Specialist Physiotherapist in Spinal Cord Injuries

NHS; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare trust in the United Kingdom is seeking a highly skilled physiotherapist with a specialism in spinal cord injury to join their major trauma team. The role involves providing specialized acute rehabilitation, supporting spinal injury patients, and leading the physiotherapy service. Candidates should have a degree in physiotherapy and significant clinical experience, especially in major trauma settings. This position offers flexible working patterns and ongoing development opportunities.

Benefits

Access to on-site leisure facilities

Flexible working arrangements

Reduced-cost transport options

Qualifications

• Ability to work to MSc standard.
• Significant clinical work at band 6 level in relevant areas.
• Experience in major trauma and spinal cord injury.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialized rehabilitation on trauma wards.
• Support spinal injury patients in outreach.
• Lead team in delivering physiotherapy services.

Skills

Physiotherapeutic handling

Leadership skills

Communication with patients

Good organizational skills

Evidence-based practice linking

Gait re-education

Education

Degree in Physiotherapy

State Registration

Evidence of relevant post-graduate education

Job description

Job Summary

We have the opportunity to recruit a physiotherapist with a specialism in Spinal Cord Injury to our major trauma team to cover a secondment for approximately 12 months. As a member of the team you will be working primarily with patients with spinal cord injuries and, in addition, those undergoing rehabilitation on the major trauma ward. We offer access to well‑equipped gym areas, hydrotherapy facilities, flexible working patterns (where possible) and active support for ongoing development of our team members.

Main Duties

• Provide highly specialised acute and early rehabilitation on the trauma wards, primarily in spinal cord injury with the addition of major trauma patients.
• Provide outreach support for other spinal injury patients within CUH and to local district general hospitals.
• Support and work alongside other members of the trauma ward physiotherapy team to ensure delivery of the highest standard of service.
• Lead the team in planning, coordinating, delivering and evaluating the Physiotherapy service on a day‑to‑day basis.
• Integrate with the highly specialised acute trauma and neurosciences multidisciplinary team, including consultants, specialist nurses and specialist physiotherapists.
• Develop a long‑term vision for the spinal cord injury rehabilitation hub physiotherapy team and shape the service to reflect that vision.

About Us

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust includes Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital. With over 13,000 staff and 1,100 beds, CUH focuses on quality service for patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing outstanding care, CUH is rated ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission. Our values—Together, Safe, Kind, Excellent—guide all staff. CUH provides accessible high‑quality healthcare locally and specializes in complex conditions regionally, nationally and internationally.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status or socioeconomic background.

Visa and Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome. Full‑time permanent contracts cannot be offered to individuals on a Student visa unless a Graduate visa or Skilled Worker sponsorship has been secured and the applicant has completed the course prior to the anticipated start date (or the Trust has agreed to sponsor).

Internal applicants on permanent contracts can apply for this post as a secondment or fixed‑term contract, subject to line manager approval.

Interview Information

Advert closing: midnight on 17 December 2025. Interviews are scheduled for 14 January 2025.

Salary and Terms

Pay scheme: Agenda for Change; Band 7. Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 p.a. pro rata. Contract: Fixed term, 12 months. Working pattern: Full‑time, Part‑time, Flexible working. Reference number: 180‑B‑253193. Job location: Addenbrookes Hospital – Division B, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ.

Benefits to You

Access to on‑site leisure facilities, a shopping concourse and day nurseries. Reduced‑cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from the CUH site, free Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites, free bus routes to Cambridge train station and hospitals, and subsidised on‑site parking for eligible staff.

24/7 hot food at a reduced cost on CUH campus. Dedicated staff pod break spaces in the Deakin Centre with free tea and coffee, a break space, and a private outside area.

Flexible arrangements may include part‑time working, job‑share, term‑time working and flexible start and finish times.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Physiotherapy.
• State Registration.
• Evidence of relevant post‑graduate education / CPD.
• Ability to work to MSc standard.

Desirable

• Membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
• Relevant validated courses.
• Involvement in special interest groups.
• MSc level qualification.

Experience

Essential

• Significant clinical work at band 6 level in respiratory, elderly care, neurological, orthopaedic and musculoskeletal conditions.
• Experience of major trauma and spinal cord injury (e.g. band 6 level).
• Competency to participate in on‑call and weekend working.

Desirable

• Senior management experience (e.g. NHS band 7).
• Supervisory skills and performance management experience.
• Student supervision.
• Knowledge of community and intermediate care services.

Knowledge

Essential

• Contribute to clinical education of less experienced staff, students or assistants.
• Extensive knowledge of spinal cord injury rehabilitation, the major trauma pathway and the role of physiotherapy within it.
• Advanced knowledge of functional outcomes dependent on spinal cord injury level.
• Extensive experience of tracheostomy weaning.
• Knowledge of complex rehabilitation processes.
• Experience of service development; advanced knowledge of tone, spasticity, specialist seating, wheelchair skills and splinting.

Desirable

• Audit experience.

Skills

Essential

• Highly developed physiotherapeutic handling, positioning, gait re‑education, wheelchair skills and exercise programme development.
• Communicate with partners, CCG, discharge planning teams and spinal cord injury centres regarding complex patients.
• Work independently and pass on skills to others within formal and informal settings.
• Good organisational skills and manage own caseload and team delegation.
• Link evidence‑based practice to clinical work.
• Proven leadership skills.

Desirable

• Presentation skills.
• Critical appraisal.

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Communicate with patients with impaired communication abilities.
• Demonstrate empathy, motivate and persuade patients with impaired cognitive abilities or physical senses.
• Collaborate within the MDT and commit to personal and team development.
• Maintain judgement under pressure.
• Behave at all times towards patients, visitors and colleagues in line with CUH values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Applications are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information see the NHS Careers website.

Employer Details

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Addenbrookes Hospital – Division B
Hills Road
Cambridge, CB2 0QQ

Website: https://www.cuh.nhs.uk