Job overview
We have had significant investment to develop Dorset Stroke & Neuro Services to meet the National Stroke Service model. This includes developments across the pathway in West & North Dorset including hyper acute care (based at Dorset County Hospital), specialist rehabilitation beds (based in Sherborne) & Integrated Community Stroke Services (ICSS). This is a really exciting time as we significantly expand our existing services & embed innovative ways of working to improve clinical outcomes for patients following stroke or neurological illness or injury. Join our team at this exciting time as DCHFT & Dorset HealthCare collaborate to bring this policy to life.
Importantly this once in a generation investment increases our team on the West/North of Dorset which enables 7 day working, meets hyper acute care requirements for an increased number of patients; increases our stroke & neuro rehab bed base; & significantly extends the time patients can access community service moving to a needs led, rather than time limited service. Our integrated rehabilitation services are AHP consultant led & provide various pathways of care including inpatient rehabilitation, supported self-management, advice & signposting, intensive rehabilitation (ESD), complex management & reviews.
Do you embrace change? Do you want to be part of building something exciting? Do you thrive on new knowledge, evidence based practice & research? We would welcome applicants for this band 6 position, or those willing to pursue a band 5-6 accelerator programme over 12-18 months (on completion of competencies).
The successful applicants will gain experience of treating a wide variety of clinical conditions & will also develop their leadership skills by appraisal & supervision of junior staff & students. We are committed to your continued professional development & provide a structured in service training programme alongside a directed training package for each rotation. Your development will be overseen by experienced Band 7 therapists many of whom are specialists in their field.
Contribution to the therapy weekend rotas is expected (this includes acute & community rotas) on a basis of no more than 1:5 weekends. Flexible working is required across the pathway as clinical demands require. This will include working across both trusts.
Main duties of the job
Our team expansion included nursing, neuropsychology, social work & voluntary sector roles as well as apprentices, rotations across the acute & community pathway & opportunities for advanced practice. We have brought together a range of specialists working across the fields of stroke/neurology in Dorset, meaning our integrated team have access to a wide range of specialists with years of experience, many of whom work within a national capacity within their field to increase opportunities for learning & development of skills as well as opportunities for involvement in research.
9 month rotations in the following areas:
- Hyper Acute / acute stroke & neurology (based at Dorset County Hospital)
- Stroke & Neurology inpatient rehabilitation (based at Yeatman Hospital).
- Dorset Stroke and Neuro Service (Community Provision across Dorset)
Opportunities for delivering sessions in both outpatient & hydrotherapy settings may be available.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Stroke/ neurological experience is required, but most of all we're looking for candidates with a dedication to improvement, a passion for high quality neuro rehabilitation who thrives within a team. If this is you, we'd love to hear from you.
Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.
Please contact us at Recruitment@dchft.nhs.uk if you are unable to view or download the attachment.
For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.
Person specification
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- The ability to discuss clinical reasoning in the management of complex cases
- The ability to identify and act upon adverse clinical signs
- Able to communicate complex information to patients, carers other health professionals and team
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment
- Excellent time management skills with ability to organise prioritise and delegate
- Ability to self-direct learning, be critical and evaluate own learning needs, demonstrated in a CPD portfolio
- Able to provide a high standard of clear concise, written and verbal reports in English
- Good teaching and presentation skills
- Car driver / owner with access for work use (community rotation stroke role)
- Ability to contribute to weekend working
- IT skills, including using hospital data bases, word processing, excel, email and power point
- Ability to manage own stress and work in a stressful and unpredictable environment. To show empathy and fairness to give support to others
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Wide ranging rotational physiotherapy experience at band 5 level including experience in the specialist area
- Experience and ability to work collaboratively within MDT
- Knowledge of evidenced based practice pertaining to the specialist area of Physiotherapy, stroke guidelines and national policy direction
- Knowledge of national guidelines and standards relevant to the specialist area of Physiotherapy
- Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession
- Demonstrate professional independence
- Work across sites in a flexible manner and adapt to changing environments
- Physically fit and able to comply with Trusts moving and handling guidelines, therapeutic handling
- Professional manner and appearance
- Available for on-call, weekend duties and altered working patterns where clinically appropriate
Desirable
- Experience of participating in audit and evidence based projects
- Evidence of actively participating in in-service training and MDT groups, and evaluating effectiveness of training
- Evidence of engagement with regional networks/other partners
- Understanding of clinical governance and its implication for Physiotherapy
- Self-motivated with a clear vision of the role
- Awareness and understanding of NHS structure, current issues and developments
Education, Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Diploma or Degree in physiotherapy
- Registered as a Physiotherapist with HCPC
Desirable
- Undertaken a range of relevant postgraduate courses
- Undertaken clinical educators training
WhatsApp job alerts
Get instant WhatsApp alerts for Physiotherapist roles in Dorchester
Create your Job Clerk account first. We'll collect your alert preferences during onboarding and help you turn on WhatsApp notifications for matching healthcare roles.
Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Rotational Physiotherapist - Stroke & Neurology with Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Dorchester, South West, England. It is listed as a Physiotherapist role. The advertised salary is Pro Rata Per Annum. The contract type is Permanent: Includes weekend working. The application deadline is 29 Jul 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (24 Jul 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
For more context, review related Job Clerk pages for the same profession, band or location where they exist, then use the application-support guides to tailor your statement and prepare for interview.