Job Title : Senior Physiotherapist – Musculoskeletal Out-Patients
Reference No : 06.042 (2025)
Department / Directorate : Physiotherapy Department, COO Directorate
Reports to : Physiotherapist Manager-in-Charge III or Deputy
Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) is a model 4, voluntary, academic teaching hospital partnered with Trinity College and situated in south west Dublin. With a staff of over 4,000 people from 63 different countries, it provides both acute and tertiary care to an increasing population of circa 800,000 people and is a provider of local, regional and national specialties. It is also a National Urology Centre, the second largest provider of dialysis services in the country, Pelvic and Acetabulum National Centre and a designated Trauma Unit.
The Hospital is part of the newly established HSE Dublin & Midlands Region, which serves a population of over 1.2 million across seven counties, and operates under the governance of an independent Board of Directors who give their time on a voluntary basis. TUH is also supported by the Adelaide Health Foundation, the Meath Foundation and Tallaght University Hospital Foundation.
TUH recognises the role it plays in our community both as an employer and provider of healthcare and is committed to building a sustainable future for our region both now and into the future with a focus on patient outcomes.
The Hospital is ambitious, recognising that healthcare delivery is undergoing seismic change and will be different now and into the future, largely due to digital and technological advances along with research continuing to discover and test new treatment options. TUH wants to be a leader in determining that future. It is a “Hospital without Walls” always looking to optimise care both within and beyond in line with the Sláintecare vision of providing the right care, in the right place, at the right time whilst empowering our patients and staff.
TUH Vision and Values
The vision of the Hospital is “People Caring for People to Live Better Lives” through excellent health outcomes supported by evidenced based practice, positive patient and staff experience in an empowering and caring environment. A culture of innovation and quality improvement in everything we do.
Our TUH CARE values – for patients, their families, our community and staff are :
- C ollaborate – together and with our academic and care partners
- A chieve – our goals, positive outcomes and wellbeing
- R espect – for patients, each other and our environment
- E quity – for patients and staff
At TUH we view our staff as our most valuable asset and every member of the Team is valued equally. We recognise that a skilled, satisfied and motivated workforce is a prerequisite to high quality care.
A full overview of TUH is available on us
Purpose of the role :
The Senior Physiotherapist will work with patients affected by injury, illness or disability through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice. They facilitate the maintenance of health for people of all ages, working with patients to manage pain and prevent disease. In addition to performing the full range of operational level duties, the Senior Physiotherapist will also be responsible for supervising Basic Grade / Student Physiotherapists and participate in their continuing professional training and development.
Overview of role :
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
Undertake an appropriate assessment, draw up individual treatment plans and provide effective treatment to all referred patients to the specialitySet and maintain a high standard of clinical practiceEnsure that privacy and dignity of the patient is respected at all timesLiaise with patients, carers and other health professionals to ensure a holistic approach to patient careMaintain good communications with Consultants, General Practitioners and community care team members for early discharge and adequate follow - upKeep abreast with current changes in clinical practice by attending seminars, conferences and post-graduate coursesMaintain an accurate record-keeping system to comply with legal requirements, to support clinical studies and to provide information for data collectionParticipate in weekend, bank holiday and on-call rotaAttend clinics, team meetings and / or ward rounds when necessaryEducation and Training
Play an active role in the departmental in-service training and teaching programme for other health professionalsOrganise and facilitate the running of national and international coursesSupervise, teach and advise junior staff, students and ancillary staff working in the specialityLiaise with teaching staff and participate in the clinical training and assessment of physiotherapy studentsFacilitate and jointly supervise undergraduate research projectsActively participate in multi-disciplinary and multi-centred trialsAdministration
Responsible for the organisation and provision of the physiotherapy service for patients admitted in the area of speciality to which he / she is assignedPromote, encourage and oversee the development of speciality and the career development of staff members of the teamKeep records appropriate to his / her office as may be requiredParticipate in clinical audit activities to monitor clinical standardsComply with departmental policies on data collection, administrative procedures and health and safety guidelinesDo regular appraisals with staffAdvise manager on planning and development of speciality area in liaison with senior staff of other disciplinesEnsure safe working environment for patients and staff and report immediately any accident either staff or patientAssist with induction of junior staff to the departmentRead and act upon all issued staff policiesPerform such other duties as may be assigned to her / him by the Physiotherapy ManagerQualifications & Experience required
Must have :
Hold a Physiotherapy qualification recognised by the Physiotherapists Registration Board at CORU. Please see list of acceptable Physiotherapy qualificationsBe registered on the Physiotherapists Register maintained by the Physiotherapists Registration Board at CORUDemonstrate evidence of recent formal continuing professional development relevant to the required area of specialism, in the form of post-graduate qualifications or relevant coursesCandidates must have a minimum of 3 years full time (or an aggregate of 3 years full time) post qualification clinical experience for offer of senior contract. Candidates with 2.5 years clinical experience are eligible to apply with a view to forming a panel.Within that, must be : a minimum of 8 months full time (or equivalent) experience in out-patient musculoskeletalphysiotherapy.Musculoskeletal physiotherapy experience can be acquired in out-patient orthopaedics, rheumatology, hand therapy, occupational health, emergency department, primary care or general musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Experience in an out patients setting in primary care, secondary care and private practice settings are reckonable.)Experience in the supervision of junior physiotherapists and / or students and / or therapy assistantsHave the clinical, managerial and administrate capacity to fulfil the functions of the roleHave the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the officeOn appointment, practitioners must maintain annual registration on Physiotherapists Register maintained by the Physiotherapists Registration Board at CORUPractitioners must confirm annual registration with CORU to the HSE by way of the annual Patient Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC)Must have a valid EU work permit / visaDESIRABLE CRITERIA
A clinical post-graduate Masters qualification in musculoskeletal physiotherapyExperience in the following clinical areas : orthotics, women’s and men’s healthRecent experience in an acute hospital settingFully on-call competentReward & Recognition
Remuneration is in accordance with the Department of Health Consolidated Salary Scales, grade code 3158.The appointment is full time, temporary and pensionable. A panel will be created from which future full time and part time temporary opportunities will be offered.The annual leave entitlement is 29 working days per year. The leave year runs from 1st April to the 31st of March each year.Normal working hours are 35 worked over 5 days. Your contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8 am to 8 pm over 7 days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement.