Highly Specialist Physiotherapist

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare institution in Greater London is seeking an experienced Band 7 Physiotherapist specializing in neuromuscular disease. The successful candidate will provide high-quality physiotherapy in a dynamic environment, focusing on acute neurological care. Responsibilities include assessing complex cases, supervising junior staff, and taking part in multidisciplinary teams. Candidates should have at least 5 years of post-graduate experience, a degree in physiotherapy, and relevant registrations. Position is fixed-term for 11 months with full-time hours.

Qualifications

• 5 years of postgraduate work experience including respiratory care.
• 2 years of specific neurological experience.
• Experience in ICU, medical, surgery, neurology, musculoskeletal, and elderly care.

Responsibilities

• Assess and treat patients with complex neurological and cardiorespiratory presentations.
• Collaborate with the wider MDT for effective discharges.
• Demonstrate awareness of current neurological physiotherapy developments.

Skills

Autonomous practitioner

Supervision and teaching skills

Effective communication

Time management skills

Interest in research

Initiative

Education

Degree/or equivalent in Physiotherapy

Registered Physiotherapist (HCPC)

Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP)

Postgraduate neurosciences and respiratory courses

Job description

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Highly specialist Physiotherapist Specialising Neuromuscular disease

The closing date is 02 February 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the dynamic & innovative physiotherapy department at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. We are looking for an experienced & highly motivated Band 7 physiotherapist to join Therapy and Rehabilitation services for a fixed term of 11.5 months in the Neuromuscular Critical Care Centre (NMCCC).

The post holder will be an expert in cardiorespiratory and neurological physiotherapy. They will be based on the NMCCC and additionally work in the neuromuscular respiratory MDT clinics. The post holder will be able to set up Non Invasive Ventilation (NIV) alongside and as part of the established MDT.

The post holder will work as part of the physiotherapy team working within a specialist neurological hospital, providing a high standard of physiotherapy assessment, treatment and advice for patients with acute, chronic and progressive neuro-disability. They will provide support to other physiotherapy staff in cardiorespiratory assessment and management.

Main duties of the job

• Provide specialist clinical skills; assessing & treating patients with complex neurological and cardiorespiratory presentations, using advanced manual techniques & clinical reasoning skills to determine impairments & disabilities, & to formulate a diagnosis/hypothesis & prognosis.
• Plan timely, effective discharges, collaborating with the wider MDT.
• Nationwide resource to patients and physiotherapy colleagues in other trusts, on complex neurological disability, advising them as appropriate.
• Demonstrate an awareness of current developments in neurological physiotherapy integrating, as appropriate, the available evidence into clinical practice, including national guidelines.
• Take part in the emergency respiratory physiotherapy on call & weekend rotas (emergency & HASU cover). To work as a lone practitioner when on call & often when working the weekend.
• Responsible for the daily management, professional development, clinical supervision & coordination of the NMCCC, the Band 6 and physiotherapy students on NMCCC.
• To be a panel member in staff recruitment as required by the band 8 physiotherapists.
• Accountable for own professional development.
• Effective communication with all staff, patients, families & differing services within the community.
• Sensitive dealing of complaints, avoiding escalation.
• Evidence based audit and research projects to further own & team's clinical practice relevant to the area.

About us

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top‑quality patient care, excellent education, and world‑class research.

We provide first‑class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
• University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
• University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Job responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Knowledge & Qualifications

• Degree/or equivalent in Physiotherapy
• Registered Physiotherapist (HCPC)
• Post graduate neurosciences and respiratory courses
• Active member of a neurosciences/respiratory special interest group
• Student supervision or teaching skills course
• Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP)
• Experience of working in the NHS

Experience

• 5 years post‑graduate work experience at appointment, including comprehensive work in respiratory care
• 2 years specific neurological experience and experience working with neuromuscular patients
• Broad range of experience at junior level including ICU, medical, surgery, neurology, musculoskeletal and elderly care
• Evidence of having worked unsupervised on an emergency and on‑call and weekend rota assessing and treating patients with deteriorating respiratory and neurological status on ITU and the wards.
• Evidence of having supervised undergraduate physiotherapy students and/or evidence of having supervised qualified physiotherapists being responsible for undertaking IPR and their professional development.
• Experience of teaching a wide range of groups (including physiotherapy colleagues, students, physiotherapy assistants, other MDT)
• Evidence of participation in audit.
• Evidence of participation in and organisation of Inservice Training programmes

Skills & Abilities

• Autonomous practitioner who is able to work unsupervised at a specialist level within neuromuscular disease.
• Ability to supervise staff who will be directly accountable to the post‑holder
• Ability to work efficiently, effectively and professionally as part of a multi‑disciplinary team, understanding the role and nature of team dynamics.
• Evidence of Continued Professional Development Diary including evidence of reflective practice, inservice training, courses attended and clinical experience gained
• Evidence of initiative
• Demonstrate good time management skills
• Interest in research and / or a knowledge of research methodologies and research application
• Effective written communication skills including accurate record keeping and using the POMR system
• Evidence of effective presentation and training skills
• Commitment to teaching at a pre and postgraduate level

Other Requirements

• The physical capabilities to manage patients with acute and long term neuromuscular disability both on the wards and in the therapy treatment areas

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.

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, UCLH

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

11 months

Working pattern

Full‑time

Reference number

309-UCLH-7327

Job locations

National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, UCLH