Team Lead Physiotherapist for Front Door Integrated Discharge Team

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Team Lead Physiotherapist for Front Door Integrated Discharge Team

The closing date is 26 March 2026

We are looking for a motivated senior physiotherapist with good acute hospital experience to work within our Inpatient Physiotherapy teams covering the wards at Royal Sussex County Hospital which is now a 7 day service, covering the hours 8-6pm. The post is permanent. This role will be focused on providing a high standard of Physiotherapy assessment, treatment and evaluation to clients within the Inpatient Physiotherapy service at Royal Sussex County Hospital. You will have excellent opportunities for your own skills development, working within a strong and supportive MDT and alongside an established peer group of Physiotherapy Support Workers. This Band 7 position is an excellent opportunity to work within a dynamic, forward looking and innovative department. Royal Sussex County Hospital is in a wonderful location, situated adjacent to the South Downs National Park and the sea and with excellent transport links to London and across Southern England. You will be joining a strong and supportive Physiotherapy team within the top performing University Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We look forward to welcoming you on an informal visit or discussing any aspect of this exciting opportunity further.

Previous applicants need not apply.

Main duties of the job

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• To be responsible for the training and development of the staff working in the Front Door Integrated Discharge Team including weekend provision.
  
• To comprehend the acuity of patients within A&E, the Acute Assessment Unit, the rest of the acute floor and C5 Acute Medicine beds, understanding, and facilitating complex hospital discharges ensuring patient flow.
  
• To lead in advanced assessment, clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients who may have complex and/or chronic presentation, under different specialities.
  
• To provide an effective high-quality service to all patients and assist with the supervision and teaching of all members of the team including students.
  
• To provide skilled team leadership and service development within therapies and the wider MDT.
  
• To implement policy and policy changes in own clinical area and to assist with the setting and monitoring of standards of practice.
  
• To undertake evidence-based projects in conjunction with the Head of Physiotherapy and other members of the MDT, including recommendations for change in practice and to lead in appropriate departmental research in this clinical area.
  
• To problem solve clinical and non-clinical complex situations.
  
• To remain competent for respiratory on-calls and to work as part of the respiratory rota.
  
• To participate in a 7-day rota including weekends and bank holidays.
  

About us

Working for our organisation, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Job responsibilities

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria.

Communication

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• To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing and other professional colleagues to ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated, patient centred multidisciplinary service. This includes highly complex information in a lead role at discharge planning (e.g. family meetings, goal setting, team case conferences, and complaint meetings).
  
• To work collaboratively with Occupational Therapy IDT Team Lead in order to deliver and effective and efficient front door therapy service.
  
• To communicate effectively with external organisations such as community services, GPs etc to help ensure effective transfer of patient care. To contribute to discussions with external agencies on systems in place to facilitate this.
  
• To communicate effectively and consistently with patients and carers, individually and in groups, to maximise rehabilitation potential and to ensure understanding of often highly complex aspects of their condition and recovery (goal setting, family meetings, carer training tasks, individual activity programmes).
  
• To be highly skilled in verbal and non-verbal communication skills, allowing patients to express their thoughts, feelings, concerns and expectations. This includes patients who are distressed, depressed or angry and who may have difficulty in understanding or communicating. (e.g. blind, deaf, frail, illiterate or those with other co-existing pathology such as mental health problems.)
  
• Educate patients, carers and relevant MDT staff on a range of topics including physiotherapy techniques, therapeutic positioning, exercises, mobility activities and advice and education with regards to patient condition.
  
• Use empathetic, tactful and interpersonal skills to encourage and empower patients and carers to maximise patients rehabilitation potential; giving opportunity for unloading / sharing of concerns and issues.
  
• To communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, carers and other staff including imparting unwelcome news.
  
• To be able to motivate others such as staff and patients through effective communication skills.
  

For further details, please see the attached Job Description.

Person Specification
Professional Registration

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• HCPC Registration
  

Experience and Qualifications

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• Diploma/degree in Physiotherapy Portfolio of continuous professional development
  
• Master's degree in related subject
  

Skills (non-clinical)

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• Experience of operational team management
  
• Experience of strategic management and representing physiotherapy at higher level
  
• Masters modules or equivalent courses / learning relevant to the clinical speciality.
  
• Previous Band 6 experience in core in-patient area.
  
• Course(s) in management
  
• Experience at Team Lead level in front door Therapy services
  

People Management and Development

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• Experience of teaching and staff development in a clinical setting, within and beyond physiotherapy department.
  
• Experience of performance management.
  

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
  
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
  

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.

£47,810 to £54,710 a year (pro rata)