Physiotherapy Team Lead – Trauma and Orthopaedics (T&O)

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; City Of London; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in London is looking for a Physiotherapy Team Lead for the Trauma and Orthopaedics department. The successful candidate will oversee a complex caseload, provide clinical leadership, and contribute to service development. Applicants should have significant post-registration experience and excellent communication skills. This position offers a competitive salary and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Significant post-registration experience, ideally at Band 6 level in relevant clinical settings.
• Clinical experience in Trauma & Orthopaedics including trauma and elective areas.
• Evidence of continued professional development.

Responsibilities

• Undertake significant complex clinical caseload of orthopaedic patients.
• Develop the Trauma and Orthopaedic Physiotherapy service.
• Provide skilled leadership in planning and delivering therapy services.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Time management

Communication skills

Clinical reasoning

Education

Degree/diploma in Physiotherapy

Health Professions Council Registration

Clinical Leadership Course

Job description

Go back University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Physiotherapy Team Lead – Trauma and Orthopaedics (T&O)

The closing date is 02 November 2025

This is a fantastic opportunity for a physiotherapist to shape and develop a high quality, efficient, and effective multi-disciplinary service to Trauma & Orthopaedic patients at UCLH, whilst also developing as a clinical leader.

The T&O service at UCLH has a busy inpatient portfolio, providing an excellent clinical service for urgent and elective pathways. Patients are referred from across the country to access specialist care for lower limb (foot and ankle / hip and knee), upper limb and hand & wrist conditions.

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to lead the jointly lead the physiotherapy Service in a fast-paced environment, where excellent prioritisation and time management skills are essential. The successful candidate will carry a complex trauma & orthopaedic caseload, and lead in the delivery, co-ordination and evaluation of the therapy service. Alongside the orthopaedic Band 7 Physiotherapy lead, the post holder will manage an inpatient service committed to the principles of Enhanced Recovery, pre-assessment and trauma services. You will be responsible for supervision, education and appraisal of other team members including Band 5 & 6 Physiotherapists, and Therapy Assistants.

Significant post-registration experience, with experience at Band 6 level in relevant clinical settings is essential.

Main duties of the job

The main roles and responsibilities of the physiotherapy team lead orthopaedics are outlined below:

• To undertake a significant complex clinical caseload of patients who have undergone orthopaedic surgery in both elective and trauma settings.
• To develop, clinically and strategically, the Trauma and Orthopaedic Physiotherapy service with guidance from T&O Inpatient Therapy Lead, working closely with the MDT, Surgical Specialties Matron, Orthopaedic General Manager, Senior Therapy Team, Acute Therapies Services Manager and Professional lead for Physiotherapy to implement directorate and Trust objectives in line with national guidelines.
• To provide skilled day-to-day leadership in planning, co-ordinating, delivering and evaluating the therapy service at UCLH.
• To undertake/lead evidence-based audit and research projects within the Directorate, including recommendations for change in practice to the Therapy Service management team and the Directorate, assisting in the implementation of specific changes to practice including policy changes and service protocols.
• To focus on developing and promoting the role of Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists within the specialty, as well as developing and promoting protocols and standards in the care Trauma and Orthopaedic patients.

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.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

• Degree/diploma in Physiotherapy
• Health Professions Council Registration
• Clinical Educator training
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Evidence of relevant postgraduate study or equivalent knowledge
• Member of relevant special interest group
• Clinical Leadership Course

Experience

• Significant post graduate experience as a Physiotherapist including experience in orthopaedics, respiratory, critical care, musculoskeletal outpatients, and neurology.
• Clinical experience in Trauma & Orthopaedics at a band 6 level, including the areas of trauma and elective
• Experience of audit, research and service development
• Previous experience of supervision and clinical education of clinicians and students.
• Ability and willingness to work within the Trust and NHS performance, framework and targets
• Evidence of relevant CPD, including attending appropriate courses.
• Experience of change management
• Previous experience of formal presentations to a variety of multidisciplinary professionals of differing grades

Skills and Abilities

• Able to work autonomously and use own initiative
• Demonstrates a clear understanding of multidisciplinary issues and ability to work efficiently and effectively in a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent time management and organisational skills including prioritisation and delegation
• Understanding of aspects of Clinical Governance including previous experience of quality issues, audit and risk management.
• Demonstrate commitment to best practice and awareness of national standards and evidence
• Advanced clinical reasoning skills in Trauma & Orthopaedics

Communication

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, and can demonstrate a professional fluency in written & oral English

Personal and People Development

• Experience in providing supervision and completing appraisals.
• Proven clinical leadership ability and to act as an excellent professional role model to junior staff

Specific Requirements

• Ability to comprehend and work within the Trust's policies including data protection, equal opportunities and Health and Safety to meet the differing needs of the patient
• Physically fit and able to comply with Trust Manual Handling Guidelines
• Ability to frequently cope with working in a stressful environment and with intense concentration for frequent periods throughout the day.
• Ability to participate in weekend and BH working rota

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

£56,276 to £63,176 a yearPer annum inclusive of HCAS