Job summary
Permanent
Static Band 7 Physiotherapist, 18.5 hours per week, Rheumatology Out-patients based at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Physiotherapist to join our experienced and supportive MSK Out-patients physiotherapy team.

This is an excellent opportunity to advance and consolidate your specialist knowledge and skills to provide safe, effective, high quality and evidence-based physiotherapy to a wide range of Rheumatological Out-patients at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop research, teaching and leadership skills and we offer support with training and development through courses, in-service training, appraisals and supervision.

The successful candidate will work as part of the physiotherapy and wider multi-disciplinary teams.

Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will work as part of the physiotherapy and multidisciplinary team to provide high quality care to Rheumatological patients.

The main duties of the job include:

The assessment and treatment of patients with complex Rheumatological conditions, including newly diagnosed Spondyloarthropathy patients and patients with multi pathologies, including patients with inflammatory disease, with underlying MSK conditions.

Provide patients with intra-articular injection therapy.

To contribute to service developments and quality improvement.

To provide clinical support and supervision for Physiotherapy staff and Support Workers, as well as supervision of students

To deputise in the absence of senior colleagues as required.

To maintain professional development through participation in relevant professional training programmes

To comply with Trust policies.

• To assist in raising the profile of the Physiotherapy service.

Key requirements:

good interpersonal skills.

problem solving approach to tasks.

ability to work independently and collaboratively within teams.

ability to manage time effectively.

ability to work effectively under pressure.

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
10 September 2026

Pay scheme
Agenda for change

Band
Band 7

Salary
£49,387 to £56,515 a year

PRO RATA

Contract
Permanent

Working pattern
Part-time

Reference number
C9155-CSAHP-0926-17

Job locations
Sunderland Royal Hospital
Kayll Road
SUNDERLAND
SR4 7TP
United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Highly Specialist Physiotherapist (Rhematology)

Part Time 18.5 Hours Per Week

• To work as an autonomous practitioner within the Rheumatology and MSK Physiotherapy services, using highly specialist clinical reasoning, assessment, diagnosis and treatment skills, including injection therapy, to independently manage caseloads which will incorporate routine and complex presentation of conditions.
• Participate as an active member of the Rheumatology service and MDT.
• To support and develop the Rheumatology service and patient pathways in line with clinical standards and best practice.
• Take a lead role in clinical practice issues, raising the profile of the service and offering highly specialist advice to planning and service development teams to assist in the implementation of service improvements.
• To develop the clinical education of staff within the specialism and be responsible for the supervision of unqualified and newly qualified Physiotherapists who work under your direct supervision.
• Participate in research, service development and/or quality improvement activities.
• To maintain professional development through participation in relevant professional training programmes and take a lead in in-service training

FOR FULL JOB DESCRIPTION SEE ATTACHMENT

Job description
Job responsibilities
Highly Specialist Physiotherapist (Rhematology)

Part Time 18.5 Hours Per Week

• To work as an autonomous practitioner within the Rheumatology and MSK Physiotherapy services, using highly specialist clinical reasoning, assessment, diagnosis and treatment skills, including injection therapy, to independently manage caseloads which will incorporate routine and complex presentation of conditions.
• Participate as an active member of the Rheumatology service and MDT.
• To support and develop the Rheumatology service and patient pathways in line with clinical standards and best practice.
• Take a lead role in clinical practice issues, raising the profile of the service and offering highly specialist advice to planning and service development teams to assist in the implementation of service improvements.
• To develop the clinical education of staff within the specialism and be responsible for the supervision of unqualified and newly qualified Physiotherapists who work under your direct supervision.
• Participate in research, service development and/or quality improvement activities.
• To maintain professional development through participation in relevant professional training programmes and take a lead in in-service training

FOR FULL JOB DESCRIPTION SEE ATTACHMENT

Person Specification
Personal Qualities
Essential

• Collaborative team player with the ability to lead and mentor junior colleagues.
• Empathetic, patientcentred approach and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Self-motivated, proactive and committed to continuous professional development.
• Resilient, adaptable and able to work under pressure.

Experience
Essential

• Significant postgraduate experience in Rheumatology.
• Proven track record in assessing and managing Rheumatological conditions.
• Experience working effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability in service development, audit and outcome measurement.

Skills
Essential

• Advanced knowledge of Rheumatology conditions, anatomy, physiology and pathology.
• Proven competence in rheumatology assessment and treatment techniques, including injection therapy.
• Strong clinical reasoning and triage skills.
• Excellent communication, teaching and report writing abilities.
• Ability to analyse data, produce outcome reports and drive service improvements.

Desirable

• Able to use own initiative appropriately to enhance service delivery
• Intermediate IT skills
• Presentational skills

Attitude
Essential

• A proactive ability to represent the profession and the Trust with positive enthusiasm
• Commitment, motivation and adaptability
• Good levels of general fitness
• Flexibility

Qualifications
Essential

• HCPC registered Physiotherapist
• Degree in Physiotherapy (or equivalent).
• A post graduate certificate in Injection Therapy (or commitment to work towards certification)
• Continuing Professional Development diary including evidence of reflective practice, training and clinical experience
• Basic numeracy and literacy skills to level 1 or equivalent
• Basic IT skills
• Evidence of post-graduate competence, knowledge and skills in Rheumatological conditions.

Desirable

• An understanding of South Tyneside and Sunderland Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing
• Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (MCSP).

Person Specification
Personal Qualities
Essential

• Collaborative team player with the ability to lead and mentor junior colleagues.
• Empathetic, patientcentred approach and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Self-motivated, proactive and committed to continuous professional development.
• Resilient, adaptable and able to work under pressure.

Experience
Essential

• Significant postgraduate experience in Rheumatology.
• Proven track record in assessing and managing Rheumatological conditions.
• Experience working effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability in service development, audit and outcome measurement.

Skills
Essential

• Advanced knowledge of Rheumatology conditions, anatomy, physiology and pathology.
• Proven competence in rheumatology assessment and treatment techniques, including injection therapy.
• Strong clinical reasoning and triage skills.
• Excellent communication, teaching and report writing abilities.
• Ability to analyse data, produce outcome reports and drive service improvements.

Desirable

• Able to use own initiative appropriately to enhance service delivery
• Intermediate IT skills
• Presentational skills

Attitude
Essential

• A proactive ability to represent the profession and the Trust with positive enthusiasm
• Commitment, motivation and adaptability
• Good levels of general fitness
• Flexibility

Qualifications
Essential

• HCPC registered Physiotherapist
• Degree in Physiotherapy (or equivalent).
• A post graduate certificate in Injection Therapy (or commitment to work towards certification)
• Continuing Professional Development diary including evidence of reflective practice, training and clinical experience
• Basic numeracy and literacy skills to level 1 or equivalent
• Basic IT skills
• Evidence of post-graduate competence, knowledge and skills in Rheumatological conditions.

Desirable

• An understanding of South Tyneside and Sunderland Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing
• Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (MCSP).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information
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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Address
Sunderland Royal Hospital
Kayll Road
SUNDERLAND
SR4 7TP
United Kingdom

Employer's website
https://www.stsft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Service Lead
Gillian Gatenby
g.gatenby@nhs.net

Details
Date posted
10 September 2026

Pay scheme
Agenda for change

Band
Band 7

Salary
£49,387 to £56,515 a year

PRO RATA

Contract
Permanent

Working pattern
Part-time

Reference number
C9155-CSAHP-0926-17

Job locations
Sunderland Royal Hospital
Kayll Road
SUNDERLAND
SR4 7TP
United Kingdom

Supporting documents
Supporting links (all open in new tabs)
Discover Sunderland
Staff Benefits
Trust Vision and Values
Equality Diversity and Inclusion at our Trust

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