Community Physiotherapist

Job summary
Are you an enthusiastic and motivated Physiotherapist looking for a rewarding role where you can make a real difference to patients in their own communities?

We are seeking a Band 6 Physiotherapist to join our dynamic Intermediate Care Rehabilitation Therapy Team, based at Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, serving the wider Shaftesbury community. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a forward-thinking, multidisciplinary team supporting patients to remain independent, avoid unnecessary hospital admissions, and achieve their rehabilitation goals closer to home.

The role offers a diverse caseload across community settings, providing assessment and treatment for patients with acute illness, complex discharge needs, and long- and short-term conditions. You will have the opportunity to develop advanced clinical, leadership, and supervisory skills while supporting the development of junior colleagues and therapy assistants.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about person-centred rehabilitation, enjoys working autonomously and collaboratively, and is committed to delivering high-quality care where and when patients need it most.

If you are looking to broaden your skills, embrace innovative models of care, and join a friendly and supportive team that is breaking down traditional healthcare boundaries, we would love to hear from you.

A valid UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential for this role.

Main duties of the job

• To provide Physiotherapy assessment and treatment to people in their own homes, care homes or occasionally on Community Hospital wards.
• To provide a high-quality person-centred approach to care delivery which always considers people's safety, privacy and dignity.
• To provide specialist care and interventions, assessments, treatments and managing patients on a caseload, as part of the wider multi-disciplinary care team.
• To provide specialist advice to others regarding the management and care of patients / service users.
• To devise specialist programmes of care for other professionals to deliver and ensure they are delivered appropriately.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.

Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.

About us
At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us good in 2026. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.

Details
Date posted: 23 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year p.a
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 152-C260.26

Essential

• Registered practitioner to degree/diploma level supplemented by post registration diploma level specialist training and/or short courses or demonstrable extensive experience in the relevant specialty
• Membership of the relevant Professional Body
• Evidence of recent professional development in an up-to-date portfolio
• Holds a current valid UK Driving Licence
• Experience at Practitioner Band 5 level
• Demonstrable knowledge of assessment and therapeutic interventions in area of specialism
• Able to demonstrate specialist clinical reasoning skills to assimilate information in order to make a clinical judgement regarding diagnosis and intervention
• Ability to prioritise and organise workload effectively
• Experience of providing clinical supervision and mentoring to junior staff
• Experience of devising and delivering training
• Experience of planning and organising complex activities, e.g. organise own time and that of junior staff and learners, and undertaking discharge planning involving co-ordination with other agencies.
• Knowledge and understanding of legislation relevant to practice
• Demonstrable ability of using tact and diplomacy
• Demonstrable ability to analyse situations and provide a resolution
• Demonstrable leadership qualities and the ability to perform as a role model

Desirable

• Learning and Assessing in Practice Qualification or equivalent practice assessors training
• Non-Medical Prescriber
• Knowledge and understanding of Trust Strategy relevant to role
• Recent previous experience within a comparable role
• Experience of managing change

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.

For questions about the job, contact:
Shaftesbury ICRT Team Lead, Sarah Ulmer, sarah.ulmer@nhs.net, 01747475253