Highly Specialised Elbow Arthroplasty Physio with Research Role

Job summary
We are pleased to invite applications from experienced MSK physiotherapists seeking to combine highly specialised clinical practice with a dedicated research role, working within our well-established elbow arthroplasty service.

The post is for a Highly Specialised Elbow Arthroplasty Physiotherapist at AFC Band 7, with a research role.

The working pattern is Monday to Friday, based at Wrightington Hospital, split between physiotherapy clinics, orthopaedic clinic and dedicated research sessions in accordance with an agreed job plan. There is no requirement for on-call working, although hours may occasionally be required in line with local service delivery, including weekends and Bank Holidays.

You should hold a degree or diploma in Physiotherapy and be HCPC registered, with evidence of relevant postgraduate clinical education and CPD. A higher degree or research qualification is desirable. Candidates are required to show evidence of their certificates to the interview panel.

Main duties of the job
The role will be based at Wrightington Hospital, with responsibility for the advanced assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients with complex or chronic elbow conditions, including those undergoing or being considered for elbow arthroplasty.

You will need highly developed clinical reasoning and differential diagnostic skills to ensure patients are managed safely, efficiently and effectively as an autonomous practitioner, directing the care pathway for your patients including assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and onward referral as indicated.

You will work closely with Orthopaedic Consultants undertaking elbow surgery, specialist elbow physiotherapists and academic and research governance partners including Edge Hill University, the Research Delivery Team and Research Sponsorship Team.

You will also develop and deliver research, service evaluation and audit projects related to the elbow, including protocol development, grant applications and dissemination of findings. Previous experience of research delivery is desirable; training, mentorship and support will be provided to develop your research skills further.

About us
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement and living our values.

• People at the Heart
• Listen and Involve
• Kind and Respectful
• ONE Team

WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. We are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.

At WWL we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.

Details
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 302-26-8367787S-MSK
Job location: Wrightington Hospital, Hall Lane, Wigan, WN6 9EP

Job responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership for a designated area of work and plan and organise efficiently and effectively with regard to patient management and use of time.
• Maintain own clinical professional development (CPD) by keeping abreast of new trends and developments, and incorporate them as necessary into the work of the team.
• Establish priorities for own work area, balancing other patient related and professional demands, in accordance with those of the service as a whole.
• Develop and deliver research, service evaluation and audit projects, including protocol development, grant applications, dissemination and implementation.
• Ensure excellent standards of evidence-based care are delivered in specialist area of responsibility.
• Provide day to day management for designated staff.
• Be responsible for personal time management between physiotherapy services, orthopaedic clinic and research in accordance with an agreed job plan.
• Be responsible for ordering, monitoring and maintaining equipment used in carrying out therapy duties, adhering to departmental policy.
• Maintain accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date documentation, in line with legal and departmental requirements.
• Participate in the staff appraisal scheme and Personal Development Plan (PDP) as both appraiser and appraisee.
• Demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and apply it to the work situation.
• Interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts to form accurate diagnosis and prognosis in a wide range of highly complex conditions, recommend the best course of intervention, and develop comprehensive discharge plans.
• Undertake comprehensive assessment of patients, including those with complex presentations, and formulate individualised management and treatment plans.
• Communicate complex patient-related information effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing and therapy colleagues to ensure a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service.
• Gain informed consent from patients, and assess capacity and work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
• Provide specialist advice, teaching and training regarding the physical and medical management of patients with upper and lower limb conditions.

Person specification
Essential qualifications: Diploma or Degree in Physiotherapy; evidence of relevant post graduate clinical education and CPD.
Desirable qualifications: Active member of relevant special interest group; Clinical Educators course; Higher degree.
Essential experience: Experience in relevant areas of practice; experience of supervising qualified staff; experience of participation in service improvements; experience of research delivery.
Desirable experience: Significant experience in equivalent level role; post graduate experience in a variety of specialities; experience of delivering training; experience of clinical audit; member of CSP.
Essential skills: Self-directed learning; evidence of ability to work independently and provide leadership; ability to pass on skills and knowledge; able to maintain judgement under pressure.
Desirable skills: Presentation skills; research skills; grant writing skills; writing for publication.
Essential knowledge: Wide range of conditions and their medical/surgical management; wide range of physiotherapy interventions; professional ethics; principles of research; principle elements of clinical governance.
Desirable knowledge: Audit/critical appraisal; national policies.
Essential additional: Committed to personal and team development; ability to work collaboratively within the multi-disciplinary team; able to work flexibly across locations and shift patterns; relevant knowledge of Good Clinical Practice; speak English to an appropriate standard.

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of sponsorship
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.

UK registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. Equal opportunities: welcome applications from all sections of society.

Employer details
Employer name: Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Wrightington Hospital, Hall Lane, Wigan, WN6 9EP, United Kingdom
Contact: Dan Wright, Therapy Lead, daniel.j.wright@wwl.nhs.uk, 01257256534
Closing date: 01 November 2026

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