Advanced Practitioner Physiotherapist (Spinal)

Job summary
This is a substantive Band 8A Advanced Practice role within a forward-thinking, multidisciplinary team. You will work with a high level of clinical autonomy while being fully supported through:

• Consultant Physiotherapist
• Robust governance from the Consultant Spinal Surgical Group
• Regular MDT working across North Devon and Exeter sites

You will play a key role in delivering expert assessment, diagnosis, and management of complex spinal and MSK conditions, while contributing to pathway development across primary and secondary care.

The Orthopaedic Spinal Service is central to ensuring patients receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place, reducing unnecessary surgical referrals and improving patient outcomes across the system.

About the service:
The Orthopaedic Spinal Service provides specialist triage, assessment, and management for patients with complex MSK and orthopaedic presentations. As part of the wider RDUH spinal pathway, the service works seamlessly from GP referral through to secondary care.

Main duties of the job
For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients to stay healthy, when they need it most.

About us
Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).

Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within peoples own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.

Its never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as youll help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Details
Date posted: 19 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 185-122514-14545
Closing date: 24 October 2026

Job responsibilities
RDUH offers a unique opportunity to work within a progressive, system-wide spinal service, combining local delivery in Exeter supporting North Devon.

The Orthopaedic Spinal Team actively promotes:

• Professional growth and career development
• Collaborative leadership across the MSK and spinal pathway
• Innovation and service transformation at scale

Key features of the service include:

• Advanced clinical assessment and expert diagnostic reasoning
• Direct access to imaging (X-ray, MRI, ultrasound) and investigations
• Delivery of specialist interventions, including injection therapy
• Close integration with Orthopaedics, Pain Services, Rheumatology, and Neurology
• Participation in Devon-wide spinal SPOA pathways
• Cross-site MDT collaboration

Key Responsibilities

• Clinical Practice: Independently manage complex spinal and MSK presentations; request, interpret, and act on diagnostic investigations; contribute to surgical decision-making and pathway optimisation; deliver high-quality, patient-centred care with advanced clinical autonomy
• Leadership and Service Development: Support ongoing development of the wider spinal pathway; work collaboratively with Consultant Physiotherapists and clinical leaders; contribute to innovation, service improvement, and pathway redesign; promote integrated working across primary, community, and secondary care
• Education, Training and Research: Provide mentorship, supervision, and teaching to colleagues; support workforce development across the MSK pathway; engage in audit, service evaluation, and research activity

About You

• Has significant experience in MSK practice (preferably as a physiotherapist), particularly spinal conditions
• Demonstrates advanced clinical reasoning and decision-making skills
• Is confident working autonomously within a supported governance framework
• Has a passion for service development, leadership, and education
• Thrives in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment

Working Pattern: 37.5 hours
Interview Date: To Be Confirmed
For further information please contact: Gethin Lynch, MSK Consultant Physiotherapist, email View email address on meeveem.com

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon. The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

Benefits
We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team. This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills.

Looking after you is important to us. We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit
You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

• National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts
• Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
• Car lease schemes
• The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK)
• Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.

Person Specification
General Requirements
Essential: See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description
Desirable: See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full 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.

Employer details
Employer name: Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5DW, United Kingdom
Employer's website:

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Recruiter, Royal Devon NHS Recruitment Team, View email address on meeveem.com, View phone number on meeveem.com