Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and enthusiastic Physiotherapist to join our Musculoskeletal (MSK) Outpatient Service as a Band 7 Team Lead across Lancaster and Morecambe. This 6-month secondment opportunity is open to internal applicants only and is ideal for a motivated clinician looking to develop their leadership experience while continuing to deliver high-quality patient care.

As Team Lead, you will provide clinical and operational leadership to a supportive team of specialist physiotherapists, junior physiotherapists, support staff, and students within a forward-thinking NHS service. Alongside managing an advanced MSK caseload, you will play a key role in service development, quality improvement, workforce support, and the delivery of evidence-based care across our outpatient services.

Working closely with multidisciplinary colleagues, you will contribute to the ongoing development of clinical pathways and help shape the future of MSK services for our local population. We are seeking an approachable and inspiring leader with excellent clinical expertise, strong communication skills, and a passion for supporting others to achieve their potential.

This is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable leadership experience, influence service delivery, and contribute to strategic developments while making a meaningful impact on both patients and colleagues.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide clinical, professional and operational leadership to the MSK Outpatient Physiotherapy Team across Lancaster and Morecambe. They will support specialist physiotherapists, junior staff, support workers and students, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred, evidence-based care.

The Team Lead will maintain an advanced clinical caseload, assessing and managing patients with complex musculoskeletal conditions, while providing expert clinical advice and supporting the development of MSK pathways and services.

The successful candidate will lead the day-to-day management of the team, including supervision, appraisal, workforce planning, staff development and performance management. They will foster a positive team culture that promotes learning, wellbeing and clinical excellence.

Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues across primary and secondary care, the post holder will contribute to service improvement, clinical governance, audit and quality improvement initiatives. They will support organisational objectives, ensure effective use of resources and act as a role model for professional practice, championing innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement across the MSK service within University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust.

About us
We operate from three main hospitals - Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), and Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal, as well as a number of community healthcare premises including Millom Hospital and GP Practice, Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, and Ulverston Community Health Centre.

FGH and the RLI have a range of General Hospital services, with full Emergency Departments, Critical/Coronary Care units and various Consultant-led services.

WGH provides a range of General Hospital services, together with an Urgent Treatment Centre, that can help with a range of non-life threatening conditions such as broken bones and minor illnesses.

All three main hospitals provide a range of planned care including outpatients, diagnostics, therapies, daycase and inpatient surgery. In addition, a range of local outreach services and diagnostics are provided from community facilities across Morecambe Bay.

Our Community Service for adults are provided in people's homes, community centres, clinics, GP Practices, community hospitals. Our aim is to work with people to help them remain independent, improve their health and manage their conditions through high quality care, advice and support.

Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities

• Provide effective clinical and operational leadership to the MSK Outpatient Physiotherapy Team.
• Manage and support a team of specialist physiotherapists, junior physiotherapists, support staff, and students.
• Maintain an advanced clinical caseload of patients with complex musculoskeletal conditions.
• Deliver expert assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation planning.
• Provide clinical supervision, mentorship, appraisal, and professional support to team members.
• Support workforce planning, rota management, and service delivery across outpatient sites.
• Lead and contribute to service development, quality improvement, and transformation initiatives.
• Monitor clinical standards and support clinical governance, risk management, and audit activities.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and external partners to ensure seamless patient care.
• Promote evidence-based practice and support the implementation of new clinical guidelines and pathways.
• Contribute to the education and development of students, apprentices, and newly qualified staff.
• Actively support a positive, inclusive, and compassionate team culture.

Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential

• HCPC Registered Physiotherapist
• Honours Degree or equivalent in Physiotherapy approved by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
• Evidence of relevant post graduate specialist courses/training to Masters module level or equivalent in Speciality

Desirable

• Membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
• Membership of a relevant Clinical Interest group
• First line management training

Experience
Essential

• Comprehensive experience as specialist physiotherapist in areas of practice relevant to the speciality or team.
• Evidence of effective written and oral communication skills in English.
• Experience of working within a team

Desirable

• First line management experience

Skills, Ability and Knowledge
Essential

• Evidence of commitment, motivation and adaptability
• Ability to think quickly, assess clinical situations and make decisions upon that information.
• Must demonstrate a sound knowledge of team / group dynamics and understand the role of a Team Manager within a team.
• Understanding of legal responsibilities within the profession.
• Ability to maintain high levels of concentration
• Must be able to demonstrate the confidence to take independent action within expected capabilities.
• Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills are essential.
• Ability to liaise and communicate effectively within the multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to motivate patients and other staff.
• To have a clear understanding of the role of a Team Manager in the approach of their professional duties in the team.

Personal Qualities
Essential

• Ability to travel as required
• Ability to meet the physical/ psychological requirements of the post.
• Ability to perform moderate to intense physical effort for short periods throughout the working day.
• Must be able to comply with the Trust's policies.
• Must be able to maintain patient confidentiality.
• Must be able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of time management skills
• Must be able to travel to attend meetings around the Morecambe Bay Area.

Desirable

• Demonstrate flexibility in approach to work patterns

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