Specialist Physiotherapist
Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Bideford, EX39 3AG · Barnstaple, EX31 4JBView on map(opens Google Maps in a new tab)
Salary
£39,959 to £48,117
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Not specified
Closing date
1 November 2026
12 days leftJob description
We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic physiotherapist with diverse clinical skills based with the North Devon Specialist Health Community...
are looking for someone with excellent communication skills and experience in working
with complex physical health needs.
Experience of working with people with learning disabilities is desirable but
not essential if you have the required transferrable skills. Both internal and
external training opportunities are available and encouraged.
will have responsibility for a caseload and be required to work confidently
with adults with complex postural and physical needs, completing thorough
assessments and providing evidence based treatment programmes as well as
training family and carers in 24 hour postural management. There will be
opportunities to participate in hydrotherapy, postural management clinics and
to work closely with senior physiotherapists, physiotherapy assistants and
students.
As a physiotherapist in the Specialist Health Community Learning Disabilities Team, the post holder will:
Provide specialist physiotherapy for adults with a learning disability where access to generic physiotherapy treatment is not appropriate for them.
Use Physiotherapy skills to treat complex muscular-skeletal physical problems which often occur in combination with other cognitive and/or sensory disabilities
Improve mobility for people with physical disabilities through the assessment and provision of specialist equipment e.g. wheelchairs, postural support systems and other assistive technologies
Work closely with other multi-disciplinary team members, carers and services to enable community inclusion and promote independence through reducing reliance on paid support
Be an active member of the multi-disciplinary and physiotherapy team and contribute appropriately to all service requirements and developments
Ensure safe practice and adherence to Safeguarding policies and procedures
- Relay complex, sensitive information to people with learning disabilities and their carers with empathy and in a way that they can understand
- Assess clients understanding of treatment proposals and their capacity to give informed consent and working within the legal framework when the client lacks capacity
- Contribute to and lead (as agreed) team and Physiotherapy meetings and represent physiotherapy or IATT team at other relevant meetings when required
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with team colleagues and with relevant community partners.
- Keep electronic records according to Trust policy
- Provide professional advice and consultancy to the team manager, multidisciplinary team members, carers and other services.
- Use Total Communication practices to promote best possible communication with people with learning disabilities
- Assess effectively clients with complex needs, analyse and interpret the assessment to plan appropriate treatment from a range of options
- Show clinical reasoning in documentation
- To contribute to the evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of audit and outcome measures.
- Identify risk issues, which potentially could affect the patients/clients health or social care and report adverse signs to registered professionals
- To provide support for student physiotherapists and less experienced physiotherapy staff, social, health and education staff as delegated by the physiotherapist.
- Plan, prioritise and organise own workload as well as the workload of any staff supervised by the post holder, monitoring and adjusting activities and programmes as necessary.
- Participate in the planning, leading and organisation of service development projects
- Use effective time management skills to maximise productivity
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy
- Assess, develop, implement, monitor and evaluate specialist physiotherapy programmes as part of an overall care plan
- Apply specialist knowledge and skills to meet the needs of those with profound and complex needs
- Contribute/lead relevant service user planning and review meetings
- Plan and lead groups when this is deemed a suitable method of service delivery
- Ensure all treatment records are completed according to Trust policy
- Practice according to the standards set out by the Health Professions Council
- Respond and contribute effectively and flexibly to occasional team emergencies and other urgent requests as directed by the Team Manager/Lead Physiotherapist
Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation
- Contribute/lead service improvement and development in community team, Physiotherapy service and wider LD Partnership, extending knowledge and skills of own practice.
- Ensure own continuing professional development is on-going and relevant to the post and is recorded according to professional and local protocols
- Keep up to date with essential training, supervision and annual appraisals in accordance with Trust policy
- Participate/coordinate research and audit activity as a means of contributing to the advancement of practice
- Contribute to the planning, organisation and maintenance and leadership of professional networks and interest groups to maintain and develop professional practice
- Keep up to date on relevant government and local policy and guidance in relation to best practice for learning disability
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma/degree in Physiotherapy
- Good standard of literacy and numeracy
- Valid State registration with the Health Professions Council
- Evidence of on-going training and development in the theory and practice of Physiotherapy
Desirable: - Further postgraduate training, short specialist courses
Experience
Essential: - Post qualification experience; - Experience of working with people with communication difficulties; - Experience in managing a diverse workload
Desirable: - Previous community experience; - Student supervision; - Administration of standardised assessments
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Clear understanding of the role of Physiotherapy within a multidisciplinary team
- Knowledge of theories and methods of practice specific to people with learning disabilities
- Sound knowledge and application of Physiotherapy Theory
- An understanding of government policy with regard to services for people with learning disabilities
- Group work skills
- Ability to work autonomously, seeking guidance as necessary
- Ability to be independently mobile across a geographical area
- Ability to work effectively under rapid changing and demanding conditions with occasional interruptions
Desirable: - Use of total Communication; - Multimedia/IT skills
How to apply
Applications are handled entirely by the employer on the original advert. We do not collect CVs, supporting statements or application data.
Provenance
Source
NHS Jobs
First seen
12 October 2026
Last checked
14 October 2026
Salary, closing date and description are taken from the employer's advert. The original advert always takes precedence.
About the employer
NHS organisation
This listing was structured from NHS Jobs. Vacancy details and the application process remain the responsibility of the original source.
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