Band 7 Highly Specialist Physiotherapist – ME/CFS

Essential

• Degree or diploma in Physiotherapy, or equivalent recognised qualification.
• Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as a Physiotherapist.
• Evidence of relevant postgraduate learning and continuing professional development in specialist physiotherapy and management of complex long-term conditions.

Essential

• Significant post-registration physiotherapy experience, including specialist practice at Band 6 level or equivalent with complex long-term conditions.
• Experience of independently assessing, managing and reviewing a complex caseload, recognising risk and seeking senior advice appropriately.
• Experience of multidisciplinary working and coordinating care with patients, carers and other professionals.
• Experience of delivering patient education or group interventions and supporting individual self-management.
• Experience of supervising, teaching or supporting junior staff, support workers or students.
• Experience of clinical audit, outcome measurement or quality improvement.

Desirable

• Clinical experience in an ME/CFS specialist service, including energy management and post-exertional malaise.
• Experience of virtual consultations or online group programmes.

Essential

• Highly developed assessment and clinical reasoning skills; ability to formulate individual care plans, evaluate outcomes and identify red flags.
• Knowledge of current NICE ME/CFS guidance, post-exertional malaise, energy management and the implications for safe physiotherapy practice.
• Ability to tailor interventions to symptoms and energy limits, recognise flare-ups or relapse, and avoid approaches inconsistent with NICE guidance.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and an autonomous caseload while working within competence and agreed escalation pathways.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including sensitive discussion of complex information and adaptation to cognitive or accessibility needs.
• Ability to facilitate patient education and groups, promote shared decisions and support sustainable self-management.
• Ability to provide supervision, feedback and teaching and to delegate clinical work safely.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, consent, capacity, clinical governance, risk management and information governance.
• Ability to maintain clear, accurate clinical records and use electronic records, virtual platforms and outcome data.
• Ability to critically appraise evidence and contribute to audit and service improvement.

Essential

• Compassionate, respectful and non-judgemental approach that recognises the impact of ME/CFS and values patients' experiences.
• Commitment to inclusion, accessible care and reasonable adjustments.
• Effective team working, reliability and willingness to seek supervision and support colleagues.
• Reflective practice, self-awareness and commitment to continuing professional development.
• Ability to respond constructively to change, feedback and emotionally challenging clinical situations.
• Ability to fulfil the clinical and service duties of the post with reasonable adjustments where required.