Specialist Physiotherapist - Inpatient Orthopaedics

NHS; Haywards Heath; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Haywards Heath is seeking a Senior Physiotherapist with strong orthopaedic experience to enhance their inpatient services. This full-time position offers opportunities for leadership while supporting a dedicated team. Responsibilities include advanced patient assessment, managing a busy caseload, and contributing to service development. Ideal for candidates passionate about physiotherapy and eager to make a significant impact.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Comprehensive wellbeing programme

Development and training opportunities

Qualifications

• Broad experience in orthopaedics (trauma & elective).
• Ability to manage busy caseloads.
• Experience in supervising junior staff or students.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced assessment and treatment for orthopaedic patients.
• Supervise and teach junior staff and students.
• Support team lead with operational management.

Skills

Orthopaedic experience

Leadership capabilities

Excellent communication

Education

Physiotherapy Degree (BSc or MSc)

HCPC Registration

Job description

Job summary

We are looking for an innovative and creative physiotherapist with a proven track record in, and is passionate about orthopaedics.

The Princess Royal Hospital is looking for a highly motivated senior physiotherapist to join it established team of static and rotational physiotherapists and support workers on the inpatient orthopaedic physiotherapy service.

In heart of Mid Sussex, the Princess Royal is a dedicated fractured hip unit and is also the regional centre for infected joint arthroplasties and complex hip surgery, including elective orthopaedic patients that may require high dependency care post-operatively.

This role would suit a physiotherapist that already has good orthopaedic experience and would like to develop this further, whilst also giving them great leadership opportunities as well.

If you have any questions about the role, you can contact:

James Nixon (Clinical Lead Physiotherapist)

Whilst this post is a substantive whole time equivalent, we are also looking for Bank staff - please apply if looking for Bank hours.

Main duties of the job

• To provide advanced assessment and treatment for a range of highly complex patients within the orthopaedic patient services.

To supervise, teach and appraise recently qualified physiotherapists, technicians, assistants, students and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.

To support the team lead with operational management and deputise in their absence.

To participate in CPD, IST, audit and evidence-based projects which may include making recommendations for change in practice.

To participate in the development, planning and evaluation of Orthopaedic services across the Trust.

To participate in implementation of policy and changes in own clinical area, and to set and monitor standards of practice.

To participate in the out of hours Orthopaedic services and seven-day service when implemented.

The post covers:

• Trauma orthopaedic wards and outlying areas, including ITU
• May support elective orthopaedic ward and day case surgery depending on service requirements

About us

At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme,for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop.We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.

Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Details Date posted

31 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

279-7366348-AUG25

Job locations

The Princess Royal Hospital

Lewes Road

Haywards Heath

RH16 4EX

Job description Job responsibilities

Communication

To liaise with other physiotherapists in regard to patient care and ensure appropriate follow up is arranged.

To be an active member within the multi-disciplinary team and ensure effective communication with other professions both verbally and in writing e.g. medical notes and reports.

To be able to communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, carers and other staff including imparting unwelcome news.

To be able to communicate effectively with patients, especially those who may have significant barriers to understanding.

To ensure timely and effective communication with the physiotherapy team lead, clinical lead physiotherapist and other senior staff on all professional and operational matters.

To maintain an accurate record keeping system in line with HCPC, CSP standards and local guidelines.

To attend and be an active participant in speciality, peer group and departmental staff meetings.

To initiate and maintain contacts with local and national clinical interest groups, appropriate to the clinical field.

To be able to motivate others through effective communication skills.

• Be aware of the standard information available for patients and use it appropriately.
• Use electronic patient administration and record keeping system.
• Respond promptly to telephone enquiries / messages/ email received.

To use effective communication skills to reduce actual or potential conflict situations that may occur with patients, relatives, colleagues etc.

Service Delivery and Improvement

• Attend Handover & MDT meetings to present current physiotherapy management and make critical decisions in a timely manner.
• Read, monitor, and safely use equipment knowing when it is acceptable to do so.
• Be aware of own scope of practice and seeks advice when required.
• To maintain a high standard of clinical care using evidence-based practice whilst continually evaluating the outcome.

To demonstrate a sound understanding of clinical governance and clinical risk assessments.

To undertake comprehensive assessments of patients, this includes those with complex presentations.

• To adopt a problem-solving approach, engaging patients and carers in their treatment plan, negotiating on agreed outcomes, gaining consent, and educating users on self-care and management.

Continually evaluate patients progress and alter treatment programmes as required whilst developing comprehensive discharge plans.

• Be involved in the triage of referrals (this may be in liaison with a Clinical Specialist or another Senior Clinician).

Be able to prioritise workload (both clinical and non-clinical), and delegate appropriately using available resources ensuring that patient care is maintained to a high standard. Able to support more junior staff in this.

To propose and make changes to working practices in consultation with the orthopaedic lead where applicable. To support the ongoing development and improvements of physiotherapy services.

To be responsible for the effective daily management of a caseload of patients.

Be able to manage clinical and non-clinical duties (including supervising other members of staff). Ensuring effective prioritisation as appropriate and being able to complete work to appropriate standards and by allotted deadlines.

• Have shared responsibility for the day-to-day organisation and smooth running of the Department working with the clinical team Lead and other senior physiotherapy staff, planning caseload management in cases of staff absences, ensuring service effectiveness and efficiency within available resources.
• To undertake any other duties that may be required by the clinical lead physiotherapist, physiotherapy team lead and therapies manager.
• In times of crisis to help as indicated in other areas of the Hospital/s
• Where required be flexible and provide support for other physiotherapy teams.

To be responsible for implementing within your clinical practice, the relevant standards and policies, including those applicable to the Trust, and also wider policies and guidelines, for example set by the CSP / NICE etc.

To ensure that as an individual practitioner the post holder advises the Team Lead and Physiotherapy Operational Lead of any changes to the service to ensure quality and effectiveness of care for their patients.

• To work with the physiotherapy team to provide an efficient and effective service.
• Be involved in the proposal/development and implementation of departmental policies, pathways, guidelines etc.

To comply with fire, health & safety, universal precautions, infection control measures and all other departmental policies.

To report all complaints/incidents to the immediate senior member of staff and document accordingly.

• To use all resources considerately, whether they be staff or equipment resources, and to encourage this in others.
• Demonstrate responsibility in the safe, effective and efficient use of department resources such as equipment, stock etc.
• To be able to use appropriate Trust information systems to utilise information relevant to patient care.
• To ensure and maintain confidentiality and always adhere to information governance guidance.
• To participate in the orthopaedic weekend Physiotherapy service.
• Participate and support departmental Job Planning activities.

People Management and Development

• To ensure that band 5 members of the team are informed of developments and changes and that they work to these standards.

To supervise band 5 physiotherapists, physiotherapy support workers and physiotherapy students on clinical placements.

To be responsible to and deputise for the team lead in orthopaedics.

To participate in the Trust Appraisal Scheme both as an appraiser and an appraisee.

To assist in the supervision and development of the band 5 physiotherapists on rotation in the clinical area.

To be responsible for the induction and training of students on placement, band 5 physiotherapists, technicians and assistants within the clinical area.

To communicate on a regular basis with staff regarding the Trusts objectives, plans and business developments.

To develop objectives for staff and to appraise staff at least once annually. To give staff ongoing support to aid them in achieving their objectives.

To discuss expected outcomes of training and development activity with staff prior to attending training events.

• To discuss outcomes with staff after attending training and development activity and to assist staff to transfer, develop and use new skills acquired.

To disseminate knowledge to physiotherapy staff through in-service training.

To organise and actively participate in in-service training.

To be pro-active with regard to learning from senior staff within the department.

• To be involved in peer group meetings and formulate appropriate action plans following the meeting.

To lead, in conjunction with the team lead, appropriate work-related research/evaluation/service improvement projects.

• To keep up to date with clinical developments and maintain background knowledge in each specialty area, analysing current research and discussing and implementing changes in clinical practice.

Patient Care Delivery

To undertake the comprehensive assessment and treatment of patients including those with complex presentations.

To demonstrate the Trust values and attitudes in regard to the management of patients and everyday working with colleagues.

To seek guidance from senior staff as required and to give guidance to more junior staff.

To devise an individualised physiotherapy management and/or treatment plan, using clinical reasoning skills to utilise a range of treatment options.

To be able to devise and lead specialist physiotherapy treatments which may include group work, e.g. exercise classes

• To work with members of the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure a seamless delivery of care, provide advice and education within this forum, acting as an expert in your own professional field.

Learning and Development

Attend mandatory training updates as required.

Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.

Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.

Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager

Participate in the Trusts appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.

This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.

Job description Job responsibilities

Communication

To liaise with other physiotherapists in regard to patient care and ensure appropriate follow up is arranged.

To be an active member within the multi-disciplinary team and ensure effective communication with other professions both verbally and in writing e.g. medical notes and reports.

To be able to communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, carers and other staff including imparting unwelcome news.

To be able to communicate effectively with patients, especially those who may have significant barriers to understanding.

To ensure timely and effective communication with the physiotherapy team lead, clinical lead physiotherapist and other senior staff on all professional and operational matters.

To maintain an accurate record keeping system in line with HCPC, CSP standards and local guidelines.

To attend and be an active participant in speciality, peer group and departmental staff meetings.

To initiate and maintain contacts with local and national clinical interest groups, appropriate to the clinical field.

To be able to motivate others through effective communication skills.

• Be aware of the standard information available for patients and use it appropriately.
• Use electronic patient administration and record keeping system.
• Respond promptly to telephone enquiries / messages/ email received.

To use effective communication skills to reduce actual or potential conflict situations that may occur with patients, relatives, colleagues etc.

Service Delivery and Improvement

• Attend Handover & MDT meetings to present current physiotherapy management and make critical decisions in a timely manner.
• Read, monitor, and safely use equipment knowing when it is acceptable to do so.
• Be aware of own scope of practice and seeks advice when required.
• To maintain a high standard of clinical care using evidence-based practice whilst continually evaluating the outcome.

To demonstrate a sound understanding of clinical governance and clinical risk assessments.

To undertake comprehensive assessments of patients, this includes those with complex presentations.

• To adopt a problem-solving approach, engaging patients and carers in their treatment plan, negotiating on agreed outcomes, gaining consent, and educating users on self-care and management.

Continually evaluate patients progress and alter treatment programmes as required whilst developing comprehensive discharge plans.

• Be involved in the triage of referrals (this may be in liaison with a Clinical Specialist or another Senior Clinician).

Be able to prioritise workload (both clinical and non-clinical), and delegate appropriately using available resources ensuring that patient care is maintained to a high standard. Able to support more junior staff in this.

To propose and make changes to working practices in consultation with the orthopaedic lead where applicable. To support the ongoing development and improvements of physiotherapy services.

To be responsible for the effective daily management of a caseload of patients.

Be able to manage clinical and non-clinical duties (including supervising other members of staff). Ensuring effective prioritisation as appropriate and being able to complete work to appropriate standards and by allotted deadlines.

• Have shared responsibility for the day-to-day organisation and smooth running of the Department working with the clinical team Lead and other senior physiotherapy staff, planning caseload management in cases of staff absences, ensuring service effectiveness and efficiency within available resources.
• To undertake any other duties that may be required by the clinical lead physiotherapist, physiotherapy team lead and therapies manager.
• In times of crisis to help as indicated in other areas of the Hospital/s
• Where required be flexible and provide support for other physiotherapy teams.

To be responsible for implementing within your clinical practice, the relevant standards and policies, including those applicable to the Trust, and also wider policies and guidelines, for example set by the CSP / NICE etc.

To ensure that as an individual practitioner the post holder advises the Team Lead and Physiotherapy Operational Lead of any changes to the service to ensure quality and effectiveness of care for their patients.

• To work with the physiotherapy team to provide an efficient and effective service.
• Be involved in the proposal/development and implementation of departmental policies, pathways, guidelines etc.

To comply with fire, health & safety, universal precautions, infection control measures and all other departmental policies.

To report all complaints/incidents to the immediate senior member of staff and document accordingly.

• To use all resources considerately, whether they be staff or equipment resources, and to encourage this in others.
• Demonstrate responsibility in the safe, effective and efficient use of department resources such as equipment, stock etc.
• To be able to use appropriate Trust information systems to utilise information relevant to patient care.
• To ensure and maintain confidentiality and always adhere to information governance guidance.
• To participate in the orthopaedic weekend Physiotherapy service.
• Participate and support departmental Job Planning activities.

People Management and Development

• To ensure that band 5 members of the team are informed of developments and changes and that they work to these standards.

To supervise band 5 physiotherapists, physiotherapy support workers and physiotherapy students on clinical placements.

To be responsible to and deputise for the team lead in orthopaedics.

To participate in the Trust Appraisal Scheme both as an appraiser and an appraisee.

To assist in the supervision and development of the band 5 physiotherapists on rotation in the clinical area.

To be responsible for the induction and training of students on placement, band 5 physiotherapists, technicians and assistants within the clinical area.

To communicate on a regular basis with staff regarding the Trusts objectives, plans and business developments.

To develop objectives for staff and to appraise staff at least once annually. To give staff ongoing support to aid them in achieving their objectives.

To discuss expected outcomes of training and development activity with staff prior to attending training events.

• To discuss outcomes with staff after attending training and development activity and to assist staff to transfer, develop and use new skills acquired.

To disseminate knowledge to physiotherapy staff through in-service training.

To organise and actively participate in in-service training.

To be pro-active with regard to learning from senior staff within the department.

• To be involved in peer group meetings and formulate appropriate action plans following the meeting.

To lead, in conjunction with the team lead, appropriate work-related research/evaluation/service improvement projects.

• To keep up to date with clinical developments and maintain background knowledge in each specialty area, analysing current research and discussing and implementing changes in clinical practice.

Patient Care Delivery

To undertake the comprehensive assessment and treatment of patients including those with complex presentations.

To demonstrate the Trust values and attitudes in regard to the management of patients and everyday working with colleagues.

To seek guidance from senior staff as required and to give guidance to more junior staff.

To devise an individualised physiotherapy management and/or treatment plan, using clinical reasoning skills to utilise a range of treatment options.

To be able to devise and lead specialist physiotherapy treatments which may include group work, e.g. exercise classes

• To work with members of the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure a seamless delivery of care, provide advice and education within this forum, acting as an expert in your own professional field.

Learning and Development

Attend mandatory training updates as required.

Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.

Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.

Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager

Participate in the Trusts appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.

This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Physiotherapy Degree (BSc or MSc equivalent)
• HCPC Registration

Desirable

• Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
• Member of appropriate clinical special interest group

Skills and Experience Essential

• Broad experience demonstrated in orthopaedics (trauma & elective)
• Proven clinical skills within orthopaedics demonstrated
• Ability to manage busy caseloads demonstrated

Desirable

• Experience of complex trauma and elective orthopaedics
• Experience as a band 6 (or equivalent) in orthopaedics
• Respiratory competence

Working with a team Essential

• Experience of working in a successful multidisciplinary team (MDT)
• Experience of supervising others e.g. junior staff and students (informally, at least)
• Demonstrated leadership with a team

Desirable

• Accredited clinical educator
• Evidence of deputising in team lead absence

Quality Improvement Essential

• Willingness to participate in research/audit/service development
• Experience of working orthopaedic weekend or other 'out-of-hours' services

Desirable

• proven experience in research/audit/service development

Equality Diversity & Inclusion Essential

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Physiotherapy Degree (BSc or MSc equivalent)
• HCPC Registration

Desirable

• Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
• Member of appropriate clinical special interest group

Skills and Experience Essential

• Broad experience demonstrated in orthopaedics (trauma & elective)
• Proven clinical skills within orthopaedics demonstrated
• Ability to manage busy caseloads demonstrated

Desirable

• Experience of complex trauma and elective orthopaedics
• Experience as a band 6 (or equivalent) in orthopaedics
• Respiratory competence

Working with a team Essential

• Experience of working in a successful multidisciplinary team (MDT)
• Experience of supervising others e.g. junior staff and students (informally, at least)
• Demonstrated leadership with a team

Desirable

• Accredited clinical educator
• Evidence of deputising in team lead absence

Quality Improvement Essential

• Willingness to participate in research/audit/service development
• Experience of working orthopaedic weekend or other 'out-of-hours' services

Desirable

• proven experience in research/audit/service development

Equality Diversity & Inclusion Essential

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

The Princess Royal Hospital

Lewes Road

Haywards Heath

RH16 4EX

Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

The Princess Royal Hospital

Lewes Road

Haywards Heath

RH16 4EX

Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)