Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Rotational Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist

The closing date is 04 January 2026

Job summary

Are you an experienced Band 5 or established band 6 Musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapist looking for a new challenge in your career?

If the answer is yes, we are offering a great opportunity for someone looking to take their next steps in the dynamic field of MSK physiotherapy.

The specialist physiotherapist is an experienced clinician who carries and independently manages a full specialist clinical caseload. They are responsible for supervising designated members of staff within the specialist team.

  • In conjunction with the Team Lead, the post holder participates in a rolling programme of education, clinical evaluation, audit and research across the speciality.
  • The post holder may be required to work at any of the sites within the Trust with a base at Charlton Down Therapies Centre or Weymouth Community Hospital.
  • To fully participate in whatever pattern of working is required by the service in the future.
  • The post holder may be required to work at weekends on a roster basis as part of 7 day working.
  • Once deemed competent the post holder will be required to participate in weekend working.
  • Band 5 to Band 6 accelerator programme will be considered for the right candidate.

A full driving license and access to a car is essential.

Main duties of the job

You will...

  • Be expected to maintain a diverse and considerable caseload of musculoskeletal cases, operating at a senior level with clinical autonomy.
  • Manage all referrals for adult MSK conditions, including those received as adult self-referrals, and from primary, secondary and tertiary care services, local MSK interface services, and local first contact practitioners.
  • We currently offer virtual appointments in line with CSP guidelines and so positive engagement to deliver tele-rehabilitation successfully will be a key requirement of the role.
  • It is expected that you would contribute to covering the in-patient therapy weekend rota, this will be dependent on experience.

You have...

  • HCPC registration as a physiotherapist
  • Significant MSK experience at Band 5 or band 6 level (for band 6 post)
  • A growth mind set, and a willingness to be fully involved in service development opportunities

About us

We can offer you...

  • Structured rotations in MSK Outpatients, Orthopaedics, Paediatric MSK, and hydrotherapy. Optional rotation into Pelvic Health Physiotherapy.
  • Opportunities to develop your leadership skills through appraisal and supervision of junior staff and students.
  • Opportunities to provide teaching and development to your peers.
  • A structured in service training programme alongside a directed training package for each rotation.
  • Your development will be overseen by Band 8 and 7 therapists who currently deliver advanced practice clinics.

We are a Trust that celebrates diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We would welcome applications from people in groups which are under-represented in our organisation.

We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application materials. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role.

Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process. We value honesty and appreciate applications that are genuine and representative of the individual behind them.

Details

Date posted

11 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £46,580 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

405-25-AHP571PHY

Job locations

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY


Job description

Job responsibilities

Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.

Please contact us at Recruitment@dchft.nhs.uk if you are unable to view or download the attachment.

For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.

UKVI Sponsorship: This role is eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). We welcome applications from individuals who require sponsorship to work in the UK. Sponsorship will be offered subject to meeting UKVI eligibility criteria.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.

Please contact us at Recruitment@dchft.nhs.uk if you are unable to view or download the attachment.

For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.

UKVI Sponsorship: This role is eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). We welcome applications from individuals who require sponsorship to work in the UK. Sponsorship will be offered subject to meeting UKVI eligibility criteria.

Person Specification

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Essential

  • Degree or equivalent diploma in Physiotherapy
  • Registered as a physiotherapist with the HCPC
  • Undertaken a range of relevant postgraduate courses
  • Undertaken clinical educators course

Desirable

  • Evidence of relevant managerial / leadership training
  • Member of specialist interest group relevant to the role
  • Member of the CSP

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Wide range of experience at Band 5 in different specialities
  • Experience of participating in audit and EBP
  • Evidence of actively participating to in service training and MDT groups
  • Evidence and ability to work collaboratively in MDT
  • Knowledge of EBP pertaining to the specialist area of physiotherapy
  • Knowledge of key national guidelines and standards pertaining to the specialist area
  • Understanding of clinical governance and its relation to physiotherapy
  • Awareness and understanding of NHS structure, current issues and developments.
  • Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession

Desirable

  • Previous Band 6 experience
  • Research experience
  • Experience in managing limited resources and high workloads
  • Experience of providing supervision
  • Experience of delivering tele-rehabilitation

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Essential

  • Ability to discuss clinical reasoning in management of complex cases
  • Ability to identify and act upon adverse clinical signs
  • Excellent time management skills with ability to prioritise and delegate
  • Ability to work effectively in a team
  • Ability to communicate complex information to patients, carers and MDT.
  • Ability to undertake self-directed learning, be critical and evaluate own learning needs, demonstrated in a CPD portfolio
  • Able to provide a high standard of clear, concise, written and verbal reports in English
  • Good teaching and presentation skills
  • Competent IT skills including using common proprietary software packages (MS OFFICE etc.) and relevant clinical management software packages
  • Self-motivated with clear vision of role
  • Demonstrates professional independence.
  • Able to comply with trusts moving and handling and therapeutic handling guidelines.
  • Professional manner and appearance
  • Available for on-call, weekend duties and altered working patterns where clinically appropriate
  • Positive engagement to developing the necessary competencies to deliver tele rehabilitation

Desirable

  • Car driver
Person Specification

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Essential

  • Degree or equivalent diploma in Physiotherapy
  • Registered as a physiotherapist with the HCPC
  • Undertaken a range of relevant postgraduate courses
  • Undertaken clinical educators course

Desirable

  • Evidence of relevant managerial / leadership training
  • Member of specialist interest group relevant to the role
  • Member of the CSP

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Wide range of experience at Band 5 in different specialities
  • Experience of participating in audit and EBP
  • Evidence of actively participating to in service training and MDT groups
  • Evidence and ability to work collaboratively in MDT
  • Knowledge of EBP pertaining to the specialist area of physiotherapy
  • Knowledge of key national guidelines and standards pertaining to the specialist area
  • Understanding of clinical governance and its relation to physiotherapy
  • Awareness and understanding of NHS structure, current issues and developments.
  • Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession

Desirable

  • Previous Band 6 experience
  • Research experience
  • Experience in managing limited resources and high workloads
  • Experience of providing supervision
  • Experience of delivering tele-rehabilitation

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Essential

  • Ability to discuss clinical reasoning in management of complex cases
  • Ability to identify and act upon adverse clinical signs
  • Excellent time management skills with ability to prioritise and delegate
  • Ability to work effectively in a team
  • Ability to communicate complex information to patients, carers and MDT.
  • Ability to undertake self-directed learning, be critical and evaluate own learning needs, demonstrated in a CPD portfolio
  • Able to provide a high standard of clear, concise, written and verbal reports in English
  • Good teaching and presentation skills
  • Competent IT skills including using common proprietary software packages (MS OFFICE etc.) and relevant clinical management software packages
  • Self-motivated with clear vision of role
  • Demonstrates professional independence.
  • Able to comply with trusts moving and handling and therapeutic handling guidelines.
  • Professional manner and appearance
  • Available for on-call, weekend duties and altered working patterns where clinically appropriate
  • Positive engagement to developing the necessary competencies to deliver tele rehabilitation

Desirable

  • Car driver

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

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY


Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY


Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Team Lead, Senior Physiotherapist

Mike Peak

mike.peak@dchft.nhs.uk

01305255314

Details

Date posted

11 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £46,580 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

405-25-AHP571PHY

Job locations

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY


Supporting documents

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