Clinical Specialist Therapist for ED and Frailty
The closing date is 17 June 2026
We are seeking an experienced, forward‑thinking Clinical Specialist (physiotherapist or occupational therapist) to lead and advance our ED and Frailty pathway. You will provide expert assessment and intervention at the front door, reduce unnecessary admissions, expedite safe discharge, and support person‑centred care for adults living with frailty and complex needs.
This is a visible leadership role in a fast paced environment. You’ll combine clinical practice with service development, workforce upskilling and cross‑speciality collaboration.
The Emergency therapy team provides occupational and physiotherapy services to ED, AAU, SDEC, the short stay wards and OPAL unit. The team will be led by the post holder, working in close collaboration with the band 7 physiotherapist and band 7 occupational therapist. Services are provided over 7 days on an 8am to 8pm basis with a reduced weekend service. The team works closely with medical and nursing colleagues to assess and make rapid decisions regarding admission, discharge and support required within the community with onward referrals.
Job Responsibilities
- Provide clinical leadership for the multidisciplinary therapy team working in ED, AAU, SDEC, short stay wards and the OPAL unit (frailty).
- Act as an expert therapist and leader within the wider therapies team at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in the field of frailty and in the delivery of pathways in, through and out of the hospital.
- Lead on service transformation within the ED/AAU/OPAL area with emphasis on developing services fit for the future in frailty and reduction of hospital admission.
- Act as the lead clinical representative on agreed clinical and service development groups and boards.
- Provide highly specialist care of complex patients including extended scope interventions and management as appropriate.
- Provide expert training, advice and clinical education to service providers, service users and service commissioners.
- Maintain clinical standards within the service, ensuring staff have the skills, knowledge and competence to uphold the quality of clinical services and to continually develop professional practice in line with HCPC codes and current best practice.
- Work collaboratively with the Emergency Department, Frailty Unit, Short Stay Wards and Same Day Emergency Care Unit, managers and clinicians across the hospital as well as Therapy Leads to deliver clinical KPIs and identify, plan and implement service development opportunities to improve activity and financial viability of the service.
Qualifications
- Degree or diploma in Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy
- MSc or equivalent experience
- HCPC Registration
- Extensive Post‑Graduate training in frailty
Experience
- Extensive post‑graduate clinical experience with at least 2 years in an ED/frailty setting
- Recent clinical Leadership experience at a senior level within an acute setting
- Demonstrable experience of delivering a service based on the needs of the patient
- Service development and clinical leadership within a multi‑faceted organisation
- Experience working in a busy and dynamic environment and in an inter‑disciplinary manner
- Comprehensive understanding of the pillars of clinical governance
- Experience using research and other evidence to inform and drive practice
- Understanding of the needs of the acute hospital and admissions avoidance service
- Experience contributing to the annual business planning cycle process
- Experience of staff management including setting objectives, team and individual appraisals, recruitment and disciplinary issues
- Experience of setting and delivering service strategy to optimise patient pathway and therapy services
- Previous experience working as a band 8a
- Experience of mentoring and training clinical staff and students across multidisciplinary teams
- Experience of leading clinical governance initiatives
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service will be required to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer name: The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust
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