Overview
Lead physiotherapy services for adult Private Patients, delivering evidence-based assessments and treatments. Manage daily physiotherapy operations and practice autonomously within professional standards. Work both independently and collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team (MDT). Conduct specialised assessments and coordinate with occupational therapy, social services, and medical colleagues to treat complex cases. Develop and implement treatment plans, triaging and discharging patients efficiently. Apply strong time management skills to balance clinical and operational duties. Maintain relationships with community partners and make timely referrals. Collaborate with MDT members to organise patient support at home and facilitate discharge. Contribute to evidence-based projects and monitor practice standards. Supervise and support junior staff and students. Participate in research and audits to enhance therapy services. Educate colleagues on therapy practices and raise the service profile. Support strategic planning and service development. Promote CPD and team development. Be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of clinical work, including patient management and supporting therapy team members to uphold high standards.
Responsibilities
- Conduct specialised assessments independently, including complex presentations, using advanced clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice to determine treatment plans.
- Provide expert assessment and advice to patients, ensuring understanding of the rehabilitation pathway to support informed consent and therapy engagement.
- Demonstrate advanced competence in treating a wide range of conditions, applying deep knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathology.
- Use analytical and investigative skills to develop treatment plans for individuals or contribute to protocols and guidelines.
- Be a key resource for care planning, regularly consulted by colleagues for expert guidance.
- Work autonomously, seeking advice from peers or senior MDT members when necessary.
- Actively contribute to MDT discussions, advising on medical pathologies and coordinating discharge planning with external agencies and healthcare professionals.
- Promote treatment understanding through education sessions for relatives, carers, and health professionals.
- Provide expert training and advice to professionals locally and internationally on patient management.
- Offer therapeutic guidance using evidence-based practice or advanced clinical judgment where evidence is limited.
- Refer patients to other health disciplines as appropriate, including for specialist opinions.
- Use advanced communication skills to set therapy goals with patients that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely.
- Monitor treatment progress, evaluate effectiveness, and adjust interventions as needed.
- Support junior physiotherapy and occupational therapy staff in developing clinical reasoning and treatment skills.
- Maintain accurate written records of assessments and treatments in line with trust standards, including use of dictation.
- Assess patient understanding to obtain valid consent and work within legal frameworks for those lacking capacity.
- Ensure safe provision of therapy equipment, including walking aids, in accordance with departmental standards.
- Understand and support the roles of physiotherapy and occupational therapy within the team, recognising limitations and accessing support when needed.
- Recognise and manage limitations in clinical practice and associated risks effectively.
- Ensure safe and competent use of therapy equipment and promote compliance across the team.
Profissional/Professional
- Comply with therapy codes of professional conduct at all times.
- Be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of practice.
- Maintain accurate written records, including progress, discharge, legal, and disability reports.
- Engage in continuous professional development through self-education, reflection, and agreed postgraduate learning.
- Stay updated on new clinical practices and integrate them appropriately.
- Participate in the appraisal system as both appraisee and appraiser.
- Understand boundaries of extended practice and manage clinical risk effectively.
- Promote evidence-based practice in teaching and supervision of junior staff.
- Apply clinical governance and risk management principles to therapy services.
- Ensure therapy services align with national policy and clinical governance frameworks.
- Lead audits and evidence-based projects, implementing improvements with the multidisciplinary team.
- Maintain strict confidentiality in line with departmental, Trust, and professional standards.
Organisational
- Deliver efficient inpatient therapy services through strong leadership, organisation, and prioritisation.
- Strengthen links between physiotherapy and occupational therapy across Private and NHS teams.
- Manage own complex caseload alongside teaching, service development, and quality assurance.
- Develop flexible strategies for clinical education and service growth.
- Plan and manage therapy services, including care delivery, supervision, and strategic meetings.
- Use excellent time management to meet conflicting service demands.
- Lead therapy initiatives within your sub-directorate, identifying priorities and contributing to service development.
- Actively participate in working groups and key initiatives in Private Patients.
- Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to ensure seamless care.
- Maintain patient records per professional, legal, and international standards.
- Track and report service statistics, ensuring team compliance.
- Uphold health and safety standards, recording incidents promptly.
- Implement and update organisational policies as needed.
- Lead recruitment processes and serve on interview panels as required.
- Attend networking events and participate in relevant training.
- Support audit and service development to enhance patient care.
- Oversee daily management of the therapy team, including teaching, appraisals, and performance matters.
- Ensure timely communication of clinical findings across disciplines.
Communication
- Motivate and persuade patients and staff using advanced verbal, non-verbal, written, and electronic communication skills.
- Expertly communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, families, carers, and staff, overcoming barriers such as language, noise, privacy, or cognitive challenges.
- Clearly explain biomechanics, anatomy, and physiology, adapting delivery to the audience's understanding and prior knowledge.
- Articulate the expert therapeutic perspective to medical colleagues and MDT members, negotiating patient management options.
- Communicate serious health issues empathetically, including poor prognoses, return-to-work limitations, or surgical needs.
- Manage emotionally challenging situations with sensitivity and professionalism.
- Maintain effective communication and liaison across staff involved in patient care, research, or policy development.
- Disseminate best practice guidelines and strategies, tailoring delivery to staff knowledge levels.
Research and Audit
- Use specialist knowledge to lead clinical audit and research programmes within Private Patients.
- Provide regular feedback to the MDT on outcomes and complications via reports or presentations.
- Continuously evaluate and improve therapy services through research and audit.
- Align therapy services with national clinical governance policies, including effectiveness, risk management, and evidence-based care.
- Stay current with evidence-based practice through reading, training, and database searches.
- Develop and monitor departmental and national standards based on best evidence and ensure team compliance.
- Contribute to research and quality improvement initiatives for Private Patients.
Effort and Environment
- Perform assessments and treatments requiring moderate to high physical effort and sustained concentration daily.
- Adhere to manual handling policies at all times.
- Work in a dynamic environment with frequent interruptions and urgent demands.
- Support staff in managing challenging patients or situations.
- Handle distressing scenarios with empathy, including delivering difficult diagnoses or prognoses.
- Execute complex tasks using specialist manual techniques and equipment.
Notes
You will independently manage a varied caseload of private inpatients across clinical areas including care of the elderly, stroke, medical and surgical rehab, and orthopaedics. You'll work alongside a dedicated PP Occupational Therapist and receive support from the wider NHS therapy team. The role demands autonomy, clinical confidence, and sound decision-making.
We are seeking an experienced Senior Physiotherapist to join our Private Patient team at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. This is a unique opportunity to deliver high-quality, personalised care in a prestigious private inpatient setting within a leading NHS Trust. Our Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites—Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital—along with award-winning clinics across North West London. Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5m, providing full clinical services including maternity, A&E and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health care. The CQC rates us Good in safety, effectiveness, care and responsiveness, and Outstanding in leadership and resource use. We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Mid. We are delivering sustainable healthcare through our Green Plan. In line with Greener NHS ambitions, we aim for net zero carbon emissions by 2045. Achieving this requires collective effort. We encourage staff to reduce their impact on carbon, waste and pollution wherever possible. Every action counts to create a healthier, more sustainable future. We are committed to equal opportunities and believe diversity drives innovation and excellence. We welcome applications from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities, valuing the perspectives they bring. If you haven't heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probation.
+ Please check your emails regularly as this is how we will communicate with you throughout the recruitment process. + If you have not heard from us within 3 weeks after the closing date, we regret that this usually means your application was not successful. + In submitting an application, you authorise the Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process, should you be appointed to the post. + During the recruitment process your identity documentation (ie passport, driving licence, visa etc) will be scanned using a device which recognises UV, infrared and machine-readable zone security features of the documents provided. + Employment at the Trust is offered subject to successful completion of a six month probationary period.
