Senior Physiotherapist - Private Patients

Job responsibilities

Roles and Responsibilities

CLINICAL

Be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of clinical work, including patient management and supporting therapy team members to uphold high standards.

Conduct specialised assessments independently, including complex presentations, using advanced clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice to determine treatment plans.

Provide expert assessment and advice to patients, ensuring understanding of the rehabilitation pathway to support informed consent and therapy engagement.

Demonstrate advanced competence in treating a wide range of conditions, applying deep knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathology.

Use analytical and investigative skills to develop treatment plans for individuals or contribute to protocols and guidelines.

Be a key resource for care planning, regularly consulted by colleagues for expert guidance.

Work autonomously, seeking advice from peers or senior MDT members when necessary.

Actively contribute to MDT discussions, advising on medical pathologies and coordinating discharge planning with external agencies and healthcare professionals.

Promote treatment understanding through education sessions for relatives, carers, and health professionals.

Provide expert training and advice to professionals locally and internationally on patient management.

Offer therapeutic guidance using evidence-based practice or advanced clinical judgment where evidence is limited.

Refer patients to other health disciplines as appropriate, including for specialist opinions.

Use advanced communication skills to set therapy goals with patients that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely.

Monitor treatment progress, evaluate effectiveness, and adjust interventions as needed.

Support junior physiotherapy and occupational therapy staff in developing clinical reasoning and treatment skills.

Maintain accurate written records of assessments and treatments in line with trust standards, including use of dictation.

Assess patient understanding to obtain valid consent and work within legal frameworks for those lacking capacity.

Ensure safe provision of therapy equipment, including walking aids, in accordance with departmental standards.

Understand and support the roles of physiotherapy and occupational therapy within the team, recognising limitations and accessing support when needed.

Recognise and manage limitations in clinical practice and associated risks effectively.

Ensure safe and competent use of therapy equipment and promote compliance across the team.

PROFESSIONAL

Comply with therapy codes of professional conduct at all times.

Be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of practice.

Maintain accurate written records, including progress, discharge, legal, and disability reports.

Engage in continuous professional development through self-education, reflection, and agreed postgraduate learning.

Stay updated on new clinical practices and integrate them appropriately.

Participate in the appraisal system as both appraisee and appraiser.

Understand boundaries of extended practice and manage clinical risk effectively.

Promote evidence-based practice in teaching and supervision of junior staff.

Apply clinical governance and risk management principles to therapy services.

Ensure therapy services align with national policy and clinical governance frameworks.

Lead audits and evidence-based projects, implementing improvements with the multidisciplinary team.

Maintain strict confidentiality in line with departmental, Trust, and professional standards.

ORGANISATIONAL

Deliver efficient inpatient therapy services through strong leadership, organisation, and prioritisation.

Strengthen links between physiotherapy and occupational therapy across Private and NHS teams.

Manage own complex caseload alongside teaching, service development, and quality assurance.

Develop flexible strategies for clinical education and service growth.

Plan and manage therapy services, including care delivery, supervision, and strategic meetings.

Use excellent time management to meet conflicting service demands.

Lead therapy initiatives within your sub-directorate, identifying priorities and contributing to service development.

Actively participate in working groups and key initiatives in Private Patients.

Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to ensure seamless care.

Maintain patient records per professional, legal, and international standards.

Track and report service statistics, ensuring team compliance.

Uphold health and safety standards, recording incidents promptly.

Implement and update organisational policies as needed.

Lead recruitment processes and serve on interview panels as required.

Attend networking events and participate in relevant training.

Support audit and service development to enhance patient care.

Oversee daily management of the therapy team, including teaching, appraisals, and performance matters.

Ensure timely communication of clinical findings across disciplines.

COMMUNICATION

Motivate and persuade patients and staff using advanced verbal, non-verbal, written, and electronic communication skills.

Expertly communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, families, carers, and staff, overcoming barriers such as language, noise, privacy, or cognitive challenges.

Clearly explain biomechanics, anatomy, and physiology, adapting delivery to the audiences understanding and prior knowledge.

Articulate the expert therapeutic perspective to medical colleagues and MDT members, negotiating patient management options.

Communicate serious health issues empathetically, including poor prognoses, return-to-work limitations, or surgical needs.

Manage emotionally challenging situations with sensitivity and professionalism.

Maintain effective communication and liaison across staff involved in patient care, research, or policy development.

Disseminate best practice guidelines and strategies, tailoring delivery to staff knowledge levels.

RESEARCH AND AUDIT

Use specialist knowledge to lead clinical audit and research programmes within Private Patients.

Provide regular feedback to the MDT on outcomes and complications via reports or presentations.

Continuously evaluate and improve therapy services through research and audit.

Align therapy services with national clinical governance policies, including effectiveness, risk management, and evidence-based care.

Stay current with evidence-based practice through reading, training, and database searches.

Develop and monitor departmental and national standards based on best evidence and ensure team compliance.

Contribute to research and quality improvement initiatives for Private Patients.

EFFORT

Perform assessments and treatments requiring moderate to high physical effort and sustained concentration daily.

Adhere to manual handling policies at all times.

Work in a dynamic environment with frequent interruptions and urgent demands.

Support staff in managing challenging patients or situations.

Handle distressing scenarios with empathy, including delivering difficult diagnoses or prognoses.

Execute complex tasks using specialist manual techniques and equipment.

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• Bachelor Degree in Physiotherapy
• Current HCPC Registration
• Evidence of on-going CPD Registration
• Evidence of continuous and current professional and academic development including attendance at post-graduate courses relevant to the clinical field

Desirable

• MSc or equivalent in physiotherapy

Experience

Essential

• Significant post registration experience as a Band 7 in relevant clinical areas
• Completed core rotations in main inpatient acute setting (Respiratory, orthopaedics, care of the elderly, pre-admission clinic, surgical, plastics, gynaecology patients and community rehab settings)
• Evidence of supervision of more junior staff and students
• Experience working as part of MDT
• Evidence of appraisal, supervision and teaching of band 6 staff, band 5 staff, assistants and students

Desirable

• Experience delivering Physiotherapy in private healthcare settings
• Demonstrable experience of audit in evaluating and developing a service
• Demonstrates Operational management skills
• Knowledge of Private External stakeholders within London Private Market
• Demonstration of ability to identify service improvements and involvement in QI projects

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Demonstrates understanding of delivering joint assessment and treatment sessions with other therapists from the same profession and from differing professions
• Ability to work as an autonomous practitioner where no support or advice may be available.
• Proven clinical skills, ability to accurately assess patients, problem solve, plan their treatment and appropriately set goals and objectives
• Highly specialist knowledge of a range of conditions and treatments relevant to clinical area.
• Evidence of verbal and written communication and presentation skills
• Demonstrates evidence of effective self-management including time, prioritisation, clinical caseload and stress
• Understands the professional and legal responsibilities of clinical practice
• Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to cultural differences and beliefs
• Exceptional customer service skills, with a focus on patient satisfaction, responsiveness, and relationship building

Desirable

• Experience engaging with consultants, GPs, and international referrers in the private sector
• Evidence of participation in research or audit
• Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to cultural differences and beliefs
• Knowledge of private billing systems, coding, and invoicing practices

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Identifies own personal characteristics that contribute to effective team working
• To be able to motivate a team and work well within a team setting
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal
• High level of resilience and ability to cope with difficult conversations / situations
• Maintains a high standard of personal and professional presentation, reflecting the values and discretion expected within a private healthcare setting.

Desirable

• Use of electronic patient records
• Confident in managing high expectations and bespoke service delivery.
• Flexibility with out-of-hours or weekend work, depending on Private Patient needs.
• Experience designing or delivering marketing strategies and brand awareness.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).