Job summaryThis job advert is open for INTERNAL CANDIDATES ONLY and is specifically aimed at our current physiotherapy apprentices who have completed their apprenticeship through WAHT and are due to complete their course and achieve HCPC registration in Autumn 2026.
WAHT have permanent vacancies for newly qualified band 5 physiotherapists to join our rotation scheme.
Experience can be gained in the following specialities:
- Respiratory care including critical care and NIPPV service
- A&E
- Neurology and Stroke
- Inpatient orthopaedics
- Musculoskeletal outpatients
- Vascular
- Multidisciplinary frailty services
Rotations are across all 3 hospital sites with one rotation out of Trust with an expectation that the successful applicant is able and willing to complete rotations on different sites. The official base for the post will be Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
You will be supported through supervision, mentorship and a structured in-service training programme to develop your knowledge and skills in core rotations.
Following submission of application, candidates will be invited to an apprenticeship review meeting with the Physiotherapy & Orthotics Manager. This meeting will provide the candidate with the opportunity to discuss their progress to date and identify what further support they will require to make the successful transition from assistant practitioner to qualified band 5 physiotherapist.
For further information, please contact: Helen Hawkes, Therapy Service Lead, h.hawkes@nhs.net
Main duties of the job- You will work as an autonomous practitioner under supervision, to provide high quality patient focussed care through assessment, diagnosis, development and delivery of individual treatment programmes.
- You will take the responsibility for your own caseload, under supervision, within a defined area of service or for a particular patient type.
- You will provide assistance in the supervision, support and education of unqualified / more junior staff and students and participate in departmental audit in support of evidence based practice.
- You will be required to undertake outpatient activity as appropriate within area of speciality.
- You will contribute to our 7-day service on a rota basis dependant on specialty of work / rotation.
- To complete on call over a 24 hrs period / complete weekend working as appropriate to speciality.
- You will be supported with regular mentorship and appropriate training and supervision.
About usWorcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.
The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester
Our workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.
We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.
Being open and honest
Ensuring people feel cared for
Showing respect to everyone
We are committed to developing a culture of continuous improvement by embedding the principles of our Improvement System.
We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.
DBS Checks and CostsAny applicants who are offered posts requiring a DBS check as part of their employment check will have the cost of this check (at the current rate) deducted from their salary. Please see link in Supporting Information section for more details on DBS checks and costs.
Job responsibilitiesClinical:- To undertake clinical assessment, including risk analysis, of patients presenting simple and multi-pathologies over a wide range of specialties e.g. respiratory, neurology, care of the elderly.
- To use basic clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment techniques to establish accurate diagnosis.
- To use judgemental skills and comprehensive knowledge of physiotherapy treatments to formulate individual treatment programmes based on evidence of best practice.
- To demonstrate skill and expertise in the delivery of treatments to patients by interpretation of sensory feedback and the use of handling, manual physiotherapy techniques, exercise therapy (including the cardiac rehabilitation group) and electrotherapy.
- To regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment plan and adjust the treatment accordingly.
- To use clinical knowledge to formulate a prognosis and recommend an appropriate course of action and discharge plan.
- To maintain comprehensive, accurate and contemporaneous treatment records including valid consent appropriate to the intervention.
- To ensure that patient confidentiality is always maintained.
- To participate in the Orthopaedic Weekend and Bank Holiday Discharge Service on a rostered basis.
- To participate in the evening and weekend On Call Service, which includes advanced respiratory techniques and non-invasive ventilatory aids. This may include the treatment of children.
- To work hours over 7 day working dependant on rotation.
Communications:- To communicate effectively, verbally and through touch, with patients to maximise rehabilitation potential.
- Communication skills of persuasion, motivation, explanation and gaining informed consent will be used with a variety of patients.
- To assess capacity, gain valid consent and to work within a legal framework with patients who lack the capacity to consent to treatment. Barriers to effective communication will regularly be evident e.g. loss of hearing, altered perception, expressive and receptive dysphasia, visual and mental disabilities, depression, pain and fear.
- To use written information to reinforce understanding of the patients condition and the involvement in the treatment process. To liaise with the designated Senior Physiotherapist regarding the workload of the area.
- To liaise with Senior Physiotherapy staff regarding all complex cases.
- To liaise with medical, nursing staff and other health care professionals regarding patient care.
- To liaise and where appropriate advise patients, carers and relatives regarding patient care
- To liaise with members of the multidisciplinary team and attend Case Conferences, MDT meetings and ward rounds as appropriate.
Education and Training:- To be appraised by the Senior Physiotherapist on each rotation, agree personal objectives to be achieved on that rotation.
- To keep abreast of new developments in clinical physiotherapy and evidence-based practice.
- To participate in all annual mandatory training.
- To attend in-service training
- To participate in training by the occasional delivery of presentations to fellow physiotherapists and other staff.
- To supervise assistants / more junior members of staff and students as delegated by senior staff
Organisation and Management:- To prioritise and manage own patient workload and that of supervised staff.
- Occasionally, in the absence of the Senior Physiotherapist in the specialty, to manage staff and workloads.
- To be aware of and adhere to National, Professional, Trust and Departmental policies and recommend changes for own work area following audit or research.
- To always maintain a safe environment for patients, visitors and staff.
- To ensure safe use of all mechanical and electrical equipment or orthoses and appliances used in the care of patients, providing advice to other staff and carers as needed.
- To act immediately to rectify any unsafe practices or environments witnessed and report adverse incidents or near misses according to Trust policy.
- To provide statistical information regarding own workload as required for managerial purposes
Professional:- To maintain Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration adhering to the Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics
- To maintain own Continuing Professional Development in line with Clinical Governance and the HCPC Standards.
- To work within the Rules of Professional Conduct of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
- To be responsible for maintaining own competence through self-directed learning and reflective practice.
- To assist with research, audit and service development projects.
Person SpecificationSkills and KnowledgeEssential- Effective and appropriate written and verbal communication skills.
- Evidence of appropriate Personal skills (e.g. responsible, Flexible, well organised)
- Evidence of effective team working.
- A range of clinical knowledge and skills in all core areas.
- Understanding of professional, legal and clinical governance responsibilities.
- Awareness of current NHS issues.
Desirable- Teaching skills
- Leadership skills
- Presentation Skills
ExperienceEssential- Experience in each of the core specialties or can demonstrate a broad range of experience from the different specialities.
- Appropriate experience within an NHS Trust.
- Evidence of recent/relevant CPD.
Desirable- Training of other MDT members
- Active participation in audit or research
Personal QualitiesEssential- Professional Manner.
- Enthusiastic about physiotherapy and providing the best possible patient care.
- Able to show Initiative.
- Approachable.
- Good Interpersonal Skills.
Other job requirementsEssential- Post holder must hold a full and valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle in order to work flexibly across all sites to fulfil the requirements of the role.
QualificationsEssential- Diploma or Degree in Physiotherapy.
- Health and Care Professions Council registration.
DesirableThis 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.Applicants must have current UK professional registration. 
