Specialist Physiotherapist - Respiratory, Band 6

Job details

• Branch: Enniskillen Area
• Location: Trustwide
• Directorate: Primary Care & Older People
• Salary: Band 6 (£38,682 - £46,580)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 03/09/26
• Closes: Thu, 17 September 2026 @ 3:30 PM
• Interview Dates: TBC

Notes

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 Physiotherapist Respiratory

& BAND/GRADE Band 6, Part-time 30 hrs.

DEPARTMENT: Community Respiratory Team

BASE: Trustwide

REPORTS TO Community Respiratory Team Leader

RESPONSIBLE TO: Assistant Director of Nursing & Primary Care & Older People

ROLE PURPOSE

The post holder will be a Specialist Physiotherapist within the area of respiratory medicine. Working primarily within the Community Respiratory Team. The post holder will work alongside senior staff to deliver a range of new and developing services within the remit of Chronic Disease Management. The Community Respiratory Team manages chronic lung conditions such as COPD, Bronchiectasis and Pulmonary Fibrosis. The post holder will work inter-professionally and provide an intensive treatment programme for each referred patient. They will be required to liaise with colleagues (multi-disciplinary) from the Primary, Secondary and Intermediate Care sectors. They will perform advanced physiotherapy assessment and treat patients within this specialty who may have complex and/or chronic presentation, determine clinical diagnosis: physiotherapy treatments indicated and maintain records as an autonomous practitioner. They, in conjunction with their senior colleagues/team lead will assist in review and development of services as deemed necessary to meet objectives.

In order to meet the overall mission of the organisation the post holder will

Act as a specialist physiotherapist responsible for the clinical management of patients within specialist respiratory services within the Western Trust providing information and advice internally and externally as required.

Demonstrate a high level of clinical reasoning/diagnostic skill within current caseload and offering a range of appropriate treatments to patients with highly complex respiratory needs, predominately in the community setting. They will be responsible for ensuring all clinical practice is based on current research/evidence developing and undertaking audit and research as appropriate.

Work at a high clinical level within a specialist service, they will be expected to act as a source of clinical expertise and knowledge to physiotherapists and other professionals internal and external to the organisation reporting on clinical findings and advising on recommended management.

Assist in the continuous professional development of clinical staff working in the WHSCT

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical and Expert Practice

The post holder has professional and managerial responsibility for a case load of patients allocated to the Community Respiratory Team service and will:

Act as a Specialist Physiotherapist within the defined area demonstrating advanced Physiotherapy knowledge/skills and clinical reasoning to deal with complex cases within the field of long term Respiratory Conditions.

Work an active clinical caseload demonstrating advanced clinical skills in the autonomous management of all referred patients.

Perform advanced physiotherapist assessments and treat patients' chronic needs, using a variety of treatment modalities.

Act as a resource to colleagues internally and externally being recognised as a clinical specialist providing advice locally on complex cases to staff and accepting patients with complex needs from colleagues.

Act as a resource to Medical staff and other professionals locally regarding prioritisation criteria and appropriate referral to the service.

Provide advice/support to physiotherapy colleagues on clinical practice issues.

Provide a high standard of specialist care, using safe, effective and appropriate interventions in accordance with current research and professional guidelines.

Act as the clinical specialist in the service, working with management to promote interpretation, communication and dissemination of national evidence-based policies/standards and guidelines relating to the relevant clinical specialist area.

Work with the Team lead to implement processes to develop, monitor and maintain high standards of practice gained through knowledge of national guidelines, benchmark activities; evidence based practice, clinical audit and attendance at courses.

Work as member of a multidisciplinary team, to promote the spread of specialist knowledge and expertise across disciplines, Acute, Community and Intermediate Care Directorates and to encourage good communication and working relationships within the team.

Provide verbal and written reports on clinical issues as required.

Maintain effective communication with patients, family/carers using a variety

Of mediums.

Undertake appropriate specialised physiotherapy intervention for patients providing as required, a screening service for referred patients and making relevant referrals to other members of the multidisciplinary team where appropriate.

To participate in weekend and extended hours and respond to

changing service delivery needs as required.

To work across all community respiratory services, including CRT, HOSAR and pulmonary rehab.

Leadership & Management

Be responsible for managing risk, organising and planning own caseload and ensure the same is in place for others to meet service and patient's needs, readjusting plans as situations change/arise.

To promote the maintenance of high clinical standards within the Community Respiratory Team working in association with other members of the physiotherapy and MDT teams to promote models of best practice.

To undertake recruitment & selection and induction of junior physiotherapy staff within specialist area as required.

Assist in the management of complaints where appropriate at service delivery level reporting information to relevant line manager in a timely manner,

Ensure timely reporting to management of clinical incidents occurring within team ensuring outcome and agreed action is implemented in a timely manner.

To have responsibility within defined clinical area for ensuring clinical governance requirements are recognised and implemented working with line management to ensure effective processes are in place to monitor professional standards.

To be proactive in identifying research and audit requirements within area of clinical expertise, highlighting gaps in current service provision, and working with management to develop appropriate plans for undertaking audit and or research as required.

Policy And Service Development

To maintain knowledge of and adhere to current Government, Trust and Allied Health Professions legislation, strategies, policies, procedures and guidelines.

To actively maintain and promote a safe environment by following Health and Safety Policies and Procedures and Risk Management.

Be accountable to line manager for the provision of relevant statistical information as required.

Working with line management, play a lead role in development, implementation and oversight of clinical provision across all aspects of the relevant specialist Physiotherapy service in line with local and national policy and ongoing organisational requirement.

Provide management with timely and appropriate clinical and service information which will contribute to the planning, development and evaluation and audit of the service.

Responsibility for Resources

To practice and promote effective caseload management and efficient/effective use of resources within a specialist team.

Be responsible for the safe and effective use of all equipment utilised by self and for the advice given to other staff, patients and carers in relation to suitability and instruction for use.

Education & Development

Be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities, and maintaining a portfolio, which reflects personal development (Life Long Learning)

To provide supervision for designated physiotherapy staff using processes to identify opportunities for service development and the CPD of the respective staff and others.

To use specialist knowledge to assist, and where relevant lead on the development and delivery of training programmes across disciplines in conjunction with Western HSC Trust, local universities, special Interest groups including in service, undergraduate and postgraduate training.

To advise and deliver in-service training and education at an advanced clinical level.

To work with line manager to support and supervise research, audit and clinical staff as required.

Deliver education and training about this field of practice/specialist skills to staff from other professions.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

HSC Code of Conduct for Employees

The Code sets out the standards of conduct expected of all staff in the Western Health & Social Care Trust and presents standards of conduct and behaviours required during and after employment with the Trust. Professional staff are expected to follow the code of conduct for their own professions as well as this code.

Service Quality

Western Health and Social Care Trust is committed to providing the highest possible quality of service to all patients, clients and community through supporting and contributing to Trust quality initiatives. Employees are expected at all times to provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.

Personal & Public Involvement

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

Conduct

Employees must at all times abide by Trust policies and procedures and the terms of their contract of employment. They must conduct themselves with impartiality, integrity, objectivity and honesty and maintain high standards of personal and professional accountability.

Performance

Employees are expected to demonstrate commitment to the Trust by ensuring regular attendance at work and efficient completion of duties.

Risk Management

Employees must ensure that they comply with any risk management responsibilities specific to their post, and as set out in the Trust's Risk Management Strategy.

Governance

The Trust is committed to the development and implementation of systems under Integrated Governance to ensure continuous improvement in the quality of services provided. Employees will be expected to co-operate and work with such systems.

Records Management

All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Trust including patient/client, 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 Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and Data Protection legislation. Employees are required to be conversant with the Trust's policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Confidentiality

All information concerning patients and staff must be held in the strictest confidence and may not be divulged to any unauthorized person.

Equality & Human Rights

Employees must ensure that equality and human rights issues are addressed within the post holder's area of responsibility in accordance with the Trust's Equality Scheme.

Health and Safety

Employees should note that under Health & Safety at Work Legislation they are required to take all reasonable steps while at work to ensure their own health and safety and the health and safety of those who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.

Smoking, Alcohol & Health

The Trust operates policies on smoking, alcohol and health.

Environmental Cleanliness

The Trust promotes a culture of cleanliness and has adopted a partnership and collaborative approach that recognises cleanliness as the responsibility of everyone, cascading throughout every level of the organisation.

Infection Prevention & Control

The Trust operates a zero tolerance policy to preventable healthcare associated infections and the post holder is required to comply with all extant infection prevention policies, guidelines, protocols and procedures.

The Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

The duties and responsibilities outlined in the above job description are not intended to be definitive nor restrictive, and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the Trust.

December 2023

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Specialist Physiotherapist - Respiratory, Band 6

Part-time, 30 hrs

Minimum 18 months rotational experience including respiratory neurological and MSK with evidence

of 6 months experience in the management of respiratory patients with complex problems

Driving License

BSc Physiotherapy or equivalent

HCPC Registered or eligible for registration (must be a HCPC registered Physiotherapist before start date).

Evidence of post graduate training (Formal Course) or CPD (In-service Training) relevant to the management of respiratory patients

Evidence of specialist knowledge on the development of a respiratory care service.

Undertaking research/audit.

Good self-management and ability to prioritise workload and delegate tasks as appropriate.

Experience of delivering training internal and external to the profession to qualified and unqualified staff.

Knowledge of current best practice in the field of respiratory care.

Knowledge of clinical governance and risk management related to this post.