Overview

An exciting opportunity at Evelina London Children’s Hospital for an experienced Paediatric physiotherapist with a passion for Paediatric and Adolescent Neurodisability and a willingness to upskill in expert orthopaedic spinal management. The post involves working within an interdisciplinary team in the assessment and management of children and young people with spinal conditions as part of a regional Paediatric Spinal Orthopaedic Service. Excellent communication, leadership, clinical education, quality improvement and research skills are required, including strong clinical reasoning and triage of referrals.

Main duties

To provide a specialist assessment and treatment service for patients with paediatric spinal conditions and spinal deformity, with an extended scope of practice. The service receives referrals from local GPs and collaborates with Trust Orthopaedic Spinal and Radiology consultants, including running physiotherapy-led clinics alongside consultant clinics. To work as part of the MDT in measuring outcomes following spinal surgery. To provide specialist advice to the paediatric physiotherapy department at Evelina Children\''s Hospital at Guy\''s and St Thomas\''. To work with the other clinic specialist physiotherapist within the spinal service to support the band 7 physiotherapist in the service, paediatric musculoskeletal service and the Paediatric Orthotics service.

Key Relationships

Clinical Lead Paediatric PhysiotherapistPaediatric Spinal Orthopaedic SurgeonsPhysiotherapists within the trustNursing Staff in OP and wardsAdmin staff for spinal orthopaedicsRadiology staffPaediatric orthotists

About us

Evelina London cares for local children in Lambeth and Southwark and provides specialist services across south east England. We lead networks to ensure children are treated locally when possible but have access to specialist expertise when needed. Our community services include health visiting, school nursing and support for families of children with long-term conditions. Guy\''s and St Thomas\'' wants to meet the NHS Constitution aims and welcomes people of all backgrounds. Since 2021 we have included Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals as part of Guys\'' and St Thomas\'', aligning with a shared vision for excellence in heart, lung and critical care medicine and research across King\''s Health Partners.

Details

Date posted: 28 August 2025Pay scheme: Agenda for changeBand: Band 8aSalary: £64,156 to £71,148 a year p.a. inc HCA (pro rata)Contract: Fixed termDuration: 9 monthsWorking pattern: Full-timeReference number: 196-LIS9828Job locations: Evelina London Children\''s Hospital; St Thomas\''s Hospital, Lambeth Palace Road, London SE1 7EH

Professional / Clinical responsibilities

Be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of practicePerform an advanced musculoskeletal spinal assessment of patients, including highly complex presentations, and work as an autonomous practitioner with a clear diagnosis and treatment planInterpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts to provide specialist advice and second opinions, including prognoses, intervention recommendations and discharge plansRequest and use results of specialist investigations (e.g. X-rays, MRI, blood tests) to inform diagnosis and management with support from Spinal ConsultantsDevelop advanced theoretical and practical knowledge to refer to other departments/colleagues as neededUndertake development programmes for clinical specialists in extended scope of practice (ESP) and obtain ESP competencyProvide written clinical opinions to medical colleagues as requiredAdvise patients, carers and education/schools on return-to-sport and activity timingCoordinate patient management across multidisciplinary teamsContribute to clinical pathways development in collaboration with MDT leadsManage clinical risk within own caseload and across the departmentBe aware of extended practice boundaries and manage associated riskDemonstrate high-level dexterity and palpatory skills for assessment and manual therapy, including use of specialist equipment

Person specification

Knowledge/QualificationsEssential: Diploma / Degree in PhysiotherapyEssential: MSc in relevant clinical area or equivalent post-registration studies in paediatric neurodisabilityEssential: Continued professional development in paediatric orthopaedicsEssential: HCPC registration in PhysiotherapyDesirable: Member of APCP and/or other relevant National SIG

ExperienceEssential: Significant Band 7 level experience in paediatric outpatient/community physiotherapy with complex spinal conditions, deformity, neurodisability and neuromuscular conditionsEssential: Highly specialist knowledge of management approaches for paediatric spinal conditions and neurodisabilityEssential: Experience of student supervision and clinical educationEssential: Experience of clinical audits and research methodologyEssential: Experience within an interdisciplinary teamEssential: Experience in service developmentDesirable: Previous experience in an extended physiotherapy role

SkillsRobust understanding of clinical governance, quality issues, audit and risk managementCurrent knowledge of treatment of back pain in children and young peopleAbility to conduct in-depth physiotherapy assessments for complex spinal cases and understand onward referralsKnowledge of orthoses and scoliosis managementKnowledge of muscle tone management in paediatric neurodisabilityUnderstanding of physiotherapy role within the evolving health environmentDesirable: Interpretation of X-rays for spinal deformity assessmentDesirable: Advanced IT skills (databases, statistics, Excel)Desirable: Experience with CPIP database and clinical assessment

Compliance

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975; a DBS disclosure will be required.Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers requiring skilled worker sponsorship will be considered. Further information is available on the UK Visas and Immigration site.UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. See NHS Careers for details.

Employer details

Employer: Guy\''s and St Thomas\'' NHS Foundation TrustAddress: Evelina London Children\''s Hospital, St Thomas\'' Hospital, Lambeth Palace Road, London SE1 7EHEmployer website: https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx

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