Overview
ORLAU Specialist Physiotherapist and Team Lead – Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The closing date is 22 July 2026.
An opportunity has arisen for a physiotherapist to join the team to cover maternity leave on a 12 month basis. This would be an excellent opportunity for someone looking to step up and gain team lead and management experience.
The role combines specialist clinical practice with acting as team lead for our therapists. It would suit someone looking to explore specialist practice, which will include research and teaching, and who is keen to develop their leadership skills. Support will be provided in both areas to help the new postholder develop in their career.
ORLAU is specialist centre with a national and international reputation in the field of gait analysis, rehabilitation engineering and orthotics. Services are offered in a multidisciplinary team context with consultants, physiotherapists, orthotists, clinical scientists (engineers) and technicians. The department has its own gait laboratories and design and manufacturing facilities for assistive technology. Specialist staff are active in teaching and training, nationally and internationally, and engage in research and development activities. The work of the department is covered by accreditation national and international standards (ISO 9001, 13485).
Main duties of the job
- Act as physiotherapy team lead, taking line management responsibility for team members.
- Perform advanced physiotherapeutic assessment of patients with diverse presentations and complex physical and psychological conditions, to provide a diagnosis and develop and deliver an individual treatment programme.
- As part of the multidisciplinary team, assess, monitor and suggest treatments for patients with diverse gait abnormalities using advanced techniques including clinical examination, 3-dimensional and video movement analysis and electromyography.
- Undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner.
- Supervise, educate and assess the performance of physiotherapy students, and work closely with the university to ensure teaching meets the standards set by the degree level qualification.
- Lead audits, surveys and evidence-based projects to further own and team clinical practice as required, and make recommendations for changes to practice by the team.
About us
Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust (RJAH) is one of the leading orthopaedic hospitals in the country, with a strong reputation for research and innovation.
Joining RJAH offers opportunities for professional development and access to state‑of‑the‑art facilities, including the Headley Court Veterans’ Orthopaedic Centre. RJAH has links with several universities and is located in North Shropshire, near Oswestry.
Job responsibilities
Organisational Responsibilities
- To participate in the overall management and strategic development of ORLAU through membership of the senior management team.
- To chair team and project meetings as required.
- To lead the physiotherapy team in ORLAU, acting as line manager for the B5/6 physios and any support staff, ensuring all team members develop their skills and practice and engage in appropriate training and CPD.
- To conduct team appraisals, sickness and performance management, managing and approving annual leave through the e-roster system.
- To work with the Clinical Services Lead in the development of physiotherapy job plans.
- To join with other senior staff in managing ORLAU risks and incidents through Datix.
- To provide supervision and coordination of junior staff and students on a daily basis.
- To be responsible for organising and planning own work caseload to meet service and patient priorities, with flexibility to adjust plans and delegate as needed.
- To take the lead, when required, in responding to unplanned events (e.g., rearranging MDT job plans and clinic templates and prioritising patients for cancellation in the event of staff sickness).
- Deputise for the Clinical Service Lead or ORLAU Manager in their absence, taking responsibility for the operational management of the team.
- To plan and lead audits, collecting data and using research methodologies and statistical techniques as part of clinical audit; act as an auditor for the department’s ISO9001/13485 Quality Management System, ensuring compliance with national standards.
- To coordinate the delivery of research projects involving ORLAU’s physiotherapy team, working with the Clinical Service Lead and experienced researchers.
- To develop and update standard operating procedures and recording forms for the service, based on current evidence of best practice.
- To identify opportunities to improve/develop the physiotherapy service within ORLAU to provide the best patient care within available resources.
- To lead components of regular departmental meetings, including presenting new ideas for service progress and planning.
- To be responsible for the safe and competent use of Rehabilitation Engineering equipment and orthotic devices by patients and by junior and student physiotherapists through teaching, training and supervision of practice.
Clinical
- To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work, including management of patients in care and supporting less experienced staff.
- To undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner.
- To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients (adults and children) with movement impairment, including highly complex presentations, using advanced clinical reasoning and manual assessment techniques to provide a diagnosis.
- Assess patients’ understanding of treatment proposals, gain informed consent, and work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent.
- To plan and deliver individual physiotherapy treatment proposals based on evidence-based practice.
- Continually reassess/evaluate patient progress and alter treatment programmes as required.
- To represent the physiotherapy service at MDT meetings to ensure coordinated care and appropriate referrals and discharge plans.
- To communicate with patients and carers to progress and encourage compliance with treatment and rehabilitation programs.
- To provide advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals to promote understanding of physiotherapy aims.
- To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients and manage it effectively.
- To participate in Movement Analysis, Rehabilitation Engineering and Physiotherapy Team meetings, taking chairing responsibility where needed.
- To support patients through acceptance of stressful, complex physical conditions.
- To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date treatment records and communicate results to appropriate disciplines.
- To be responsible for the safe and competent use of Rehabilitation Engineering devices, orthotics and patient walking aids.
- To demonstrate advanced dexterity and skills for assessment and manual treatment of patients.
- To participate in assessment and provision of specialised equipment and devices as needed.
- To participate in the provision of a physiotherapy service within ORLAU, including outreach clinics and independent working.
- To participate in assessment and planning of treatment and follow-up appointments.
- To be familiar with the Quality Management System and work in accordance with QM procedures.
- To work within the MDT as part of the Movement Analysis Service and undertake protocols defined by QM documentation (e.g., clinical examination, measurements, marker placement, electromyography and energy testing).
- To report clinical data, including video and graphical output from complex measurement systems, and compile evidence-based treatment recommendations.
Professional
- Maintain and develop manual dexterity and competency to practice through CPD activities and keep a development portfolio.
- Set high personal and professional standards and monitor quality of practice.
- Teach student physiotherapists to graduate level within ORLAU, using appraisal documentation.
- Assist with training and supervision of less experienced staff and Physiotherapy TI.
- Organise and participate in in-service training and attend/deliver presentations.
- Participate in the staff appraisal scheme and personal development plan.
- Undertake measurement and evaluation of own work through EBP, audit, research and outcome measures.
- Be responsible for the safe use of Rehabilitation Engineering equipment and orthotics by patients and by junior staff.
- Optional: take on link training responsibilities for Health and Safety, CPR, Manual handling or other training duties as requested.
Please see attached Job Description for further information.
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. Job seekers should be aware that not all roles will be eligible for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. For further information visit UK Visas and Immigration – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
- State Registered physiotherapist
- Postgraduate study to Masters level, or equivalent experience.
Experience
- Broad clinical experience through rotational and specialist posts
- Experience of neurological and musculoskeletal conditions in adults and children
- Supervision of more junior staff or students
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team environment
- Significant experience in gait analysis and orthotics
- Experience of chairing meetings
- Experience of conducting appraisals
Knowledge
- Paediatrics
- Biomechanics
- Orthotics
- Key requirements for team leadership
Skills and Competencies
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to listen and motivate others
- Ability to pass on skills/knowledge to others
- Ability to respond to daily service pressures and make efficient decisions
- Ability to work in an MDT and independently
- Ability to present complex information clearly in writing or orally
- Ability to organise and prioritise the workload of self and others
- Experience/understanding of quality management systems
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a disclosure check may be required.
Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
£49,387 to £56,515 a year pro rata per annum
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