Clinical Lead Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist

Job summary
Community Therapy Services are looking for a Clinical Lead to operationally manage the Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and therapy assistants providing rehabilitation within 2 community hospital wards. The successful candidate can be either a Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist and will form part of a leadership team providing community hospital ward rehabilitation and a Discharge to Assess pathway from a total of 5 community hospital sites. The post is permanent, requires 7 day working and will be based at Sedgefield Community Hospital. The role will be diverse and challenging, working within a number of clinical pathways. Experience of leadership and a proven ability to develop services will be essential. It is an exciting opportunity for a candidate to apply their skills clinically and operationally in a flexible innovative manner, to continue to develop service provision and work collaboratively to streamline pathways providing patients with best quality care in the right place at the right time

If you feel you have the right skills and knowledge then we would welcome an application.

Main duties of the job
As a member of the organisation the post holder will:

• Own individual responsibilities and share team objectives
• Lead or contribute to creating improvement, transformation and innovation of services
• Contribute to creating a work environment that is marked by pride, enthusiasm and collaboration
• Manage and/or contribute to financial performance and target delivery
• Lead by action and inspire others acting as role model, demonstrating the leadership behaviours and values identified by CDDFT
• Communicate positively and effectively
• Actively give and receive feedback in a constructive manner
• Be adaptable, work with integrity and be trustworthy
• Show constancy, courage and resolve in the pursuit of the vision and aims of CDDFT
• Actively contribute to improving the health and well being of the population that is served

About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

Date posted: 28 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year, per annum, pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: C9439-2627-1062
Job locations: Sedgefield Community Hospital, Salters Lane, Sedgefield, STOCKTON-ON-TEES, Cleveland, TS21 3EE, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities

• To provide clinical leadership to physiotherapists and occupational therapists within community therapy services
• To undertake clinical role as an expert practitioner and active provider of specialist clinical care, maintaining clinical skills and demonstrating an effective role model for the physiotherapy, occupational therapy staff and other professionals with in the multidisciplinary team.
• To provide high quality care to an independent caseload referred with complex multi-pathologies. The postholder is an autonomous practitioner, using highly skilled and specialised diagnostic, assessment and treatment techniques within the speciality. The client may present with acute, palliative, complex and / or chronic presentation.
• To assess, diagnose, implement and evaluate individual programmes of care for patients, treating them primarily within a rehabilitation ward environment, but also in a variety of community locations and establishments (including Rehabilitation Units, Clients homes, and Care Homes) in relation to Discharge to Assess pathways and community crisis interventions
• To ensure access targets are met and will actively contribute to identify and problem solve issues as they occur.
• To coordinate and monitor the delivery of high quality care that, meeting identified patient need, supports the aims and objectives of the integrated multidisciplinary team, and remains within the boundaries of available resource.

Person Specification

Experience
Essential

• Significant years experience to include band 6 level incorporating experience within a range of specialisms and community settings
• Experience of collaborative working within multidisciplinary and cross agency teams
• Evidence of high level communication skills within a wide variety of settings
• Experienced in clinical supervision and staff appraisal

Desirable

• Evidence of working on strategic planning and development
• Broad experience at post graduate level

Qualifications
Essential

• BSc/MSc/Diploma in Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy
• Evidence of CPD and post graduate training to an advanced level relating to clinical specialism

Desirable

• Recognised relevant academic qualification
• An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing

Statutory Registration
Essential

• HCPC registered Physiotherapist / Occupational Therapist

Desirable

• Member of the CSP/ RCOT

Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential

• In depth and up to date knowledge and skills in the assessment, rehabilitation and management of patients within the specialty
• Specialist knowledge of professional practice and research
• Understand clinical governance and its implications for services, including experiences of quality issues and audit
• Ability to comprehend and work within the Trusts policies of data protections, equal opportunities and health and safety . To meet the differing needs of patients.
• Evidence of ability to lead in service developments
• Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and carry out concurrent activities.
• Ability to cope with working in a stressful environment and with emotional or aggressive patients and carers.
• Ability to work independently and organise , prioritise and delegate workload to meet service demands
• Evidence of self-directed learning and critical appraisal skills
• Basic IT skills (e.g. emails, electronic record keeping)

Desirable

• Evidence of ability to be innovative and proactive
• Able to use own initiative appropriately to enhance service delivery
• Presentational skills
• Intermediate IT skills
• Evidence of participation in research/audit
• Supervision of other staff, qualified B 5-7 / assistants
• Experienced clinical student educator. Attendance at recognised clinical educator course
• Evidence of change management
• Evidence of robust performance management

Special Requirements
Essential

• Ability to travel and carry small items of equipment to fulfil the requirements of the post
• Driving posts musty have valid Full UK driving licence

Desirable

• Ability to meet physical demands of the post
• Commitment, motivation and flexibility to work within a multi specialism service

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.

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: County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Sedgefield Community Hospital, Salters Lane, Sedgefield, STOCKTON-ON-TEES, Cleveland, TS21 3EE, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/

For questions about the job, contact:
Community Therapy Lead
Glynn Coupland
glynn.coupland@nhs.net
07795012899