Highly Specialist Physiotherapist

Royal Free London Nhs Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust in London is seeking a Band 7 Physiotherapist to join the Admission Avoidance Team on a 6-month fixed-term maternity cover. You will lead frailty care, deliver comprehensive assessments to prevent admissions and support safe return home.

Working with an MDT across ED, AMU and Amber Unit, you will develop pathways to improve patient flow, provide clinical leadership, and supervise junior staff. The role requires 7-day service with weekend rota.

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in Physiotherapy with HCPC registration.
• Core rotations completed (ITU, acute medicine, older people’s acute care, respiratory neurology or acute stroke, surgery and orthopaedics).
• Band 6 level experience in acute care rotations or Emergency Ambulatory Care setting.
• Experience writing and delivering in-service training programmes and supervision of staff.

Responsibilities

• Undertake assessments and design management programmes for patients with complex medical, social and mental health problems to facilitate swift return home or to intermediate care.
• Educate and train senior and junior therapists, therapy assistants and other healthcare professionals in management of acutely ill patients.

Skills

Senior clinician

MDT collaboration

Education

Physiotherapy degree

HCPC registration

Job description

Closing date: 09 November 2026

Job summary

6 Month Fixed-Term Maternity Leave Cover

Are you an experienced and motivated Physiotherapist with a passion for admission avoidance and frailty care?

We are seeking a dynamic Band 7 Physiotherapist to join our Admission Avoidance Team on a 6-month fixed-term basis to provide maternity leave cover. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a highly skilled MDT consisting of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Nurses and Therapy Assistants, supporting patients across the "Hot Floor" including the Emergency Department (ED), Acute Medical Unit (AMU) and Frailty Unit, by delivering comprehensive assessments aimed at preventing unnecessary admissions, reducing length of stay and supporting patients to return home safely.

You will work collaboratively with MDT and social care colleagues to ensure patients receive timely assessments and interventions to enable them to remain safely at home whenever possible.

The post holder will lead on frailty within the team, driving best practice and supporting the development of pathways that improve patient flow and outcomes across acute and community services.

The service is fast-paced, rewarding and highly collaborative, offering excellent opportunities for professional development and clinical leadership.

Main duties of the job

• To undertake a senior clinical role on a day-to-day basis and engage in planning, co-ordinating, delivering and evaluating the service provided to patients who present at the NMUH A&E department, AMU / Amber Unit (Frailty), participating in the design and implementation of physiotherapy and multidisciplinary audits and ward working where required.
• To undertake assessments and design management programmes for patients presenting with complex medical, social and mental health problems and to facilitate swift return to their homes or intermediate care facilities, maintaining records as an autonomous practitioner.
• To act as a source of expertise on the physiotherapy management of the above patient groups, providing advice to patients, carers, all grades of physiotherapists, other health care professionals, consultants, general practitioners and social services.
• Work as part of the MDT and utilise external services as appropriate to ensure safe and efficient discharge from ED and associated short stay units.
• Co-lead and develop the admission avoidance service, and lead on and develop the frailty pathway with the inpatient Older People care Physio Lead to improve frailty care in ED, AMU and Amber Unit.
• Provide cover for the full seven-day service, scheduled on a rota requiring weekend working with time off in the week accordingly.

Job responsibilities

• To undertake assessments and design management programmes for patients presenting with complex medical, orthopaedic, neurological, social and mental health problems and to facilitate swift return to their homes or intermediate care facilities, maintaining records as an autonomous practitioner.
• To educate and train Senior and Junior grade therapists, Therapy Assistants, other healthcare professionals and physiotherapy and adaptation students in the management of acutely ill patients.

Essential education and experience

• Degree or diploma in Physiotherapy and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.
• Completed core rotations (ITU, acute medicine, older people's acute care, respiratory neurology or acute stroke, surgery and orthopaedics).
• Experience at band 6 level in acute care rotations or specifically in Emergency Ambulatory Care setting.
• Experience writing and delivering in-service training programmes, supervising qualified and non-qualified staff, and clinical governance initiatives.

Desirable

• Member of the CSP and relevant interest group.

Employer contact

Clinical Services Lead for Occupational Therapy: Katja Chessis, [e-mail]

Disclosure and Barring Service check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check for previous criminal convictions.

Equality statement

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is committed to equality of opportunity. Applicants requiring current Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome to apply. Applicants must hold current UK professional registration.