Senior Respiratory Physiotherapist

NHS; Royal Tunbridge Wells; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity for a Band 6 physiotherapist within the NHS respiratory team at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospitals. The role involves working with a multidisciplinary team, ensuring clinical development, and providing support to junior staff. The department promotes a friendly environment and supports ongoing professional development.

Benefits

At least 27 days of annual leave

Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme

Blue Light card eligibility

Qualifications

• Experience working within a physiotherapy and/or multidisciplinary team.
• Supervision of students or physiotherapy assistants.
• Experience in Respiratory care.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of an MDT ensuring clinical development.
• Case manage through understanding of the full patient pathway.
• Lead a team and work with junior staff and students.

Skills

Communication

Organisational Skills

Clinical Governance Understanding

Patient Note-Taking

Stress Management

Education

Diploma / degree in physiotherapy

State registration

Membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our respiratory team for a dynamic and enthusiastic Band 6 physiotherapist. We are looking for an individual with NHS experience and a passion for respiratory and critical care physiotherapy to join a well-established team at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospitals.

You will be an integral part of the team including a Band 8a clinical Lead physiotherapist, Band 7s, static and rotational Band 6s, rotational Band 5s, and therapy assistant practitioners.

Main duties of the job

You will have experience working as part of an MDT and ensuring the clinical development of yourself and others. You should demonstrate the ability to case manage through an understanding of the full patient pathway.

You will be supported by experienced senior staff and will have the opportunity to develop both clinically and managerially, leading a team and/or working with junior staff and students, depending on your level of experience.

The department offers a friendly and supportive working environment which actively supports Continuing Professional Development through an established appraisal system, in-service training, and postgraduate library facilities.

About us

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff, we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working?

We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it's adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

• At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits.
• Blue Light card eligibility
• And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below.

Job responsibilities

We’ve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Also, check your application for errors or omissions prior to submission.

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)

All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date has been agreed.

Following your corporate induction, you will be expected to attend the Trust’s 2-week Induction Programme for RNs, NAs, RMs, ODPs, and Paramedics. The programme is full-time (please email [e-mail] if this is problematic) and involves travel to both Trust sites. The programme includes supernumerary shifts in the clinical area, classroom-based sessions, and e-learning.

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Please note that this role may attract a high volume of applications and may close earlier than the original deadline. Submit your application promptly.

Person Specification

Qualification

• Diploma / degree in physiotherapy
• State registration
• Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio including attendance at recent postgraduate courses relevant to the clinical field
• Portfolio evidence of information learning
• Membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
• Involvement in CSP Special Clinical Interest Group

Skills

• Able to present information, written and orally, clearly and logically
• Ability to organise, prioritise, and delegate
• Understanding of clinical governance and its implications, including experience with quality issues and audit
• Ability to work within the Trust's policies on data protection, equal opportunities, and health and safety, meeting patient needs
• Accurate and legible patient note-taking
• Physical ability to perform moderate to intense effort and concurrent activities
• Ability to cope with stressful environments and challenging patients and carers
• Contribute to external course delivery
• Participation in research/audit
• Supervision of staff and students
• Committee membership (e.g., Safety Committee)

Experience/Knowledge

• Experience working within a physiotherapy and/or multidisciplinary team
• Supervision of students or physiotherapy assistants
• Experience in Respiratory care
• Updated with professional practice and research
• Understanding legal responsibilities
• Experience with stroke, general rehabilitation, Respiratory, Musculoskeletal Outpatients, Orthopaedics
• Knowledge of community physiotherapy and intermediate care services
• Involvement in audit, research, and quality improvement

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring a Disclosure check for any criminal convictions.

Respiratory Clinical Lead Physiotherapist

£37,338 to £44,962 per annum (pro-rata)