MSK Physiotherapist

Job summary

**Please note this post is internal to North Cheshire and Mersey employees.**

We are looking for an enthusiastic, and experience physiotherapist ready to take on a Band 7 level role within our a high quality MSK service. You will develop your skills and work alongside experienced senior colleagues providing evidence based musculoskeletal physiotherapy in a clinic-based setting. We treat musculoskeletal presentations referred from GPs, other healthcare professionals and our CATS colleagues, the latter who we work very closely with in our clinics. We offer class-based programs of which you will be an integral part, as well as individual treatments and provide post op rehabilitation for patients referred from GP practices and from our local hospitals.

You will experience a wide range of MSK conditions and ages to develop your skills in this environment. You will work with a degree of autonomy with the support of both senior and junior colleagues as part of the OCATS team.

Main duties of the job

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 7 MSK Specialist Physiotherapist. This varied and exciting role will involve elements described below:

The post will see you working as an MSK Specialist Physiotherapist within the Orthopaedic Clinical Assessment and Treatment Service.

Contribute to delivery of the Back Pain Pathway.

You will work alongside highly qualified experienced senior colleagues and junior colleagues to provide evidence based MSK treatments in clinic based settings.

Exposure to higher level 8A Orthopaedic assessment clinics to develop skills under supervision of the OCATS team.

We can offer you opportunities to further develop your specialist knowledge and skills in upper limb, lower limb and spinal assessment. We have clinical supervision and a dynamic In Service training programme with external speakers often presenting topics on the latest advancements in diagnostics and orthopaedic management.

The role requires a proportion of time to be spent working within the OCATS gym and involved with the running of a variety of classes (i.e shoulder rehab, OA knee, ACL, Spinal etc) as required.

Further information on the job and the pathway is available.

Please see full job description attached.

About us

Flexible working will be considered for all roles.

North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (NCM) serves more than one million residents across the Halton and Warrington boroughs and the wider North West region.

Bringing together community and out-of-hospital services (formerly provided by Bridgewater Community Healthcare) with inpatient and elective care (formerly Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals) we provide services at two hospital sites and more than 70 community hubs and facilities.

Our mission, vision and values are at the heart of North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (NCM).

They underpin everything we do and everything we aspire to be as an organisation.

Our mission

We will be exceptional for our patients, our communities and each other

Our vision

We will be a great organisation providing excellent healthcare and opportunities to work and learn

Our values

• Kind: We are caring, supportive and respectful to everyone
• Open: We are honest, transparent and open to new ways of working
• Fair: We listen, value our differences and are inclusive to all
• One team: We work well together and with our communities

Details

• Date posted: 13 August 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 7
• Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
• Reference number: C9835-WA26-102
• Job locations: Health Services At Wolves, The Martin Dawes Stand, Winwick Road, WARRINGTON, WA2 7NE, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Principle Responsibilities:

Clinical

To undertake specialised physiotherapeutic assessment of patients with a wide range of musculo-skeletal dysfunctions, including those who may have complex or chronic presentations, adults in ALW and Warrington and children aged 5-16 in Warrington only.

To interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts to form accurate diagnosis and prognosis in a wide range of complex conditions, to recommend the best course of intervention and to refer onto the other professional agencies when appropriate.

Based on assessment, using analytical skills, and incorporating other clinical investigations and findings (e.g. blood tests, scan results) to make a diagnosis and, where possible, prognosis of outcome.

To act as first point of contact for patients with musculo-skeletal conditions, whether in OCATS.

Part of this role be on the Back Pain Pathway (a dedicated Acute lumbar spine service)

To screen patients for serious and other underlying pathologies.

To provide appropriate highly specialised physiotherapy treatment using a wide range of manual and electrotherapy techniques, and formulation of individualised home management programmes.

To evaluate physiotherapy intervention and respond appropriately to findings.

To work autonomously with supervision of physiotherapy colleagues within scope of practice and refer to peers and colleagues when appropriate

To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management.

To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals, to promote understanding of the aims of physiotherapy and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.

To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out physiotherapy treatment, and to adhere to trust policy, including competence to use equipment and to ensure its safe use.

Be an active member of the multidisciplinary team and liaising with them regarding patient management.

To work towards supervise, educate and assess the performance of more junior members of staffs and students.

Professional Development

To undertake the measurement and evaluation of own work and current practices through the use and application of evidence-based practice projects, audit, research and outcome measures.

To identify personal training needs and maintain up to date clinical expertise by using appropriate learning opportunities.

To participate in protected learning time, including sharing in the delivery of education after external courses.

To attend internal courses both organised by the physiotherapy department and mandatory courses delivered by the TRUST.

To participate in the staff appraisal scheme physiotherapy colleagues

Education and Research

To provide highly specialised advice and education to patients, GPs and other health care professionals.

To participate in relevant research to include critical appraisal

Organisational

To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients, and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.

To work as a lone practitioner at one or more GP surgeries and community bases; prioritise referrals according to clinical need, organise appointments, manage daily workload, paper and computer administration tasks, and making and receiving telephone calls before, during and after clinic sessions.

To decide priorities for own work area, balancing other patient related and professional demands and ensure that they remain in accordance with those of the section as a whole.

To provide and maintain accurate and up to date patient records and to communicate assessment and treatment results to the appropriate disciplines in the form of letters, reports and entries onto IT systems, in accordance with Trust and CSP guidelines.

To be actively involved in the provision and collection of accurate statistical information

To undertake and participate in clinical audit relevant to the post

To assist the team leader in evaluating the service and identifying areas of improvement. To assist in implementation of new working practices.

To comply with the organisational and departmental policies and procedures and to be involved in the reviewing and updating as appropriate.

Communication

To use communication skills:

Effectively and sensitively with a flexible approach. To give patients details of their condition, its management and plans of treatment. This may involve explaining the nature of complex, chronic or disabling conditions and possible poor outcome and response to treatment, and will need to take into consideration emotional, physical and psychological conditions

To communicate complex patient-related information effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing and therapy colleagues.

to gain consent from patients, including those who may have communication problems e.g. English as a second language, hearing loss, other medical conditions which affect communication.

of motivation and encouragement to ensure active participation in home management programmes, in particular when there may be high levels of pain and anxiety, and /or depression.

To deescalate patient concerns and manage early complaints referring to more senior colleagues in line with trust policy.

Confidentiality:

Working within the Trust you may gain knowledge of confidential matters, which may include personal and medical information about patients and staff. Such information must be considered strictly confidential and must not be discussed or disclosed. Failure to observe this confidentiality could lead to disciplinary action being taken against you.

Codes of Conduct and Accountability:

You are expected to comply with relevant Trust codes of conduct and accountability.

Health and Safety:

In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and other supplementary legislation, you are required to take reasonable care to avoid injury during the course of work and co-operate with the Trust and others in meeting statutory regulations. You are also required to attend statutory training as required to fulfil your duties.

To comply with safety instructions and Trust policies and procedures.

To use in a proper and safe manner the equipment and facilities provided.

To refrain from wilful misuse of, or interference with, anything provided in the interest of health and safety and any action which might endanger yourself and others.

To report as, soon as practical, any hazards and defects to your Senior Manager.

To report, as soon as practical, accidents and untoward incidents and to ensure that accident forms are completed

Postscript:

This is not intended to be a comprehensive description of the duties of the post. The post holder may be required to undertake other related duties not specifically mentioned above. Any changes to this role specification will be made in consultation with the post holder.

The Trust operates a No Smoking Policy and is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).