Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

• Independently assess and treat patients with a variety of  musculoskeletal, trauma, and orthopaedic conditions.
• Develop and implement individualised, evidence-based rehabilitation plans using clinical reasoning and functional goals.
• Participate in six-monthly rotations within the orthopaedics and trauma physiotherapy team if supportive of the research projects being undertaken.
• Apply manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercise, and assistive device training to optimise recovery.
• Manage clinical risk and ensure safe practice, including appropriate use of physiotherapy equipment.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive records in accordance with CSP and Trust standards.
• Contribute to the 24-hour on-call and weekend physiotherapy rota.
• To be Professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of patients in your care and to ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management
• To hold responsibility for your own caseload, working without direct supervision. Supervision takes the form of regular formal training and caseload(s) review sessions. Access to advice from a more Senior Physiotherapist is available if required, clinical work is not routinely evaluated.

INITIATE Study Responsibilities

• Act as a key deliverer of the INITIATE Study, funded through this post, with a recruitment target of 105 participants by 31 December 2025.
• Identify eligible patients post–hip fracture for potential study enrolment across acute and rehabilitation settings.
• Support informed consent processes under supervision and according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
• Implement the study intervention: enhanced mobilisation (2–4 times daily) for trial participants in appropriate clusters.
• Perform structured outcome measures (e.g., Timed Up and Go, Barthel Index) at baseline, 30 days, and 120 days.
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation in Case Report Form’s (CRF) and on platforms such as EDGE.
• Report Adverse Events (AE’s) and Serious Adverse Events (SAE’s) in accordance with study and regulatory requirements.
• Liaise with Principal Investigators, NIHR Research Delivery Network: West Midlands, trial sponsors, and clinical trial units to ensure compliance with all study protocols and milestones.
• Attend trial-specific training sessions, initiation visits, ongoing site monitoring meetings, and investigator meetings.

Research & Governance

• Contribute to the safe and effective delivery of clinical research studies in line with national and Trust research governance frameworks.
• Promote awareness and engagement in research within the trauma and orthopaedics teams.
• Assist in audits, evaluations, and dissemination of findings where applicable.
• Ensure confidentiality, data protection, and ethical compliance in all research and clinical work.

Communication and Teamwork

• Communicate effectively with patients, carers, and members of the multidisciplinary team using verbal and non-verbal strategies.
• Educate patients and staff on research protocols, rehabilitation strategies, and shared goals of care.
• Provide clear and empathetic explanations of study involvement and treatment plans to patients and families.
• Work collaboratively across clinical, academic, and research teams including external sites.

Education and Professional Development

• Maintain HCPC registration and adhere to the CSP Code of Professional Values and Behaviour.
• Engage in continuing professional development and reflective practice.
• Participate in regular supervision, clinical teaching, and peer review.
• Contribute to the education and supervision of support workers, students, and junior staff as appropriate.

Organisational Responsibilities

• Adhere to all Trust policies, procedures, and protocols including those related to safeguarding, infection prevention, and information governance.
• To be an active member of the overnight and weekend physiotherapy service rota
• To attend mandatory training sessions as determined by the Trust
• To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out physiotherapy duties and to adhere to departmental policy, including competence to sue equipment and ensuring the safe use of equipment by others through training and supervision of practice
• To maintain accurate comprehensive and up to date documentation, in line with legal and professional standards and requirements and communicate assessment and treatment results to the appropriate disciplines in the form of reports and letters
• To report all accidents, incidents and complaints in accordance with Trust policy
• To undertake an other duties as delegated by the Therapy Services Manager commensurate with the grade and experience of the post holder
• Participate in mandatory and statutory training, including GCP certification for research delivery.
• Support sustainability efforts through efficient use of Trust resources.
• Contribute to service improvement, audit projects, and quality assurance initiatives.

RELATIONSHIPS

The Band 5 Research Physiotherapist will work within a multidisciplinary team and engage with a wide network of clinical and research professionals to ensure high-quality care and effective delivery of research.

Internal:

• Band 6 Senior Physiotherapists – For clinical supervision, mentoring, complex case discussions, and planning.
• Band 4 Assistant Research Physiotherapist – Line management or delegated supervision role, including clinical oversight and workload coordination.
• Occupational Therapists and Therapy Support Staff – For collaborative rehabilitation planning and joint treatment sessions.
• Ward Nurses and Allied Health Professionals – Joint goal setting, safe discharge planning, and day-to-day coordination of patient care.
• Orthopaedic Consultants and Junior Medical Staff – Liaising on clinical assessments, treatment planning, and research participant identification.
• Therapy Service Managers / Team Leaders – Support for clinical governance, rota coordination, CPD, and service improvement initiatives.
• Research & Development (R&D) Team – Ensuring study protocol adherence, data compliance, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards are maintained.
• Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) / Data Management Teams – For coordination and entry of study data, including CRFs and electronic systems like EDGE.
• Infection Control, Safeguarding, and Health & Safety Teams – To ensure safe and compliant working practice in both clinical and research settings.

External:

• Patients and Carers – Engaging with empathy and professionalism to deliver high-quality care and support research participation.
• INITIATE Study Team (NIHR-funded) – Close working relationship with the study’s Chief Investigator, trial manager, and recruitment sites.
• Research Delivery Network (WMRDN): West Midlands – For support with research delivery infrastructure, monitoring visits, and study setup.
• Study Sponsors and External Auditors – Providing accurate data and documentation for review, audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Partner Organisations – May include attendance at study training, learning sessions.
• Community Services / GPs / Social Care – Communication around discharge, ongoing therapy needs, and research follow-up in the community setting.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Flexibility in working hours to support patient care and research activity, including weekends and late shifts where required.
• Travel between Trust sites and to external meetings (e.g., trial working groups) may be required.
• Participation in the Trust’s on-call physiotherapy service is expected

For a full comprehensive list of main responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to job description and personal specification attached.