Specialist Physiotherapist - Rotational

St. Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; Sefton; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Mersey and West Lancashire NHS Trust is seeking an experienced Physiotherapist to join our rotational programme. You will provide high standards of care across acute inpatient rotations, including Cardiac & Respiratory Rehab, Surgery, Trauma and Orthopaedics, Stroke, and Acute Medicine.

You will participate in the respiratory on-call service and contribute to 7-day therapy coverage, while pursuing CPD and development toward Band 6 leadership.

Qualifications

• Must hold a Physiotherapy Degree and HCPC registration.
• Evidence-based practice knowledge and clinical reasoning skills required.
• Experience working in a NHS or similar clinical setting advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide high standard Physiotherapy across acute inpatient rotations.
• Be an active member of the respiratory on-call service (evenings/weekends).
• Perform advanced assessments and develop individualised treatment plans.
• Collaborate with AHP colleagues to optimise therapy resources.
• Manage a defined caseload and contribute to patient flow and discharge planning.

Skills

Physiotherapy

Communication

Time management

Team leadership

MDT experience

Education

Degree in Physiotherapy

HCPC registration

Postgrad MSc

Job description

After applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into our preferred Third-party recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs. You will not be able to track the progress of your application or receive messages through the NHS Jobs website, and furthermore, as an employer, we will not be able to respond to any e-mails sent to us via the NHS Jobs website. By applying for this post you are agreeing to "name of trust" transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are appointed to a post information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Job overview

Are you an experienced physiotherapist looking for an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and supportive therapy department on our rotational programme? We're looking for a Physiotherapist who is passionate in providing high standards of care.

We welcome applicants looking to further develop their Band 6 skills or those seeking development into their first Band 6 role.

As a department we are passionate about supporting continuing professional development to ensure we provide the highest standards of care to our patients.

The successful candidate will partake in the respiratory on-call service and the provision of 7-day therapy services throughout the department.

Interviews will take place on 13th November, 2026

Main duties of the job

To provide a high standard of Physiotherapy within the following acute inpatient rotations: Cardiac & Respiratory Rehab, Surgery, Trauma and Orthopaedics, Stroke, Acute Medicine, Elderly Medicine and Urgent Care and Frailty.

To be an active member of the evening and weekend respiratory on call service.

To perform advanced and detailed assessments of patients presenting with a wide range of complex conditions and comorbidities; providing a diagnosis, plan, and goals, to develop and to deliver an individualised treatment programme to patients.

To work closely with AHP colleagues to provide joint therapies assessments and treatment plans enabling efficient use of Therapies Team resources.

To manage a caseload and be responsible for a defined area of the service, working without direct supervision, managing attendance of board rounds and ward meetings to contribute significantly to patient flow.

To be highly skilled in identifying pathways of patient care, discharge plans, and suitable discharge locations.

Support band 7 and 8 colleagues in the day-to-day management and supervision of therapy teams, including supporting Band 5 therapists.

Mentor physiotherapy students during clinical placements (MSc & BSc) providing support and regular supervision with support from the Practice Development Lead as required.

Support newly registered staff during the preceptorship period taking on the role of preceptor, completing regular reviews and clinical supervision.

Working for our organisation

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.

We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.

Our Services:

Acute Care

Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.

Primary Care

Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.

Community Services

Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.

Specialist Regional Services

We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements:

• Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
• Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
• National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme

Supporting Clinical and Patient Excellence

• To work autonomously within departmental clinical teams to provide excellent physiotherapy care to a diverse client group.
• Manage a caseload independently on designated ward/s, supporting junior staff with their caseload management.
• To increase and expand knowledge base and experience, clinically and non-clinically.
• To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients including those with diverse or complex presentation/multiple pathologies; use advanced clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment techniques to provide an accurate diagnosis of their condition.
• Formulate and deliver a complete specialised physiotherapy programme based on sound knowledge of evidence-based practise and treatment options.
• Ensure that all patients have a documented problem list and goals that the patient has been involved in creating

Person specification

Our Values

Essential criteria

• We are Kind
• We are Open
• We are Inclusive

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Degree in Physiotherapy
• HCPC registration

Desirable criteria

• Clinical Educators Certificate
• Postgrad accredited study e.g. MSc in relevant health studies

Experience

Essential criteria

• Advanced clinical knowledge relevant to the current environment and evidence of evidence-based practise in relevant health setting
• Awareness of own strengths and limitations
• Knowledge of relevant national policies and guidance and relevant assessment tools
• Experience of line managing team including setting objectives, conducting appraisals and effective delegation and coordination
• Evidence of effective working within an MDT
• Experience of service development
• Demonstrate experience of problem-solving approaches
• Demonstrates continuous professional development

Desirable criteria

• Audit and research in a clinical area

Skills

Essential criteria

• Demonstrates ability to motivate team performance to achieve objectives
• Ability to prioritise and work to deadlines
• Ability to communicate effectively in a variety of settings
• Accurate record keeping, report writing and IT skills including presentation skills
• Have a flexible approach to working with good time management

Desirable criteria

• Mentorship skills

Other

Essential criteria

• Ability to travel to various hospital locations

Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. MWL is an exciting and forward-thinking NHS Trust who are one of the best places to work for in England.

Given sometimes we receive a high volume of applications to work for us, please be aware, that we may close a vacancy earlier than stated should a sufficient number of applications be received from which a shortlist can be confirmed. Therefore, you are advised to apply at your earliest convenience.

The Trust may contact you during the recruitment process for your feedback on your experience. We always aim for continuous improvement in our practice.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring. We are grounded in the belief that diversity enhances our collective strength, fostering innovation and excellence within our workforce. We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we commit to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.

If you are having difficulty completing an online application, or require any disability reasonable adjustments, to the application process, please contact