About this role
Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Outpatient Service within Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, with a permanent Band 5 role at Bridgwater Hospital. You will work within a supportive multidisciplinary team including Exercise Instructors, Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, Enhanced and Advanced Practice clinicians, alongside First Contact Practitioners.
As a Band 5 MSK Physiotherapist, you will deliver high-quality, patient-centred care to a varied outpatient caseload, including orthopaedic, musculoskeletal and sports-related conditions. The role involves assessing patients, using clinical reasoning to diagnose and develop evidence-based treatment plans, and supporting shared decision-making to achieve positive outcomes.
You will manage your own caseload with increasing autonomy while benefiting from structured supervision, peer review and senior clinical support. Development is actively encouraged through CPD, training and service improvement work.
You will also support the development of students, assistants and Exercise Instructors, and work collaboratively with GPs, consultants and wider healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated, high-quality care.
This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop MSK skills within a dynamic, supportive and forward-thinking service.
Main duties of the job
Deliver a high-quality, patient-centred musculoskeletal physiotherapy service to an outpatient caseload, including assessment, diagnosis and evidence-based treatment of a wide range of MSK conditions.
Independently manage and prioritise a clinical caseload, using advanced clinical reasoning skills to develop and implement individualised treatment plans.
Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team including Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, Exercise Instructors, Enhanced and Advanced Practice clinicians, and First Contact Practitioners to ensure integrated patient care.
Communicate effectively with patients, carers and healthcare professionals, supporting shared decision-making and promoting self-management.
Provide clinical support, guidance and supervision to Band 4 Exercise Instructors, students and junior staff, contributing to training and development within the team.
Maintain accurate, timely and comprehensive clinical records and produce reports in line with professional and Trust standards.
Contribute to service development, clinical audit, and quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient outcomes and service delivery.
Participate in ongoing professional development, including appraisal, training and peer review, to maintain and develop clinical competence.
Work flexibly across community hospital settings and participate in service requirements such as weekend rotas where required.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
Flexible working options to help you balance work and lifeNHS pension scheme for long-term financial securityGenerous annual leave allowance to recharge and relaxA strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potentialAdditionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breath taking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description Job responsibilities Please see the attached Job description and person specification for more details about this fantastic role.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Please see attached Job description
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 Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address Bridgwater Community Hospital
Bower Lane
Bridgwater
Somerset
TA6 4GU
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)