North Bristol NHS Trust

Specialist Rheumatology Physiotherapist

The closing date is 23 April 2026

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated physiotherapist to join our Clinical Leadership Outpatient team.

We are looking for a physiotherapist with specialist rheumatology physiotherapy skills and a keen interest in developing their leadership skills and experience.

Ideally, you will have some evidence of leadership skills, service development experience, time management skills and excellent communication skills.

The role is part time and working days/hours can be dscussed at interview. You will be located on a North Bristol NHS site.

We would be very happy to arrange for you to have an informal visit of the physiotherapy outpatient department within the Brunel building in Southmead Hospital.

Main duties of the job

  • To be responsible for the delivery of a high-quality physiotherapy service by self and others through caseload management, supervision and development of physiotherapy staff and students. Participation in operational management, modernisation and professional development of physiotherapy services.
  • To be an autonomous physiotherapy practitioner performing an advanced assessment of patients with rheumatology conditions; formulating a diagnosis and treatment plan. Caseload will include patients with complex disorders and/or presentations.
  • To take a lead role in the supervision, teaching and appraisal of senior clinicians, junior clinicians, technical instructors/physiotherapy support workers, physiotherapy students (possibly including those at Masters level)
  • As clinical team lead, to be responsible for operational management and service improvement within the rheumatology outpatient physiotherapy team.
  • To initiate, supervise and participate in evidence-based projects/service development and be responsible for implementing changes within the rheumatology physiotherapy service; setting and monitoring standards of practice
  • To deputise for the Physiotherapy Outpatient Services Manager as required
  • To disseminate information/advice from the Manager or Head of Service to the rheumatology outpatient teams.

About us

The successful post holder will be part of a dynamic, experienced team providing a high standard of clinical care to patients attending the physiotherapy outpatient department. Our team comprises of registered clinicians and support staff. We are a large acute trust with physiotherapy outpatient specialties including MSK, hydrotherapy, rheumatology, pelvic health, staff and wellbeing, neurology and paediatrics.

North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialties. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.

We commit to treating each patient as an individual with respect and dignity, aiming to deliver excellent clinical outcomes and a first-class experience for everyone who uses our services.

North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups

To find out more about the NBT physiotherapy team - please click on this link

Details

Date posted

09 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year per annum, pro rata for part time roles.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

339-CCS7544-LH

Job locations

North Bristol NHS Trust, Southmead Hospital

Southmead Road

Bristol

BS10 5NB


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To be responsible for the delivery of a high-quality physiotherapy service by self and others through caseload management, supervision and development of physiotherapy staff and students. Participation in operational management, modernisation and professional development of physiotherapy services.
  • To be an autonomous physiotherapy practitioner performing an advancedassessment of patients including those with complex presentations and from this formulate a diagnosis and treatment plan
  • To take a lead role in the supervision, teaching and appraisal of senior clinicians, junior clinicians, technical instructors/physiotherapy support workers, physiotherapy students (possibly including those at Masters level)
  • As clinical team lead, to be responsible for operational management and service improvement within the outpatient physiotherapy team.
  • To initiate, supervise and participate in evidence-based projects/service development and be responsible for implementing changes within the rheumatology physiotherapy service; setting and monitoring standards of practice
  • To deputise for the Physiotherapy Outpatient Services Manager as required
  • To disseminate information/advice from the Manager or Head of Service to the rheumatology outpatient team.

Please see job description for further details

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To be responsible for the delivery of a high-quality physiotherapy service by self and others through caseload management, supervision and development of physiotherapy staff and students. Participation in operational management, modernisation and professional development of physiotherapy services.
  • To be an autonomous physiotherapy practitioner performing an advancedassessment of patients including those with complex presentations and from this formulate a diagnosis and treatment plan
  • To take a lead role in the supervision, teaching and appraisal of senior clinicians, junior clinicians, technical instructors/physiotherapy support workers, physiotherapy students (possibly including those at Masters level)
  • As clinical team lead, to be responsible for operational management and service improvement within the outpatient physiotherapy team.
  • To initiate, supervise and participate in evidence-based projects/service development and be responsible for implementing changes within the rheumatology physiotherapy service; setting and monitoring standards of practice
  • To deputise for the Physiotherapy Outpatient Services Manager as required
  • To disseminate information/advice from the Manager or Head of Service to the rheumatology outpatient team.

Please see job description for further details

Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree or equivalent in physiotherapy
  • Evidence of HCPC registration

Desirable

  • Appropriate managerial training
  • MCSP

Post graduate training/education

Essential

  • Evidence of continuous professional development in musculoskeletal specialty
  • Postgraduate education/courses in specialist area

Desirable

  • Evidence of master's level education in appropriate area
  • Evidence of continuous professional development in the assessment, diagnosis and management of complex conditions in this specialty

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in an outpatient physiotherapy to include working at band 6 level
  • Experience of service development
  • Experience of mentoring/supervision, delivering training/education and delegation of duties as appropriate
  • Experience of presenting information, written and oral in a clear and logical manner
  • Experience of working in the NHS
  • Experience of quality assurance, audit and research processes
  • Experience of working in aquatic therapy

Desirable

  • Experience in managing patients with rheumatological conditions
  • Experience in quality governance
  • Previous Band 7 experience

Skills/knowledge

Essential

  • Specialist knowledge of evidenced based physiotherapy for designated specialist area
  • Knowledge of national guidelines and standards pertaining to specialist pathway and physiotherapy
  • Understanding of clinical governance and its implication for physiotherapy
  • Awareness and understanding of NHS structure, current issues, and developments
  • Ability to discuss clinical reasoning in management of complex cases
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Excellent time management, prioritisation, and organisational skills
  • It Skills - including hospital databases, word processing, excel, email and PowerPoint.
Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree or equivalent in physiotherapy
  • Evidence of HCPC registration

Desirable

  • Appropriate managerial training
  • MCSP

Post graduate training/education

Essential

  • Evidence of continuous professional development in musculoskeletal specialty
  • Postgraduate education/courses in specialist area

Desirable

  • Evidence of master's level education in appropriate area
  • Evidence of continuous professional development in the assessment, diagnosis and management of complex conditions in this specialty

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in an outpatient physiotherapy to include working at band 6 level
  • Experience of service development
  • Experience of mentoring/supervision, delivering training/education and delegation of duties as appropriate
  • Experience of presenting information, written and oral in a clear and logical manner
  • Experience of working in the NHS
  • Experience of quality assurance, audit and research processes
  • Experience of working in aquatic therapy

Desirable

  • Experience in managing patients with rheumatological conditions
  • Experience in quality governance
  • Previous Band 7 experience

Skills/knowledge

Essential

  • Specialist knowledge of evidenced based physiotherapy for designated specialist area
  • Knowledge of national guidelines and standards pertaining to specialist pathway and physiotherapy
  • Understanding of clinical governance and its implication for physiotherapy
  • Awareness and understanding of NHS structure, current issues, and developments
  • Ability to discuss clinical reasoning in management of complex cases
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Excellent time management, prioritisation, and organisational skills
  • It Skills - including hospital databases, word processing, excel, email and PowerPoint.

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

North Bristol NHS Trust

Address

North Bristol NHS Trust, Southmead Hospital

Southmead Road

Bristol

BS10 5NB


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

North Bristol NHS Trust

Address

North Bristol NHS Trust, Southmead Hospital

Southmead Road

Bristol

BS10 5NB


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Physiotherapy Outpatient Services Manager

Juliet Ball

juliet.ball@nbt.nhs.uk

07544656397

Details

Date posted

09 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year per annum, pro rata for part time roles.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

339-CCS7544-LH

Job locations

North Bristol NHS Trust, Southmead Hospital

Southmead Road

Bristol

BS10 5NB


Supporting documents

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