Specialist Physiotherapist - Critical Care

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University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust Specialist Physiotherapist - Critical Care

The closing date is 17 September 2026

Apply for this job

Job summary

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trustis delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Job Title: Specialist Physiotherapist - Critical Care

Contract Type:Permanent

Please be advised that thisvacancy may close earlier thanstatedif we receivea large number ofapplications.

Main duties of the job

We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Specialist Physiotherapist to develop to join our General Intensive Care (GICU) therapy team at University Hospital Southampton (UHS).

The team is led by experienced Band 7 critical care Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists and the role would be ideal for a Physiotherapist with a special interest in respiratory care in the critical care setting as well as rehabilitation of those recovering from critical illness. The role benefits from the support of a Band 8a critical care specialist.

You will work as part of a combined therapy services team delivering patient care across a 7-day service, including weekends and bank holidays, on a roster basis. This will also include participation in the acute on-call respiratory rota.

This post is part of the wider Therapy services department. You will have many opportunities to develop new skills and knowledge through our in-service training. You will be part of a large department of over 300 Therapy staff including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Therapy support staff. We have strong links with local Universities and host many student placements within our department.

About us

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

Details

Date posted

08 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

Depending on experience £39,959 to £48,117 per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

188-CL050926

Job locations

CS Therapies Surgical

Tremona Road

Southampton

SO16 6YD

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

This B6 Specialist Physiotherapy post will involve acute respiratory management of critically unwell patients therefore previous experience in critical care would be beneficial. Physiotherapists at UHS also lead on weaning from mechanical ventilation and support the wider MDT in management of complex tracheostomy patients.

Rehabilitation is also an established part of our critical care service at UHS, having set up a successful Early Mobilisation Project in 2012. Alongside this we have recently received funding to provide post critical care rehabilitation on the wards to support patients experiencing the symptoms of Post Intensive Care Syndrome in their recovery journey.

The role will part of an established static GICU therapy team and involve leading the team in the absence of the band 7. Band 5 staff rotate within the team on a 6 monthly basis, and the role would involve the supervision of band 5 staff both within the team and from a wider on call training perspective. Additionally, the role would be responsible for the supervision of band 4 therapy tech staff and students on placement within the team.

The regional Head and Neck service is covered by the team on an inpatient ward, and this role would involve managing this caseload and supporting band 5 staff to see these patients.

UHS has been a designated Major Trauma Centre since 2012 and GICU has 31 beds, providing both Level 2 and Level 3 care. The case mix is diverse and has a high acuity receiving not only trauma patients but also those from many regional and subregional specialties e.g. GI surgery and Head and Neck surgical patients.

Please read the job description and person specification carefully and ensure you fulfil the criteria.

Please note for this specific role we also need the following skills and/or experience:Essential: Postgraduate senior skills and experience working in the field of acute critical care. This will include established skills in respiratory care, including experience in delivering comprehensive rehabilitation plans Proven experience in doing shifts within an acute respiratory on-call service - including intensive care, adults and children Evidence of postgraduate development to support enhanced skills and decision making Experience working alongside and supervising/mentoring support staff or students Knowledge and understanding of NHS procedures, ideally with personal experience A clearly expressed desire to work in UHS Therapy services dept and in this clinical speciality, written as part of your application. As we run a 7-day therapy service, flexibility is needed to work weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis as part of your working pattern.

Desirable: Postgraduate involvement in audit/research/clinical project/service development Evidence of providing teaching to therapy staff and students

Training and support can be offered to meet your learning requirements.

We actively encourage all potential applicants to contact us to ask any questions you may have.

Please note: Before applying, please ensure you will be able to attend an interview in person, as we will include practical assessments as part of our interviews. If you invited to interview, please dress in smart, comfortable clothing for the practical asst. The interviews will take place in person on 8TH Oct No virtual interviews will be offered, please do not apply if you will be unable to attend in person. This post is for qualified Physiotherapists with postgraduate experience and not new graduates, please enquire about our newly qualified B5 posts separately. We do not accept CV applications. As part of these interviews, we may put names in reserve for similar B6 Physiotherapy posts, including fixed term opportunities. Please be aware me may close the advert early if we get too many applications. You will only be contacted if you are successfully shortlisted. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

For other therapy opportunities please email: [email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you

Job description

Job responsibilities

This B6 Specialist Physiotherapy post will involve acute respiratory management of critically unwell patients therefore previous experience in critical care would be beneficial. Physiotherapists at UHS also lead on weaning from mechanical ventilation and support the wider MDT in management of complex tracheostomy patients.

Rehabilitation is also an established part of our critical care service at UHS, having set up a successful Early Mobilisation Project in 2012. Alongside this we have recently received funding to provide post critical care rehabilitation on the wards to support patients experiencing the symptoms of Post Intensive Care Syndrome in their recovery journey.

The role will part of an established static GICU therapy team and involve leading the team in the absence of the band 7. Band 5 staff rotate within the team on a 6 monthly basis, and the role would involve the supervision of band 5 staff both within the team and from a wider on call training perspective. Additionally, the role would be responsible for the supervision of band 4 therapy tech staff and students on placement within the team.

The regional Head and Neck service is covered by the team on an inpatient ward, and this role would involve managing this caseload and supporting band 5 staff to see these patients.

UHS has been a designated Major Trauma Centre since 2012 and GICU has 31 beds, providing both Level 2 and Level 3 care. The case mix is diverse and has a high acuity receiving not only trauma patients but also those from many regional and subregional specialties e.g. GI surgery and Head and Neck surgical patients.

Please read the job description and person specification carefully and ensure you fulfil the criteria.

Please note for this specific role we also need the following skills and/or experience:Essential: Postgraduate senior skills and experience working in the field of acute critical care. This will include established skills in respiratory care, including experience in delivering comprehensive rehabilitation plans Proven experience in doing shifts within an acute respiratory on-call service - including intensive care, adults and children Evidence of postgraduate development to support enhanced skills and decision making Experience working alongside and supervising/mentoring support staff or students Knowledge and understanding of NHS procedures, ideally with personal experience A clearly expressed desire to work in UHS Therapy services dept and in this clinical speciality, written as part of your application. As we run a 7-day therapy service, flexibility is needed to work weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis as part of your working pattern.

Desirable: Postgraduate involvement in audit/research/clinical project/service development Evidence of providing teaching to therapy staff and students

Training and support can be offered to meet your learning requirements.

We actively encourage all potential applicants to contact us to ask any questions you may have.

Please note: Before applying, please ensure you will be able to attend an interview in person, as we will include practical assessments as part of our interviews. If you invited to interview, please dress in smart, comfortable clothing for the practical asst. The interviews will take place in person on 8TH Oct No virtual interviews will be offered, please do not apply if you will be unable to attend in person. This post is for qualified Physiotherapists with postgraduate experience and not new graduates, please enquire about our newly qualified B5 posts separately. We do not accept CV applications. As part of these interviews, we may put names in reserve for similar B6 Physiotherapy posts, including fixed term opportunities. Please be aware me may close the advert early if we get too many applications. You will only be contacted if you are successfully shortlisted. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

For other therapy opportunities please email: [email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you

Person Specification

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

Essential

• Degree in Physiotherapy or equivalent
• Current HCPC registration
• Experience with a variety of physical and mental health conditions/multiple pathology
• Experience of working with support staff
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Experience in independently managing a caseload of patients
• Previous experience within relevant clinical area
• Previous experience on-call, where relevant to clinical area

Truist Values and Behaviours

Essential

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Person Specification

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

Essential

• Degree in Physiotherapy or equivalent
• Current HCPC registration
• Experience with a variety of physical and mental health conditions/multiple pathology
• Experience of working with support staff
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Experience in independently managing a caseload of patients
• Previous experience within relevant clinical area
• Previous experience on-call, where relevant to clinical area

Truist Values and Behaviours

Essential

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

Address

CS Therapies Surgical

Tremona Road

Southampton

SO16 6YD

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

Address

CS Therapies Surgical

Tremona Road

Southampton

SO16 6YD

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead

Annette Purkis

[email protected]

02381206456

Details

Date posted

08 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

Depending on experience £39,959 to £48,117 per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

188-CL050926

Job locations

CS Therapies Surgical

Tremona Road

Southampton

SO16 6YD

United Kingdom

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