SEHSCT Specialist Respiratory Physiotherapist Band 6

Job details

• Branch: Downpatrick Area (SEHSCT)
• Location: Downe Hospital, Main Building
• Salary: Band 6 (£38,682 - £46,580)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 17/07/26
• Closes: Fri, 31 July 2026 @ 5:30 PM
• Interview Dates: To be confirmed.

Notes

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

Specialist Respiratory Physiotherapist -

Community Respiratory Service

BAND

DIRECTORATE

INITIAL LOCATION

6

Primary Care & Older People Service

Downe Hospital, Main Building

REPORTS TO

Team Lead

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Clinical Lead and Professional Lead

JOB SUMMARY

Provide specialist assessment, diagnosis and treatment for patients with chronic respiratory disease. Work autonomously and hold an individual caseload including clinics, pulmonary rehab and unscheduled care in the community.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Assess and treat patients and determine independent clinical diagnosis and physiotherapy treatment indicated, maintaining records in accordance with professional standards.

Make timely and effective decisions regarding physiotherapy recommendations to ensure quality care and facilitate discharge, including appropriate onward referrals.

Participate in the development and review of service and professional standards

Provide advice based on acquired knowledge and skills and will use this to improve on patient / client care and to develop others.

Undertake supervision, education and assessment of the performance of physiotherapy assistants, junior staff and physiotherapy students.

Be responsible for the delivery of treatment on both an individual basis and to groups.

Be required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service including evenings and /or weekends.

MAIN CLINICAL AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Deliver and promote evidence based practice and agreed care pathways

Contribute to the improvement of effective person centred care

Undertake the comprehensive assessment of patients, using investigative and analytical skills to make an independent clinical diagnosis.

Using clinical reasoning utilise a wide range of treatment skills and options to formulate an individualised programme of care.

Integrate treatment programmes into the overall multidisciplinary management of the patient where that is applicable.

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

Make decisions based on professional knowledge and experience

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

Will be required to participate in extended/ On Call/ Weekend work as required by the physiotherapy service, pending the clinical requirements of post.

Maintain professional registration with Health and 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

Comply with Health and Safety Policy and statutory regulations

Contribute to a safe environment within the risk management and clinical governance strategy

Comply with physiotherapy and trust strategies, policies, procedures, guidelines, protocols and codes of conduct

Ensure effective communication

Ensure effective and economic use of resources and the maintenance of all equipment

GENERIC MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

(Within both an operational and strategic context).

Act up in the absence of the line manager as required

Participate in activities which contribute to the development of effective teams

Support in ensuring staff are aware of and act in accordance with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, protocols and codes of conduct

Ensure staff are aware of and act in accordance with regulations laid down by statutory bodies

Promote good staff relationships and morale amongst staff

Delegate appropriately to staff

Participate in compiling leave arrangements to ensure appropriate cover

Participate as required in the selection, supervision and retention of staff in accordance with trust policies

Review staff performance in line with the Trust Personal Performance & Development Review

Identify and address poor performance and practice, and liaise with the line manager

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 requirements

Participate in the Personal Performance & Development Review

Initiate and/or participate in staff induction and training as required

Promote and participate in practice development

Facilitate learning and development

Ensure pre & post registration students receive relevant clinical experience

Participate in audit and research to support continuous improvement activities as required

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

Carry out any other duties as required

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 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. PPI_leaflet.pdf (hscni.net)

July 2026

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE Specialist Respiratory Physiotherapist

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE Primary Care & Older People Service

SALARY Band 6

HOURS 37.5

Ref No: 55780823 July 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

Method of Assessment

Experience

Minimum of 18 months post graduate clinical experience to include at least 6 months experience working in the treatment of respiratory patients.

Attendance at a minimum of 1 relevant accredited postgraduate course. Evidence of postgraduate professional development in respiratory.

Evidence of delivering training to other staff.

Evidence of participation in audit and/or research.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications/ Registration

Degree or Diploma in physiotherapy (or Equivalent).

Currently registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

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

Shortlisting by Application Form

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

Skills / Abilities

Must be able to communicate to a high level both written and verbal

Continuously strive to develop self and others in order to maintain and improve patient care.

Contribute to the improvement of services to all service users.

Contribute to quality improvements

Ensure and promote equality and value diversity.

Ensure data protection maintained.

Interview / Test

Knowledge

Evidence of continuing professional development as required by Health and Care Professions Council.

Experience of contributing to service evaluation/audit to improve service delivery.

Interview / Test

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