Specialist AHP MSK Therapist / Team Lead: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

Are you a highly skilled AHP MSK clinician ready to combine specialist clinical practice with meaningful team leadership at one of Carlisle’s flagship outpatient settings?

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) is delighted to invite applications for the post of Specialist AHP MSK Therapist / Team Lead, based at The Carlisle Sands Centre — a modern, purpose-built outpatient facility at the heart of the NCIC Integrated Musculoskeletal (IMSK) Service.

This post is a clinical and operational team leadership role within the AHP IMSK Service at The Sands Centre. The post holder will function as both a Specialist AHP MSK Therapist and Team Lead, providing specialist clinical expertise in the assessment, diagnosis and management of complex musculoskeletal conditions in line with IFOMPT 2016 educational standards, whilst providing day-to-day operational leadership of the Carlisle Sands Centre AHP IMSK team.

Underpinned by the four pillars of enhance/ advanced clinical practice, you will work across clinical practice, leadership and management, education and training, and research and evidence-based practice — accountable to the Deputy Head of IMSK East and Head of IMSK.

NB: The job description and banding for this post are subject to the outcome of the Trust’s Job Matching process.

Main duties of the job

Provide specialist assessment, diagnosis and management of patients with complex musculoskeletal conditions, delivering evidence-based treatment and promoting self-management. Maintain high standards of clinical practice, communication and record keeping.

Jointly lead the Integrated Musculoskeletal (IMSK) team at Carlisle Sands Centre, deputising for the Deputy Head of IMSK East as required. Support workforce planning, recruitment, appraisal, supervision and staff development, while fostering a positive culture aligned to Trust values.

Lead and contribute to service development, clinical governance, quality improvement and risk management activities. Monitor service performance and support the achievement of key operational targets.

Provide clinical supervision, mentoring and education for colleagues and students, promoting evidence-based practice and continuous professional development. Deliver teaching and support the development of the wider workforce.

Contribute to audit, research and service evaluation projects, using outcomes and evidence to improve patient care and support the ongoing development of the IMSK service.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• oCSP-accredited Degree or Diploma in Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy or equivalent AHP qualification
• oCurrent, valid HCPC registration
• oMembership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) or equivalent professional body, or evidence of current Professional Liability Insurance
• oEvidence of post-registration education and training to diploma level in MSK / orthopaedic manual therapy aligned to IFOMPT 2016 educational standards

Desirable

• oFull completion of an IFOMPT-credentialed post-graduate OMT programme
• oMSc in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, or equivalent
• oRecognised qualification in clinical supervision, mentoring or coaching
• oFormal leadership or management qualification (e.g. NHS Leadership Academy, ILM, CMI)
• oPost-graduate qualification at Master’s level (MSc or equivalent) in a musculoskeletal or related clinical field, or substantial progression towards Masters-level study

Knowledge

Essential

• oProven specialist skills in MSK assessment, differential diagnosis and management including recognition and management of serious pathology and medical red flags
• oDemonstrable knowledge and application of IFOMPT 2016 educational standards for MSK practice and orthopaedic manual therapy
• oKnowledge of relevant NHS policy and strategy, including NHS Long Term Plan, NICE MSK guidelines, Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) and the Primary Care MSK pathway
• oUnderstanding of workforce development, recruitment, retention and succession planning principles

Desirable

• oTrack record of involvement in clinical research, service evaluation or Quality Improvement Projects (QIPs)

Skills & Aptitudes

Essential

• oSpecialist level clinical reasoning, analysis and synthesis skills in complex MSK clinical presentations
• oExcellent communication skills – able to present complex clinical information clearly to patients, carers, multidisciplinary colleagues and senior leaders
• oDemonstrable ability to lead, motivate and develop a clinical team, role modelling Trust values
• oHigh-level organisational and time management skills; ability to manage competing demands and prioritise effectively
• oAbility to manage difficult conversations – including performance management, patient complaints and clinical incident debrief
• oCompetence in the design and delivery of clinical audit, service evaluation and education programmes
• oProficient in the use of validated outcome measures and patient-reported outcome tools in MSK practice
• oConfident in applying shared decision-making frameworks and supporting patient self-management
• oAbility to critically appraise and apply research evidence to clinical practice
• oCompetent in use of digital technology including EPR systems, Microsoft Office and virtual consultation platforms

Desirable

• oExperience of leading and managing teams through service change
• oExperience of quality improvement methodology (e.g. PDSA, Lean, Model for Improvement)
• oContribution to professional journals, national guidelines or conference presentations

Experience

Essential

• oSignificant post-registration clinical experience in AHP MSK practice at senior (Band 6) or above, with demonstrable expertise in complex and undifferentiated MSK presentations
• oProven experience of leading or co-leading an MSK clinical team, including operational day-to-day management
• oExperience of clinical governance, risk management, audit and quality improvement within an MSK or AHP service
• oExperience of delivering clinical supervision to AHP staff
• oExperience of facilitating or delivering undergraduate and/or post-graduate clinical education
• oExperience of managing patient complaints and using patient experience to improve service delivery.

Desirable

• oExperience as a First Contact Practitioner (FCP) or Extended Scope Practitioner
• oExperience with leading change, service transformation, redesign or pathway development in an MSK setting
• oExperience using Electronic Patient Record (EPR) systems and digital health tools
• oExperience of telehealth / remote consultation delivery

Other Requirements

Essential

• o Commitment to the Trust’s values of Kindness, Respect, Ambition and Collaboration
• o Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and promoting a culture of dignity and respect
• o Willingness and ability to travel independently across the North Cumbria footprint and to other Trust sites as required
• o Flexibility in working patterns to meet the needs of the service
• o Commitment to personal and team CPD, including engagement with IFOMPT and CSP professional networks
• o Willingness to participate in and support the training and education of others

Closing Date: 17 August 2026