Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Physiotherapist

The closing date is 24 March 2026

Job summary

We are pleased to advertise 10-month fixed-term maternity leave cover for a band 6 senior physiotherapistwithin the Community Paediatric Physiotherapy Team. You will be expected to assess and treat a range of conditions, predominantly of neurological origin. The role involves working alongside physiotherapists, as well as with a multidisciplinary team including other AHPs, medical professionals, Education and Social Care staff in order to optimise the care of children.

The role involves working alongside a number of paediatric specialists and may include

  • Undertaking neurological assessments and giving evidence-based advice and treatment interventions to support children with physical disabilities.
  • Experience in delivering a range of land and water-based interventions (i.e.rebound therapy, hydrotherapy sessions, treatment blocks, equipment clinics).
  • Participating in the CPIPS assessments for children with Cerebral Palsy.
  • Contributing to Educational Health Care Plans and the SEND process.Share responsibility for managing band 5, support staff and students.
  • Supporting service development through transformation,reflective practice, clinical supervision, audit and MDT working.
  • Attending CIN and child protection reviews where appropriate.
  • Undertaking orthotic clinics.

As a community based role, the post holder will be required to hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a car for work purposes.

This post is subject to CRB (Police Bureau) Enhanced Disclosure

Main duties of the job

  1. To act as an experienced autonomous practitioner, providing specialised physiotherapy assessment and treatment programmed to patients within the speciality.
  2. To independently manage a caseload, using evidence based /patient centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.
  3. To deliver care in both acute and community settings.
  4. To independently manage a caseload within the speciality with a range of complex medical and rehabilitation needs, taking into account bio psychosocial factors.
  5. To work directly with children individually or in group sessions, to assess, diagnose and devise physical programmes.
  6. To Liaise with and advise School and Nursery staff and other Agencies/professionals involved with children
  7. To provide a physiotherapy service which requires specialist skills based on evidence, best practice and patient centered principles, in order to assess, diagnose, plan, negotiate, implement and evaluate individualised care programmes and physiotherapy interventions for children with a wide range of conditions within the hospital and community settings.

About us

Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.

Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.

We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.

Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronymICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.

We have a number of staff networks including the BAME network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our armed forces network is one of our emerging networks.

The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programmebalancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.

Details

Date posted

12 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year N/A

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

10 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

297-7777253

Job locations

Bensham General Hospital

Fontwell Drive

Gateshead

NE8 4YL


Job description

Job responsibilities

  1. To work primarily with the specialist physiotherapy team and across acute and community physiotherapy services as required. This may involve loan working
  2. Responsible to the band 7 physiotherapist in the team.
  3. To work as part of the multi-disciplinary team to deliver a holistic patient-centred approach to care.
  4. To regularly liaise with MDT members including those from heath, social services and voluntary agencies to ensure an integrated and comprehensive service is provided.
  5. To ensure that patients are identified for prompt discharge and handover to community services.
  6. To provide leadership for more junior staff, as agreed with senior staff.
  7. To support the band 7 physiotherapist in planning, coordinating, and delivering the service provided to patients and to assist in the development, planning and progression of service provision.
  8. To deputise for the band 7 physiotherapist in their absence as required.
  9. To supervise other registered and unregistered staff within the team
  10. To supervise physiotherapy students on clinical placements.
  11. To participate in CPD and develop skills and knowledge through participation in the in service training scheme.
  12. Maintaining Records as an autonomous practitioner.
  13. To be an active participant in the twilight and 7 day working rota (as required).

Job description

Job responsibilities

  1. To work primarily with the specialist physiotherapy team and across acute and community physiotherapy services as required. This may involve loan working
  2. Responsible to the band 7 physiotherapist in the team.
  3. To work as part of the multi-disciplinary team to deliver a holistic patient-centred approach to care.
  4. To regularly liaise with MDT members including those from heath, social services and voluntary agencies to ensure an integrated and comprehensive service is provided.
  5. To ensure that patients are identified for prompt discharge and handover to community services.
  6. To provide leadership for more junior staff, as agreed with senior staff.
  7. To support the band 7 physiotherapist in planning, coordinating, and delivering the service provided to patients and to assist in the development, planning and progression of service provision.
  8. To deputise for the band 7 physiotherapist in their absence as required.
  9. To supervise other registered and unregistered staff within the team
  10. To supervise physiotherapy students on clinical placements.
  11. To participate in CPD and develop skills and knowledge through participation in the in service training scheme.
  12. Maintaining Records as an autonomous practitioner.
  13. To be an active participant in the twilight and 7 day working rota (as required).

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Hold a degree or equivalent diploma in Physiotherapy
  • Be registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Desirable

  • Membership/involvement in relevant special interest group/network

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

  • Have post registration NHS experience across a range of clinical specialities such as neurology, respiratory, critical care, acute medicine, surgery, orthopaedics, paediatrics and MSK outpatients.
  • Maintain and develop current knowledge of evidence-based practice, developing specialist knowledge of conditions and patient types within the speciality.
  • Knowledge of current physiotherapy techniques and treatments within the speciality including the use of standardised assessments.
  • Knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice

Desirable

  • Experienced clinical educator
  • Previous experience of speciality management
  • Experience and knowledge of the SEND inspection framework

Skills

Essential

  • Hold a full UK driving licence
  • Access to a car for work purposes
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Hold a degree or equivalent diploma in Physiotherapy
  • Be registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Desirable

  • Membership/involvement in relevant special interest group/network

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

  • Have post registration NHS experience across a range of clinical specialities such as neurology, respiratory, critical care, acute medicine, surgery, orthopaedics, paediatrics and MSK outpatients.
  • Maintain and develop current knowledge of evidence-based practice, developing specialist knowledge of conditions and patient types within the speciality.
  • Knowledge of current physiotherapy techniques and treatments within the speciality including the use of standardised assessments.
  • Knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice

Desirable

  • Experienced clinical educator
  • Previous experience of speciality management
  • Experience and knowledge of the SEND inspection framework

Skills

Essential

  • Hold a full UK driving licence
  • Access to a car for work purposes

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

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bensham General Hospital

Fontwell Drive

Gateshead

NE8 4YL


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bensham General Hospital

Fontwell Drive

Gateshead

NE8 4YL


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Team Lead Physiotherapist

Joanne Tunnah

joanne.tunnah@nhs.net

01914453124

Details

Date posted

12 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year N/A

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

10 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

297-7777253

Job locations

Bensham General Hospital

Fontwell Drive

Gateshead

NE8 4YL


Supporting documents

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