Rotational Band 6 Physiotherapist

The closing date is 30 January 2026

An opportunity is available for an inpatient Physiotherapist to join our innovative team at Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, based in Harlow, Essex. We provide ongoing care to a broad range of patients, ranging from those who are critically unwell, to those who need minimal rehabilitation or assessment and advice.

As a senior member of the multi‑disciplinary team, you will be integral to the efficient and effective running of the Physiotherapy service, and will assist the Specialty Team Lead in providing the highest standard of care to patients referred to us while also working to improve the service where needed. You will supervise rotational physiotherapists and support them in their work, lead the clinical education and practice of student physiotherapists and assist in department‑wide training. Often you will work without direct supervision, and as such you will be responsible for managing your own caseload and the seamless transfer of physiotherapy care for a defined area of the service or a particular patient type. Effective communication with patients, carers and all other members of the multi‑disciplinary team is paramount, and you will also act as an advocate on behalf of patients for their safety and to ensure they have a positive experience.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave; a national programme thats changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined‑up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector. This means we’re working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives. We’re a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.

To undertake a comprehensive assessment and formulate a diagnosis of patients who may have complex conditions including multi‑pathology. Use well‑developed clinical reasoning to select appropriate assessment techniques that lead you to determine a clinical diagnosis of the patient’s needs. This will involve seeking and sharing personal and potentially sensitive information with the patient.

To analyse the information gained from the assessment to formulate an accurate prognosis for the patient and then discuss and agree goals and outcomes for treatment with them. To set realistic timescales for achieving these, often in conjunction with the aims and goals of the MDT.

To ensure the patient understands and agrees to the treatment plan giving consent to it. This will involve negotiation and motivation skills.

To select appropriate treatment techniques from a wide range of specialist skills available and past experience. This could include therapeutic handling, electrotherapy, manual techniques (including respiratory), patient education, exercise groups, use of appliances, etc. The selection of techniques will be based on both theoretical and practical knowledge and evaluated past experience.

To demonstrate the physical ability to carry out physiotherapy assessment and interventions, including manual physiotherapy techniques, therapeutic handling and the use of specialist equipment.

To be personally responsible for all aspects of safety relating to equipment used. To be responsible for checking and/or teaching competency of more junior physiotherapists and non‑qualified staff (including non‑physiotherapy staff as necessary) in using equipment e.g. appliances, gym equipment, electrotherapy items etc.

To produce clear written information and exercise programmes for patients to follow at home or when not with a Physiotherapist.

To use developed clinical reasoning skills to review and evaluate patient progress and their current condition at each treatment session and to amend the treatment programme as appropriate to achieve agreed goals.

To plan and undertake discharge of patients from Physiotherapy when agreed goals have been reached or treatment is no longer appropriate (e.g. the patient has reached a plateau or there is a change in their medical circumstances). To be able to negotiate this with patients who wish to continue treatment on an ongoing basis.

To be able to correctly identify inappropriate referrals to Physiotherapy and have the confidence to refer on or back as required.

To produce timely and accurate patient records and reports in accordance with Health Professions Council and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy regulations.

To work unsupervised without the support of Physiotherapy colleagues, to provide emergency evening, night, bank holiday and weekend Physiotherapy assessment and treatment for critically ill inpatients at Princess Alexandra Hospital. This includes the provision of specialist Physiotherapeutic advice to health colleagues, and participating in a 7‑day service.

• 
  
• Diploma/degree in Physiotherapy
  
• Health & Care Professions Council registration as a Physiotherapist, or a UK‑recognised accreditation
  
• Postgraduate training relevant to the speciality
  
• Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (or equivalent)
  
• Member of special interest group
  

• 
  
• Wide range of clinical placements and experience during training and junior posts
  
• Experience giving presentations/leading teaching sessions for Physiotherapy colleagues or other professionals
  
• Experience working in the Emergency Department
  
• Experience giving presentations to small groups
  
• Respiratory on‑call competent
  
• Inpatient, outpatient and community setting experience as a Junior, supervision of assistants/admin staff
  
• Specialist interests within Physiotherapy
  

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.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust