South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Trainee Extended Scope Physiotherapist

The closing date is 24 July 2026

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for a trainee extended scope practitioner to join our Trauma & Orthopaedics MDT in a 3-year fixed term position. It is anticipated the role will progress to an 8a on completion of pre-determined competencies.

The role sits within the acute trauma service providing rapid assessment and management for a variety of acute injuries including fractures and soft tissue injuries of peripheral joints. You will work as an autonomous trainee extended scope practitioner with support from Orthopaedic Consultants as required.

In addition, this role provides clinical specialist physiotherapy for complex knee conditions including supervising and supporting other members of the physiotherapy service.

Main duties of the job

• To independently run an acute soft tissue knee injury clinic, providing rapid assessment and management of referrals directly from urgent care/ emergency department and to expedite appropriate referrals to surgical colleagues. This includes ordering and interpreting the results of investigations such as X-ray, MRI.
• To Provide day to day leadership and service development of the Physiotherapy knee service across the trust.
• To provide expert physiotherapy to people presenting with complex knee conditions.
• To work in the virtual fracture clinic.
• To provide day to day leadership and service development to the virtual fracture clinic.
• To work in the essential fracture clinic, assessing and managing acute fractures, post-operative reviews, this includes ordering and interpreting investigations such as x-ray, MRI, CT scans. In addition, bringing physiotherapy expertise to these clinics as the need arises.
• To provide training on injury assessment and management to the wider MDT including but not limited to ED/UCC staff, physiotherapy students and staff and medical students.
• To oversee audit and research within the T&O directorate as appropriate.
• To provide expert physiotherapy advice to the wider MDT including but not limited to Orthopaedic colleagues, physiotherapy staff, urgent care/ emergency department staff.

About us

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 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £64,750 a year
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 3 years
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: C9155-GSAHP-0726-27
Job locations: Sunderland Royal Hospital, Sunderland, SR4 7TP

Job responsibilities

The purpose of this role is to develop a clear pathway of progression, training and career structure to become an Extended Scope Physiotherapist within Trauma and Orthopaedics. This post will develop to a Band 8a upon demonstration of set competencies required of the post. The Trainee will need to demonstrate completion of all clinical, educational, research and leadership competencies before progression to Band 8a within a set timeframe.

The post holder will be able to work autonomously and be able to provide a high level of expert clinical management and care to patients within the speciality. They will act as a role model for extended scope practice working closely with the multidisciplinary team and other key stakeholders.

To deliver a physiotherapy-led acute soft tissue knee injury clinic involving the assessment and management of complex cases referred direct from the emergency department/urgent care centre by facilitating timely and appropriate intervention.

To provide day to day clinical leadership and operational management to the trauma and orthopaedic physiotherapy outpatient team and the virtual trauma service.

To work as an extended scope physiotherapist within the T&O essential clinics with support from the consultant team.

The post holder will also be required to achieve a wide range of core clinical competencies to enable advanced clinical assessment and examination, including but not limited to:

• Clinical data interpretation, investigation and treatment.
• Diagnosis and injury/condition management.
• Delivery of expert clinical interventions and treatments

The post holder will work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team. The post holder will be expected to cover weekdays. There will be also dedicated allocated time for leadership/research and continuous professional development.

To comply with the trusts vision, values and behavioural compact.

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

Person Specification

Skills and Knowledge
Essential

• Demonstrate an understanding of current developments in the relevant speciality
• Understand, encourage and support clinical supervision
• Knowledge or current NHS, professional and educational issues
• Knowledge of clinical governance and risk assessment/management
• Knowledge of infection control issues
• Leadership skills
• Effective communication both written and verbal
• Presentation skills
• Evidence of MDT working
• Ability to develop protocols and guidelines
• Ability to write reports for senior management
• Work under own initiative with strong organisational skills and work to deadlines
• Able to use problem solving skills
• Time management skills able to prioritise
• Able to manage change both personally and in leading others
• Ability to motivate self and others
• Diplomacy and negotiation skills
• Able to develop scope of roles and responsibilities for self and other trust staff
• Competent in the use of IT software packages

Physical Skills
Essential

• Ability to assist patients to move as per Trust Moving and Handling Policy
• Expert hand/eye co-ordination to facilitate and complete clinical procedures

Qualifications
Essential

• Active professional registration with HCPC
• Degree in Physiotherapy
• Prepared to complete MSc or relevant modules
• Practice Supervisor/Assessor of recent evidence of having facilitated learning in practice

Experience
Essential

• Significant post qualification experience in relevant clinical field
• Demonstrates evidence of well-developed clinical practice
• Experience of leading a team
• Evidence of having facilitated learning in practice
• Audit and research experience
• Experience of change management
• Evidence of innovation in practice

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.

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

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.