Advanced Physiotherapist – Respiratory Centre

Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main Duties of the Job

We are looking for an experienced respiratory Physiotherapist with an interest in long‑term ventilation to join our regional respiratory outpatient centre for a fixed 12‑month contract covering maternity leave.

This role will involve assessing and treating patients with a range of complex respiratory conditions while working with the medical, nursing and physiotherapy team, prescribing ventilation, and assisting with cough techniques and parameters, as well as following up patients in our outpatient clinics, at home and other community settings across the Wessex region.

Working for Our Organisation

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI‑generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognising that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti‑racist, anti‑discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities

We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced respiratory Physiotherapist, with evidenced experience in managing and treating patients with complex ventilation and airway clearance needs. This role is an ideal opportunity for an individual who is keen to further develop their specialist respiratory and leadership skills over a 12‑month period.

The Respiratory centre is an award‑winning service which provides a hub for all respiratory outpatients and is staffed by a multi‑professional team, covering both local and regional respiratory services.

Your clinical remit will involve the assessment and treatment of outpatients and in‑patients with complex long‑term ventilation and airway clearance needs referred to the regional adult home ventilation service.

This post offers an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual to develop clinical and managerial skills within respiratory physiotherapy and oversee the development of others. The postholder will be expected to support the therapy, nursing and medical staff with complex patients requiring respiratory physiotherapy input in both the outpatient clinics and on the acute inpatient wards. The postholder will also be expected to assist with strategic development of the UHS Therapy service.

The postholder will be expected to engage in research, as well as regular clinical audits, and maintain up‑to‑date skills and knowledge to implement evidence‑based practice. The role will require supervising undergraduate students, as well as providing specialist advice to colleagues.

The successful applicant would be expected to work at weekends within all fields of medicine and be rostered on the Physiotherapy respiratory on‑call and twilight rota, working across the acute wards and/or the home ventilation on‑call service.

Key Skills and Experience

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• Excellent therapeutic clinical skills in treating patients with respiratory conditions.
  
• Experience using NIV equipment.
  
• Demonstrable skills in leading clinical audit and clinical trials.
  
• Experience in doing shifts within an acute respiratory on‑call service, including intensive care, for adults and children.
  
• Clear, expressed desire in your application form to work in TRC service.
  
• Experience with leading others in a clinical environment.
  

Desirable Skills Needed

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• Experience as a student supervisor.
  
• Experience working clinically as a physiotherapist in community and outpatient environment.
  

If this post is not for you and you are interested in other therapy opportunities, please e‑mail:

We are open to part‑time, or NHS secondment.

Person Specification

Trust Values

Essential Criteria

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• Patient First
  
• Always Improving
  
• Working Together
  

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Essential Criteria

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• Master’s in Physiotherapy or equivalent experience: highly specialist skills with relevant levels of study.
  
• Current HCPC registration.
  
• Significant relevant clinical experience or the ability to demonstrate significant experience in physiotherapy practice.
  
• Evidence of proven leadership and supervisory skills.
  
• Previous experience within relevant clinical area.
  
• Previous experience on‑call, where relevant to clinical area.
  
• Experience of working in a multi‑disciplinary team.
  
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
  
• Experience of audit, evaluation, or research.
  
• Evidence of implementing change in a clinical environment.
  

Desirable Criteria

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• Management qualification, or equivalent experience.
  
• Attendance at post‑graduation courses, or conferences, relevant to clinical area.
  
• Able to demonstrate a sound understanding of healthcare priorities and political agendas.
  
• Experience working in an acute hospital setting.
  
• Leadership qualification, or experience.