Rotational Physiotherapist

Job overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us. Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for Band5 Physiotherapists to join our large Therapy Services department, working in acute care, on a variety of wards as part of our therapy workforce. Our excellent appraisal programme includes a 1 year preceptorship programme for anyone with less than 1 years’ experience and you'll be allocated a mentor to support you.

You will have the opportunity to work in over 11 different clinical areas, with rotations lasting 6 months, enabling you to expand your knowledge and develop robust skills in acute care.

This post is part of the wider Therapy Services department and you will have many opportunities to develop new skills and knowledge, through our in-service training. You will be part of a large department of over 300 Therapy staff including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Therapy support staff.

We run a 7-day therapy service working on weekends and Bank Holidays, on a rota basis, you will be expected to work as part of your usual working hours.

You will be working alongside advanced and specialist clinicians in all areas, and will have access to regular supervision, in-service training, development, and a personal development plan.

Your role will include specialist assessments and interventions dependent on the area, including complex discharge planning, cognitive assessments, specialist equipment (pressure relief, bariatric manual handling, splinting, seating) and acute rehab, integrated working with Physiotherapists and Therapy Support staff.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This B5 opportunity for suitable for either a Newly Qualified Physiotherapist, including 2026 summer graduates, or an experienced B5 wishing to widen their skill set in acute care.

Our B5 rotations are for 6 months each and initially you will slot into vacancies, being able to request rotations when these are due to change. We currently provide rotations in over 14 different clinical specialities, including respiratory, cystic fibrosis, critical care, cardiac, vascular, cancer, surgery, paediatrics, medicine, frailty, AMU/ED, orthopaedics, outpatients, and neurology.

Experience of working in the acute setting and recent NHS, as a student or therapy support worker, is desirable and we welcome applications from people who have previously undertaken student placements with us. Please make this clear on your application form.

Summary of the role: •    Provide assessment and treatment of patients with a variety of pathologies.  •    Support patient discharges, with the support of the wider MDT. •    Engage in training and developmental opportunities for yourself and others. •    Support students and therapy technicians.  •    Develop a network of relationships with partner agencies to deliver the best possible care for patients across organisational boundaries. •    Support quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient care. •    All staff are expected to work flexibly to support a 7-day service.

Please make sure you fit the following criteria before you apply, and read the attached Job Description and Person Specification:

Essential skills and qualifications: •    Qualified Physiotherapist, or in process of completing. •    HCPC registered, or in process of applying. •    Able to treat patients with care, compassion, and dignity. •    Happy working alone, making autonomous decisions, as well as part of a wider team. •    Good communicator (verbal and written) •    Clear desire for wanting to specifically work at UHS given in your application form. •    Clear desire for wanting to work in acute hospital rotational post given in application form. •    Knowledge and understanding of NHS systems.

Desirable skills: •    Previous experience working in an acute hospital as a student, or therapy support worker. •    NHS experience •    Previous experience working at UHS on a student placement (please reference in employment section of form)

Please note:

• Before applying, please ensure you will be able to attend an interview in person (no virtual alternatives will be offered) as we will include practical assessments as part of our interviews. Please dress in smart, comfortable clothing. 2.    The interviews will take place in person on either 24th or 27th Feb 2026 3.    We are looking for people who can start by the end of Sept 2026. 4.    We do not accept CV applications. 5.    We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Specific to this role we are open to discussing flexibility in the hours that you work. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need, and we will explore what’s possible for the role and service.

For other therapy opportunities please email: [email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you :)