Specialist Physiotherapist

MFT; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is seeking a HCPC-registered Physiotherapist to work with adults with learning disabilities in community settings. You will join a multidisciplinary team, delivering specialised assessments, rehabilitation and mobility support, including hydrotherapy and falls prevention.

This Band 6 permanent role involves 37.5 hours per week and collaboration with GPs and social care to promote patient choice and quality of life.

Qualifications

• HCPC registered physiotherapist with community experience.
• Experience in MDT settings and managing complex cases.
• Ability to supervise junior staff and students.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist complex multi-factorial assessments and treatment in the community.
• Manage a clinical caseload with support from senior therapists and supervise junior staff.
• Collaborate with GPs, social care and other professionals to ensure timely discharge and holistic care.

Skills

HCPC registered

Clinical assessment

Community physiotherapy

Mobility and falls management

Education

BSc/MSc Physiotherapy

Tools

Hydrotherapy

Rebound Therapy

Job description

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Main area Physiotherapy Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (08.30 - 16:.30 (Alternative hours to be discussed at interview)) Job ref 349-LCOD-8375014-RL4

Site CALDS - Hulme District Office Town Hulme Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 16/11/2026 23:59

Job overview

Being a Physiotherapist for Adults with a Learning Disability is more than just a job!

Are you an enthusiastic and forward thinking HCPC registered physiotherapist? Do you want to work in Learning Disabilities? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!

We work in a variety of settings with a wide range of people, no two days are the same. You will support a wide range of learning disabilities patients in the community with a variety of orthopaedic, musculoskeletal, neurology, respiratory, falls and complex health needs. You will collaborate with colleagues to ensure patient needs and goals are met, using approaches which promote choice, participation and quality of life.

You will join a friendly, supportive team based at one of our community locations and work within a skilled, experienced MDT. We promote close MDT working, enabling a holistic approach to patient care, joint therapy working and developments. Our teams are led by highly specialist health professionals, and support a wide skill mix of clinicians within the community setting in both health and social care.

This role will give you the chance to increase your skill base in Hydrotherapy, Rebound Therapy and 24-hour posture management. You will play a lead role in the management of mobility problems, falls prevention and rehabilitation from acute injuries and conditions. You will be responsible for the supervision of junior members of staff and students.

Main duties of the job

Responsible for providing specialist complex multi-factorial clinical assessments, treatment and advice to patients in the community who have a variety of general presentations such as orthopaedic, musculoskeletal, neurology, respiratory, falls and complex health needs.

Manage a clinical caseload of clients, including those with complex and highly complex needs with support from the band 7 therapists for highly complex patients and supervise support staff and students with caseload management.

Work in the community assessing, planning, implementing, evaluating and modifying individualised treatment programmes in a variety of care settings: patients home, clinic setting, residential homes and intermediate care setting for patients with low to highly complex needs.

Work as a team member collaborating with colleagues to ensure patient needs and goals are met using approaches which promote choice, participation and quality of life.

Ensure patients are triaged and managed on appropriate and timely pathways of care by liaising closely and working in partnership with other health and social care professionals including GPs, Consultants, Specialist equipment agencies, Social Service partners and Voluntary agencies and support the timely discharge of patients from the acute setting.

Provide complex professional and clinical advice to clients, family members, carers and health and social care professionals including GPs, therapy colleagues and social workers.

Working for our organisation

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.
Whether you’re beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.
You’ll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.
At MFT, you’ll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.
Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We’ll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Documents to download heading.

Explore ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’

To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place.This welcoming one‑stop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others.You’ll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the ‘Documents to download heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?

A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

Standard DBS : Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.

Enhanced DBS : Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role.

Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the children’s and/or adults’ barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check

Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment.If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person specification

• BSc OR MSc in Physiotherapy
• Band 5 minimum of 2 years experience
• Community Physiotherapy Experience
• Complex case management
• Additional Qualifications specific to the role

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.