Specialist (Enhanced level) Physiotherapist, Band 7

Job summary
Due to retirement, we are seeking experienced physiotherapists to join our community Musculoskeletal (MSK) Advanced Practice Service in an enhanced level post. Candidates will be able to demonstrate advanced clinical diagnostic skills in practice and will join our integrated advanced practitioner service and MSK core rehabilitation therapy team. The role responsibilities include Specialist Triage for orthopaedic and MSK referrals, offering advanced clinical diagnosis, prevention and supported self-management advice, early treatment and referral as required. Multi-disciplinary working alongside our consultants in orthopaedics and pain medicine supports delivery through collaborative clinical pathways. Our job planned service supports working across the four pillars of practice.A capability driven Band 6/7 development opportunity may be considered for candidates that demonstrate the ability to achieve the essential role requirements within 6 months via a probation process.

Where no applicants demonstrated the essential criteria for interview of the Specialist Practitioner Physiotherapist MSKAPS, we may shortlist applicants who show the greatest potential for development to meet the essential criteria for the role within 6 months with a supervised Band 6/7 transitional development program.

Main duties of the job
You will have a broad MSK capability, integrating advanced clinical reasoning and autonomy in diagnosing and managing patients. You will use a patient-centred approach to deliver high quality, best MSK health management approach for our patients. You will have had experienced working in an enhanced or advanced role. Demonstrating a progressive mind set and a clear sense of direction regarding personal and service development is important. You would be a resource for supporting development of other health professionals and less experienced staff by contributing to our training programme.

About us
As a team, we are committed to delivering high quality, value-based healthcare for our patient population across the integrated MSKpathway.

We have a culture of facilitated learning and supervision against MSK capability frameworks, and post-graduate Masters / Level 7 education. We would support the successful candidate to deliver safe consistent practice.

We are actively engaged in research and have a proven record of leading trials with Oxford University and NIHR.

Details
Date posted: 08 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year (pa, pro rata if part-time)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 318-26-T0598
Job locations: Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester, GL1 3NN, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

• To work as an autonomous and independent specialist practitioner, working with the responsibility for assessing and directing the management of patients referred to the community MSK interface service.
• To deliver therapeutic intervention, acting as a highly specialist clinician in MSK Outpatients and the community MSK interface service, by using the principles of Physiotherapy in an integrated and client-centred way.
• To apply highly specialist theoretical knowledge, clinical experience and advanced clinical reasoning to provide comprehensive patient management. This will include patients with diverse or complex presentations/multi-co-mobilities and those referred from other therapists and health care professionals for a second opinion/advice on further management.
• To identify, request and interpret specialist diagnostics within own scope of practice to inform the delivery and management of specialist care for patients and families.
• To provide clinical expertise, education, support and guidance for therapy staff.
• To promote effective communication with therapy, consultant, nursing and other healthcare staff in order to agree an inter-professional approach to patient management and ensure equity of care.
• To support the operational delivery of the out of hours service at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital or Cheltenham General Hospital.
• To assume responsibility for personal development and ensure other team members are supported for development and supervision by continuing professional development, linked to appraisal
• To communicate effectively with patients and carers potentially complex, sensitive or distressing information; in order to provide patient centred care, to encourage self-management, maximise rehabilitation potential and to ensure understanding of the condition. Patients may have communication, perceptual or cognitive/understanding difficulties.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Degree/Diploma in Physiotherapy and HCPC registration
• Registered with HCPC
• Successful in completion of post registration masters (level 7) module (s) or specialised qualification program relevant to the role e.g. (PgCert / PgDip / MACP)
• Working towards completion of relevant post-graduate study (or equivalence)
• Commitment to undertake training as an injection Therapist

Desirable

• Completion of relevant post registration Masters
• Portfolio of mentored practice within specialty
• Injection therapy. Qualification
• Non-medical prescribing
• Previous / current certification on iRMER

Experience
Essential

• Evidence of relevant specialist experience in the musculoskeletal field
• Proven clinical leadership experience
• Experience of delivering NHS care in the UK
• Evidence of delivering quality improvement: e.g. audit, evaluation, QI and service improvement
• Experience of providing education, supervision and mentoring to staff and students
• Ability to demonstrate independent thinking and autonomous decision-making
• Applies strong leadership to day-to-day clinical area management
• Application of good resource management in service delivery
• Evidence of reflective practice within CPD

Desirable

• Evidence of working in an enhanced / screening / diagnostic role
• Evidence of working at a senior level in this specialist area
• Evidence of work across the MSK pathway; including MDT
• Experience of clinical research
• Multi-organisation or system working
• Evidence of national and local guidance delivery in practice
• Actively participated in Recruitment experience
• Engagement in strategic service development

Personal Attributes
Essential

• Personal tolerance of uncertainty and conflicting opinions
• Well-developed leadership and motivational skills alongside team building and team working skills.
• Ability to manage pressure and changing working environment
• The ability to react in a flexible way to changing demands in service delivery, both operationally and strategically.

Knowledge
Essential

• Advanced clinical diagnostic reasoning skills with the ability to provide highly specialised and expert clinical advice to colleagues and other healthcare professionals
• Act independently to plan, deliver, monitor and evaluate complex care using enhanced clinical assessments, diagnostics, and interventions with a broad-spectrum knowledge of MSK disorders
• Evidence of clinical utilisation of behavior change, manual therapy, exercise therapy, lifestyle management, return to work, shared decision making,
• Evidence of a biopsychosocial, patient centred approach to management.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills.
• Proven negotiation/communication skills
• The ability to inspire, influence, persuade and negotiate
• The ability to manage change and conflict to ensure resolutions with positive outcomes
• Managing diagnostic uncertainty e.g. complex multi-pathology presentations
• Evidence of being an effective supervisor, educator and mentor

Desirable

• Demonstration of value-based healthcare within practice
• Evidence of use of diagnostic investigations in practice

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: Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester, GL1 3NN, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Head of MSK Advanced Practice and MSK Triage, Simon Macdonald, simon.macdonald@nhs.net, 03004228127

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.