South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Advanced Physiotherapist Practitioner (Respiratory Care)

The closing date is 16 April 2026

Job summary

32 hours per week

We have a vacancy in our Advanced Learning Disabilities Service (ALDS) complex respiratory service for a 0.85 band 7 physiotherapist working to improve respiratory health in the Learning Disability population.

This is an exciting post working to further develop the respiratory care service across the Trust footprint working into 4 community learning disability teams.

The post involves working with the full Learning Disability MDT and wider MDT across primary care, acute and specialist services.

We seek a highly experienced, motivated, enthusiastic person with a specialist interest in respiratory care and learning disability.

This is a great opportunity for personal development and to expand a range of skills including clinical and leadership.

The postholder will contribute to the leadership and development of the physiotherapy service.

At the time of advertising, this role does meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. We look forward to receiving your application.

Main duties of the job

As a highly specialised clinician the postholder will be responsible for assisting to develop and run the Learning Disability complex respiratory service across the 4 localities

This includes:

Assessment and Treatment of respiratory needs for complex patients with a learning disability, including provision of manual techniques, equipment and onward referral where necessary.

Provide holistic plans to minimise exacerbations of respiratory conditions/ill health

by promoting preventative care.

Co-ordination of respiratory care and needs

Development of respiratory care resources alongside primary, acute and specialist services.

Provision of training for families, carers and colleagues to be able to implement the respiratory plans.

Provide Supervision to locality physiotherapists when required

Keeping informed of advances in respiratory care and innovative treatments

Involvement on national agendas around respiratory care and LD

The postholder will be expected to contribute to delivering services as part of a multi-disciplinary approach to care, working closely with colleagues from other professional disciplines in the team and other partner organisations.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Details

Date posted

02 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9378-W1453

Job locations

Horizon Centre, Fieldhead Hospital

Ouchthorpe Lane

Wakefield

WF1 3SP


Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

To be responsible for the day to day co-ordination and management of the delivery of Complex Respiratory Care within the designated clinical area, undertaking a complex, multi-functional role, combining managerial, clinical and professional duties and responsibilities.

To have an identified clinical role for highly complex cases within their designated service.

To provide advice and support to other therapy staff and members of the multi-disciplinary team within the service on Complex Respiratory Care.

To provide training and supervision of colleagues within the locality teams ensuring they have the appropriate knowledge, understanding and competence.

To facilitate collaborative working across therapies, maximizing on the skills of the therapists, therapy assistants and other staff.

In the capacity as a representative of the Learning Disability services to liaise with the consultants and other medical, therapy and nursing staff in Acute services, social services, voluntary agencies and the private sector.

This job description is an outline of the main duties of the post. The postholder will be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as directed.

The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the postholder when necessary and in line with the service developments.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

Clinical

To comply with the post holders professional code and Health Care Professions Council code of ethics and professional conduct and to adhere to national and local policies and procedures.

To work in a specialised autonomous capacity accepting referrals for patients/service users referred to your clinical area. Giving advice and support to other members of the multi-disciplinary team.

To be professionally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work, including management of patients with complex needs.

To plan and prioritise own patient caseload (where appropriate), with highly complex needs, using highly specialist therapy skills. Assess and analyse identifying problem areas in order to plan and carry out goal orientated intervention programmes with the patients. Balancing risk, safety and patient choice in order to promote maximum independence.

Promote patient choice and understanding when communicating assessment outcomes including provision of high quality information both written and verbal to support this.

Use of excellent communication and negotiation skills to establish a therapeutic relationship in complex and sometimes highly complex cases, taking into account the views and wishes of service users, carers and families. Monitor, evaluate and modify treatment in order to measure progress and ensure patient safety, thus maximising effectiveness of occupational therapy intervention.

To work with patients/families to aid their acceptance, understanding and management of their condition/disability. To provide the necessary support required in a sometimes hostile/antagonistic or highly emotional atmosphere.

To use highly advanced clinical reasoning and a wide range of treatment skills which implement evidence based practice

To possess the necessary skills to implement time management and prioritise own caseload whilst assisting and supporting all therapy staff and members of the MDT, across your own and other clinical areas.

To carry out risk assessments and make recommendations to reduce risk to meet the needs of service users, staff, and the wider service/ organisation.

To have and maintain a current working knowledge of the safe use of a range of equipment relevant to the service area. Assemble and fit equipment in patients own homes and assess their safe use.

To actively encourage the provision of placements for student therapists and support team members with students training and appraisal.

To be involved and committed to therapy audit, evidence based practice and clinical research where appropriate, in order to promote best possible practice in the relevant clinical area.

In the capacity as a representative of Learning Disability services to liaise and communicate effectively with consultants, senior managers, professional lead, other medical, therapy and nursing staff, social services, voluntary and private agencies.

To be responsible for risk assessment in your own delegated area, ensuring a safe working environment for all staff, patients and members of the general public.

To undertake own continuous professional development, participate in regular clinical and managerial supervision, to organise peer reviews and maintain up to date knowledge of local and national guidance relevant to the area of speciality through research and work within clinical interest groups. To ensure all team members take responsibility for their own CPD.

To ensure effective delivery of clinical support and supervision to other therapy staff where appropriate.

Develop and provide clinical learning opportunities and programmes for clinical staff related to Respiratory Care

Organisational/Managerial

To be responsible for the day to day co-ordination and organisation of Respiratory Care offer across the trust in liaison with locality teams.

To ensure that the service delivery within the team is of a high standard and that all staff are actively involved in all aspects of clinical governance.

Actively influence service changes and development, including the setting up and monitoring of practice standards and when appropriate taking a lead in implementing them.

To deal with complaints, disciplinary and grievances (where appropriate at the request of the Senior line manager). Advise professional and senior managers of serious complaints that may escalate.

To implement an induction programme for new staff.

Develop collaborative working practices between therapy and other agencies, ensuring optimum use of resources and the promotion of multi-disciplinary working. To review and rationalise services to meet the changing needs of service delivery including flexible working times and transformation projects.

To promote links with other therapy areas within the BDU and the wider Trust.

Identify unmet needs and gaps in service provision and highlight these to the professional lead.

Undertake recruitment and selection duties within relevant staff groups.

Managing Resources

Assist in monitoring financial incentive and initiatives including service improvements and cost improvement programmes.

Cascade knowledge and understanding of how to monitor, evaluate and improve the use of resources to services, to achieve maximum benefit for service users.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. We strongly discourage this and will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

To be responsible for the day to day co-ordination and management of the delivery of Complex Respiratory Care within the designated clinical area, undertaking a complex, multi-functional role, combining managerial, clinical and professional duties and responsibilities.

To have an identified clinical role for highly complex cases within their designated service.

To provide advice and support to other therapy staff and members of the multi-disciplinary team within the service on Complex Respiratory Care.

To provide training and supervision of colleagues within the locality teams ensuring they have the appropriate knowledge, understanding and competence.

To facilitate collaborative working across therapies, maximizing on the skills of the therapists, therapy assistants and other staff.

In the capacity as a representative of the Learning Disability services to liaise with the consultants and other medical, therapy and nursing staff in Acute services, social services, voluntary agencies and the private sector.

This job description is an outline of the main duties of the post. The postholder will be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as directed.

The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the postholder when necessary and in line with the service developments.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

Clinical

To comply with the post holders professional code and Health Care Professions Council code of ethics and professional conduct and to adhere to national and local policies and procedures.

To work in a specialised autonomous capacity accepting referrals for patients/service users referred to your clinical area. Giving advice and support to other members of the multi-disciplinary team.

To be professionally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work, including management of patients with complex needs.

To plan and prioritise own patient caseload (where appropriate), with highly complex needs, using highly specialist therapy skills. Assess and analyse identifying problem areas in order to plan and carry out goal orientated intervention programmes with the patients. Balancing risk, safety and patient choice in order to promote maximum independence.

Promote patient choice and understanding when communicating assessment outcomes including provision of high quality information both written and verbal to support this.

Use of excellent communication and negotiation skills to establish a therapeutic relationship in complex and sometimes highly complex cases, taking into account the views and wishes of service users, carers and families. Monitor, evaluate and modify treatment in order to measure progress and ensure patient safety, thus maximising effectiveness of occupational therapy intervention.

To work with patients/families to aid their acceptance, understanding and management of their condition/disability. To provide the necessary support required in a sometimes hostile/antagonistic or highly emotional atmosphere.

To use highly advanced clinical reasoning and a wide range of treatment skills which implement evidence based practice

To possess the necessary skills to implement time management and prioritise own caseload whilst assisting and supporting all therapy staff and members of the MDT, across your own and other clinical areas.

To carry out risk assessments and make recommendations to reduce risk to meet the needs of service users, staff, and the wider service/ organisation.

To have and maintain a current working knowledge of the safe use of a range of equipment relevant to the service area. Assemble and fit equipment in patients own homes and assess their safe use.

To actively encourage the provision of placements for student therapists and support team members with students training and appraisal.

To be involved and committed to therapy audit, evidence based practice and clinical research where appropriate, in order to promote best possible practice in the relevant clinical area.

In the capacity as a representative of Learning Disability services to liaise and communicate effectively with consultants, senior managers, professional lead, other medical, therapy and nursing staff, social services, voluntary and private agencies.

To be responsible for risk assessment in your own delegated area, ensuring a safe working environment for all staff, patients and members of the general public.

To undertake own continuous professional development, participate in regular clinical and managerial supervision, to organise peer reviews and maintain up to date knowledge of local and national guidance relevant to the area of speciality through research and work within clinical interest groups. To ensure all team members take responsibility for their own CPD.

To ensure effective delivery of clinical support and supervision to other therapy staff where appropriate.

Develop and provide clinical learning opportunities and programmes for clinical staff related to Respiratory Care

Organisational/Managerial

To be responsible for the day to day co-ordination and organisation of Respiratory Care offer across the trust in liaison with locality teams.

To ensure that the service delivery within the team is of a high standard and that all staff are actively involved in all aspects of clinical governance.

Actively influence service changes and development, including the setting up and monitoring of practice standards and when appropriate taking a lead in implementing them.

To deal with complaints, disciplinary and grievances (where appropriate at the request of the Senior line manager). Advise professional and senior managers of serious complaints that may escalate.

To implement an induction programme for new staff.

Develop collaborative working practices between therapy and other agencies, ensuring optimum use of resources and the promotion of multi-disciplinary working. To review and rationalise services to meet the changing needs of service delivery including flexible working times and transformation projects.

To promote links with other therapy areas within the BDU and the wider Trust.

Identify unmet needs and gaps in service provision and highlight these to the professional lead.

Undertake recruitment and selection duties within relevant staff groups.

Managing Resources

Assist in monitoring financial incentive and initiatives including service improvements and cost improvement programmes.

Cascade knowledge and understanding of how to monitor, evaluate and improve the use of resources to services, to achieve maximum benefit for service users.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. We strongly discourage this and will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree or equivalent Physiotherapy.
  • Current valid Professional registration.
  • Relevant teaching qualification.

Desirable

  • MSC/Diploma in relevant area.
  • Non Medical Prescribing qualification at Post graduate level.

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive appropriate post-registration experience relevant to clinical area.
  • Experience in mentoring staff.
  • Contributed to and worked as a member of a multi disciplinary team.

Desirable

  • Service Development.

Special Knowledge/Skills

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Excellent leadership skills.
  • Excellent teaching skills.
  • Supervision skills.
  • Ability to demonstrate highly specialised clinical reasoning and treatment skills.
  • Excellent team working skills.
  • Proven experience of time management.
  • Excellent Prioritisation skills.
  • Negotiating skills.
  • Knowledge of local and national guidance relevant to clinical area.

Desirable

  • Basic IT skills.
  • Specialist complex health needs of people with a Learning Disability.

Physical Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
  • A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).

Training

Essential

  • Evidence of continuing professional development and post graduate training in relevant area.
  • Post-graduation study to Masters level or equivalent in afield related to Physiotherapy or Respiratory Care.

Desirable

  • Management or leadership training.
  • Risk Assessment training.
  • Audit training.

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to risk assess and deal with health and safety matters for own and others work area and caseloads.
  • Ability to work autonomously.
  • Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service possibly including evenings and weekend working.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree or equivalent Physiotherapy.
  • Current valid Professional registration.
  • Relevant teaching qualification.

Desirable

  • MSC/Diploma in relevant area.
  • Non Medical Prescribing qualification at Post graduate level.

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive appropriate post-registration experience relevant to clinical area.
  • Experience in mentoring staff.
  • Contributed to and worked as a member of a multi disciplinary team.

Desirable

  • Service Development.

Special Knowledge/Skills

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Excellent leadership skills.
  • Excellent teaching skills.
  • Supervision skills.
  • Ability to demonstrate highly specialised clinical reasoning and treatment skills.
  • Excellent team working skills.
  • Proven experience of time management.
  • Excellent Prioritisation skills.
  • Negotiating skills.
  • Knowledge of local and national guidance relevant to clinical area.

Desirable

  • Basic IT skills.
  • Specialist complex health needs of people with a Learning Disability.

Physical Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
  • A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).

Training

Essential

  • Evidence of continuing professional development and post graduate training in relevant area.
  • Post-graduation study to Masters level or equivalent in afield related to Physiotherapy or Respiratory Care.

Desirable

  • Management or leadership training.
  • Risk Assessment training.
  • Audit training.

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to risk assess and deal with health and safety matters for own and others work area and caseloads.
  • Ability to work autonomously.
  • Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service possibly including evenings and weekend working.

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).

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.

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

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Horizon Centre, Fieldhead Hospital

Ouchthorpe Lane

Wakefield

WF1 3SP


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Horizon Centre, Fieldhead Hospital

Ouchthorpe Lane

Wakefield

WF1 3SP


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Jackie Shakespeare

jackie.shakespeare@swyt.nhs.uk

07393576825

Details

Date posted

02 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9378-W1453

Job locations

Horizon Centre, Fieldhead Hospital

Ouchthorpe Lane

Wakefield

WF1 3SP


Supporting documents

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