Job Title:  Principal Physiotherapist

Job Summary

• A senior physiotherapy role, typically involved in providing advanced clinical expertise and in the leading, developing, and delivering high-quality physiotherapy services within a designated clinical specialty.
• Provide expert assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for highly complex patient cases.
• Manages a complex caseload (including patients with long-term conditions, comorbidities and multi-factorial needs)
• Responsible in developing and delivering specialist teaching programs and mentorship program to physiotherapy staff.
• Take active and productive roles in Physiotherapy service improvement, staff management and education, and strategic planning to ensure effective, evidence-based physiotherapy interventions that improve patient outcomes.

Principles Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Duties

• Act as an advanced clinical expert, supporting decision-making in complex cases.

• Provide specialized assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for complex patient cases (e.g., MSK, neuro, respiratory, rehabilitation, acute care).

• Use advanced clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice to inform decision-making.

• Develop and implement evidence-based treatment plans to optimize patient outcomes.

• Deliver programmes of supported patient self-management to optimize physical activity, mobility, independence, and minimize pharmacological interventions.

• Contribute to multidisciplinary team meetings, ensuring holistic patient care.

• Lead service improvement initiatives and integrate research into practice.

Leadership & Management

• Provide clinical leadership to physiotherapists, assistants, and students.

• Support workforce planning, recruitment, induction, and staff development.

• Streamline care pathways for timely patient access.

• Manage staff performance, appraisals, and compliance with professional standards.

• Liaise with stakeholders to enhance service delivery.

Education & Training

• Support physiotherapy staff in developing clinical skills and leadership.

• Keep up to date with research and best practices.

• Lead and contribute to CPD and in-service training.

Research & Service Development

• Lead audits, quality improvement initiatives, and research.

• Use outcome measures and data to support service improvements.

Educational Requirement

• BSc (Hons) or MSc in Physiotherapy is required.
• MSc or equivalent postgraduate qualification in a relevant field is desirable

Specialized Skills and Professional Requirements

• Extensive postgraduate experience and qualification in a relevant specialty are required.

• Advanced clinical knowledge and expertise (clinical reasoning, advanced assessment, and treatment techniques) in a specialized physiotherapy area is required.

• Teaching or mentoring qualifications are advantageous.

• Experience in service development, audit, quality improvement and research are required.

• Evidence of leadership and staff management skills is required.

• Excellent communication and multidisciplinary teamwork abilities.

• Possess a valid BLS/CPR: Basic Life Support CPR Course or CPR Victims of all ages are required