Specialist Healthy Living Physiotherapist
Job summary
If you have a keen interest in holistic care and want to make a difference to the lives of those living with obesity, we have the opportunity for an enthusiastic physiotherapist to join the Health Living Team! This fixed term contract comes with a possibility of a secondment for the successful candidate.
As a part of the Healthy Living Team you will work cross site and at community sites to deliver advanced assessment, treatment, advice within the Obesity service's multidisciplinary team who provide both Tier 2 and Tier 3 services. You will have to opportunity to work alongside dietitians and clinical psychologists, as well as take on the leadership responsibilities and support junior members of the team.
Main duties of the job
As a band 6 physiotherapist you will deliver high quality interventions to patient's living with obesity and take on leadership and management duties within the Healthy Living Team, with the following skills and knowledge required:
- A sound knowledge of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of obesity
- Up to date knowledge of latest evidence-based practice and new research
- Understanding of Clinical Governance and the implications for physiotherapy service, including experience of quality issues and audit
- Innovative and driven approach to service development and quality improvement
- Provision of training and personal development opportunities
- Experience in mentoring and supervising junior staff and students
- Excellent organisation, prioritisation and delegation skills
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.
About us
Department InformationThe Physiotherapy and the Nutrition & Dietetics Departments are within the Therapies & Rehabilitation and the Medical Specialties Clinical Directorates, respectively. The combined departments have over 400 staff and provide services across the Trust. The Healthy Living service is managed within both departments and this post specifically withinthe Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Service and its Clinical Lead Physiotherapist. The service provides nutritional and physiotherapy support to outpatients living with overweight and obesity and to staff throughout the department who manage overweight and obese patients.
Organisational Values:Our values help us to define and develop our culture, what we do and how we do it. It is important that you understand and reflect these values throughout your employment with the Trust. The post holder will be:
- Caring: put patients first
- **Ambitious:**innovate and strive for excellence
- **Inclusive:**respect each other and work collaboratively
Details
Date posted
21 April 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
£47,951 to £56,863 a year per annum incl. HCA
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
196-LIS10437M
Job locations
St Thomas' Hospital
Westminster Bridge Rd
London
SE1 7EH
Job description
Job responsibilities
Professional / Clinical responsibilities
- To be professionally and legally responsible for all aspects of the post-holders own work
- To carry out assessment of patients as an autonomous practitioner, including those with complex obesity presentations, and using clinical reasoning skills and knowledge of evidence-based practice, determines appropriate theory driven treatment plan utilising wide range of treatment skills including behaviour change techniques
- To provide expert delivery of healthy weight programmes to groups living with obesity ensuring it is underpinned by behaviour change theory
- To interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts to form accurate diagnoses in a wide range of conditions including those with a complex presentation, with occasional guidance from specialist physiotherapist
- To formulate accurate prognoses and recommend best course of intervention
- To continually reassess patients in order to progress treatments effectively To co-ordinate intervention, engaging and making partnerships with other sectors to ensure patients have long term maintenance support which may include other healthcare professionals, community groups and volunteers
- To manage clinical risk within own caseload at all times
- To demonstrate physical ability to carry out physiotherapy assessment and interventions including manual therapy techniques and therapeutic handling
- To be able to manage potentially stressful, upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner, including but not limited to those in healthy living.
- To support junior when indicated in the management of challenging patients
- To provide community-based healthy weight group programmes, at times as a lone practitioner within the Trust guidance
Management and Leadership
- To be responsible for supervision and co-ordination of junior staff/students and assistants on a daily basis
- To be responsible for the operational management of the designated team in the absence of the team leader or as required
- To flexibly plan and organise own time, patient caseload, meetings, training and adjusting plans as required according to staff.
- To be able to respond to unpredictable work patterns and frequent interruptions.
- To assist in the planning of juniors, students and assistants timetables and deputise for the team leader in organisational duties.
- To ensure smooth organisation of patient group work including gym classes.
- To be responsible for competent use and maintenance reporting of all equipment used on each rotation including but not limited to gym, and to ensure that junior staff/students and assistants attain competency prior to use.
Communication
- To be able to motivate and persuade others through effectivecommunication skills, with the benefit of verbal and non-verbal skills,using written and electronic information where neededTo demonstrate the ability to communicate complex and sensitiveinformation to patient, carers and other staff, where there may bebarriers to communication i.e. non-English speaking patients; use ofinterpreters; excess noise or lack of privacy.
- To maintain close links, communication and liaison between all staffand people involved in patient care, student education, research orpolicy development as appropriate Information Management
- To maintain an accurate and evaluative record keeping system (epic) inclusive of Electronic Patient Referrals for own clinical caseload
- To supervise junior and student physiotherapists record keeping system according to departmental standards
Education & Professional Development
- To be responsible for supervision, teaching and appraisal of junior staff, students, assistants and other health professionals
- To be responsible for undergraduate student physiotherapists as allocated by the team leader and to regularly liaise with the academic institutions
- To keep abreast in understanding and knowledge of all new developments which are applicable to specific physiotherapy treatments and to attend andactively participate in the departments in-service training program and other outside courses/ lectures as appropriate
- To contribute to the education of multidisciplinary groups, patients, families and carers as appropriate.
- To be pro-active with regard to learning from other physiotherapy staff within the department, and other MDT staff in the Trust.
- To be responsible for and actively record own personal professionaldevelopment and maintain a CPD portfolio which reflects same
- To assist in organising and actively participate in the in-service andpost registration education programme within the specialist clinical area and attend other outside courses/ lectures as appropriate
- To keep abreast in understanding and knowledge of all new developments which are applicable to specific physiotherapy treatments.
Research and audit
- To participate in the departments ongoing audit and appropriate work related research/ evaluation projects
- To participate in evidence based projects with professional presentation of the project to the obesity team, physiotherapy department and wider multidisciplinary team.
- To keep abreast of evidenced based practice in the clinical area by use of relevant reading, attendance at in-service training, external courses and database searches
- To ensure good working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor quality as appropriate.
The post holder may be required to undertake any other duties after discussion and training if necessary.
The post holder is required to follow Trust policies and procedures which are regularly updated including:
Confidentiality / Data Protection / Freedom of InformationPost holders must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, staff and other health service business in accordance with the Data Protection Act of 1998. Post holders must not, without priorpermission, disclose any information regarding patients or staff. If any member of staff has communicated any such information to anunauthorised person those staff will be liable to dismissal. Moreover, the Data Protection Act 1998 also renders an individual liable for prosecution in the event of unauthorised disclosure of information. Following the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) 2005, post holders must apply the Trusts FOI procedure if they receive a written request for information.
Equal OpportunitiesPost holders must at all times fulfil their responsibilities with regard to the Trusts Equal Opportunities Policy and equality laws.Health and Safety All post holders have a responsibility, under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and subsequently published regulations, to ensure that the Trusts health and safety policies and procedures are complied with to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees.
Infection ControlAll post holders have a personal obligation to act to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). They must attend mandatory training in Infection Control and be compliant with all measures required by the Trust to reduce HCAIs. Post holders must be familiar with the Trusts Infection Control Policies, including those that apply to their duties, such as Hand Decontamination Policy, Personal Protective Equipment Policy, safe procedures for using aseptic techniques and safe disposal of sharps.
Risk ManagementAll post holders have a responsibility to report risks such as clinical and non-clinical accidents or incidents promptly. They are expected to be familiar with the Trusts use of risk assessments to predict and control risk, as well as the incident reporting system for learning from mistakes and near misses in order to improve services. Post holders must also attend training identified by their manager, or stated by the Trust to bemandatory.
Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable AdultsPost holders have a general responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
Smoking PolicyIt is the Trusts policy to promote health. Smoking, therefore, is actively discouraged. It is illegal within Trust buildings and vehicles.
Review of this Job DescriptionThis job description is intended as an outline of the general areas of activity and will be amended in the light of the changing needs of the organisation. To be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder.As part of the physiotherapy departments commitment to meeting patient needs and delivering excellence we provide a 24hours, 7day service. It is therefore essential the post holder be able to work their hours flexibly and contribute fully to both existing and new rotasThe Trust currently operates over two sites, Guys Hospital and St Thomas Hospital, and in the community. It is necessary for staff to be deployed on different sites at different times. Staffs are required to be able and willing to work on both sites. Staff may be required, from time to time, to serve in other units of the Trust at the discretion of the Director of Therapies.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Professional / Clinical responsibilities
- To be professionally and legally responsible for all aspects of the post-holders own work
- To carry out assessment of patients as an autonomous practitioner, including those with complex obesity presentations, and using clinical reasoning skills and knowledge of evidence-based practice, determines appropriate theory driven treatment plan utilising wide range of treatment skills including behaviour change techniques
- To provide expert delivery of healthy weight programmes to groups living with obesity ensuring it is underpinned by behaviour change theory
- To interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts to form accurate diagnoses in a wide range of conditions including those with a complex presentation, with occasional guidance from specialist physiotherapist
- To formulate accurate prognoses and recommend best course of intervention
- To continually reassess patients in order to progress treatments effectively To co-ordinate intervention, engaging and making partnerships with other sectors to ensure patients have long term maintenance support which may include other healthcare professionals, community groups and volunteers
- To manage clinical risk within own caseload at all times
- To demonstrate physical ability to carry out physiotherapy assessment and interventions including manual therapy techniques and therapeutic handling
- To be able to manage potentially stressful, upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner, including but not limited to those in healthy living.
- To support junior when indicated in the management of challenging patients
- To provide community-based healthy weight group programmes, at times as a lone practitioner within the Trust guidance
Management and Leadership
- To be responsible for supervision and co-ordination of junior staff/students and assistants on a daily basis
- To be responsible for the operational management of the designated team in the absence of the team leader or as required
- To flexibly plan and organise own time, patient caseload, meetings, training and adjusting plans as required according to staff.
- To be able to respond to unpredictable work patterns and frequent interruptions.
- To assist in the planning of juniors, students and assistants timetables and deputise for the team leader in organisational duties.
- To ensure smooth organisation of patient group work including gym classes.
- To be responsible for competent use and maintenance reporting of all equipment used on each rotation including but not limited to gym, and to ensure that junior staff/students and assistants attain competency prior to use.
Communication
- To be able to motivate and persuade others through effectivecommunication skills, with the benefit of verbal and non-verbal skills,using written and electronic information where neededTo demonstrate the ability to communicate complex and sensitiveinformation to patient, carers and other staff, where there may bebarriers to communication i.e. non-English speaking patients; use ofinterpreters; excess noise or lack of privacy.
- To maintain close links, communication and liaison between all staffand people involved in patient care, student education, research orpolicy development as appropriate Information Management
- To maintain an accurate and evaluative record keeping system (epic) inclusive of Electronic Patient Referrals for own clinical caseload
- To supervise junior and student physiotherapists record keeping system according to departmental standards
Education & Professional Development
- To be responsible for supervision, teaching and appraisal of junior staff, students, assistants and other health professionals
- To be responsible for undergraduate student physiotherapists as allocated by the team leader and to regularly liaise with the academic institutions
- To keep abreast in understanding and knowledge of all new developments which are applicable to specific physiotherapy treatments and to attend andactively participate in the departments in-service training program and other outside courses/ lectures as appropriate
- To contribute to the education of multidisciplinary groups, patients, families and carers as appropriate.
- To be pro-active with regard to learning from other physiotherapy staff within the department, and other MDT staff in the Trust.
- To be responsible for and actively record own personal professionaldevelopment and maintain a CPD portfolio which reflects same
- To assist in organising and actively participate in the in-service andpost registration education programme within the specialist clinical area and attend other outside courses/ lectures as appropriate
- To keep abreast in understanding and knowledge of all new developments which are applicable to specific physiotherapy treatments.
Research and audit
- To participate in the departments ongoing audit and appropriate work related research/ evaluation projects
- To participate in evidence based projects with professional presentation of the project to the obesity team, physiotherapy department and wider multidisciplinary team.
- To keep abreast of evidenced based practice in the clinical area by use of relevant reading, attendance at in-service training, external courses and database searches
- To ensure good working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor quality as appropriate.
The post holder may be required to undertake any other duties after discussion and training if necessary.
The post holder is required to follow Trust policies and procedures which are regularly updated including:
Confidentiality / Data Protection / Freedom of InformationPost holders must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, staff and other health service business in accordance with the Data Protection Act of 1998. Post holders must not, without priorpermission, disclose any information regarding patients or staff. If any member of staff has communicated any such information to anunauthorised person those staff will be liable to dismissal. Moreover, the Data Protection Act 1998 also renders an individual liable for prosecution in the event of unauthorised disclosure of information. Following the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) 2005, post holders must apply the Trusts FOI procedure if they receive a written request for information.
Equal OpportunitiesPost holders must at all times fulfil their responsibilities with regard to the Trusts Equal Opportunities Policy and equality laws.Health and Safety All post holders have a responsibility, under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and subsequently published regulations, to ensure that the Trusts health and safety policies and procedures are complied with to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees.
Infection ControlAll post holders have a personal obligation to act to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). They must attend mandatory training in Infection Control and be compliant with all measures required by the Trust to reduce HCAIs. Post holders must be familiar with the Trusts Infection Control Policies, including those that apply to their duties, such as Hand Decontamination Policy, Personal Protective Equipment Policy, safe procedures for using aseptic techniques and safe disposal of sharps.
Risk ManagementAll post holders have a responsibility to report risks such as clinical and non-clinical accidents or incidents promptly. They are expected to be familiar with the Trusts use of risk assessments to predict and control risk, as well as the incident reporting system for learning from mistakes and near misses in order to improve services. Post holders must also attend training identified by their manager, or stated by the Trust to bemandatory.
Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable AdultsPost holders have a general responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
Smoking PolicyIt is the Trusts policy to promote health. Smoking, therefore, is actively discouraged. It is illegal within Trust buildings and vehicles.
Review of this Job DescriptionThis job description is intended as an outline of the general areas of activity and will be amended in the light of the changing needs of the organisation. To be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder.As part of the physiotherapy departments commitment to meeting patient needs and delivering excellence we provide a 24hours, 7day service. It is therefore essential the post holder be able to work their hours flexibly and contribute fully to both existing and new rotasThe Trust currently operates over two sites, Guys Hospital and St Thomas Hospital, and in the community. It is necessary for staff to be deployed on different sites at different times. Staffs are required to be able and willing to work on both sites. Staff may be required, from time to time, to serve in other units of the Trust at the discretion of the Director of Therapies.
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
- Remains updated with professional practice and new research
- Ability to organise, prioritise and delegate
- Ability to participate in staff training
- Understanding of Clinical Governance and the implications for physiotherapy services including experience of quality issues and audit
- Ability to comprehend and work within the Trust's policies of data protection, equal opportunities and Health and Safety to meet the differing needs of the patients
- Ability to keep legible and accurate notes in English in the POMR system
Desirable
- Competent IT and presentation skills
- Experience of running courses - internal / external
- Evidence of participation in research / audit
- Committee membership e.g. Health and Safety
- Experience of being a practice educator for students on placement
- Experience of running a group and evidence of group facilitation skills
- Experience of supervision of other staff e.g. physiotherapy assistant / Technical Instructor
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
- Education Diploma/Degree in Physiotherapy
- Evidence of Continued Professional Development Including attendance recent post graduate courses relevant to the clinical field
- HCPC registration
Desirable
- Membership of Special Interest Group
- Membership of the CSP
Previous experience
Essential
- Broad range of experience, as an autonomous practitioner, at Band 5 level in acute and chronic respiratory care, acute and chronic rehabilitation including orthopaedic inpatients and musculoskeletal work
- Experience of working as member of a physiotherapy team within a multidisciplinary team.
- Experience working as a member of a physiotherapy team community setting
Desirable
- Previous experience at Band 6 level within a health promotion setting
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
- Remains updated with professional practice and new research
- Ability to organise, prioritise and delegate
- Ability to participate in staff training
- Understanding of Clinical Governance and the implications for physiotherapy services including experience of quality issues and audit
- Ability to comprehend and work within the Trust's policies of data protection, equal opportunities and Health and Safety to meet the differing needs of the patients
- Ability to keep legible and accurate notes in English in the POMR system
Desirable
- Competent IT and presentation skills
- Experience of running courses - internal / external
- Evidence of participation in research / audit
- Committee membership e.g. Health and Safety
- Experience of being a practice educator for students on placement
- Experience of running a group and evidence of group facilitation skills
- Experience of supervision of other staff e.g. physiotherapy assistant / Technical Instructor
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
- Education Diploma/Degree in Physiotherapy
- Evidence of Continued Professional Development Including attendance recent post graduate courses relevant to the clinical field
- HCPC registration
Desirable
- Membership of Special Interest Group
- Membership of the CSP
Previous experience
Essential
- Broad range of experience, as an autonomous practitioner, at Band 5 level in acute and chronic respiratory care, acute and chronic rehabilitation including orthopaedic inpatients and musculoskeletal work
- Experience of working as member of a physiotherapy team within a multidisciplinary team.
- Experience working as a member of a physiotherapy team community setting
Desirable
- Previous experience at Band 6 level within a health promotion setting
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
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Address
St Thomas' Hospital
Westminster Bridge Rd
London
SE1 7EH
Employer's website
https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Address
St Thomas' Hospital
Westminster Bridge Rd
London
SE1 7EH
Employer's website
https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx (Opens in a new tab)