmental procedures.

3.6 To attend Trust in-house training sessions / programmes and external courses asappropriate.

3.7 To contribute to the education of Therapy Assistants when necessary.

3.8 To be responsible for the clinical education of student physiotherapists, teachingthem to graduate level on physiotherapeutic skills and knowledge within the coreclinical areas, reporting performance issues to a relevant person.

Person Specification Qualifications & Training Essential

• Diploma / Degree in Physiotherapy.
• HCPC registration
• Undertaken a range of relevant postgraduate courses

Desirable

• MCSP
• Member of Special interest Group

Experience Essential

• Wide ranging rotational physiotherapy experience at Band 5 level
• Experience of participating in audit and evidence based projects.
• Evidence of actively participating in in-service training and MDT groups, and evaluating effectiveness of training
• Experience and ability to work collaboratively within MDT
• Broad NHS experience in an acute trust as a qualified physiotherapist

Desirable

• Previous experience at band 6 level
• Research experience.
• Experience in managing limited resources and high workloads
• Experience of supervision and appraisal of physiotherapy staff and students with ability to give constructive feedback

Knowledge & Skills Essential

• Knowledge of evidenced based practice pertaining to specialist areas of physiotherapy
• Knowledge of key national guidelines and standards pertaining to specialist areas of physiotherapy
• Understanding of clinical governance and its implication for physiotherapy
• Awareness and understanding of NHS structure, current issues and developments
• Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession
• Knowledge of quality issues and outcome measures
• The ability to discuss clinical reasoning in the management of complex cases
• The ability to identify and act upon adverse clinical signs
• Able to communicate complex information to patients, carers other health professionals and team

Desirable

• IT skills - Ability to create and/or format data and/or complex spreadsheets using computerised systems
• Demonstrates excellent leadership ability and motivational skills

Knowledge & Skills Essential

• Knowledge of evidenced based practice pertaining to specialist areas of physiotherapy
• Knowledge of key national guidelines and standards pertaining to specialist areas of physiotherapy
• Understanding of clinical governance and its implication for physiotherapy
• Awareness and understanding of NHS structure, current issues and developments
• Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession
• Knowledge of quality issues and outcome measures
• The ability to discuss clinical reasoning in the management of complex cases
• The ability to identify and act upon adverse clinical signs
• Able to communicate complex information to patients, carers other health professionals and team

Desirable

• IT skills - Ability to create and/or format data and/or complex spreadsheets using computerised systems
• Demonstrates excellent leadership ability and motivational skills

Person Specification Qualifications & Training Essential

• Diploma / Degree in Physiotherapy.
• HCPC registration
• Undertaken a range of relevant postgraduate courses

Desirable

• MCSP
• Member of Special interest Group

Experience Essential

• Wide ranging rotational physiotherapy experience at Band 5 level
• Experience of participating in audit and evidence based projects.
• Evidence of actively participating in in-service training and MDT groups, and evaluating effectiveness of training
• Experience and ability to work collaboratively within MDT
• Broad NHS experience in an acute trust as a qualified physiotherapist

Desirable

• Previous experience at band 6 level
• Research experience.
• Experience in managing limited resources and high workloads
• Experience of supervision and appraisal of physiotherapy staff and students with ability to give constructive feedback

Knowledge & Skills Essential

• Knowledge of evidenced based practice pertaining to specialist areas of physiotherapy
• Knowledge of key national guidelines and standards pertaining to specialist areas of physiotherapy
• Understanding of clinical governance and its implication for physiotherapy
• Awareness and understanding of NHS structure, current issues and developments
• Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession
• Knowledge of quality issues and outcome measures
• The ability to discuss clinical reasoning in the management of complex cases
• The ability to identify and act upon adverse clinical signs
• Able to communicate complex information to patients, carers other health professionals and team

Desirable

• IT skills - Ability to create and/or format data and/or complex spreadsheets using computerised systems
• Demonstrates excellent leadership ability and motivational skills

Knowledge & Skills Essential

• Knowledge of evidenced based practice pertaining to specialist areas of physiotherapy
• Knowledge of key national guidelines and standards pertaining to specialist areas of physiotherapy
• Understanding of clinical governance and its implication for physiotherapy
• Awareness and understanding of NHS structure, current issues and developments
• Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession
• Knowledge of quality issues and outcome measures
• The ability to discuss clinical reasoning in the management of complex cases
• The ability to identify and act upon adverse clinical signs
• Able to communicate complex information to patients, carers other health professionals and team

Desirable

• IT skills - Ability to create and/or format data and/or complex spreadsheets using computerised systems
• Demonstrates excellent leadership ability and motivational skills

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Address

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Woolwich

London

SE18 4QH

Employer's website

https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Address

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Woolwich

London

SE18 4QH

Employer's website

https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)