Palliative Physiotherapist

St Luke’s Hospice is committed to delivering outstanding, personalised palliative care for people living with life-limiting illnesses. We work alongside individuals and families to ensure comfort, choice, and dignity at every stage, both in our hospices and in the wider community.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a compassionate, skilled, and motivated individual to become part of our specialist team as a Palliative Physiotherapist. You will be central to improving the quality of life for patients and supporting those important to them, making a real impact in our community.

About the Palliative Physiotherapist Role

As a Palliative Physiotherapist, you will provide expert assessment and tailored physiotherapy intervention to individuals with complex, incurable illnesses. Working as part of our dedicated multidisciplinary team, you will enable patients to maximise independence, comfort, and wellbeing in line with their wishes and goals. This rewarding role will suit someone who is empathetic, collaborative, and committed to holistic, person-centred care.

Main Responsibilities of the Palliative Physiotherapist

• Undertake comprehensive physiotherapy assessments for patients in hospice, community, and home settings, considering both physical and psychological needs.
• Develop, implement, and regularly review individualised treatment plans in consultation with patients, families, and the wider care team.
• Provide evidence-based interventions such as pain and symptom management, mobility and function improvement, fatigue management, and breathlessness strategies.
• Offer education, support, and advice for carers and team members to promote safe mobility, comfort, and independence wherever possible.
• Work closely with the multidisciplinary team (including nurses, doctors, occupational therapists, and social workers) to deliver coordinated palliative care.
• Contribute to discharge planning, advance care plans, and seamless care transitions across settings.
• Keep accurate, timely records and communicate effectively with all professionals, patients, and those important to them in line with GDPR and safeguarding requirements.
• Promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in all physiotherapy interventions and interactions.
• Engage in clinical supervision, CPD, and service development activities to ensure high standards of palliative physiotherapy practice.

Salary, Contract, and Location

Salary: £25,750 to£32,790 per year
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Part-time 30 hours per week, Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Location: Basildon Hospice, Thurrock Hospice, and community settings.

About You

Essential Criteria

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Physiotherapy and current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Demonstrable experience working as a physiotherapist, including with individuals with complex health needs or palliative conditions.
• Excellent clinical assessment and reasoning abilities, with a holistic, person-centred approach.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to liaise effectively with patients, families, and colleagues from a variety of backgrounds.
• Ability to plan, prioritise, and work flexibly under pressure, as an independent practitioner and within a team.
• Commitment to CPD and evidence-based practice in palliative and end-of-life care.
• Understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality, clinical governance, and professional boundaries.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for community visits (reasonable adjustments considered for candidates with disabilities).

Desirable Experience and Attributes

• Experience of physiotherapy in hospice, oncology, respiratory or neurological settings.
• Knowledge of symptom management, rehabilitation, and the principles of palliative and end-of-life care.
• Skilled in group work, education, or delivering training sessions to colleagues or carers.
• Confident using electronic patient records and basic IT systems.
• Awareness of cultural, spiritual, and psychosocial aspects of palliative care.

Personal Qualities

• Empathetic, respectful, and able to build supportive relationships with people facing challenging circumstances.
• Resilient and resourceful, with a commitment to providing dignified, person-centred care.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing needs, services, and priorities.
• Committed to working in line with St Luke’s Hospice values of compassion, respect, and inclusivity.
• Proactively engages in reflective practice and service quality improvement.

How to Apply

Please complete the online application, sharing examples of how your skills, experience, and approach match the requirements of this specialist physiotherapy role. We are keen to hear how you could help deliver outstanding care to our local community.

Right to Work in the UK

St Luke’s Hospice is not able to sponsor work permits or visas. Applicants must have the current right to work in the UK.

Belonging, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at St Luke’s Hospice

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive, welcoming environment for all staff, volunteers, and patients. We especially welcome applications from disabled, LGBT+, Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic candidates, as these groups are currently under-represented in our organisation. Please let us know if you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. We treat all applicants fairly and consistently at every stage.

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