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Job summary

Main area
Physiotherapy
Grade
Band 6
Contract
Permanent: Working 1 in 4 weekends and bank holiday cover. Partaking in the on-call respiratory rota (7/7 cover)
Hours
Part time - 22.5 hours per week (Working 1 in 4 weekends and bank holiday cover. Partaking in the on-call respiratory rota (7/7 cover))
Job ref
387-DT9319-BAL
Employer
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Bristol Royal Infirmary
Town
Bristol
Salary
£39,959 - £48,117 per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
08/10/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust logo

Physiotherapist - Static Medical Respiratory

Band 6

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

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Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Respiratory Physiotherapist to join the Acute Respiratory Medicine team at the Bristol Royal Infirmary for a 0.6 WTE (22.5 hours per week) Band 6 Physiotherapist.

The post-holder will act as an autonomous practitioner, providing Respiratory Physiotherapy assessment and treatment to complex patients including; ITU step down, trache weaning, acute Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) and neuromuscular patients. They will also occasionally be expected to cover non-respiratory areas within the Hepatology, Gastroenterology and General Medicine areas. The post holder will manage their own caseload within the acute medical respiratory specialty. They will be part of an interdisciplinary team working alongside Occupational Therapists, Technicians and the wider MDT. They will supervise and train Band 5 Physiotherapists (including on-call competencies), Therapy Technicians and Students as required. They will have support from the Band 7 Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapists within the team.

Main duties of the job

The team cover a range of wards including Respiratory High Care and a number of acute medical wards. The post holder will work closely with the Band 7 Physiotherapist alongside the NIV Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner. The team works together with the Home Ventilation Service managing  ventilation patients during their acute admissions. 

We are looking for a Physiotherapist who is already a skilled clinician with previous related experience in a Medical Respiratory setting as well as a broad range of other rotations. They will be naturally empathetic, demonstrating good communication skills to facilitate close working relationships with both service users and the wider MDT.  They will need to be creative and flexible to meet the changing needs of the caseload and service. 

They will possess excellent communication skills, demonstrate emerging leadership qualities and take an active interest in teaching and development of others.  

In service training programs and staff appraisal systems are in operation to help you develop to meet the demands of the post. 

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of 2.6 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom.

Chaired by Ingrid Barker and led by Maria Kane as Chief Executive, Bristol NHS Foundation Trust aims to transform the way healthcare is delivered locally with a clear focus on making a difference for what we call our Four Ps:

  •  Better outcomes for our Patients
  •  More opportunities for our People
  •  Fairer more consistent care for our Population
  •  Best Value for Public Purse

Our vision for five years from now:

  • Patients will wait less time to be diagnosed and treated, and they will have the same high-quality experience and outcomes, regardless of who they are or where they live.
  • We will meet rising demand by maximising the use of our available resources.
  • More care will be delivered nearer to patients, in their homes or the community.
  • Digital technologies will have transformed the way we work and the way we deliver care.
  • Our people will feel engaged, energised and empowered by their work.
  • We will be known as a place where people enjoy working, training and building a career.
  • Our volume of globally renowned research and innovation will have grown significantly.
  • We will contribute to system financial balance

 

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and person specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person specification

Education and qualification

Essential criteria
  • Degree or diploma in Physiotherapy
  • Health Professions Council registered
  • Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable criteria
  • Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
  • Involvement in relevant specialist clinical interest groups

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Essential criteria
  • Effective communication skills both verbal & written, with competent IT and presentation skills
  • Ability to work unsupervised
  • Ability to plan, prioritise & delegate
  • Excellent organisational skills
  • Demonstrate Assessment, Analytical & Reflective skills across a diverse patient group
  • Ability to meet deadlines & work under pressure
  • Ability to travel between sites
  • Ability to effectively perform patient assessments & interventions, including respiratory intervention & therapeutic handling
  • Knowledge of clinical Governance & its application to Physiotherapy
  • Ability to cope in a stressful environment undertaking moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and carry out concurrent activities
  • Knowledge and skills associated with treating respiratory patients including Tracheostomy care, non-invasive ventilation and the management of deteriorating patients
Desirable criteria
  • Evidence of Leadership Skills and ability to effect & manage change

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working within acute respiratory medicine as a Band 5 or 6 (with exposure to NIV and tracheostomies).
  • A variety of experience in core areas as postgraduate Physiotherapist I,e T&O, MSK, Respiratory and Neurology, dealing with a wide range of patients with differing needs.
  • Experience of working as part of a Physiotherapy team and/or multi-disciplinary team
  • Contributing to clinical education of less experienced staff, students, or assistants
  • Clinical Supervision of students or assistant staff
Desirable criteria
  • Evidence of previous experience and participation in audit

Personal qualities

Essential criteria
  • Desire to work at Bristol Foundation Trust & commitment to the Trust values
  • Credible and mature attitude, committed to team working with a proactive attitude.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDDisability Confident - two yearsVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveCare quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerNHS Pastoral CareStep into healthMenopause Workplace PledgeDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldPride In Veterans

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Sophie Whitehead
Job title
Speciality Manager Medicine
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0117 3420615
Additional information

Additional Contacts: 

1) Claire Evans

Team Lead B7 Physiotherapist Medical Respiratory team 

[email protected]

 

2) Amy Tainton-Smith

Inpatient Medical Respiratory Therapies Pathway Lead

[email protected]

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