Physiotherapy MSK Case Manager

The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 6 Physiotherapy Case Manager to coordinate MSK return-to-work pathways for NHS staff, with expert assessment, treatment and case management.

You will work across the ICS, collaborating with occupational health, HR, MSK providers and system partners, supporting wellbeing and safe, sustainable return to work. Travel between Trust sites will be required.

Qualifications

• BSc Degree in Physiotherapy and HCPC registration required.
• Understand links between health, work and MSK occupational health guidelines.
• Experience in MSK settings and multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience supporting return-to-work in an occupational context.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage a caseload of NHS staff off work or with reduced capacity due to MSK pain.
• Perform advanced assessments, clinical reasoning, diagnosis and return-to-work planning.
• Identify red flags, psychosocial factors and obstacles to recovery.
• Provide evidence-based reports to managers/HR on return-to-work guidance.
• Escalate cases to HR when MSK is not the main obstacle hindering return to work.
• Support return-to-work and rehabilitation using a biopsychosocial approach.
• Promote the value of work to health and proactive workplace health management.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation and outcome measures.
• Contribute to audits, quality improvement and service development.
• Work flexibly across Trust sites; conduct face-to-face or remote consultations; travel as needed.
• Understand HR policy for return-to-work for employees absent with MSK conditions.

Skills

Ability to work under pressure

Good written and verbal communication

Time Management

Education

BSc Degree in Physiotherapy

HCPC registration

Job description

Main area Occupational Physiotherapy Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract 12 months (Fixed term) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Working across BSOL/various trusts) Job ref 303-8091011-A

Employer The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Town Birmingham Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 22/09/2026 23:59 Interview date 30/09/2026

Physiotherapy MSK Case Manager

NHS AfC: Band 6

Job overview

The Band 6 MSK Physiotherapy Case Manager will act as a clinical coordinator for NHS
staff accessing the pilot service, providing expert assessment, treatment, case management and pathway navigation to facilitate return to work for NHS staff either off work, or struggling to perform their fully assigned job role, due to MSK pain. The post holder will work collaboratively with occupational health services, line managers, HR teams, MSK providers and system partners to support staff wellbeing, reduce the impact of MSK conditions on work, minimise sickness absence and facilitate safe and sustainable return to work.

A key aspect of the role will be supporting the implementation, monitoring and
evaluation of the pilot programme, collecting outcome measures and identifying opportunities for future service development across the ICS.

Interview Date - 30/09/2026.

Main duties of the job

• Independently manage a caseload of NHS staff patients who are either off work
  or struggling to perform their fully assigned job role due to MSK pain with
  musculoskeletal conditions
• Perform advanced assessments, clinical reasoning, diagnosis, treatment and return to work planning.
• Identify red flags, psychosocial factors, and clinical and non-clinical obstacles to recovery.
• Provide evidence based written reports to managers/HR, relating to return-to-work guidance
• Escalating cases to HR where you identify the MSK condition is not the main obstacle preventing return to work
• Support return-to-work and rehabilitation planning using a biopsychosocial approach
• Promote the value of work in relation to health and encouraging a proactive
  approach when advising on the management of health in the workplace.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation and outcome measures.
• Contribute to audits, quality improvement, and service development initiatives.
• Work flexibly across the Trust sites as required to deliver services, either
  conducting face to face or telephone/remote consultations. This may involve
  travelling and working on different sites across the Trust during the working week.
• Understand HR policy relating to return to work for employees absent due
  MSK conditions

Working for our organisation

The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest specialist orthopaedic units in Europe. We offer planned orthopaedic surgery to people locally, nationally and internationally.

Our Trust is a very special hospital; big enough to deliver world class services and small enough to offer exceptional patient and staff experience. We offer a working experience unique in the West Midlands and we're always on the lookout for passionate people to join our award-winning team.

The ROH is an equal opportunities employer. We employ people of difference and are committed to growing an inclusive culture, where difference is celebrated, and people feel able to bring their whole and authentic self to work.

We are a Disability Confident Leader and offer a range of inclusive, family friendly and flexible working arrangements and policies, to support our people in the workplace. Flexible working requests will be considered.

The Trust is committed to the Disability Confident Interview Scheme and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy and consider them on their abilities.

If you have a disability and need any support with your application or require any reasonable adjustments to be implemented please do get in touch with the Recruiting Manager for this position so that the team can support you.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For more information about duties and responsibilities please see attached Job Description and person specification.

Person specification

Qualifications

• BSc Degree in Physiotherapy
• HCPC registration

Knowledge

• Demonstrate understanding of the link between health and work, the health and non-health factors that can impact on workplace absence and current clinical guidelines in MSK occupational health

Experience

• Previous MSK experience
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
• Case Conferences / Multi-Disciplinary Team discussions
• Experience of working in an occupational clinical role supporting people to return to work

Skills

• Ability to work under pressure
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Time Management

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.