Rheumatology Specialist Physiotherapist

NHS; Bristol; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Bristol is seeking a Rheumatology Specialist Physiotherapist to deliver expert physiotherapy care for patients with rheumatological and musculoskeletal conditions. Responsibilities include leading clinical assessments, developing training programs for staff, and ensuring evidence-based practice. The ideal candidate will hold a relevant physiotherapy degree, be HCPC registered, and possess advanced clinical skills. This full-time role offers an annual salary range of £47,810 to £54,710 with various benefits.

Benefits

Flexible working

27-33 days annual leave plus bank holidays

NHS Pension Scheme

Gym discount

Support with stress, bereavement, and financial issues

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in physiotherapy.
• HCPC registered physiotherapist.
• Post registration relevant physiotherapy training courses required.

Responsibilities

• Act as lead clinician in musculoskeletal care.
• Provide highly specialised assessment and treatment for patients.
• Develop and update clinical protocols and outcome measurements.

Skills

Creative / lateral thinker

Ability to make effective decisions

Ability to build rapport with colleagues, patients and relatives

Good IT skills

Education

Degree or equivalent in physiotherapy

HCPC registered physiotherapist

Completion of recognised/accredited advanced assessment, diagnostic and treatment course in musculoskeletal/Rheumatology specialism

Job description

Rheumatology Specialist Physiotherapist

This post is for 37.5 hours and covers clinics across Tameside and Glossop. To provide expert physiotherapy assessment, diagnosis, and management for patients with rheumatological conditions and other MSK conditions, ensuring evidence-based care and supporting multidisciplinary team collaboration. To act as the first point of clinical contact for patients presenting with undifferentiated, musculoskeletal conditions in primary care settings.

Main duties of the job

Act as lead clinician in relation to musculoskeletal care of patients and as the main specialised physiotherapy source for advanced advice and assessment for the Rheumatology out‑patient MSK service.

To provide highly specialised assessment and treatment of patients within the Rheumatology / FCP and MSK service across Tameside and Glossop multiple clinics.

Plan, co‑coordinate and evaluate the education and training for the MSK/FCP physiotherapy team for Rheumatology skills.

Contribute to and assist in the development of Trust training for the treatment of Rheumatology conditions in line with patient pathways from the Rheumatology Consultants and First Contact Practitioner Service in Primary Care.

Will be responsible for delivering FCP clinics.

Develop and update a professional portfolio of skills including clinical assessment, basic diagnosis, treatments and practical skills to guide training programmes.

Head the development of clinical protocols, outcome measurements and audits.

Maintain links between areas of the Rheumatology / MSK service by collaborating with other clinicians and educators.

Use highly specialist Rheumatology/MSK physiotherapy knowledge and skills to support and train staff.

Act in a manner consistent with HCPC Code of Professional Conduct.

About us

Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust serves a community of 250,000 people across Tameside & Glossop. We provide a range of services both within the hospital and across our community for both adults and children. Our vision is to improve health outcomes for our population and influence wider determinants of health through collaboration with our health & care partners.

We have a clear set of values & behaviours which we expect all of our staff to demonstrate:

• Compassion
• Accountability
• Respect
• Excellence

We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.

We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian & minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ & Disabled people.

Benefits include flexible working, 27-33 days annual leave plus bank holidays, sick pay, NHS Pension Scheme, free eye tests and health checks, gym discount, free bicycle loan scheme, salary sacrifice car scheme, support with stress, bereavement, relationships, finance, and much more.

Job location

Ashton Primary Care Centre

193 Old Street

Ashton

OL6 7SR

Job responsibilities

The job description gives an overview of the main tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specifications focuses on the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. These documents are attached on the page and can be downloaded.

The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree or equivalent in physiotherapy
• HCPC registered physiotherapist
• Post registration relevant physiotherapy training courses
• Completion of recognised/accredited advanced assessment, diagnostic and treatment course in a musculoskeletal/Rheumatology specialism.

Desirable

• Diploma in injection therapy
• Working towards MSc

Experience

Essential

• Confident in highly specialised clinical knowledge
• Advanced skills in manual therapy/Rheumatology – e.g. Maitland, Cyriax, orthopaedic medicine, McKenzie, muscle imbalance,
• Highly specialised/advanced level of clinical knowledge as evidenced by relevant CPD/Experience in working with Rheumatology patients and in FCP
• Joint injection experience
• Able to teach effectively
• Senior level physiotherapy experience at band 6 or above
• Experience in staff / practice development including undertaking appraisals and personal development plans
• Experience in working in a care setting some of this should include working at a senior level managing and leading others
• Knowledge of clinical governance

Desirable

• Successful implementation and evaluation of change
• Experience of audit / research based practice

Skills

Essential

• Creative / lateral thinker
• Ability to make effective decisions
• Ability to build rapport with colleagues, patients and relatives
• Ability to undertake reflective thinking on own practice
• Enthusiasm / Motivation High standard of written and verbal communication skills
• Able to integrate evidence based healthcare into practice
• Clear and concise use of different presentation formats (PowerPoint / posters etc.)
• Able to work autonomously and independently
• To work flexibly within physiotherapy services and cover variety of bases using their own transport
• Good IT skills

Desirable

• Able to produce written reports and policy writing

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

Ashton Primary Care Centre

193 Old Street

Ashton

OL6 7SR

Employer's website

https://www.tamesidehospital.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Details

Date posted: 15 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year Pro rata per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

245-AHP7PHY-12-25