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University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Consultant Respiratory Physiotherapist / Consultant Respiratory Nurse

The closing date is 21 April 2026

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Job summary

The Consultant Therapist will provide expert clinical leadership to develop services and promote respiratory care pathways for the local population. Taking the lead role and responsibility for the strategic and operational management of the specialist respiratory care services, working with the Lead Medical Consultant and Director of nursing and integrated professions. Through clinical leadership and strategic planning, leading on and working in collaboration with integrated care systems (ICS), consultant medical colleagues and service/divisional managers, deliver a robust and sustainable respiratory service model for the Healthy Lives Partnership (HLP).

This is an exciting time for respiratory services and the successful person will help shape the way respiratory care evolves in Plymouth

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

Delivering a service to patients with activity which is traditionally that of medical consultants, be a clinical expert with advanced respiratory practice skills, equipped to lead clinical decision making, diagnose and be responsible for the patient journey autonomously across acute and community settings. Expected to lead complex clinical decision making in changing and potentially unpredictable situations with their team. The consultant Therapist will provide leadership and mentoring for advanced practitioners / clinical specialist Therapists and input at senior levels into the appropriate HLP forums to shape patient pathways.

The Consultant Therapist will act as an innovator, motivator, key change agent and role model, with a high level of autonomy to support and influence the respiratory clinical pathways for people. Implementing national initiatives, service reconfiguration and appropriate models of care. Develop and transform respiratory care to meet the needs of local population demographics, by advancing high quality clinical care and service leaders and oversee the implementation of evidence into practice. Demonstrating the development of innovative and effective person-centred care with continued measurable and positive lasting improvements for people. Engaging public, service users, carers and families in joint activities to improve and evaluate respiratory care pathways.

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details

Date posted

07 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£79,504 to £91,609 a year Per Annum Pro Rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Job share

Reference number

216-LH-DC7833501

Job locations

Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Job description

Job responsibilities

At all times ensures that the needs of the patient are placed at the centre of care delivery.

Takes a positive approach to working with difference and diversity, challenging stigma, and using the best possible communication methods. In line with the mental capacity act, share decision-making with patients and those important to them, so that people can represent themselves, and carers and communities can take action together; valid and reliable tools for providing care and services can be selected, the effectiveness of physical, psychological, and social interactions and services (including, drug, non-drug, and clinical) and the transition through each stage of care and service can be assessed.

Makes independent clinical decisions by utilising advanced clinical reasoning skills and evidence-based knowledge in the management of patients with highly complex presentations and to be clinically competent to utilise expert skills to deliver care in a variety of clinical settings.

Provides expert advice and instruction to all grades and disciplines, in matters relating to respiratory care.

Interprets and analyses complex clinical and non-clinical facts, to regularly provide expert advice and second opinion to members of the multi-disciplinary team, including when views may differ or conflict. This includes the formulation of accurate diagnosis and recommendation of best course of intervention.

Refers patients to other departments or colleagues within or outside the Trust as necessary, relying on own interpretation of investigation results.

Uses appropriate systems and strategies to ensure patients receive the most appropriate treatment. Is a nonmedical prescriber. This will include independent prescribing, the supply and administration of medicines in accordance with the Trusts non-medical prescribing policy.

Be professionally and legally responsible, and accountable for all aspects of own clinical and professional activities. Recognises the limits of own clinical knowledge and skills, and to seek medical support whenever needed to provide safe, effective, and timely patient care

Ensures time is allocated so that the post remains within the clinical field, maximising specialist respiratory care and ensuring improved outcomes for patients with specialist respiratory needs

Provide high quality values-based professional practice that improves peoples experience and supports them to make decisions in complex situations.

Taking account of national policy, ensures that core, specialist, and advanced specialist respiratory practice is developed to meet service need, using research and evidenced based practice, ensuring they are linked to the clinical governance and patient safety agendas.

For further details please see the attached JD & PS

Job description

Job responsibilities

At all times ensures that the needs of the patient are placed at the centre of care delivery.

Takes a positive approach to working with difference and diversity, challenging stigma, and using the best possible communication methods. In line with the mental capacity act, share decision-making with patients and those important to them, so that people can represent themselves, and carers and communities can take action together; valid and reliable tools for providing care and services can be selected, the effectiveness of physical, psychological, and social interactions and services (including, drug, non-drug, and clinical) and the transition through each stage of care and service can be assessed.

Makes independent clinical decisions by utilising advanced clinical reasoning skills and evidence-based knowledge in the management of patients with highly complex presentations and to be clinically competent to utilise expert skills to deliver care in a variety of clinical settings.

Provides expert advice and instruction to all grades and disciplines, in matters relating to respiratory care.

Interprets and analyses complex clinical and non-clinical facts, to regularly provide expert advice and second opinion to members of the multi-disciplinary team, including when views may differ or conflict. This includes the formulation of accurate diagnosis and recommendation of best course of intervention.

Refers patients to other departments or colleagues within or outside the Trust as necessary, relying on own interpretation of investigation results.

Uses appropriate systems and strategies to ensure patients receive the most appropriate treatment. Is a nonmedical prescriber. This will include independent prescribing, the supply and administration of medicines in accordance with the Trusts non-medical prescribing policy.

Be professionally and legally responsible, and accountable for all aspects of own clinical and professional activities. Recognises the limits of own clinical knowledge and skills, and to seek medical support whenever needed to provide safe, effective, and timely patient care

Ensures time is allocated so that the post remains within the clinical field, maximising specialist respiratory care and ensuring improved outcomes for patients with specialist respiratory needs

Provide high quality values-based professional practice that improves peoples experience and supports them to make decisions in complex situations.

Taking account of national policy, ensures that core, specialist, and advanced specialist respiratory practice is developed to meet service need, using research and evidenced based practice, ensuring they are linked to the clinical governance and patient safety agendas.

For further details please see the attached JD & PS

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • oProven expert advanced knowledge of specialist Respiratory care and current treatments.
  • oProven knowledge and understanding of health care needs in a multicultural society.
  • oProven knowledge of health promotion activities and strategies.

Qualifications

Essential

  • oBSc / MSc in Physiotherapy/ Speech and Language Therapy.
  • oHCPC registration.
  • oRN / valid NMC

Desirable

  • oTeaching qualification.

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential

  • oExcellent time management and organisational skills.
  • oAbility to demonstrate a variety of media / IT skills.
  • oAbility to manage change and contain conflict ensuring resolution with positive outcomes and with use of negotiation skills.

Desirable

  • Membership or honorary office with professional groups or club.
Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • oProven expert advanced knowledge of specialist Respiratory care and current treatments.
  • oProven knowledge and understanding of health care needs in a multicultural society.
  • oProven knowledge of health promotion activities and strategies.

Qualifications

Essential

  • oBSc / MSc in Physiotherapy/ Speech and Language Therapy.
  • oHCPC registration.
  • oRN / valid NMC

Desirable

  • oTeaching qualification.

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential

  • oExcellent time management and organisational skills.
  • oAbility to demonstrate a variety of media / IT skills.
  • oAbility to manage change and contain conflict ensuring resolution with positive outcomes and with use of negotiation skills.

Desirable

  • Membership or honorary office with professional groups or club.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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 Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Director for Nursing and Integrated Professions

Sarah Budden

sarah.budden@nhs.net

01752439087

Details

Date posted

07 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£79,504 to £91,609 a year Per Annum Pro Rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Job share

Reference number

216-LH-DC7833501

Job locations

Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Supporting documents

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