Senior Specialist Physiotherapist – Surgical Wards

South Tees; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Senior Specialist Physiotherapist to lead a team on the James Cook University Hospital surgical wards. The post requires evidence of leadership, experience in general and specialist surgery, and HCPC registration.

The role is fixed-term for 9 months, full-time 37.5 hours, and includes weekend work and on-call rotation. A strong commitment to CPD and service improvement is essential.

Qualifications

• BSc or Equivalent in Physiotherapy.
• HCPC registered.
• Completed or willing to work towards an MSc if available or relevant post graduate courses at masters level.
• Member of Specific Interest Group.
• Experience in senior specialist physiotherapy roles in surgical settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Physiotherapists and Assistants on the surgical wards.
• Manage general and specialist surgery patients (Upper GI and ENT/Maxillo-Facial).
• Support CPD, training, and participate in audits and research.
• Engage in MDT working and teaching.

Skills

Effective communication

Teaching and supervision

Clinical reasoning

MDT leadership

Audit and research

IT skills

Teamwork

Education

BSc Physiotherapy

HCPC registered

MSc / postgraduate courses

Specific Interest Group

Job description

Senior Specialist Physiotherapist – Surgical Wards

Band 7

Main area Community & Neighbourhood Health Services Grade Band 7 Contract Fixed term: 9 months (7 Day working) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (To include weekend work and contribute to twilight shifts and on call rota) Job ref 328-CSU10-8269573

Site The James Cook University Hospital Town Middlesbrough Salary £49,387 - £56,515 per annum (pro rata) Salary period Yearly Closing 12/11/2026 23:59

Job overview

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced, dynamic and enthusiastic Physiotherapist to join our Surgical Therapy Team. The post holder will be employed as a Senior Specialist Physiotherapist leading a team of Physiotherapists and Assistants on the surgical wards at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The Surgical wards at James Cook University Hospital comprises the Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU), and 5 surgical wards covering Gastroenterology, General surgery, Upper GI surgery, Gynaecological and Urological Surgery and ENT/ Maxillo-Facial surgery.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be expected to have substantial experience in the management of general and more specialist surgery (Upper GI and ENT/ Maxillo-Facial particularly) patients alongside management of patients with long term conditions across a variety of specialities. The post holder will also be expected to have relevant post graduate study, ideally at Masters level. The successful candidate must be forward thinking and proactive so evidence of leadership training and experience is desirable alongside any evidence of leading service improvement.

This post offers development in clinical and leadership skills and the post holder will be supported to attend relevant post graduate courses. We have an established and comprehensive training programme and our staff are encouraged and supported in their CPD through workshops, clinical supervision and the appraisal process. There is also an expectation to actively participate in audit and research and the Hospital has close links with both the University of Teesside and Durham University.

Working for our organisation

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust have come together to form University Hospitals Tees. As a result, post holders may be required to work across sites within both organisations.

Across University Hospitals Tees, our ambition is to be the best place to work, ensuring we have the right staff in the right roles at the right time to deliver outstanding patient care and experience.We are committed to supporting our staff through an inclusive and supportive working environment, offering health and wellbeing initiatives, staff benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional development.

We support the 'Making Every Contact Count' approach to behaviour change in the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) for main responsibilities of the role.

Person specification

Qualifications & training

• BSC or Equivalent in Physiotherapy
• HCPC registered
• Completed or willing to work towards an MSc if available or relevant post graduate courses at masters level
• Member of Specific Interest Group

Knowledge & Skills

• Basic IT skills
• To display effective communication skills, communicating complex, sensitive and contentious information to patients, carers and colleagues
• Excellent teaching and supervisory skills
• Theoretical knowledge and applied clinical practice in specialist area.
• Demonstrates extensive knowledge and experience within specialist area.
• Demonstrates detailed clinical reasoning skills.
• Evidence of taking a lead role in MDT working
• Evidence of MDT teaching
• Knowledge of relevant national guidelines and standards
• Audit and Research experience

Experience

• Experience in specialism at band 6 level including work as a Senior Rotational Physiotherapist in a variety of specialties including respiratory care.
• Demonstrates experience of supervision and teaching more junior staff, students and other members of the MDT
• Evidence of relevant post graduate courses
• Experience working as an autonomous practitioner at a band 6 level within the NHS
• Team leadership experience

Important - Once sufficient applications have been received this vacancy may close early.

Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)
It is the policy of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who arenew to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost of their DBS. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay.

Qualifications
Please note the essential qualifications required for the post are outlined within the Person Specification. You are required to provide original evidence of the necessary qualifications for the post at interview should you be shortlisted.You will also be required to provide original copies as part of the pre-employment check screening.

New Starters – Probationary Period

For any new employees commencing employment with South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, you will be subject to satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period. Please note that internal applications and individuals that are appointed to fixed term appointments of less than 6 months duration are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or a bank member of staff).
Employment References

As part of our pre-employment screening process, all applicants are required to provide references covering their last three years employment history including any gaps. Applicants are requested toensure e-mail addressesfor all referees are included on their application form. Personal references are not acceptable.

Working Hours

If the hours advertised for the post are up to full time (37.5 hours per week), applications are still welcomed from individuals who may be seeking to work less than full-time hours and all requests will be considered in line with the post being appointed to for the successful applicant.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Everything we do is shaped by our values: Respect, Support, and Collaborate.

At University Hospitals Tees we want our workspaces to be places where everyone feels welcome, valued and safe. We treat people with respect, and we celebrate the differences that make each of us unique.

We welcome applications from everyone, no matter your age, background, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family circumstances or beliefs.

We are here to supportyou throughout your application and at every stage of your career with us. We believe we work best when we collaborate, learn from each other and build teams that reflect the communities we serve.

Supporting disabled people and people with long‑term conditions

We are a Disability Confident committed employer aspiring to become a lead employer in 2026.

This means we give fair and full consideration to applicants and will offer reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. If you need help with your application, or need the information in a different format, please contact our recruitment team and we will support you.

If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at [e-mail] or call us on 01642 854610

Right to Work in the UK

The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship hereWork in the UK - GOV.UK ( www.gov.uk ).

Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.

Please note that not everyone needs a ‘Skilled Worker’ visa. If you are applying for a vacancy in health or social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.

Further Important Information

Please check your email on a regular basis for updates on your application. If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be invited to email via this method

Existing employees of South Tees NHS Foundation Trust currently on the Redeployment Register, who meet the essential criteria for this post, will be shortlisted and interviewed prior to all other applicants.

Please ensure you read the ‘Guidance Notes for Applicants’ document attached to this advert before completing and submitting your application.

Unfortunately, we are unable to respond to all applicants and those who are not contacted within six weeks of the closing date should assume that their application has been unsuccessful.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

Please note that this vacancy will close when we receive sufficient completed applications.