University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Senior Physiotherapist for Frailty

The closing date is 19 January 2026

Job summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic band 6 with acute hospital experience at a band 5 (or equivalent) to join the Frailty Physiotherapy Team based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. The post is permanent. This role will be focused on providing a high standard of Physiotherapy assessment, treatment and evaluation to clients within the Frailty Inpatient Physiotherapy service at Royal Sussex County Hospital. You will have excellent opportunities to develop your own skills and leadership, working within a strong and supportive MDT.

This Band 6 position is an excellent opportunity to work within a dynamic, forward thinking and innovative department with the opportunity to work in a brand new building, attend courses, preceptorship and development afternoons. Royal Sussex County Hospital is in a wonderful location, situated adjacent to the South Downs National Park and the sea, with excellent transport links to London and across Southern England. You will be joining a strong and supportive Physiotherapy team and we look forward to welcoming you on an informal visit to discuss any aspects of this exciting role.

Main duties of the job

As an autonomous practitioner, to assess and treat specialist caseload of frailty patients, who may have complex and/or chronic presentation, and to determine a diagnosis and develop treatment programmes without direct supervision from Senior Staff.

To work as an upskilled Physiotherapist alongside Occupational Therapy Staff

To support Band 7 and Superintendent staff in the planning and organisation of physiotherapy team activities and programmes.

To be responsible for teaching, supervision and appraisal of recently qualified physiotherapists, physiotherapy assistants, and undergraduate students, and be involved in the teaching of MDT staff.

To undertake evidence-based practice and participate in departmental research, data collection and audit.

To adhere to Departmental protocols, Trust policies and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Code of Conduct, and National Standards where they exist.

To remain competent for respiratory on-calls and to work as part of the respiratory rota.

To be prepared to participate in future 7-day service provision if applicable.

About us

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer abuddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Candidate Pack

Details

Date posted

05 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

279-7670568-JAN26

Job locations

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Eastern Road

Brighton

BN2 5BE


Job description

Job responsibilities

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria. For example, applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years experience in the same role to qualify for sponsorship.

If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.

Communication

To adapt communication skills to encourage patients to undertake their treatment programme, including patients with communication difficulties e.g. Dementia, learning difficulties, visual and hearing impairments and non-English speaking patients.

To assess capacity to give consent, gain informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment such as patients who have dementia, dysphasia, dysarthria, cognitive and perceptual problems, learning difficulties or who are acutely confused

To persuade, motivate, reassure, empathise, explain and encourage patients in undertaking their treatment programme, ensure understanding of their condition and communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise rehabilitation potential.

To clearly communicate sensitive information to staff, patients and carers. This may include explaining prognoses about long-term disabilities, where an educational and counselling role is required.

To be able to diffuse potentially hostile and antagonistic situations with staff, patients, and relatives using negotiation and interpersonal skills.

To maintain accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date documentation, in line with legal and departmental requirements, and communicate assessment and treatment results to the appropriate disciplines in the form of reports and letters.

To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing and therapy colleagues to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service. This may include attending case conferences, ward rounds and discharge planning meetings.

Ensure timely communication with the team leader on all professional matters.

Respond promptly to telephone enquiries / messages/ e mail received.

Service Delivery and Improvement

To plan and undertake the measurement and evaluation of practice and performance through clinical audit and studies with guidance from the Team Leader.

To support more junior staff within the department to undertake clinical audit.

To be proactive in working in an upskilled way with OT.

To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and apply to work situation.

To assist Band 7 and Band 8a Staff in the proposal and implementation of Trust Policy and Service Developments within the physiotherapy department.

To be responsible for the equipment used in carrying out Physiotherapy duties, and to adhere to departmental equipment policy and Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards. To ensure the safe use of equipment and reporting of faults by self and others including patients, carers and other health professionals

To comply with and ensure implementation of all trust policies and procedures and the Health and Safety at Work Act, including adherence to Universal Precautions and Infection Control measures.

People Management and Development

To assist the team leader in the day-to-day supervision and coordination of the junior and assistant physiotherapy staff.

To supervise less experienced staff and formulate Individual Development Plans and undertake regular appraisals with Junior and assistant staff.

To supervise undergraduate physiotherapy students on clinical placements within the department

To lead interdisciplinary projects to develop the service, with assistance and guidance of more senior members of staff.

To flexibly plan and prioritise own time to ensure that patient care, training, supervision, and meetings are undertaken with occasional guidance from Band 7 and Band 8a staff.

To use good prioritising and time management skills to meet the unpredictable and conflicting needs of the service.

To participate in departmental meetings including staff, unit and grade meetings as required and to participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings as required.

To report all complaints, incidents and accidents to the immediate senior member of staff as soon as possible and document according to trust policy.

To be responsible for the operational management of the clinical team in the absence of the team leader.

To be responsible for maintenance of an accurate and evaluative record keeping system using POMR (Problem Orientated Medical Records) format to demonstrate evaluation, analysis and clinical reasoning in the provision of patient care.

Responsible for carrying out duties in line with the Trusts e-rostering processes, including managing rosters, supporting staff allocation, and contributing to effective budget reconciliation and workforce planning

To maintain the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and departments standards for documentation.

To record statistical information related to own activity and highlight variances in consultation with senior staff.

Use computer databases to provide accurate reports containing statistics and clinical information as requested by Band 7 and Band 8a Staff.

Patient Care Delivery

To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable, as an autonomous practitioner, for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients in your care.

To ensure high standards of clinical care within the designated area, and adhere to Trust, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and Departmental standards of care.

To be competent in the comprehensive assessment of a wide range of patients, including those with a complex presentation, using advanced theoretical knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology, often in situations where conflicting evidence is present.

To interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts, which may be conflicting, using underpinning theoretical knowledge and experience to suggest a diagnoses, identify main problems and form prognoses in a wide range of complex and complicated conditions. To formulate and develop individual patient management, treatment, and discharge plans, using clinical reasoning, current evidence and a wide range of treatment skills.

To seek Senior guidance with highly complex or challenging patient cases.

To demonstrate well developed dexterity, co-ordination and palpatory skills for the assessment, therapeutic handling and manual treatment of patients e.g. neuro / mobility rehabilitation, balance exercises and handling

To continually re-assess patients to progress treatments effectively and advise patients and carers on the appropriate discharge plan.

To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and ensure its effective application to the work situation, guided by the Physiotherapy Team leads and Physiotherapy Management as needed.

Always maintain patient confidentiality and dignity and support peoples equality, diversity and rights.

To be responsive and adaptable to the perpetual changes in patients clinical states, in a frequently unpredictable clinical environment.

To use theoretical and practical knowledge to refer to other health disciplines as appropriate, e.g. for assessment or further treatment or specialist consultant opinions.

To work a rostered 7-day service when implemented

To be an active member of the evening and weekend Respiratory on-call service and / or orthopaedic service.

To maintain professionalism in public, ward and rehabilitation areas. To advise the team leader of any problems within the service to ensure quality and effectiveness of care for their patients.

To undertake any other duties as may be deemed necessary by Physiotherapy managers in the provision of the physiotherapy service.

To be on call Competent and take part in the respiratory weekend rota.

Job description

Job responsibilities

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria. For example, applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years experience in the same role to qualify for sponsorship.

If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.

Communication

To adapt communication skills to encourage patients to undertake their treatment programme, including patients with communication difficulties e.g. Dementia, learning difficulties, visual and hearing impairments and non-English speaking patients.

To assess capacity to give consent, gain informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment such as patients who have dementia, dysphasia, dysarthria, cognitive and perceptual problems, learning difficulties or who are acutely confused

To persuade, motivate, reassure, empathise, explain and encourage patients in undertaking their treatment programme, ensure understanding of their condition and communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise rehabilitation potential.

To clearly communicate sensitive information to staff, patients and carers. This may include explaining prognoses about long-term disabilities, where an educational and counselling role is required.

To be able to diffuse potentially hostile and antagonistic situations with staff, patients, and relatives using negotiation and interpersonal skills.

To maintain accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date documentation, in line with legal and departmental requirements, and communicate assessment and treatment results to the appropriate disciplines in the form of reports and letters.

To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing and therapy colleagues to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service. This may include attending case conferences, ward rounds and discharge planning meetings.

Ensure timely communication with the team leader on all professional matters.

Respond promptly to telephone enquiries / messages/ e mail received.

Service Delivery and Improvement

To plan and undertake the measurement and evaluation of practice and performance through clinical audit and studies with guidance from the Team Leader.

To support more junior staff within the department to undertake clinical audit.

To be proactive in working in an upskilled way with OT.

To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and apply to work situation.

To assist Band 7 and Band 8a Staff in the proposal and implementation of Trust Policy and Service Developments within the physiotherapy department.

To be responsible for the equipment used in carrying out Physiotherapy duties, and to adhere to departmental equipment policy and Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards. To ensure the safe use of equipment and reporting of faults by self and others including patients, carers and other health professionals

To comply with and ensure implementation of all trust policies and procedures and the Health and Safety at Work Act, including adherence to Universal Precautions and Infection Control measures.

People Management and Development

To assist the team leader in the day-to-day supervision and coordination of the junior and assistant physiotherapy staff.

To supervise less experienced staff and formulate Individual Development Plans and undertake regular appraisals with Junior and assistant staff.

To supervise undergraduate physiotherapy students on clinical placements within the department

To lead interdisciplinary projects to develop the service, with assistance and guidance of more senior members of staff.

To flexibly plan and prioritise own time to ensure that patient care, training, supervision, and meetings are undertaken with occasional guidance from Band 7 and Band 8a staff.

To use good prioritising and time management skills to meet the unpredictable and conflicting needs of the service.

To participate in departmental meetings including staff, unit and grade meetings as required and to participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings as required.

To report all complaints, incidents and accidents to the immediate senior member of staff as soon as possible and document according to trust policy.

To be responsible for the operational management of the clinical team in the absence of the team leader.

To be responsible for maintenance of an accurate and evaluative record keeping system using POMR (Problem Orientated Medical Records) format to demonstrate evaluation, analysis and clinical reasoning in the provision of patient care.

Responsible for carrying out duties in line with the Trusts e-rostering processes, including managing rosters, supporting staff allocation, and contributing to effective budget reconciliation and workforce planning

To maintain the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and departments standards for documentation.

To record statistical information related to own activity and highlight variances in consultation with senior staff.

Use computer databases to provide accurate reports containing statistics and clinical information as requested by Band 7 and Band 8a Staff.

Patient Care Delivery

To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable, as an autonomous practitioner, for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients in your care.

To ensure high standards of clinical care within the designated area, and adhere to Trust, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and Departmental standards of care.

To be competent in the comprehensive assessment of a wide range of patients, including those with a complex presentation, using advanced theoretical knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology, often in situations where conflicting evidence is present.

To interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts, which may be conflicting, using underpinning theoretical knowledge and experience to suggest a diagnoses, identify main problems and form prognoses in a wide range of complex and complicated conditions. To formulate and develop individual patient management, treatment, and discharge plans, using clinical reasoning, current evidence and a wide range of treatment skills.

To seek Senior guidance with highly complex or challenging patient cases.

To demonstrate well developed dexterity, co-ordination and palpatory skills for the assessment, therapeutic handling and manual treatment of patients e.g. neuro / mobility rehabilitation, balance exercises and handling

To continually re-assess patients to progress treatments effectively and advise patients and carers on the appropriate discharge plan.

To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and ensure its effective application to the work situation, guided by the Physiotherapy Team leads and Physiotherapy Management as needed.

Always maintain patient confidentiality and dignity and support peoples equality, diversity and rights.

To be responsive and adaptable to the perpetual changes in patients clinical states, in a frequently unpredictable clinical environment.

To use theoretical and practical knowledge to refer to other health disciplines as appropriate, e.g. for assessment or further treatment or specialist consultant opinions.

To work a rostered 7-day service when implemented

To be an active member of the evening and weekend Respiratory on-call service and / or orthopaedic service.

To maintain professionalism in public, ward and rehabilitation areas. To advise the team leader of any problems within the service to ensure quality and effectiveness of care for their patients.

To undertake any other duties as may be deemed necessary by Physiotherapy managers in the provision of the physiotherapy service.

To be on call Competent and take part in the respiratory weekend rota.

Person Specification

Professional Registration

Essential

  • Diploma in Physiotherapy or BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy or overseas equivalent Evidence of relevant post graduate courses/CPD and reflective practice Up to date professional development portfolio

Desirable

  • Relevant validated postgraduate clinical courses Up to date manual and therapeutic handling training.

Experience/Qualifications

Essential

  • Previous post graduate experience working as a Band 5 Physiotherapist within the NHS supported by evidence of post graduate learning experience and its application to clinical practice
  • Broad range of clinical rotations at Band 5 Physiotherapist, including in Frailty
  • At least one band 6 or senior band 5 rotation in Frailty. Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team

Desirable

  • Experience of supervising less experienced staff such as students and assistants Contribution to education of students and assistants
  • Experience at Band 6 level Experience of community-based services

Skills non-clinical

Essential

  • Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with colleagues Able to present information, written and verbally, in a clear and logical manner
  • Able to plan and prioritise own workload efficiently Experience of delegating to assistants and less experienced staff

Desirable

  • Ability to use Physio tools software Ability to conduct electronic database searches e.g. Medline and CINAHL

Skills clinical

Essential

  • Able to utilise a range of assessment and treatment skills such as exercise prescription, physiotherapeutic handling

People Management and Development

Essential

  • Able to work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team
  • Able to maintain judgement under pressure
  • Experience as a sole Educator to Physiotherapy students

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Essential

  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Person Specification

Professional Registration

Essential

  • Diploma in Physiotherapy or BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy or overseas equivalent Evidence of relevant post graduate courses/CPD and reflective practice Up to date professional development portfolio

Desirable

  • Relevant validated postgraduate clinical courses Up to date manual and therapeutic handling training.

Experience/Qualifications

Essential

  • Previous post graduate experience working as a Band 5 Physiotherapist within the NHS supported by evidence of post graduate learning experience and its application to clinical practice
  • Broad range of clinical rotations at Band 5 Physiotherapist, including in Frailty
  • At least one band 6 or senior band 5 rotation in Frailty. Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team

Desirable

  • Experience of supervising less experienced staff such as students and assistants Contribution to education of students and assistants
  • Experience at Band 6 level Experience of community-based services

Skills non-clinical

Essential

  • Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with colleagues Able to present information, written and verbally, in a clear and logical manner
  • Able to plan and prioritise own workload efficiently Experience of delegating to assistants and less experienced staff

Desirable

  • Ability to use Physio tools software Ability to conduct electronic database searches e.g. Medline and CINAHL

Skills clinical

Essential

  • Able to utilise a range of assessment and treatment skills such as exercise prescription, physiotherapeutic handling

People Management and Development

Essential

  • Able to work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team
  • Able to maintain judgement under pressure
  • Experience as a sole Educator to Physiotherapy students

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Essential

  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

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 Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Eastern Road

Brighton

BN2 5BE


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Eastern Road

Brighton

BN2 5BE


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Team Lead Physiotherapist for Frailty

Tamsin French

tamsin.french@nhs.net

01273696955

Details

Date posted

05 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

279-7670568-JAN26

Job locations

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Eastern Road

Brighton

BN2 5BE


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)'s privacy notice (opens in a new tab)