Job summary
We are seeking a Band 7 Highly Specialist Physiotherapist to join the Royal Free Chronic Fatigue Service, providing personalised care for people living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

This is a 12-month fixed-term contract, working 22.5 hours per week, based at the Royal Free Hospital site.

Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will provide highly specialist physiotherapy assessment and management for patients with complex needs. You will manage an allocated caseload and deliver individual physiotherapy alongside our virtual Fatigue Management Programme, supporting patients to manage symptoms and the impact of ME/CFS on daily life.

You will work collaboratively with patients to develop care plans that reflect their goals, preferences and energy limits, in accordance with current NICE guidance. Clinical supervision and line management will be provided by the Band 8A Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner and Team Co-Lead.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to multidisciplinary working, staff education and the ongoing evaluation and development of the service.

Main duties of the job

• Provide highly specialist physiotherapy assessment and personalised care for people with ME/CFS, recognising post-exertional malaise and avoiding symptom exacerbation.
• Manage a complex caseload, agreeing and reviewing care plans with patients.
• Support pacing, rest, sleep and energy management, adapting advice to symptoms and relapse.
• Provide patient-chosen physical activity support in line with NICE guidance, without fixed incremental increases or graded exercise therapy.
• Deliver individual physiotherapy and the virtual Fatigue Management Programme with multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Contribute to referral triage, multidisciplinary assessment, care coordination and onward referral.
• Maintain accurate records, monitor outcomes and escalate clinical or safeguarding concerns.
• Support staff teaching and supervision, clinical audit, quality improvement and service development.

About us
The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's biggest and most innovative trusts. Across four main hospitals, our dedicated army of staff care for over 1.6 million patients, treat more than 200,000 in A&E, deliver over 8,000 babies and carry out more than 17 million tests. Our size, scale and influence offer you unrivalled career opportunities and a forward-thinking approach to working that works around your lifestyle. From flexible hours and generous benefits, to next level training, we make it easier to take your career to the top. For more information please follow link https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/

Details
Date posted: 19 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £58,133 to £65,261 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS (pro rata)
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 391-RFL-8341161
Closing date: 29 October 2026

Person Specification
Essential

• Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust's shared commitments.
• Degree or diploma in Physiotherapy, or equivalent recognised qualification.
• Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as a Physiotherapist.
• Evidence of relevant postgraduate learning and continuing professional development in specialist physiotherapy and management of complex long-term conditions.
• Significant post-registration physiotherapy experience, including specialist practice at Band 6 level or equivalent with complex long-term conditions.
• Experience of independently assessing, managing and reviewing a complex caseload, recognising risk and seeking senior advice appropriately.
• Experience of multidisciplinary working and coordinating care with patients, carers and other professionals.
• Experience of delivering patient education or group interventions and supporting individual self-management.
• Experience of supervising, teaching or supporting junior staff, support workers or students.
• Experience of clinical audit, outcome measurement or quality improvement.
• Highly developed assessment and clinical reasoning skills; ability to formulate individual care plans, evaluate outcomes and identify red flags.
• Knowledge of current NICE ME/CFS guidance, post-exertional malaise, energy management and the implications for safe physiotherapy practice.
• Ability to tailor interventions to symptoms and energy limits, recognise flare-ups or relapse, and avoid approaches inconsistent with NICE guidance.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and an autonomous caseload while working within competence and agreed escalation pathways.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including sensitive discussion of complex information and adaptation to cognitive or accessibility needs.
• Ability to facilitate patient education and groups, promote shared decisions and support sustainable self-management.
• Ability to provide supervision, feedback and teaching and to delegate clinical work safely.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, consent, capacity, clinical governance, risk management and information governance.
• Ability to maintain clear, accurate clinical records and use electronic records, virtual platforms and outcome data.
• Ability to critically appraise evidence and contribute to audit and service improvement.
• Compassionate, respectful and non-judgemental approach that recognises the impact of ME/CFS and values patients' experiences.
• Commitment to inclusion, accessible care and reasonable adjustments.
• Effective team working, reliability and willingness to seek supervision and support colleagues.
• Reflective practice, self-awareness and commitment to continuing professional development.
• Ability to respond constructively to change, feedback and emotionally challenging clinical situations.
• Ability to fulfil the clinical and service duties of the post with reasonable adjustments where required.

Desirable

• Relevant postgraduate qualification or accredited training in ME/CFS, rehabilitation, clinical education or psychologically informed practice.
• Clinical experience in an ME/CFS specialist service, including energy management and post-exertional malaise.
• Experience of virtual consultations or online group programmes.
• Knowledge or training in ACT- or CFT-informed approaches relevant to physiotherapy, with awareness of professional boundaries.

Employer contact details
Team & Clinical Lead - Chronic Fatigue Service: Alan Lythgoe, alan.lythgoe@nhs.net

Employer details
Employer name: Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG, United Kingdom

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.