Principal Physiotherapist – Cardio-Respiratory

st georges nhs trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A major teaching hospital in London is seeking a Principal Physiotherapist to manage the Acute Cardio-Respiratory Service. The role involves clinical leadership, operational management, and driving departmental strategy through expert oversight in cardio-respiratory physiotherapy. Ideal candidates will be experienced in evidence-based practice, advanced patient rehabilitation, and demonstrate strong clinical reasoning skills. The position offers a dynamic work environment within one of the UK's leading healthcare institutions.

Qualifications

• Dynamic physiotherapist with excellent clinical leadership skills in cardio-respiratory services.
• Ability to work autonomously and provide high-quality patient care.
• Experience in operational management of clinical teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead the physiotherapy team for acute respiratory and cardiac services.
• Provide expert clinical oversight and strategic input to service managers.
• Identify research and audit priorities to drive departmental strategy.
• Lead training and education excellence within clinical expertise.

Skills

Clinical leadership in cardio-respiratory physiotherapy

Evidence-based practice

Advanced assessment and rehabilitation

Expert clinical reasoning

Education

Relevant physiotherapy degree and professional registration

Job description

A Vacancy at St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

St George’s is a large Teaching Hospital in South-West London, serving a diverse and multicultural local community and providing specialised services nationally. The Trust is one of Europe’s largest teaching hospitals and specialises in Major Trauma, Neurosciences, Cardiology and Plastics, amongst its specialties.

St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Physiotherapy Service is recruiting to the Principal Physiotherapist for the Acute Cardio-Respiratory Service which encompasses acute respiratory medicine, cardiac surgery, cardiology, CTITU, heart failure, thoracics, general surgery, GITU, head and neck, post-critical illness rehabilitation, renal, urology and vascular services.

We are looking for a dynamic physiotherapist with excellent clinical leadership in cardio-respiratory physiotherapy. You will be expected to work as an autonomous practitioner, be up to date with evidence-based practice in your clinical field, and be able to demonstrate advanced assessment and rehabilitation of patients who have cardio-respiratory presentations. You will be responsible for the operational management of the physiotherapy team, ensuring delivery of high-quality patient centred care measured by clinical outcomes, patient experience and patient safety measures.

• The post holder will be responsible for the operational management and clinical leadership of the acute respiratory medicine, cardiac surgery, cardiology, CTITU, heart failure, thoracics, general surgery, GITU, head and neck, post-critical illness rehabilitation, renal, urology and vascular inpatient rehabilitation services at St George’s. Their expert clinical reasoning skills will provide highly specialist support and advice to the physiotherapy and other clinical staff within and outside the Trust whilst working as an autonomous practitioner.
• The post holder will provide expert clinical oversight and strategic input to managers which supports the direction of cardio-respiratory physiotherapy Services across the whole organisation utilising the principles of clinical governance.
• The post holder will provide oversight for the respiratory outpatient service and pulmonary rehabilitation as required.
• The post holder will identify clinical research, audit, and data collection priorities within areas of expertise to drive departmental clinical development strategy.
• The post holder will lead on excellence of training and education, within areas of clinical expertise across the whole organisation.

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group form a leading regional healthcare partnership serving populations across Southwest London, Surrey, and beyond. Our integrated hospitals group delivers a comprehensive range of services—from cutting‑edge tertiary, trauma, and specialist care to robust community health offerings—to nearly 5 million people, backed by a 17,000-strong workforce.

At our flagship site, St George’s Hospital in Tooting—a major teaching hospital and one of the UK's 11 major trauma centres—we drive clinical excellence and research in partnership with St George’s, University of London and Kingston University. Our network extends to Queen Mary’s Hospital; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, which hosts the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC). Additionally, St Johns Therapy Centre and The Nelson Centre provide specialised services to a diverse patient base.

Please refer to the supporting document attached, ensuring that any application refers to supporting documents and person specification.

This advert closes on Monday 8 Dec 2025.