Job summary
Children's Specialist Physiotherapist
Department: Therapies
Band 5/6 Per annum pro rata
Hours: 37.50
The Therapy team at MKUH are looking for an enthusiastic Band 6 Physiotherapist to join our Children's Physiotherapy Team for a fixed term contract until 30/12/26.
Although the preference is for a band 6, the post will also be considered as a development role facilitating progression from band 5 to a band 6 through an intensive period of development and support.
For the development role, candidates should have completed some post registration clinical practice and have gained some core experiential learning in the following domains:o Respiratory Medicine OR Critical Care OR Respiratory On-Call Working.o Acute Medicine OR Older Peoples Medicineo Musculoskeletal Outpatients OR Trauma & Orthopaedics.
We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role
Main duties of the job
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
''NHS Survey, 2024''Allied Health Professionals experience a high diverse and equal work environment, supporting this with 8.33 out of 10.
The post will involve working in the Children's Physiotherapy department based in Stony Stratford Health Centre, Milton Keynes Hospital site and Redway School. Being able to drive between the sites is essential.
We offer comprehensive induction, ongoing clinical and managerial support from experienced specialist staff, regular in-house training, as well as opportunities for involvement in service development.If you would like to progress your career in a forward-thinking therapy department then we want to hear from you.
The team delivers physiotherapy services to children and young people aged 0-19 years within acute and community settings. There will be opportunity to work in children's outpatients , primarily with a musculoskeletal caseload. There will also be in-reach to the children's inpatient ward and the opportunity to undertake blocks of treatment for some neurodisability patients.
Clinicians appointed will work in a vacant band 6 position but remain in a band 5 tier whilst commencing their development programme. Movement into the band 6 position will occur at the earliest opportunity once competencies and objectives have been met to allow safe practice.
Interview date: Week commencing 09.03.2026
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
1. To be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients in your care. To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management, and support more junior staff to do likewise.
2. To undertake the comprehensive assessment of patients, including those with a complex presentation.
3. To formulate, deliver and evaluate individual physiotherapy treatment programmes based on a sound knowledge of evidence-based practice and treatment options using clinical assessment, reasoning skills and knowledge of treatment skills.
Professional
1. To maintain own continuing professional development (CPD) by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments and incorporate them as necessary into your work.
2. To be responsible for:
a. Teaching student physiotherapists to graduate level on physiotherapeutic skills and knowledge within core clinical areas.
b. Providing support & guidance to junior physiotherapists and physiotherapy clinical support staff.
3. Contribute to the training, assessment and performance management of newly qualified physiotherapists and physiotherapy clinical support staff.
Organisational
1. To be responsible for the supervision and coordination of junior staff, students, and assistants on a daily basis, in conjunction with the Lead Physiotherapists.
2. To ensure that your own practice and that of staff under your supervision meet the required professional standards of physiotherapy practice.
3. To be responsible for the safe and competent use of appropriate equipment by patients, junior staff and student physiotherapists, through teaching, training and supervision of practice.
We would only consider candidates who have not completed all these domains if they are able to evidence a high level of critical thinking, self-awareness, leadership capabilities and self-directed learning. Experience in paediatrics is not necessary but desired.
We anticipate that successful candidates will move to a band 6 pay-point within 4-8 months depending on experience and development opportunities.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
1. To be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients in your care. To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management, and support more junior staff to do likewise.
2. To undertake the comprehensive assessment of patients, including those with a complex presentation.
3. To formulate, deliver and evaluate individual physiotherapy treatment programmes based on a sound knowledge of evidence-based practice and treatment options using clinical assessment, reasoning skills and knowledge of treatment skills.
Professional
1. To maintain own continuing professional development (CPD) by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments and incorporate them as necessary into your work.
2. To be responsible for:
a. Teaching student physiotherapists to graduate level on physiotherapeutic skills and knowledge within core clinical areas.
b. Providing support & guidance to junior physiotherapists and physiotherapy clinical support staff.
3. Contribute to the training, assessment and performance management of newly qualified physiotherapists and physiotherapy clinical support staff.
Organisational
1. To be responsible for the supervision and coordination of junior staff, students, and assistants on a daily basis, in conjunction with the Lead Physiotherapists.
2. To ensure that your own practice and that of staff under your supervision meet the required professional standards of physiotherapy practice.
3. To be responsible for the safe and competent use of appropriate equipment by patients, junior staff and student physiotherapists, through teaching, training and supervision of practice.
We would only consider candidates who have not completed all these domains if they are able to evidence a high level of critical thinking, self-awareness, leadership capabilities and self-directed learning. Experience in paediatrics is not necessary but desired.
We anticipate that successful candidates will move to a band 6 pay-point within 4-8 months depending on experience and development opportunities.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Physiotherapy Degree or equivalent professional qualification.
- Registered with UK Health and Care Professions Council
- Sound therapeutic & clinical knowledge
Desirable
- Membership of CSP
- Evidence of post registration CPD in paediatrics
- Sound therapeutic and clinical knowledge in paediatrics
- Experience working with therapy assistants.
Experience
Essential
- Undergraduate placements in core physiotherapy areas.
- Awareness of NHS & Trust systems, policies, procedures & current changes.
- Experience of multi-disciplinary team working
- Relevant post registration experience in hospital.
- Active member of multi-disciplinary team
Desirable
- Completed Band 5 rotation in paediatrics.
- Experienced working at band 6 level within paediatrics.
- Supervision & training of assistants.
- Undertaken project within area. e.g., best practice project, guideline benchmarking, audit.
Skills
Essential
- Basic management skills-to be able to help organise caseload & others.
- Good time management skills
- Ability to prioritise appropriately.
- Ability to keep timely, accurate and legible patient medical records.
- Practice Evidence Based therapy.
- Ability to be aware of clinical & non-clinical complications & risks.
- IT literacy / presentation.
- To have an understanding of the importance of flexibility within their own practice and the wider healthcare system.
- Ability to thrive in a multidisciplinary environment.
Desirable
- Able to independently manage and prioritise your own caseload.
- Ability to thrive in a multidisciplinary environment.
- High level of IST including presentation of IST, with the ability to teach other staff: juniors, assistants & students.
- Understanding of audit & outcome measurement.
- Ability to do 1:1 sessions and appraisals with juniors, assistants & students.
- Able to appropriately apply a range of musculoskeletal and neurology techniques.
Personal and people development
Essential
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
- To be able to work under pressure.
- To actively take part in IST both presenting and receiving.
Desirable
- To be self-motivated and be able to motivate others. To show evidence of self-development.
- To be confident supervising/mentoring staff more junior than themselves.
- To supervise/mentor students as required.
Communication
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others
- Excellent communication skills, non-verbal, verbal and written
Desirable
- To have experience of dealing with challenging patients or carers within a hospital environment.
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Car driver with own vehicle.
- Able to support the weekend and overnight on call rotas
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Physiotherapy Degree or equivalent professional qualification.
- Registered with UK Health and Care Professions Council
- Sound therapeutic & clinical knowledge
Desirable
- Membership of CSP
- Evidence of post registration CPD in paediatrics
- Sound therapeutic and clinical knowledge in paediatrics
- Experience working with therapy assistants.
Experience
Essential
- Undergraduate placements in core physiotherapy areas.
- Awareness of NHS & Trust systems, policies, procedures & current changes.
- Experience of multi-disciplinary team working
- Relevant post registration experience in hospital.
- Active member of multi-disciplinary team
Desirable
- Completed Band 5 rotation in paediatrics.
- Experienced working at band 6 level within paediatrics.
- Supervision & training of assistants.
- Undertaken project within area. e.g., best practice project, guideline benchmarking, audit.
Skills
Essential
- Basic management skills-to be able to help organise caseload & others.
- Good time management skills
- Ability to prioritise appropriately.
- Ability to keep timely, accurate and legible patient medical records.
- Practice Evidence Based therapy.
- Ability to be aware of clinical & non-clinical complications & risks.
- IT literacy / presentation.
- To have an understanding of the importance of flexibility within their own practice and the wider healthcare system.
- Ability to thrive in a multidisciplinary environment.
Desirable
- Able to independently manage and prioritise your own caseload.
- Ability to thrive in a multidisciplinary environment.
- High level of IST including presentation of IST, with the ability to teach other staff: juniors, assistants & students.
- Understanding of audit & outcome measurement.
- Ability to do 1:1 sessions and appraisals with juniors, assistants & students.
- Able to appropriately apply a range of musculoskeletal and neurology techniques.
Personal and people development
Essential
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
- To be able to work under pressure.
- To actively take part in IST both presenting and receiving.
Desirable
- To be self-motivated and be able to motivate others. To show evidence of self-development.
- To be confident supervising/mentoring staff more junior than themselves.
- To supervise/mentor students as required.
Communication
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others
- Excellent communication skills, non-verbal, verbal and written
Desirable
- To have experience of dealing with challenging patients or carers within a hospital environment.
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Car driver with own vehicle.
- Able to support the weekend and overnight on call rotas
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).
