Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Specialist Obstetric and Breast Physiotherapist

The closing date is 17 April 2026

Job summary

Expected Shortlisting Date

15/04/2026

Planned Interview Date

22/04/2026

This senior physiotherapy role blends specialist care in obstetric and breast conditions with clinical leadership. Youll manage a complex and varied caseload from pregnancy-related musculoskeletal issues to breast surgery rehabilitation working closely with maternity, gynaecology and oncology colleagues. Youll champion best practice, provide advanced assessments and interventions and support junior staff and students. With opportunities to shape service delivery and contribute to quality improvement projects, this is a rewarding post for a clinician ready to advance their expertise and leadership in womens health and cancer rehabilitation.

Main duties of the job

You will autonomously assess, plan and deliver specialist physiotherapy care for obstetric, post-natal and breast surgery patients. Key duties include leading advanced clinical assessments, developing individualised treatment programmes, prioritising clinical need and coordinating care with the wider MDT. You will contribute to service planning and development, supervise and mentor junior physiotherapists, assistants and students, and ensure professional standards are upheld. You will also support quality improvement work, maintain accurate records and help to promote patient and staff education across the service.

About us

You will join a collaborative and supportive physiotherapy team committed to excellence in womens health and oncology rehabilitation. As a supportive, innovative team we are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us to achieve our vision of providing outstanding care. Our values at Leeds are to always be patient-centred, fair, collaborative, accountable and empowered with the Leeds Improvement Method underpinning these values.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Details

Date posted

27 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9298-ATH-493

Job locations

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF


Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

2.1 To perform the advanced physiotherapeutic assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients within this specialist field who may have complex physical and psychological conditions and/or chronic presentation. He/She will play a key role in the development, implementation and evaluation of specialist physiotherapy rehabilitation programmes and packages of care.

2.2 As an experienced physiotherapist the jobholder will assist in co-ordinating the activities of the team ensuring efficient and effective service provision. He/she will be required to ensure effective communication is maintained at all times, whilst providing training, supervision and clinical expertise to qualified and unqualified staff and students.

2.3 As a lead clinician in this speciality, the jobholder will act as a role model to the physiotherapy team, promoting quality evidence based practice, developing the physiotherapy team and contributing to the effective management of the team in the absence of the Superintendent.

3. JOB DIMENSIONS

3.1 The post holder will be responsible for managing their own individual caseload which will be varied and on occasions require prioritisation to best meet the service demands.

3.2 To undertake all aspects of work as an autonomous practitioner within this specialist field.

3.3 He/She will be required to support the Superintendent in the day to day management of this team of physiotherapists, support staff and students.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

5.1 Qualifications

5.1.1 Degree or equivalent

5.1.2 Attendance on relevant post graduate courses

5.2 Experience

5.2.1 Extensive post graduate experience working at a senior level in this clinical field.

5.2.2 Working with a wide range of professionals including medical, nursing, therapy and management colleagues

5.3 Skills

5.3.1 Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing within a uni and multi professional team.

5.3.2 Ability to prioritise, organise and allocate workload.

5.3.3 Ability to teach, supervise and assess qualified, unqualified staff and students.

5.3.4 Time management skills

5.3.5 Clinical leadership

5.4 Knowledge

5.4.1 Sound knowledge of clinical speciality acquired through in depth experience and/or academic study to post graduate level or equivalent.

5.4.2 Working knowledge of current professional issues and those influencing the NHS.

5.4.3 Standards of professional practice.

5.5 Personal Attributes

5.5.1 Professional and patient focused

5.5.2 Flexible, adaptable, capable of lateral thinking

5.5.3 Excellent interpersonal skills

5.5.4 Ability to work independently or as part of a team

6. THE LEEDS WAY VALUES

6.1 Committed to delivering high quality evidence based physiotherapy treatment

6.2 Committed to the clinical area, valuing the contribution of all team members and encouraging a positive and creative working environment.

6.3 Committed to own development and the development of the physiotherapy service and profession.

6.4 Committed to maintaining high standards of physiotherapy clinical practice and interpreting their application as appropriate.

7. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

7.1 established clinical expertise

7.2 teaching skills with ability to use various media

7.3 communication skills

7.4 time management skills

7.5 team player

7.6 professional

7.7 understanding of the process of change

7.8 research conscious

8. CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

8.1 An understanding of the organisational structure and working practices of this organisation with regard to the provision of high quality physiotherapy services to this specialist area.

8.2 To have a working knowledge of and be guided by broad professional / clinical policies and standards e.g. those set by the Charted Society fo Physiotherapy, the Health Professionals Council and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.

9. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

9.1 Clinical

9.1.1 To be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work relating to the assessment and treatment of patients in your care undertaking clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner.

9.1.2 To undertake the comprehensive assessment and treatment of patients including those with diverse / complex / multi pathological presentation. This will necessitate the use of advanced investigative and analytical skills to formulate an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan from a range of options.

9.1.3 Using advanced investigative and analytical skills to formulate individualised management and treatment plans including the development of complex discharge plans.

9.1.4 To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients within this specialist field and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.

9.1.5 To demonstrate dexterity, co-ordination and palpatory skills in the assessment and manual treatment of patients.

9.1.6 To develop and deliver the physiotherapy element of the rehabilitation programme, and on occasion to deliver some elements normally undertaken by nursing or occupational therapy colleagues.

9.1.7 To be an active member of the out of hours service.

9.1.8 The working pattern will require flexibility including seven day working to ensure safe and effective service provision.

9.1.9 Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients to progress treatment and rehabilitation programmes. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding, communication or have challenging behaviour.

9.1.10 Ability to work in a stressful environment imparting complex information regarding poor rehabilitation prognosis on a daily basis.

9.1.11 Ability to deal effectively with emotional and/or aggressive patients and / or carers on a daily basis. This will necessitate the use of developed communications skills e.g. the ability to negotiate, motivate and reassure.

9.1.12 Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the knowledge to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.

9.1.13 To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management and support more junior staff to do likewise.

9.1.14 Formulate and deliver specialised physiotherapy treatment programmes based on a sound knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options using clinical assessment, reasoning skills and knowledge of treatment options e.g. manual physiotherapy techniques, patient education, exercise classes, electrotherapy techniques and other alternative options.

9.1.15 To represent the physiotherapy service and / or individual patients at multi-disciplinary team meetings, to ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service and integration of physiotherapy treatment. This will include discussion of patient care, patient progress and involvement in discharge planning.

9.1.16 In the absence of the superintendent to represent the trust externally (locally, regionally and nationally) regarding physiotherapy services provided to this group patients.

9.2 Education and training

9.2.1 To provide spontaneous and planned specialist advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals, to promote understanding of the aims of physiotherapy, and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.

9.2.2 To effectively communicate complex clinical information with patients and carers to maximise rehabilitation potential and to ensure understanding of their condition.

9.2.3 To be an active member of the in-service training programme. You will be responsible for the provision of specialist teaching to peers and juniors on a range of subjects through the delivery of in-service training sessions, tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses and peer review.

9.2.4 to co-ordinate and deliver core training within the speciality to qualified and unqualified physiotherapy staff and students.

9.2.5 To train, supervise and performances manage more junior staff, technical instructors, assistants and students on a daily basis. This will include the use of formal appraisal documentation.

9.2.6 To provide daily support, guidance and training to more junior staff, support workers and students, assessing, evaluating and ensuring competence.

9.2.7 To provide highly specialist advice, teaching and training to physiotherapy colleagues and other members of the MDT regarding the medical and physiotherapy management of this group of patients.

9.3 Professional and Managerial

9.3.1 Maintain and develop current knowledge of evidence based practice in this specialist clinical field.

9.3.2 As a senior member of the clinical team you will be required to ensure that you implement policy and service development changes and ensure that others do likewise.

9.3.3 To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through Continued professional development activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects your own personal development.

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

9.3.5 To participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraise and appraiser and be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development programmes to meet set knowledge and competencies.

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

2.1 To perform the advanced physiotherapeutic assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients within this specialist field who may have complex physical and psychological conditions and/or chronic presentation. He/She will play a key role in the development, implementation and evaluation of specialist physiotherapy rehabilitation programmes and packages of care.

2.2 As an experienced physiotherapist the jobholder will assist in co-ordinating the activities of the team ensuring efficient and effective service provision. He/she will be required to ensure effective communication is maintained at all times, whilst providing training, supervision and clinical expertise to qualified and unqualified staff and students.

2.3 As a lead clinician in this speciality, the jobholder will act as a role model to the physiotherapy team, promoting quality evidence based practice, developing the physiotherapy team and contributing to the effective management of the team in the absence of the Superintendent.

3. JOB DIMENSIONS

3.1 The post holder will be responsible for managing their own individual caseload which will be varied and on occasions require prioritisation to best meet the service demands.

3.2 To undertake all aspects of work as an autonomous practitioner within this specialist field.

3.3 He/She will be required to support the Superintendent in the day to day management of this team of physiotherapists, support staff and students.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

5.1 Qualifications

5.1.1 Degree or equivalent

5.1.2 Attendance on relevant post graduate courses

5.2 Experience

5.2.1 Extensive post graduate experience working at a senior level in this clinical field.

5.2.2 Working with a wide range of professionals including medical, nursing, therapy and management colleagues

5.3 Skills

5.3.1 Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing within a uni and multi professional team.

5.3.2 Ability to prioritise, organise and allocate workload.

5.3.3 Ability to teach, supervise and assess qualified, unqualified staff and students.

5.3.4 Time management skills

5.3.5 Clinical leadership

5.4 Knowledge

5.4.1 Sound knowledge of clinical speciality acquired through in depth experience and/or academic study to post graduate level or equivalent.

5.4.2 Working knowledge of current professional issues and those influencing the NHS.

5.4.3 Standards of professional practice.

5.5 Personal Attributes

5.5.1 Professional and patient focused

5.5.2 Flexible, adaptable, capable of lateral thinking

5.5.3 Excellent interpersonal skills

5.5.4 Ability to work independently or as part of a team

6. THE LEEDS WAY VALUES

6.1 Committed to delivering high quality evidence based physiotherapy treatment

6.2 Committed to the clinical area, valuing the contribution of all team members and encouraging a positive and creative working environment.

6.3 Committed to own development and the development of the physiotherapy service and profession.

6.4 Committed to maintaining high standards of physiotherapy clinical practice and interpreting their application as appropriate.

7. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

7.1 established clinical expertise

7.2 teaching skills with ability to use various media

7.3 communication skills

7.4 time management skills

7.5 team player

7.6 professional

7.7 understanding of the process of change

7.8 research conscious

8. CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

8.1 An understanding of the organisational structure and working practices of this organisation with regard to the provision of high quality physiotherapy services to this specialist area.

8.2 To have a working knowledge of and be guided by broad professional / clinical policies and standards e.g. those set by the Charted Society fo Physiotherapy, the Health Professionals Council and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.

9. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

9.1 Clinical

9.1.1 To be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work relating to the assessment and treatment of patients in your care undertaking clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner.

9.1.2 To undertake the comprehensive assessment and treatment of patients including those with diverse / complex / multi pathological presentation. This will necessitate the use of advanced investigative and analytical skills to formulate an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan from a range of options.

9.1.3 Using advanced investigative and analytical skills to formulate individualised management and treatment plans including the development of complex discharge plans.

9.1.4 To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients within this specialist field and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.

9.1.5 To demonstrate dexterity, co-ordination and palpatory skills in the assessment and manual treatment of patients.

9.1.6 To develop and deliver the physiotherapy element of the rehabilitation programme, and on occasion to deliver some elements normally undertaken by nursing or occupational therapy colleagues.

9.1.7 To be an active member of the out of hours service.

9.1.8 The working pattern will require flexibility including seven day working to ensure safe and effective service provision.

9.1.9 Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients to progress treatment and rehabilitation programmes. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding, communication or have challenging behaviour.

9.1.10 Ability to work in a stressful environment imparting complex information regarding poor rehabilitation prognosis on a daily basis.

9.1.11 Ability to deal effectively with emotional and/or aggressive patients and / or carers on a daily basis. This will necessitate the use of developed communications skills e.g. the ability to negotiate, motivate and reassure.

9.1.12 Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the knowledge to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.

9.1.13 To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management and support more junior staff to do likewise.

9.1.14 Formulate and deliver specialised physiotherapy treatment programmes based on a sound knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options using clinical assessment, reasoning skills and knowledge of treatment options e.g. manual physiotherapy techniques, patient education, exercise classes, electrotherapy techniques and other alternative options.

9.1.15 To represent the physiotherapy service and / or individual patients at multi-disciplinary team meetings, to ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service and integration of physiotherapy treatment. This will include discussion of patient care, patient progress and involvement in discharge planning.

9.1.16 In the absence of the superintendent to represent the trust externally (locally, regionally and nationally) regarding physiotherapy services provided to this group patients.

9.2 Education and training

9.2.1 To provide spontaneous and planned specialist advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals, to promote understanding of the aims of physiotherapy, and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.

9.2.2 To effectively communicate complex clinical information with patients and carers to maximise rehabilitation potential and to ensure understanding of their condition.

9.2.3 To be an active member of the in-service training programme. You will be responsible for the provision of specialist teaching to peers and juniors on a range of subjects through the delivery of in-service training sessions, tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses and peer review.

9.2.4 to co-ordinate and deliver core training within the speciality to qualified and unqualified physiotherapy staff and students.

9.2.5 To train, supervise and performances manage more junior staff, technical instructors, assistants and students on a daily basis. This will include the use of formal appraisal documentation.

9.2.6 To provide daily support, guidance and training to more junior staff, support workers and students, assessing, evaluating and ensuring competence.

9.2.7 To provide highly specialist advice, teaching and training to physiotherapy colleagues and other members of the MDT regarding the medical and physiotherapy management of this group of patients.

9.3 Professional and Managerial

9.3.1 Maintain and develop current knowledge of evidence based practice in this specialist clinical field.

9.3.2 As a senior member of the clinical team you will be required to ensure that you implement policy and service development changes and ensure that others do likewise.

9.3.3 To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through Continued professional development activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects your own personal development.

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

9.3.5 To participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraise and appraiser and be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development programmes to meet set knowledge and competencies.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Post graduate clinical experience having worked at a senior level in relevant clinical field.
  • Leadership experience
  • Working knowledge of critical appraisal, audit and outcome measures

Desirable

  • Post graduate clinical experience having worked at a senior level across a number of MSK clinical specialities
  • Supervisory skills
  • Knowledge of research
  • Presentation skills using various media

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree in physiotherapy or equivalent
  • HCPC registration

Desirable

  • Member of CSP
  • Relevant validated clinical courses
  • Post graduate qualification appropriate to the speciality
  • Member of a specialist interest group

Skills & behaviours

Essential

  • Clear Vision of role and commitment to speciality.
  • Committed to personal and team development
  • Motivated and enthusiastic

Desirable

  • Evidence of specialist assessment and treatment skills
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Post graduate clinical experience having worked at a senior level in relevant clinical field.
  • Leadership experience
  • Working knowledge of critical appraisal, audit and outcome measures

Desirable

  • Post graduate clinical experience having worked at a senior level across a number of MSK clinical specialities
  • Supervisory skills
  • Knowledge of research
  • Presentation skills using various media

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree in physiotherapy or equivalent
  • HCPC registration

Desirable

  • Member of CSP
  • Relevant validated clinical courses
  • Post graduate qualification appropriate to the speciality
  • Member of a specialist interest group

Skills & behaviours

Essential

  • Clear Vision of role and commitment to speciality.
  • Committed to personal and team development
  • Motivated and enthusiastic

Desirable

  • Evidence of specialist assessment and treatment skills

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).

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Advanced Clinical Practitioner

Sophie Sedhom

sophie.sedhom@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

27 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9298-ATH-493

Job locations

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF


Supporting documents

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