Senior Physiotherapist - MSK/Rheumatology

North Bristol NHS Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in the UK is seeking an experienced physiotherapist to join their Rheumatology and MSK teams. The role involves managing patients with long-term conditions, providing therapeutic care, and working within a multidisciplinary team. Strong candidates will have experience in rheumatology and musculoskeletal management. The position is based at Southmead Hospital with potential site shifts and offers a 4-day outpatient pattern.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of long-term rheumatology conditions.
• Ability to provide therapeutic care and education.
• Experience with hydrotherapy and gym therapy.

Responsibilities

• Manage patients with long-term rheumatology conditions.
• Conduct assessments for newly diagnosed patients.
• Mentor junior staff and facilitate student supervision.

Skills

Experience in rheumatology

Musculoskeletal patient management

Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team

Job description

Overview

We are looking for an experienced physiotherapist to join our Rheumatology and MSK teams. The role is split 50:50 between rheumatology and MSK, based at Southmead Hospital with potential to work off site at Cossham Hospital (North Bristol Trust community site). The post is a fixed-term one year, with a strong likelihood it will become substantive. The role involves a 4-day outpatient pattern and weekend working on trauma and orthopaedic wards (one weekend day, alternating Saturday and Sunday every four weeks).

Responsibilities

• Manage patients with long-term rheumatology conditions, providing therapeutic care and education on specific conditions.
• Offer self-management strategies for inflammatory conditions such as Spondyloarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis, bone diseases such as Osteoporosis, connective tissue disorders, and long-term musculoskeletal problems such as hypermobility syndrome.
• Assess newly diagnosed patients, run education and exercise groups, participate in Axial Spondyloarthritis yearly review clinics, and manage patients within hydrotherapy.
• Assess and treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions referred from general practice, A&E, musculoskeletal interface services, and post-operative pathways.
• Mentor Band 5 and below, facilitate student supervision, and contribute to the delivery of IST (Integrated Skills Training).
• Work within a multi-disciplinary team including consultants, specialist nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, physiotherapists and physiotherapy rehabilitation technicians to provide high-standard care for rheumatology patients.
• Support the MSK team with hydrotherapy, gym therapy, and related outpatient services such as Escape Pain and Back Pain management programs.
• Engage in 1:1 physiotherapy sessions; supervise and guide physiotherapy technicians where applicable.
• Potentially work across sites within the North Bristol NHS Trust and support community-based activities as required.

Team and setting

You would work within a multidisciplinary team and join a larger outpatient physiotherapy network that includes hydrotherapy, hand therapy, pelvic health, cancer therapy, neurological and vestibular services.

Requirements and employment information

• Part of a dynamic, experienced team providing high-standard clinical care to musculoskeletal and rheumatology outpatients and hydrotherapy services.
• North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff; aims to deliver exceptional healthcare and a first-class patient experience, with a commitment to equality, inclusion, and safeguarding.
• We are an anti-discriminatory organisation and encourage applications from underrepresented groups. If you have not heard from us within three weeks after closing date, please assume your application was unsuccessful.
• Please note that North Bristol NHS Trust does not reimburse travel expenses relating to interview attendance.
• If you require support under the Disability Act / Two Ticks scheme, contact us for advice.
• Stringent pre-employment checks are undertaken for all successful applicants.
• Commencement typically at the minimum scale; progression is via annual increments.
• We are committed to equality of opportunity and encouraging diverse, inclusive teams and values across Band 8a and above from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQIA+ people.

The post holder will be expected to commence at the minimum of the scale unless previous NHS service at the same band exists; progression through the scale occurs with annual increments.