MSK Physiotherapist

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County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust MSK Physiotherapist

The closing date is 23 September 2026

Apply for this job

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the County Durham and Darlington Integrated Musculoskeletal Service (CD-IMS) as a Band 5 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist. We are recruiting 4 physiotherapists on a fixed-term contract until the 31st March 2027 to support our busy outpatient MSK service across County Durham and Darlington.

CD-IMS is part of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT), one of the largest integrated NHS trusts in England, providing services across hospital and community settings. You will join a friendly, supportive team committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based musculoskeletal care and improving access for patients across the region.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for newly qualified and existing Band 5 physiotherapists to develop their MSK knowledge and skills within a well-established NHS outpatient service.

Please note: This vacancy will close once sufficient applications have been received, therefore early applications are encouraged.

Interviews will be held at Bishop Auckland Hospital Tuesday 6th October.

Main duties of the job

As a Band 5 MSK Physiotherapist, you will manage your own outpatient caseload, assessing, treating and rehabilitating patients with a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. You will undertake comprehensive physiotherapy assessments, develop individualised treatment plans, and deliver evidence-based interventions including exercise therapy, manual therapy, rehabilitation and patient education.

You will monitor patient progress, review outcomes and support patients to self-manage their recovery where appropriate. Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will communicate effectively with patients, GPs, consultants and other healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated, patient-centred care and appropriate onward referrals when required.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

Details

Date posted

16 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,073 to £39,043 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

5 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

C9439-2627-NP-N317

Job locations

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

As a Band 5 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist within the County Durham and Darlington Integrated Musculoskeletal Service, you will play an important role in delivering high-quality, evidence-based physiotherapy care to patients across County Durham and Darlington. Working within one of the largest integrated NHS trusts in England, you will be part of a supportive and experienced multidisciplinary team committed to providing timely, patient-centred MSK services.

You will manage your own outpatient caseload, assessing and treating patients presenting with a broad range of musculoskeletal conditions, including acute injuries, persistent musculoskeletal pain, orthopaedic and fracture clinic referrals, post-operative rehabilitation, soft tissue injuries, spinal conditions, upper and lower limb disorders, and patients requiring gym-based rehabilitation programmes. You will be responsible for planning, delivering and evaluating individualised treatment programmes that reflect the patient's goals, clinical presentation and evidence-based practice.

The role requires you to undertake comprehensive subjective and objective assessments, use sound clinical reasoning to formulate physiotherapy diagnoses, identify red flags and recognise when patients require escalation to senior clinicians or other services. You will deliver a range of physiotherapy interventions including exercise therapy, manual therapy, gym rehabilitation, education, advice, self-management strategies and health promotion to support patients in achieving the best possible outcomes.

You will monitor and review patient progress throughout their episode of care, adapting treatment plans where appropriate and ensuring safe, timely discharge when patients have achieved their rehabilitation goals. You will work closely with consultants, GPs, senior and advanced physiotherapists, extended scope physiotherapists and other members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure coordinated care and seamless patient pathways.

As part of the outpatient MSK service, you will be expected to organise and prioritise your workload effectively, balancing new and follow-up appointments while responding to changing service demands. You will maintain accurate, comprehensive and timely electronic patient records using SystemOne, ensuring documentation meets HCPC, CSP and Trust standards for clinical governance, confidentiality and professional accountability.

The successful candidate will actively participate in regular clinical supervision, in-service training and continuing professional development to enhance their knowledge and clinical skills within musculoskeletal physiotherapy. You will contribute to clinical audit, quality improvement initiatives and service development activities, supporting the delivery of a safe, effective and continually improving MSK service across County Durham and Darlington.

This post offers an excellent opportunity for a motivated Band 5 physiotherapist to gain experience within a busy NHS MSK outpatient service, develop clinical confidence, and work within a team that values learning, collaboration and high-quality patient care.

Job description

Job responsibilities

As a Band 5 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist within the County Durham and Darlington Integrated Musculoskeletal Service, you will play an important role in delivering high-quality, evidence-based physiotherapy care to patients across County Durham and Darlington. Working within one of the largest integrated NHS trusts in England, you will be part of a supportive and experienced multidisciplinary team committed to providing timely, patient-centred MSK services.

You will manage your own outpatient caseload, assessing and treating patients presenting with a broad range of musculoskeletal conditions, including acute injuries, persistent musculoskeletal pain, orthopaedic and fracture clinic referrals, post-operative rehabilitation, soft tissue injuries, spinal conditions, upper and lower limb disorders, and patients requiring gym-based rehabilitation programmes. You will be responsible for planning, delivering and evaluating individualised treatment programmes that reflect the patient's goals, clinical presentation and evidence-based practice.

The role requires you to undertake comprehensive subjective and objective assessments, use sound clinical reasoning to formulate physiotherapy diagnoses, identify red flags and recognise when patients require escalation to senior clinicians or other services. You will deliver a range of physiotherapy interventions including exercise therapy, manual therapy, gym rehabilitation, education, advice, self-management strategies and health promotion to support patients in achieving the best possible outcomes.

You will monitor and review patient progress throughout their episode of care, adapting treatment plans where appropriate and ensuring safe, timely discharge when patients have achieved their rehabilitation goals. You will work closely with consultants, GPs, senior and advanced physiotherapists, extended scope physiotherapists and other members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure coordinated care and seamless patient pathways.

As part of the outpatient MSK service, you will be expected to organise and prioritise your workload effectively, balancing new and follow-up appointments while responding to changing service demands. You will maintain accurate, comprehensive and timely electronic patient records using SystemOne, ensuring documentation meets HCPC, CSP and Trust standards for clinical governance, confidentiality and professional accountability.

The successful candidate will actively participate in regular clinical supervision, in-service training and continuing professional development to enhance their knowledge and clinical skills within musculoskeletal physiotherapy. You will contribute to clinical audit, quality improvement initiatives and service development activities, supporting the delivery of a safe, effective and continually improving MSK service across County Durham and Darlington.

This post offers an excellent opportunity for a motivated Band 5 physiotherapist to gain experience within a busy NHS MSK outpatient service, develop clinical confidence, and work within a team that values learning, collaboration and high-quality patient care.

Person Specification

Special Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of evidence-based physiotherapy practice and current guidance relevant to the assessment and management of musculoskeletal conditions.
• Understanding of the professional, legal and ethical responsibilities of a registered physiotherapist, including HCPC and CSP standards.
• Demonstrates developing clinical reasoning skills, including recognition of red flags and knowing when to seek senior advice or refer appropriately.
• Ability to organise and prioritise a varied clinical workload with support, adapting to changing service demands.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers and members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Competent IT skills, including the use of electronic patient records, Microsoft Office applications and digital systems used to support patient care and service delivery.

Desirable

• Knowledge of current developments and emerging evidence in musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice.
• Understanding of clinical audit, quality improvement and service evaluation within an NHS setting.
• Willingness to participate in audit, quality improvement and service development activities.
• Experience of supporting or participating in student education, peer learning or in-service training.
• Experience of using electronic patient record systems and digital tools to support patient care and clinical practice.
• Awareness of NHS MSK pathways and the importance of delivering evidence-based, patient-centred care.

Experience

Essential

• Undergraduate NHS clinical placement experience across the core clinical areas of physiotherapy, for example MSK, orthopaedics/trauma, neurology, cardiorespiratory care.
• Experience of working effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Evidence of excellent verbal and written communication skills across a range of clinical or professional settings.

Desirable

• Experience of working within a musculoskeletal physiotherapy service through undergraduate placements or post-registration employment.
• Experience of contributing to the learning and development of others, including supporting students, peers or new team members.
• Experience of participating in clinical audit, service evaluation, quality improvement or service development activities.

Statutory Registration

Essential

• HCPC registration

Desirable

• Member of CSP

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc in Physiotherapy or equivalent.
• Evidence of continuing professional development, including reflective practice
• An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust values and how you adhere to them

Desirable

• Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to musculoskeletal physiotherapy.
• Attendance at postgraduate courses or training relevant to MSK physiotherapy practice.

Special Requirements

Essential

• Able to travel independently to fulfil duties of this post

Person Specification

Special Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of evidence-based physiotherapy practice and current guidance relevant to the assessment and management of musculoskeletal conditions.
• Understanding of the professional, legal and ethical responsibilities of a registered physiotherapist, including HCPC and CSP standards.
• Demonstrates developing clinical reasoning skills, including recognition of red flags and knowing when to seek senior advice or refer appropriately.
• Ability to organise and prioritise a varied clinical workload with support, adapting to changing service demands.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers and members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Competent IT skills, including the use of electronic patient records, Microsoft Office applications and digital systems used to support patient care and service delivery.

Desirable

• Knowledge of current developments and emerging evidence in musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice.
• Understanding of clinical audit, quality improvement and service evaluation within an NHS setting.
• Willingness to participate in audit, quality improvement and service development activities.
• Experience of supporting or participating in student education, peer learning or in-service training.
• Experience of using electronic patient record systems and digital tools to support patient care and clinical practice.
• Awareness of NHS MSK pathways and the importance of delivering evidence-based, patient-centred care.

Experience

Essential

• Undergraduate NHS clinical placement experience across the core clinical areas of physiotherapy, for example MSK, orthopaedics/trauma, neurology, cardiorespiratory care.
• Experience of working effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Evidence of excellent verbal and written communication skills across a range of clinical or professional settings.

Desirable

• Experience of working within a musculoskeletal physiotherapy service through undergraduate placements or post-registration employment.
• Experience of contributing to the learning and development of others, including supporting students, peers or new team members.
• Experience of participating in clinical audit, service evaluation, quality improvement or service development activities.

Statutory Registration

Essential

• HCPC registration

Desirable

• Member of CSP

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc in Physiotherapy or equivalent.
• Evidence of continuing professional development, including reflective practice
• An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust values and how you adhere to them

Desirable

• Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to musculoskeletal physiotherapy.
• Attendance at postgraduate courses or training relevant to MSK physiotherapy practice.

Special Requirements

Essential

• Able to travel independently to fulfil duties of this post

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.

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.

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

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Operational Manager North Durham

Alex Morgan

[email protected]

07717631822

Details

Date posted

16 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,073 to £39,043 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

5 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

C9439-2627-NP-N317

Job locations

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

United Kingdom

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