Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist

Integrated Care System; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Foundation Trust is looking for a Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist to join its team in Barnsley. This role involves managing complex cases and working in a dynamic environment focused on patient-centric care. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic and ready to contribute to a multidisciplinary team while advancing their professional skills.

Qualifications

• Clinical experience in diverse physiotherapy settings.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.
• Evidence of ongoing CPD activities and training.

Responsibilities

• Carry a specialized clinical caseload and undertake assessments.
• Provide supervision and training to junior staff and students.
• Formulate treatment plans using evidence-based practice.

Skills

Clinical reasoning

Communication skills

Patient care

Education

BSc in Physiotherapy or equivalent

HCPC Registration

Job description

Go back South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist

The closing date is 17 July 2025

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and highly motivated Physiotherapist who has a special interest in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions to join our dynamic and forward-thinking Musculoskeletal outpatient service in Barnsley.

You will be part of a specialist team consisting of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapists, Advanced Practitioners, exercise instructors, and GPs offering a comprehensive and integrated patient-centred approach to treatment and management of MSK conditions. Assessment and management are supported by a team of expert clinicians who will encourage staff development at every level.

You will have a varied caseload, which could include working in community outpatient clinics, GP practices, hydrotherapy, and group sessions, so previous experience in these areas would be advantageous.

At the time of advertising, this role does meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. We look forward to receiving your application.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients.

Main duties of the job

As a specialist Physiotherapist, you will be an integral member of the Musculoskeletal team. You will carry a specialised clinical caseload and undertake specialist assessment, treatment, and advice to patients, often with complex presentations, working as an autonomous practitioner.

You will also be responsible for supervision of Rotational Physiotherapists, exercise instructors, and student Physiotherapists, providing in-service training to rotational Physiotherapists. You will be supported to develop with regular caseload and clinical supervision, providing evidence of ongoing CPD and striving to provide a high standard of evidence-based practice.

You will be expected to be flexible around working times, which may include evening and weekend working.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. We strongly discourage this and will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health, and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees, and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the West Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities. We do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference in the lives of service users, families, and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups. We value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means we're accountable to our members, who can have a say in how we're run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us, and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical, and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve the right to close the vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

This job description is an outline of the main duties of the post. The post holder will be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as directed.

The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the post holder when necessary and in line with service developments.

KEY RESULT AREAS

1. Job Purpose

To work as an integral member of the Physiotherapy and Clinical Teams within the service.

To carry out a specialised clinical caseload undertaking specialist assessment, treatment, and advice to patients often with complex presentations, and formulate a clinical diagnosis and physiotherapy treatment plan as an autonomous practitioner.

To be responsible for specialist advice to staff, patients, and carers.

2. Job Dimensions

Supervision of students, assistants, and Band 5 physiotherapists.

No direct budget responsibility.

3. Core Duties and Responsibilities

CLINICAL

To be professionally and legally responsible for all aspects of own work, including the management of patients in your care.

To perform specialist physiotherapeutic assessment and treatment of patients with diverse presentations, multiple pathologies, and complex conditions, formulating a diagnosis and treatment plan using specialised clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment techniques, within the client's own home, residential, or nursing home.

To display specialist problem-solving skills to recognise and identify patients requiring further investigations, referring appropriately to other services within and outside the physiotherapy remit. To be aware of and screen for serious pathologies with appropriate management.

To hold responsibility for own caseload, working without direct supervision. Access to advice and support is available from more senior colleagues as required. Clinical work is not routinely evaluated.

To formulate and deliver individual physiotherapy treatment programmes based on a sound knowledge of evidence-based practice and treatment options e.g., patient education, exercise programmes, electrotherapy, and other alternative options.

To interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical information to form a diagnosis, prognosis, and to recommend the best course of intervention, developing comprehensive discharge plans.

To assess patients' understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent, and have the capacity to act within a legal frame with patients who lack capacity to consent.

To communicate effectively with patients and carers, overcoming barriers to communication and understanding to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes.

To provide planned and spontaneous advice, teaching, and instruction to patients, relatives, carers, and other health care professionals to promote understanding of rehabilitation goals and ensure a consistent approach to patient care.

Where necessary, to be involved in MDT meetings to ensure the delivery of a coordinated service to patients.

To work as a lone practitioner when working in a community or clinic setting with telephone support if required.

To be responsible for risk assessment of own caseload and working environment, ensuring the correct and safe use of all equipment and appliances by patients, staff, and students through training and supervision of practice.

PROFESSIONAL

To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through a variety of CPD activities and maintain a portfolio reflecting personal development.

To maintain and develop up-to-date specialist knowledge of Evidence-Based Practice within a variety of pathologies experienced in your area of work.

Undertake measurement and evaluation of specialist treatment and current practice through use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures. Recommend change of practice to the service manager and be involved in implementing changes to practice and service protocols.

Maintain HCPC registration, Trust, CSP, and departmental standards, guidelines, and policies, ensuring quality of service and monitoring own Band 5 and assistants' quality of practice.

To induct and provide clinical education, support, and training to Band 5 physiotherapists and assistants, assessing and evaluating competence as required.

To participate when required in the clinical education of medical professionals in your specialist field of physiotherapy.

To partake in the Trust's appraisal system.

Be an active member of the in-service training programme by attendance at and delivery of training sessions, peer review, and external courses where appropriate.

To ensure accurate, legible, and comprehensive treatment records are kept in line with CSP and Trust standards of practice.

Establish and maintain communication links with other medical specialties to ensure the delivery of a coordinated multidisciplinary approach.

To accept responsibility from and delegate to other members of the physiotherapy staff.

To be aware of health and safety aspects of your work and implement policies deemed necessary to improve safety.

For full details of the role, please see the supporting documents attached.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• BSc in Physiotherapy or equivalent (Diploma).
• HCPC Registration.

Physical Attributes

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

Personal Attributes

• Must be able to work effectively to deadlines and time constraints.
• Must be flexible around working times and practices, including evening and weekend work where necessary.
• A current driving license and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).

Training

• Substantial post-registration rotational experience with demonstrable competence across several service areas, including respiratory care/medicine, neurology, and older people's service.
• Evidence of continuing learning & development through CPD activities/folder.
• Involvement in audit/research/quality issues or training.
• Postgraduate study/course in relevant clinical specialism.

Special Knowledge/Skills

• Specialist level of physiotherapy clinical reasoning, moving and handling, treatment skills, and techniques related to the service area.
• Good communication skills—verbal, non-verbal, and written.
• Ability to work in isolation, as part of a team, and on own initiative.
• Good organisational, prioritising, negotiation, and delegating skills.
• Ability to teach and supervise.
• Ability to keep appropriate, accurate, and legible patient records and data on paper and electronically, with awareness of confidentiality.

Experience

• Experience of risk assessment/moving and handling issues, including the safe and correct use of all specialist equipment.
• Experience of integrated/multi-disciplinary team working.
• Experience in a specialist clinical area directly related to the post.
• Experience of supervision of assistants/students.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and as such, a submission for Disclosure will be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Community Musculoskeletal Service, Entrance 2 New Street Health Centre