Senior Specialist Physiotherapist – Elective Orthopaedics
Closing date: 22 March 2026
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Specialist Physiotherapist to work in the Elective Orthopaedic Therapy Team at the Trafford Surgical Elective Hub within the AHP Division. This opportunity is on a part‑time basis (30 hours a week) for 9 months to cover maternity leave.
You will be working in a dynamic, well‑established, multidisciplinary team. We promote close multidisciplinary team working allowing a holistic approach to patient care and to facilitate early discharge from hospital.
You will provide specialist elective orthopaedic knowledge to support the assessment and management of Elective Orthopaedic patients at the Trafford Surgical Elective Hub. You will work with a wide range of elective orthopaedic patients across the Day Surgery unit and the In‑patient orthopaedic ward.
As part of this Band 7 role you will work closely with the Clinical Lead Physiotherapist and Band 7 Therapists to drive service developments and quality improvement initiatives. You will also be responsible for the supervision of registered and unregistered members of staff.
The Orthopaedic therapy team operates a 7‑day and evening twilight service and all staff are expected to contribute. You would also be expected to contribute to the on‑call respiratory rota.
This 9‑month opportunity can be offered as a secondment or as a fixed‑term contract. Please gain approval from your line manager before applying for a secondment opportunity.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will have the skills to assess, treat and discharge elective orthopaedic patients. Excellent clinical reasoning skills, problem solving and decision making would be required to facilitate early discharges.
The post holder must be a calm but assertive communicator, who is able to motivate patients and staff in challenging situations. An awareness of the Greater Manchester Discharge to Assess processes and pathways would be desirable.
The post holder, at onset, will be supported by a robust induction. There is a support network for all staff including clinical supervision and you will be directly involved in the supervision of junior staff and students.
Applicants should be prepared to participate in a 7‑day working service and an on‑call respiratory rota.
Consideration will be given to flexible working patterns.
We strongly welcome informal discussion/ visits for more information relating to the post.
About us
Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward‑thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.
Whether you’re beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.
You’ll be part of a collaborative, multi‑disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.
At MFT, you’ll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.
Your journey at MFT is more than a job – it’s an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We’ll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.
Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading.
Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming one‑stop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. You’ll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.
To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Supporting Documents section and once opened, you can either scan the QR code or click on the link provided.
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.
Diversity Matters MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU for our patients, our communities, and each other. As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application – especially personal statements and responses to role‑specific questions – is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Recognised BSc Honours degree in physiotherapy or equivalent
- State registration via the Health and Care Professions Council
- Clinical Educators Course
- Completion of validated/nationally recognised postgraduate courses or equivalent postgraduate study
- Member of a relevant clinical specialist interest group
- Registered member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
- Audit and Research training to a postgraduate level
- Completion of a postgraduate management course
Knowledge and Experience
- Significant postgraduate clinical experience at a senior/specialist level in a relevant field, following postgraduate clinical experience as a junior in a broad rotational post
- Highly comprehensive specialist knowledge of physiotherapy assessment and treatment technique
- Working knowledge of local and national policies and procedures (e.g. Manual Handling, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy / Health and Care Professionals Council Code of Conduct / Ethics, Health and Safety, Infection Control, CPR, Equality and Diversity)
- Evidence of recent relevant continual professional development to a specialist level
- Experience of and commitment to interdisciplinary and multi‑disciplinary team working
- Experience of supervision of qualified staff, students and assistants
- Evidence of contribution to clinical education and in‑service training of less experienced staff / students / assistants
- Understanding of clinical effectiveness and its implications for services, including experience of quality issues, audit and evidence‑based practice
- Demonstrate knowledge of safeguarding practices relevant to the clinical area
- Experience in a post at this level
- Experience of managing less senior staff
- Evidence of involvement in clinical effectiveness activities
- Knowledge of community and Intermediate Care Services
- Evidence of participation in postgraduate research
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.
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum (pro rata)