Job summary
An exciting opportunity to join a well-established CFS service at STSFT.

The post holder will work within the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) multidisciplinary team at Sunderland Royal Hospital and contribute to the delivery of fatigue and energy management strategies.

The post holder will participate in the advanced assessment and treatment of CFS patients who may have complex co morbidities / multi-pathology / chronic presentations. The post holder will play a key role in the development, implementation and evaluation of specialist physiotherapy interventions for patients with CFS.

Main duties of the job
This role is well suited to someone who has an interest in working within physical health services and working as part of a wider MDT.

The service provides specialist assessments and interventions for CFS. There are opportunities for professional development and training. Clinical supervision will be provided by an experienced psychologist within the service.

There are opportunities to form part of Specialist Interest Groups both regionally and nationally, and the post holder will be supported to develop within their role.

There is flexibility with work patterns, including part time work and condensed hours.

About us
Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Details
Date posted: 06 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: C9155-THAHP-1126-04

Job responsibilities

• The post holder will work within the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) multidisciplinary team at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
• To contribute to the delivery of fatigue and energy management strategies.
• To participate in the advanced assessment and treatment of CFS patients who may have complex co morbities / multi-pathology / chronic presentations.
• To play a key role in the development, implementation and evaluation of specialist physiotherapy interventions for patients with CFS.
• To contribute to MDT specialist assessment and intervention in CFS follow-up clinic service provision alongside psychologist and occupational therapist colleagues.
• To use highly developed analytical and judgment skills to be directly involved in the clinical decision making process as part of the multidisciplinary team, using and interpreting the results of diagnostic tests to progress the management of the patients condition.
• To work as part of the CFS multi-disciplinary team, working collaboratively with colleagues.
• To deliver co-ordinated care, and to lead on physiotherapy interventions to MDT staff.
• To undertake evidence-based projects, including recommendations for change in practice and to participate in departmental research and audit.

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE

Person Specification
Qualifications

• Essential: Evidence of extensive CPD and up to date knowledge within Physiotherapy achieved through post-graduate specialist advanced short courses conferences (MSc equivalent).
• Essential: Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Essential: Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists.
• Essential: In depth knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic assessments and interventions & an ability to compare & contrast relative benefits.
• Essential: An ability to critically appraise new ideas / approaches to therapy.
• Essential: Knowledge of the structure and functioning of the NHS, and how the trust fits into the wider picture.
• Essential: Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/ audit/ research.
• Essential: Understanding of the roles of other professionals & the principles of partnership-working with key stake holders.
• Essential: Knowledge of standards of record keeping and ability to monitor and audit this in own team.
• Desirable: Knowledge of national and local policies & procedures relevant to health, social services & education and areas of responsibility.

Experience

• Essential: Comprehensive experience within Physiotherapy at senior level incorporating experience within a range of specialisms within Adult Physiotherapy.
• Essential: Some management/leadership experience.
• Essential: Experience of policy / practice development in specialist area.
• Essential: Experience and high level of skill in the use of and interpretation of a wide range of appropriate standardised formal and informal assessments and with a wide range of therapy approaches for client groups in service areas.
• Essential: Experience in designing and delivering training and education programmes to other professionals/ patients / carers.
• Essential: Training and experience in staff and student supervision, staff and team development.

Skills and Knowledge

• Essential: Demonstrate skills in highly specialist assessment, diagnosis and development of care plans, where clients have highly complex needs.
• Essential: To be able to communicate highly complex and sensitive condition related information to clients/carers, multidisciplinary team members, other professionals often in the face of hostility and/or antagonism.
• Essential: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including observational, listening & empathy skills.
• Essential: Proven analytical, judgement & reflective skills.
• Essential: Proven organisational and planning skills.
• Essential: Excellent presentation skills, both verbal & written.
• Essential: Ability to influence, motivate and facilitate development in others.
• Essential: Time management and Prioritisation skills.
• Essential: Good leadership skills as well as ability to be a successful team member.
• Essential: Service modernisation and redesign skills.
• Essential: High level of skills in complex information processing of information / facts that require analysis, interpretation and where a comparison of a range of options at a service and clinical level is necessary.
• Essential: Highly skilled in contributing successfully to clinical teams for development of client care.
• Essential: Able to introduce innovative practice impacting on policy / service beyond own area of activity / Organisation.
• Essential: Highly developed negotiation & problem-solving skills in complex situations, & ability to facilitate these skills in others.
• Essential: Ability to assimilate, synthesise & present highly complex information / facts that require analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options at a service & clinical level.

Physical Skills

• Essential: Ability to sustain prolonged positions and the physical demands of the role.
• Essential: Ability and knowledge of the moving and handling requirements of the role.
• Essential: Ability to sustain intense concentration on a frequent basis in all aspects of Service & Client Management.
• Essential: Requirement for speed and accuracy with keyboard skills.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Sunderland Royal Hospital, Sunderland, SR4 7TP, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.stsft.nhs.uk

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Allan Winthrop, allan.winthrop@nhs.net