Specialist Physiotherapist - MSK

NHS Scotland; Ayrshire (IA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS Scotland is seeking a Specialist Band 6 Physiotherapist for the MSK Physiotherapy Service. The role is based at University Hospital Crosshouse & MSK East Localities, delivering direct clinical care and personalised treatment to adults with musculoskeletal conditions.

You will assess, diagnose, advise, and implement evidence-based care, working within defined MSK pathways to maximise patient outcomes. A UK driving licence is essential.

Qualifications

• Diploma/MSc/BSc in Physiotherapy or equivalent.
• Current Health Professions Council registration (HCPC).
• Proven clinical experience in relevant clinical specialty.
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven supervisory and staff appraisal skills.
• Digital literacy.
• Leadership skills.
• Car driver.

Responsibilities

• Act autonomously in assessing, diagnosing, and care planning for MSK patients.
• Plan, organise and manage a large caseload with diverse needs.
• Work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Serve as a practice educator for physiotherapy students.
• Supervise and delegate tasks to physiotherapy staff and assistants.
• The post is non-rotational.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Digital literacy

Supervisory skills

Staff development

Education

Diploma/MSc/BSc in Physiotherapy

HCPC registration

Job description

NHS Scotland

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

Who We Are

NHS Ayrshire and Arran are one of 14 territorial NHS Boards within NHS Scotland.

In support of our core purpose of Working together to achieve the healthiest life possible for everyone in Ayrshire and Arran, we are committed to a culture that is Caring, Safe, and Respectful. You will be required to work collaboratively in a safe, caring and respectful way.

To find out more about NHS Ayrshire and Arran please visit our website.

AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application but your answers must be your own.

• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you not an AI tool.

Position

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Specialist Band 6 Physiotherapist within our MSK Physiotherapy Service.

1 permanent post based at University Hospital Crosshouse & MSK East Localities.

You will deliver direct clinical care that empowers individuals to achieve optimal physical health and function through early intervention, personalised care, and collaborative working. You will provide assessment, diagnosis, advice, and evidencebased treatment for adults with musculoskeletal conditions in line with national and local clinical guidance. The service delivers care across defined MSK pathways and aims to maximise patient outcomes through timely access, appropriate intervention, and escalation of care when required, to this end you will work collaboratively with the MSK Advanced Practices Service and MSK Primary Care Service.

This post offers developmental opportunities across the 4 pillars of practice.

Hours

36.00 hours per week.

From 1 April 2026, the working week for NHS Agenda for Change staff in Scotland will be reduced. Full-time hours will reduce from 37 to 36 hours (pro rata for part-time staff) without loss of earnings.

UK Driving Licence

A UK driving licence is essential for this role.

What You Will Do

• To act autonomously and without direct supervision in assessing, diagnosing, and care planning for patients within the musculoskeletal specialty.
• To plan, organise and manage a large, varied caseload, treating a diverse range of patients, many of whom also present with age related diseases and chronic medical problems.
• To work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, providing specialist knowledge and skills.
• Act as a practice educator for physiotherapy students.
• Supervise and delegate tasks to physiotherapy assistants, technical instructors, and rotational staff.
• The post is non rotational.

Essential

• Diploma/MSc/BSc in Physiotherapy
• Current Health Professions Council registration
• Proven clinical experience in relevant clinical specialty
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proven supervisory and staff appraisal skills
• Digital literacy
• Leadership skills
• Car driver

Desirable

• Recognised additional postgraduate qualifications relevant to the post
• Practice education and clinical development of others
• Quality improvement experience
• Membership of professional special interest group

Right to Work / Certificates of Sponsorship

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found within the attached Candidate Information Pack.

It is essential that you have checked that you either already have an appropriate right to work in the UK or that the post would be eligible to be sponsored before submitting your application form.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran may be able to offer visa sponsorship for certain roles, provided the post meets the minimum salary threshold and any other required criteria. When considering if a post meets the salary threshold for sponsorship, please note the salary advertised is based on a full-time contract and must be pro-rated for part-time positions. Sponsorship is not guaranteed and is assessed on a case-by-case basis following interview and at the commencement of pre-employment checks.

Please visit for further information.

We are unable to provide sponsorship for Band 2 posts or bank contracts.

Additional Information For Candidates

Some of our vacancies are for internal candidates only. If you are a staff member, please ensure you update your NHS Jobs Scotland account profile to reflect that you are employed by NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

Please note, for all vacancies where a driving licence is required this must be a full UK/EU/EEA licence.

If you would like to find out more about the role, please contact Yvonne Quinn, MSK Service Manager at [e-mail]