Specialist Respiratory Physiotherapist

OUH; Oxford; Remote; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Specialist Respiratory Physiotherapist (Band 6) for a 12-month fixed-term, full-time post based at Churchill Hospital in Headington, Oxford. The role supports sleep and ventilation services with a multidisciplinary team, delivering safe, high-quality care.

Candidates should have HCPC registration, a physiotherapy degree, and considerable NHS respiratory experience.

Qualifications

• Degree in Physiotherapy, HCPC registered.
• Minimum 5 years NHS experience in a physiotherapy role.
• Specialist respiratory physiotherapy experience preferred.
• Post-graduate training or qualifications in respiratory care.
• Membership with ACPRC is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Undertake specialist assessment of patients as an autonomous practitioner.
• Work across outpatient, inpatient and domiciliary settings.
• Supervise and mentor junior staff and students.
• Support service development and lead on quality improvements.
• Engage in evidence-based projects and implement changes.

Education

Degree in Physiotherapy (BSc Hons)

HCPC Registration

Minimum 5 years NHS experience

Post-graduate / Further learning in relevant field

Minimum 2 years experience in respiratory medicine specialty

Membership with ACPRC

Job description

Main area Respiratory Medicine Grade Band 6 Contract 12 months (Fixed term) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday) Job ref 321-MRC-8226903-B6

Site Department of Respiratory Medicine, Churchill Hospital Town Headington Salary £39,959 - £48,117 Per Annum / Pro Rata Salary period Yearly Closing 08/11/2026 23:59

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.

The Trust comprises of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.

Many of our recruitment programmes use Value Based Interviewing to identify those who have the skills we seek, who share our values and who are able to deliver compassionate excellence from the outset. We know that this makes a significant difference to your job satisfaction and above all the outcomes and experience of our patients and their families. For more information about our Values and Value Based Interviewing please visit www.ouh.nhs.uk/about/vision-and-values

Job overview

The Oxford Sleep & Ventilation Service are a tertiary centre of excellence, supporting over 20,000 patients on Continuous Positive Airways Pressure (CPAP) and around 1500 on long term ventilation and airway clearance needs.

We are looking for a Specialist Respiratory Physiotherapist to join our fantastic multi-disciplinary team for 12 month maternity secondment in delivering safe and effective care to patients in Oxfordshire and surrounding counties.

Main duties of the job

• Performs specialist assessment of patients, including those with highly complex presentations and formulates appropriate treatment plans, which are carried out as an autonomous practitioner.
• To work in a variety of healthcare settings including, outpatient, inpatient and domiciliary outreach.
• Assists in the supervision, teaching and appraisal of senior and junior physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and other MDT members.
• Assists the team leaders (Lead Specialist Physiotherapist) in the operational management and overall development of the service, deputising as required.
• Participates in evidence based projects and assists in the implementation of changes within the service and the setting and monitoring of standards of practice.

Working for our organisation

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. Find out more here www.ouh.nhs.uk

The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel .

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for more details.

Clinical:

1. To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own professional activities.

2. To undertake the specialist assessment of patients as an autonomous practitioner, including those with highly complex presentations. To use clinical reasoning skills, knowledge of evidence based practice and advanced expertise to determine appropriate interventions

3. To interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts to form accurate diagnoses in a wide range of highly complex conditions.

4. To formulate accurate prognoses and recommend best course of intervention, developing and implementing comprehensive treatment plans.

5. To be responsible for own patient care plans and to be consulted frequently for specialist advice and guidance by junior team members and other health care professionals.

6. To continually reassess patients in order to progress treatments effectively.

7. To be highly competent in assessing a wide range of cardio-respiratory conditions based on specialist theoretical knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology, often in situations where conflicting evidence is present.

8. To be highly skilled in a diversity of assessment and treatment skills within the specialty of Sleep and Ventilation including non-invasive and invasive ventilation, advanced cough management, airway clearance strategies and continuous positive airways pressure.

Management:

• To assist the Lead Specialist Physiotherapist and Lead Respiratory Physiologist in ensuring that quality standards and effectiveness of patient care are continually improved.
• To deputise for the Lead Specialist Physiotherapist and Lead Respiratory Physiologist in the day-to-day operational management of the service.
• To assist the Lead Specialist Physiotherapist and Lead Respiratory Physiologist to ensure competent use, repair and maintenance reporting of the various devices used within the Oxford Sleep and Ventilation Service and that designated staff attain competency prior to use.
• To comply with all Trust policies and procedures and Health and Safety at Work Act, including adherence to Universal Precautions and Infection Control measures.
• To attend mandatory fire, manual handling and resuscitation training on an annual basis and be familiar with local procedures within speciality areas of work, and ensure that staff within the team are aware of their responsibilities.
• To participate in the Trust Appraisal Scheme, both as appraisee and appraiser.
• To attend and be an active participant in departmental staff meetings.
• To maintain an accurate and evaluative record keeping system for own clinical caseload and assist the Lead Specialist Physiotherapist and Lead Respiratory Physiologist in ensuring that other staff and student physiotherapists are maintaining the safe standards within the service.

Education:

1. To assist in the provision of specialised teaching to small and large groups, for example, physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals, carers, students and hospice staff.

2. To be responsible for own personal and professional development and keep abreast of new clinical practices in cardio-respiratory physiotherapy in general and Sleep and Ventilation specifically. To attend and contribute to external courses, meetings and conferences as appropriate.

3. To maintain a CPD portfolio reflecting personal and professional development and ensure all members of designated team have a comprehensive performance plan, in accordance with HCPC code of conduct and standards.

Research and audit:

1. To participate in the departments ongoing audit and appropriate work-related research/evaluation projects in areas relevant to the clinical field.

2. To assist in the supervision of evidence based projects for rotational staff.

3. To keep abreast of evidenced based practice in Respiratory Medicine and Long Term Ventilation, and appropriate conditions through relevant reading, attendance at in-service training, external courses.

Person specification

Professional Registration

• Degree in Physiotherapy (BSc Hons)
• HCPC Registration
• Minimum 5 years NHS experience
• Post-graduate / Further learning in relevant field
• Minimum 2 years experience in respiratory medicine specialty
• Membership with relevant professional body i.e ACPRC

Sexual Safety Charter : In 2023NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles

Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment.

Vacancy Closures: Please note, this vacancy may close early if a high volume of applications are received.

Visa and Immigration: Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is able to offer Certificates of Sponsorship for all eligible roles for a Skilled Worker Visa without exception, provided the role meets the minimum salary and skill level criteria set by the Home Office (UKVI). All eligible candidates will be considered with equal consideration at all stages of the application and recruitment process. Skilled worker: Health and Care Visa | NHS Employers / Work in the UK - GOV.UK

COVID-19: The COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not a condition of employment, we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated. If you are unvaccinated there is helpful advice and information at Oxfordshire County Council Website where you can also find out more about how to access vaccination.

Probation Period: This post is subject to a 6 month probationary period. If you currently hold a contract of employment with the Oxford University Hospitals, this will not apply. This statement does not apply to Medical staff or Executive Appointments.

Referencing: When providing employment reference details please provide correct work related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your first referee will need to be your line manager, supervisor or clinical lead from your current or most recent post or place of study. Please note that if you have previously worked for the Trust we will require a reference from your last Manager, this information is essential if your offer of employment is to be confirmed.

To note: Applicants must write their own applications. If AI tools are used, the application may be rejected as this document is crucial for assessment. This does not prevent you from seeking support via AI with applications for the purposes of any disability and/or long-term health conditions.

When using AI to help write your application, it is important to personalise it, especially your supporting statement. While AI can simplify the process, it will not fully understand the job's requirements and/or be able to showcase your skills, knowledge, and experience. Write your statement to show why you are interested in the role and how you would be a valued member of the team/OUH employee.

No unsolicited recruitment agency telephone calls or emails.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

Please note that this job advertisement will close automatically once the application limit is reached, regardless of whether this occurs before the advertised closing date.

Name Kathryn Hollis and Megan Stephenson Job title Lead Specialist Respiratory Physiotherapists Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01865 225561

Band 5 Nurse and Band 2 Healthcare Support Worker recruitment is centralised, meaning when you apply you will be considered for a number of roles across the Trust. If you have any questions please email: [e-mail] .

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