Physiotherapist - Advanced Practitioner Plastics - Hand Therapy Band 7

Job details

• Branch: Trustwide (SEHSCT)
• Location: UH, Main Building
• Salary: Band 7 (£47,810 - £54,710)
• Contract Type: Temporary
• Opening Date: 21/08/26
• Closes: Fri, 04 September 2026 @ 5:30 PM
• Interview Dates: TBC

Notes

This is a temporary post and only open to South Eastern Trust employees - All candidates MUST have the permission of their line manager IN ADVANCE of making application. If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week. Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE

Physiotherapist

Advanced Practitioner Level 1 Plastics Hand Therapy

BAND

DIRECTORATE

INITIAL LOCATION

7

Primary Care and Older People

Ulster Hospital Dundonald

REPORTS TO

AHP Lead Hospital Services & Hand Therapy

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Physiotherapy Professional Head of Service

TYPE OF POST

Temporary

JOB SUMMARY

To act as an autonomous practitioner and provide advanced clinical assessment and Physiotherapy treatment of patients within the Regional Plastic Surgery unit, following elective or non-elective hand surgery, complex upper & lower limb, or facial trauma, in an outpatient and inpatient setting.

The post holder will work autonomously to provide person centred care, and act as a source of advice and expert knowledge in the field of hand and upper limb trauma.

The post holder will work within the multidisciplinary team as a Physiotherapist with acquired advanced / generic skills in hand therapy, providing interventions for inpatients and outpatients. This will include carrying out advanced assessment and determining independent clinical diagnosis and Physiotherapy treatment for all patients, and working within designated boundaries to provide all aspects of hand therapy assessment and treatment where indicated.

The post holder will work flexibly to meet the needs of the service including evenings and / or weekends if required

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Responsibilities

Professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own clinical and professional work including the management of patient care.

Deliver and promote evidence-based practice and agreed care pathways.

Undertake comprehensive assessments of conservatively and surgically managed plastic surgery patients, including the most complex of cases, using investigative and analytical skills to make an independent clinical diagnosis.

Utilise complex and advanced clinical reasoning and critical thinking to determine appropriate treatment options and to formulate individualised programmes of care.

Demonstrate highly specialised therapeutic skills in all aspects of hand therapy.

Monitor wounds and change dressings as required.

Act as a source of clinical expertise and advice providing clinical leadership within the maxillofacial and plastic surgery team and a resource for other teams including Physiotherapists across Northern Ireland.

Develop collaborative and integrated treatment plans with medical staff, patients, carers and multi-professional colleagues.

Lead by example in the promotion of high standards of clinical treatment and physiotherapy care, to ensure a quality service.

Monitor and record patient’s / client’s progress and maintain contemporaneous records in accordance with professional standards.

Ensure the provision of an integrated quality service by maintaining effective communication with the multi-disciplinary team and community services as required.

Maintain good communication with patients / clients and relatives / carers ensuring that their individual needs are met, and address any issues which have been identified.

Work flexibly as part of the Physiotherapy team, utilising core Physiotherapy knowledge and skills to assist in all aspects of patient care within the Plastics Hand Therapy service to cover for periods of leave or as required.

Following training with the Advanced Practitioner Level 2 Hand Therapists and Consultant Plastic Surgeons, support hand therapist work in the Therapist Led Clinic for short periods.

Participate in clinical supervision with the Advanced Practitioner Level 2 Hand Therapists.

Participate in an on call respiratory rota as required.

Maintain professional registration with the Health Care Professions Council

Ensure personal accountability in accordance with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Standards of Practice

Act in a courteous and respectful manner

Demonstrate commitment through regular attendance, efficient completion of duties and participation in department / team work activities

Managerial Responsibilities both Operational and Strategic

Act up in the absence of the line manager as required.

Play an active role in the Plastic Hand Therapy unit by leading and participating in departmental initiatives.

Ensure staff are aware of and act in accordance with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, protocols and codes of conduct / statutory bodies.

Promote good staff relationships and morale amongst staff.

Undertake supervision and education of Band 5 and 6 Physiotherapy staff.

Undertake supervision and education of Physiotherapy students to graduate / postgraduate standard when required.

Review staff performance in line with the Trust Personal Performance and Contribution Review.

Identify and address poor performance and practice and liaise with the Advanced Practitioner Level 2 Hand Therapists, AHP Lead for Hand Therapy and Physiotherapy Professional Head of Service.

Observe for signs of ill health in colleagues and take appropriate action with staff or management.

Ensure personal and professional development in accordance with CSP and HCPC standards.

Participate in the Personal Performance and Contribution Review.

Initiate and / or participate in staff induction as required.

Work closely with the Advanced Practitioner Level 2 Hand Therapists in the delivery of hand therapy training within the team.

Participate in audit and research to support continuous improvements as required.

Use evidence-based practice and audit to identify opportunities to enhance patient / client care or service.

Participate in regional development networks as designated by the Trust Physiotherapy Head of Service.

Assist the Trust Physiotherapy Head of Service in the development of services.

Ensure up-to-date knowledge of new developments and changing trends in plastic surgery, hand therapy and hand surgery.

Ensure effective links and networks with other Plastic Surgery Units in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, nationally and internationally as appropriate.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The Organisation supports and promotes a culture of collective leadership where those who have responsibility for managing other staff:

Establish and promote a supportive, fair and open culture that encourages and enables all parts of the team to have clearly aligned goals and objectives, to meet the required performance standards and to achieve continuous improvement in the services they deliver.

Ensure access to skills and personal development through appropriate training and support.

Promote a culture of openness and honesty to enable shared learning.

Encourage and empower others in their team to achieve their goals and reach their full potential through regular supportive conversation and shared decision making.

Adhere to and promote Organisational and professional policy and procedure in all staffing matters, participating as appropriate in a way which underpins The Organisation’s values.

RAISING CONCERNS - RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency.

The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to

Ensure the Organisation’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of The Organisation's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example

Smoke Free policy

IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct

standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

Take responsibility to minimise the Trust’s environmental impact wherever possible. This will include recycling, switching off lights, computers, monitors and equipment when not in use. Helping to reduce paper waste by minimising printing/copying and reducing water usage, reporting faults and heating/cooling concerns promptly and minimising travel.

All employees of the Organisation are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the South Eastern H&SC Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the South Eastern H&SC Trust policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent The Organisation’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within The Organisation's area, as needs of the service demand.

eHealth

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has invested in eHealth to deliver better, faster, safer care to our community and is committed to supporting staff to utilise associated information systems that directly and indirectly inform care. Trust staff are therefore required to commit sufficient time to ensure that they acquire and/or retain the core technology skills required to support their role.

Personal and Public Involvement (PPI)

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal and Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information.

http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/PPI_leaflet.pdf

June 2026

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND Physiotherapist – Advanced Practitioner Level 1

Plastics/Hand Therapy

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE Primary Care and Older People

SALARY Agenda for Change Band 7

HOURS 37.5 hours /week (minimum 30hrs/week)

Ref No: <to be inserted by HR> June 2026

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note The Organisation reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Ideally no more than 6-8 criteria in this section

Method of Assessment

Experience

5 years post graduate experience to include 2 years senior experience, which must include the management of patients with complex hand injury and hand pathology

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications/ Registration

Degree or Diploma in Physiotherapy (or equivalent)

Currently registered with the Health Care Professions Council

Other

This is a temporary post and only open to South Eastern Trust employees

Evidence of post-graduate training in upper limb musculoskeletal management or hand therapy (at least 2 courses)

Willing to undertake advanced hand therapy education to Accredited Hand Therapist Level

Evidence of teaching / training others in the management of hand injuries

Evidence of participation in audit or research

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criterion will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

Effective communication skills

Ability to make decisions based on sound clinical reasoning

Interview

Knowledge

Expert knowledge of therapeutic management of hand injuries

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Basic computer skills

Qualifications

Any computer skills qualifications

This is a Temporary Post

All candidates MUST have the permission of their line manager IN ADVANCE of making application.

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for The Organisation to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

To access a copy of the Access NI Code of Practice, please Click here

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has guidance on the Recruitment of People with Criminal Convictions. To access a copy of this guidance, please Click Here

Protecting and using your information

To access a copy of the Trust’s Data Protection Policy Statement,

Click Here

THE ORGANISATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER. PLEASE CLICK ON LINK FOR FURTHER INFORMATION - Equal Opportunities Employer - HSCNI Jobs

Successful applicants

may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. Request for recognition of previous service with non-direct NHS/HSC organisations towards starting salary and incremental credit must be made via the Retained Recruitment team within 3 months from commencement of employment. Requests made after 3 months will not be considered.

If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.

are able to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance.

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times