Research Physiotherapist – Trauma & Orthopaedics

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

• Independently assess and treat patients with a variety of musculoskeletal, trauma, and orthopaedic conditions.
• Develop and implement individualised, evidence-based rehabilitation plans using clinical reasoning and functional goals.
• Participate in six-monthly rotations within the orthopaedics and trauma physiotherapy team if supportive of the research projects being undertaken.
• Apply manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercise, and assistive device training to optimise recovery.
• Manage clinical risk and ensure safe practice, including appropriate use of physiotherapy equipment.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive records in accordance with CSP and Trust standards.
• Contribute to the 24-hour on-call and weekend physiotherapy rota.
• To be Professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of patients in your care and to ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management
• To hold responsibility for your own caseload, working without direct supervision. Supervision takes the form of regular formal training and caseload(s) review sessions. Access to advice from a more Senior Physiotherapist is available if required, clinical work is not routinely evaluated.

INITIATE Study Responsibilities

• Act as a key deliverer of the INITIATE Study, funded through this post, with a recruitment target of 105 participants by 31 December 2025.
• Identify eligible patients posthip fracture for potential study enrolment across acute and rehabilitation settings.
• Support informed consent processes under supervision and according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
• Implement the study intervention: enhanced mobilisation (24 times daily) for trial participants in appropriate clusters.
• Perform structured outcome measures (e.g., Timed Up and Go, Barthel Index) at baseline, 30 days, and 120 days.
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation in Case Report Forms (CRF) and on platforms such as EDGE.
• Report Adverse Events (AEs) and Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) in accordance with study and regulatory requirements.
• Liaise with Principal Investigators, NIHR Research Delivery Network: West Midlands, trial sponsors, and clinical trial units to ensure compliance with all study protocols and milestones.
• Attend trial-specific training sessions, initiation visits, ongoing site monitoring meetings, and investigator meetings.

Research & Governance

• Contribute to the safe and effective delivery of clinical research studies in line with national and Trust research governance frameworks.
• Promote awareness and engagement in research within the trauma and orthopaedics teams.
• Assist in audits, evaluations, and dissemination of findings where applicable.
• Ensure confidentiality, data protection, and ethical compliance in all research and clinical work.

Communication and Teamwork

• Communicate effectively with patients, carers, and members of the multidisciplinary team using verbal and non-verbal strategies.
• Educate patients and staff on research protocols, rehabilitation strategies, and shared goals of care.
• Provide clear and empathetic explanations of study involvement and treatment plans to patients and families.
• Work collaboratively across clinical, academic, and research teams including external sites.

Education and Professional Development

• Maintain HCPC registration and adhere to the CSP Code of Professional Values and Behaviour.
• Engage in continuing professional development and reflective practice.
• Participate in regular supervision, clinical teaching, and peer review.
• Contribute to the education and supervision of support workers, students, and junior staff as appropriate.

Organisational Responsibilities

• Adhere to all Trust policies, procedures, and protocols including those related to safeguarding, infection prevention, and information governance.
• To be an active member of the overnight and weekend physiotherapy service rota
• To attend mandatory training sessions as determined by the Trust
• To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out physiotherapy duties and to adhere to departmental policy, including competence to sue equipment and ensuring the safe use of equipment by others through training and supervision of practice
• To maintain accurate comprehensive and up to date documentation, in line with legal and professional standards and requirements and communicate assessment and treatment results to the appropriate disciplines in the form of reports and letters
• To report all accidents, incidents and complaints in accordance with Trust policy
• To undertake an other duties as delegated by the Therapy Services Manager commensurate with the grade and experience of the post holder
• Participate in mandatory and statutory training, including GCP certification for research delivery.
• Support sustainability efforts through efficient use of Trust resources.
• Contribute to service improvement, audit projects, and quality assurance initiatives.

RELATIONSHIPS

The Band 5 Research Physiotherapist will work within a multidisciplinary team and engage with a wide network of clinical and research professionals to ensure high-quality care and effective delivery of research.

Internal:

• Band 6 Senior Physiotherapists For clinical supervision, mentoring, complex case discussions, and planning.
• Band 4 Assistant Research Physiotherapist Line management or delegated supervision role, including clinical oversight and workload coordination.
• Occupational Therapists and Therapy Support Staff For collaborative rehabilitation planning and joint treatment sessions.
• Ward Nurses and Allied Health Professionals Joint goal setting, safe discharge planning, and day-to-day coordination of patient care.
• Orthopaedic Consultants and Junior Medical Staff Liaising on clinical assessments, treatment planning, and research participant identification.
• Therapy Service Managers / Team Leaders Support for clinical governance, rota coordination, CPD, and service improvement initiatives.
• Research & Development (R&D) Team Ensuring study protocol adherence, data compliance, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards are maintained.
• Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) / Data Management Teams For coordination and entry of study data, including CRFs and electronic systems like EDGE.
• Infection Control, Safeguarding, and Health & Safety Teams To ensure safe and compliant working practice in both clinical and research settings.

External:

• Patients and Carers Engaging with empathy and professionalism to deliver high-quality care and support research participation.
• INITIATE Study Team (NIHR-funded) Close working relationship with the studys Chief Investigator, trial manager, and recruitment sites.
• Research Delivery Network (WMRDN): West Midlands For support with research delivery infrastructure, monitoring visits, and study setup.
• Study Sponsors and External Auditors Providing accurate data and documentation for review, audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Partner Organisations May include attendance at study training, learning sessions.
• Community Services / GPs / Social Care Communication around discharge, ongoing therapy needs, and research follow-up in the community setting.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Flexibility in working hours to support patient care and research activity, including weekends and late shifts where required.
• Travel between Trust sites and to external meetings (e.g., trial working groups) may be required.
• Participation in the Trusts on-call physiotherapy service is expected

For a full comprehensive list of main responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to job description and personal specification attached.

Person Specification

Shortlisting and interview

Essential

• Experience (pre-registration or post-qualification) in a musculoskeletal and/or orthopaedic setting
• Experience of working in an NHS hospital or clinical setting
• Demonstrated ability to assess, treat, and manage patients independently under supervision
• Degree or diploma in Physiotherapy- HCPC registration as a Physiotherapist
• Knowledge of physiotherapy assessment and treatment techniques for trauma and orthopaedics
• Evidence of CPD relevant to musculoskeletal or orthopedic care
• Ability to support recruitment and data collection for research
• Understanding of the importance of patient recruitment targets (e.g. INITIATE Study goal of 105 participants)
• Understanding of clinical governance, confidentiality, and risk management
• Awareness of current evidence-based practice
• Clear understanding of informed consent and patient confidentiality
• Ability to liaise effectively with MDTs and external partners
• Able to prioritise workload and manage time effectively
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Competent in accurate clinical documentation and data collection
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Able to engage and motivate patients with sensitivity and empathy
• Ability to work within a Team
• Right to work in the UK and meet the physical requirements of the role
• Demonstrates awareness and understanding of Trust values

Desirable

• Involvement in clinical research (e.g., audits, data collection, student research projects)
• Experience with older adult rehabilitation or falls prevention
• Participation in an on-call or weekend rota
• Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training
• Manual handling or trauma-related short courses
• Research training or study module
• Awareness of the NIHR and national research
• Familiarity with the INITIATE study or similar hip fracture rehabilitation research
• Understanding of trial methodologies (e.g., RCTs, CRFs, adverse event reporting)
• Experience communicating in research or education settings
• Presentation or teaching skills
• Experience using systems like EDGE, or equivalent research databases
• Experience working on a research study
• Flexible and willing to work across sites and varied hours (including weekends/on-call if service requires)

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

George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust

Address

George Eliot Hospital

College Street

Nuneaton

CV10 7DJ

Employer's website

http://www.geh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)