Job Advert
NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.
As from 1/4/26, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will be reducing from 37 to 36 hours per week. Part time hours will be reduced pro-rata. However, there will be a corresponding increase in the hourly rate so that pay will not be affected.
We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.
Please note: we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once a sufficient amount of applications are received. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage.
To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found in the further information for this vacancy.
AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application—but your answers must be your own.
· Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
· Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
· Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.
Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you—not an AI tool.
Band 6 Specialist Physiotherapist
MSK Outpatients – Western General Hospital
Permanent | Full-time
We are seeking a dynamic, forward‑thinking Band 6 Specialist Physiotherapist to join the MSK Outpatient team at the Western General Hospital.
This is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic clinician with strong musculoskeletal expertise who is motivated to contribute to the ongoing development of high-quality MSK services.
You will manage a varied MSK outpatient caseload, including consultant, GP and self-referrals. You will demonstrate excellent, evidenced based clinical reasoning, assessment and treatment skills, working collaboratively within a supportive team.
The ideal candidate should be able to demonstrate:
- Significant experience managing an MSK outpatient caseload, including consultant, GP and self-referrals.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong assessment, clinical reasoning and autonomous decision‑making skills across a broad range of conditions.
- Evidence of contributing to service development and quality improvement.
- Experience in facilitating learning, supporting students and supervising staff.
- Experience in hand therapy, rheumatology and hydrotherapy is desirable but not essential.
The MSK Outpatient Department is committed to staff development and wellbeing. You will be supported through the NHS appraisal process on TURAS and a robust departmental CPD and supervision programme.
This post includes a commitment to weekend working on the Orthopaedic Trauma and Elective wards at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, as part of a 5 over 7 working pattern.
Update: This post will now be rotational between the MSK outpatient departments at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and the Western General Hospital. Rotation between sites would be one yearly. This will be discussed at interview for any further questions and interest.
This post requires the post holder to have a PVG Scheme membership/record. If the post holder is not a current PVG member for the required regulatory group (i.e. child and/or adult) then an application will need to be made to Disclosure Scotland and deemed satisfactory before they can begin in post.
Site visits are offered at dedicated times. Please be in contact with the recruitment lead for times and days.
For further information on what is included in the role and what skills/experience are being looked for, click on the links at the bottom of the screen to the job description and person specification. If after reading this information you have any questions, please contact Andrew Baxter on Email: andrew.baxter@nhs.scot or Telephone: 0131 537 1288
For visa purposes, this role falls under SOC code 2221/00 PHYSIOTHERAPISTS Please find guidance on sponsorship eligibility including salary criteria's here Skilled Worker visa: going rates for eligible occupation codes - GOV.UK