Senior physiotherapist

Job summary
To provide Physiotherapy assessment and treatment, support admission avoidance and early discharge to patients in the emergency department, acute medical and acute geriatric units. To work with the multidisciplinary teams to support discharge planning and onward rehabilitation referrals for patients. Participate in a 7-day rota and an overnight respiratory on-call rota. This is a fixed-term contract which will end 9 months after start date.

Main duties of the job
To ensure a high standard, efficient and effective physiotherapy assessment, treatment and intervention for all patients designated to him/her as inpatients. To prioritise, assess, treat and manage their own caseload of patients as an autonomous practitioner, including the maintenance of comprehensive records. To work as an effective team member, communicating appropriately with patients, carers, and other team members as required. To teach and develop junior physiotherapists, technical instructors, and physiotherapy assistants within the Physiotherapy teams. To undertake an evidence-based project throughout each rotation to further the clinical practice of self and the team, and to enhance patient care. To be an active member of the on-call, weekend duty rotas, and cover of statutory and public holidays including working as lone physiotherapy practitioner at night. To assist Band 7 in organizing the Rota.

About us
The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. In June 2026, we launched our new strategy for 2026-31. Our vision is to transform healthcare, and we have agreed six strategic ambitions to help us improve care for patients, and the working lives of our staff.

Our six strategic ambitions are delivering high-quality patient care ; creating a great place to work ; leading pioneering research, innovation and education ; building strong and successful partnerships ; providing timely and efficient care ; and ensuring long-term financial sustainability .

We have also agreed four new organisational values - Caring, Collaborative, Inclusive, Innovative - and these underpin everything we do, and how our teams interact with the patients under our care.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Details
Date posted: 21 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £45,953 to £54,254 a year pro rata, inc HCA
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 9 months
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 213-Division-A-8260775
Job locations: Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington, BR6 8ND, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To receive referrals, undertake full assessment and independently plan individual specialized treatment programmes for patients appropriately, depending on the physiotherapists diagnosis; using clinical reasoning and specialist skills such as use of respiratory adjuncts, patient education, exercise and advanced airway clearance techniques.
• To use recognized outcome measures to evaluate the effect of the physiotherapy interventions and ensure the treatment programmes are progressing appropriately.
• To carry a designated clinical caseload including complex patients and prioritize that work efficiently taking into account clinical and service priorities using specialist knowledge to underpin decisions.
• To provide individual patient equipment as required, walking aids, splints and supports. To issue such equipment with due regard to safety of the equipment, and in line with legal, national and local guidelines.
• To be responsible for the standard of physiotherapy carried out by physiotherapy assistants or technical instructors working with you.
• To undertake home visits when appropriate, to ensure planned discharge from hospital. Assessment and management of patients and other aspects of clinical practice.
• To be an active member of the on-call, weekend duty rotas, and cover of statutory and public holidays including working as a lone physiotherapy practitioner at night. To assist Band 7 in organizing the Rota.
• Undertake other clinical duties as requested by the Clinical Lead Physiotherapist or Physiotherapy Manager.
• To consult appropriately with senior specialist staff regarding patients with problems.
• Provide patients, families and other carers with specialist advice or instruction to promote the understanding of the aims of physiotherapy and to ensure consistent patient management.
• To communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximize rehabilitation potential and to improve understanding of the condition which will require the appropriate response to the patients level of communication, facilitating the best possible communication outcome e.g. use of interpreters.
• To be able to persuade and motivate patients through effective communication skills.
• To provide and receive information from patients, carers and other professionals regarding a patient's condition and treatment progress. This may include the sharing and receiving of complex and/or sensitive information.
• Develop and maintain close working relationships with physiotherapy colleagues, referring clinicians, other members of the multidisciplinary team and other appropriate persons or agencies involved in the provision of care to these groups of patients in the community and hospital settings to provide a coordinated service.
• To attend case conferences and ward rounds to ensure that the physiotherapeutic management of patients is integrated into the individual patient treatment plan and that other members of the MDT know the progress of the patient.

Provide education using specialist knowledge to relevant patient groups.

• To maintain comprehensive, accurate and timely patient notes and records in accordance with departmental policy and to ensure the safekeeping and confidentiality of these records.
• To keep comprehensive records of activity in accordance with local and national requirements, use departmental software systems as required.
• To participate in the Kings College Hospital Employee Performance Appraisal system and to fulfil its requirements, progressing to undertaking independent appraisals of junior staff.
• To organise and monitor the day to day work of the physiotherapy assistants where allocated.
• To deputise for the Band 7 physiotherapist when appropriate and adapt to changing service demands.
• To participate in the supervision and teaching of junior physiotherapy staff, students and assistants, progressing to independent supervision, management and competency assessment of a student.
• To be an active team member by supporting other members, offering assistance, being flexible and approachable particularly during changing service demands and staffing levels.
• To ensure that work areas are kept safe and tidy and to be responsible for regular inspection and reporting defects of equipment used and report to the Clinical Lead Physiotherapist
• To be aware of the cost/benefit implications in the selection of appropriate equipment to be provided for patient long-term use.
• Identify opportunities to improve the service, and to discuss them with the Clinical Lead Physiotherapist and take forward as a personal project.
• To demonstrate a knowledge of Clinical Governance and have an active role in clinical effectiveness and audit programmes to develop and improve services.
• To provide teaching, guidance and advice when appropriate to nursing staff and other professionals involved with the post-holders patient groups.
• To undertake in-service and post-graduate training to improve patient care and for professional development and incorporate learning into current practice and disseminate.
• To contribute to the in-service training programmes for the physiotherapy staff, including teaching on it, and organizing the senior programme.
• To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities, using reflective practice and maintaining a portfolio that indicates personal development.
• To be involved in research and evaluation of practice as opportunities arise.
• To participate in education programmes for schools, community groups and other visitors to Kings College Hospital.
• To prepare and present a research/audit or development project / in-depth study for each rotation which contributes to service development, own personal knowledge and professional development, presenting the project to the department at the end of the rotation.
• To attend physiotherapy meetings and other meetings as required, taking responsibility to support the functioning of the department.
• To take an active part in departmental meetings e.g. contribute to discussion, take on the role of Chair, contribute to the development of departmental policies and procedures.
• To undertake Therapy Handling training and comply with the guidelines.
• To undertake any other duties commensurate with grade as requested by the Physiotherapy Manager or Clinical Lead Physiotherapist.
• To work on any of the Kings College Hospital sites as required and in any working pattern as required by the service e.g., 7 day working Rotas, extended hours etc
• To be aware of own Health and Safety responsibilities including contributing to the infection control and cleanliness of the hospital by ensuring cleanliness of own equipment, undertaking mandatory training, abiding by the hand-washing policy and other policies related to Barrier nursing.
• You have a general duty of care for the health, safety and well-being of yourself, work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountability associated with this post.
• To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of Kings College Hospital NHS Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
• Personal information relating to patients and staff.
• To be responsible, with management support, for your personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
• This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post-holder.
• All employees must hold an 'nhs.net' email account which will be the Trust's formal route for email communication. You are therefore required to check this regularly and to deal with such communication promptly.

Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential

• To have a degree or other recognised qualification in physiotherapy
• HCPC Registered
• Wide-ranging post-graduate clinical experience including musculoskeletal, orthopaedics, respiratory, elderly and neurology
• Able to demonstrate continuing professional development at a post graduate level, e.g. up to d at CPD portfolio

Desirable

• MCSP
• Member of Clinical Interest group

Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Extended postgraduate experience in Medicine
• Knowledge and understanding of a broad range of medical conditions and problems
• Comprehensive assessment skills and varied rehabilitation techniques
• Awareness of Clinical Governance and it implications for the Physiotherapy Service
• Knowledge of experience of admission avoidance and home first approach

Desirable

• Experience of working in community Physiotherapy
• Experience in Supervision of staff
• Experience managing students

Skills and Competencies
Essential

• Recognise boundaries of own knowledge/skill
• Competent to take part in Physiotherapy respiratory on call and/or weekend physiotherapy rotas
• IT skills, including EPR, word, excel
• Able to give clear, concise written and verbal reports in English
• Demonstrates professional independence and awareness of boundaries of own knowledge and 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 (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: King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington, BR6 8ND, United Kingdom
Employer's website: (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Clinical Lead Physiotherapist Acute Medicine, Nicola rennie, [email protected], 01689863845

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.