Senior Paediatric Physiotherapist

The post-holder will work with children and young people aged 0-16 years who present with a wide range of conditions, including medical, musculoskeletal, neurodevelopmental, orthopaedic, and other complex needs. You will provide high-quality assessment and intervention across Poole, Bournemouth, and East Dorset.

The role is based primarily within the acute paediatric physiotherapy team. In addition, the successful candidate will participate in a rota providing weekend, on-call, and twilight cover to the paediatric wards.

Services are delivered in a variety of settings, including paediatric wards, and outpatient clinics across University Hospitals Dorset Trust sites, offering a diverse and rewarding caseload.

You will work closely with a multidisciplinary paediatric team and collaborate with colleagues across health, education, and social care. We are committed to delivering high-quality, child-centred care in partnership with children, young people, and their families.

A full driving licence and access to a car are essential, as the role involves travel across multiple sites.

To be part of a team of therapists providing a highly specialised Physiotherapy (PT) assessment, treatment and advice service to children, 0-16 years and their parents/carers referred to the service, covering Bournemouth, Poole and East Dorset.

To work as a member of the MDTs providing in-patient and out-patient physiotherapy services to children with orthopaedic, musculoskeletal, respiratory, medical and neuro-developmental conditions or others which affect their physical performance.

To be responsible for the clinical supervision and development of other members of the Paediatric Therapy Team and to be a clinical educator for undergraduate students.

To provide advice and liaise with other professionals (e.g. consultants, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, orthotists) and disciplines (e.g. the community nursing team, Learning Disability Team, Occupational Therapists working in Social Care and Health, Education Staff etc.), as well as networking with therapists in other departments and NHS Trusts.

To participate in continued professional development to support the development of the Paediatric Therapy service.

To provide training to colleagues, multi-disciplinary team and staff working in educational settings.

UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview.

If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.

UHD has active staff network groups including Women's, BAME, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We are proud to be part of the Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant guaranteed interview schemes.

We understand some candidates may use AI tools to prepare applications. While not discouraged, we ask that applications remain an honest reflection of your own skills and experience. Integrity is an important part of our recruitment process.

Qualifications

Essential: - Physiotherapy Degree; - HCPC registered

Desirable: - Post graduate training in paediatrics

Experience

Essential: - post graduate work experience; - Experience in core elements: musculoskeletal, respiratory, orthopaedics, neurology; - Experience working in NHS

Desirable: - Working with children e.g. during a placement, volunteering, or work capacity

Skills

Essential: - Assessment and provision of equipment to promote independence, participation and mobility e.g. walking aids, standing frames and orthotics

Desirable: - Communicating with children of all abilities