Post Title: Lead Therapist – MSK Pathway
SBU/Department: Institute of Sport, School of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences
FTE: 1 FTE (working 37 hours per week)
Duration of Contract: Fixed Term Until September 2027
Annual Leave: 25 days plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year
Location: Herts Sports Village, University of Hertfordshire, De Havilland Campus, Hatfield, AL10 9EU. AccessAble Guide
The MSK Rehabilitation Pathway is a targeted programme designed to support economically inactive adults in Hertfordshire who are living with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. Delivered in partnership between HSP and the University of Hertfordshire’s Institute of Sport (IOS), the project will provide free, clinically robust rehabilitation and support participants to transition into inclusive, community-based physical activity. With a focus on reducing health inequalities, the pathway removes cost and access barriers to facilitate those from deprived and marginalised communities to access MSK services. Once residents enter the pathway they will be supported through rehabilitation and sustainable behaviour change techniques to improve their physical function, pain and condition management and confidence, leading towards improved wellbeing and employability. The project is funded for three years by Hertfordshire County Council Public Health, as such we would expect this post to extend to three years in length, subject to continued funding by meeting agreed objectives.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a passionate team driving positive change.
- Work on an exciting project that impacts the community.
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
- Flexible working arrangements and a supportive environment.
Ready to make a difference?
This role offers variety, responsibility, and the chance to make a real difference in the lives of people across Hertfordshire.
We are looking for Individuals who are passionate about improving community health and supporting people from all backgrounds to become more active, with empathy and insight at the heart of their approach.
Main duties and responsibilities
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Lead Therapist to support the development and delivery of the innovative Musculoskeletal (MSK) Rehabilitation Pathway and associated MSK Clinic. This is a key role supporting adults living with MSK conditions, particularly those most affected by health inequalities, by providing high-quality clinical assessment, rehabilitation, and support to help individuals improve their health outcomes and remain physically active.
This role will lead and manage the operational delivery of the MSK Clinic, ensuring safe, effective and efficient service provision. You will provide specialist MSK assessment and treatment through one-to-one clinical appointments and group-based exercise and rehabilitation sessions, while overseeing the day-to-day coordination of the clinic to ensure a high standard of patient care and smooth patient flow throughout the service.
You will work closely with Primary Care Networks (PCNs), referring clinicians and partner organisations to establish and maintain clear and effective referral pathways. The Lead Therapist will coordinate referral processes, maintain strong communication with referring bodies and ensure the pathway remains accessible, responsive and appropriate to patient need.
Working closely with the MSK Project Officer, you will support seamless coordination between clinical rehabilitation and community-based physical activity opportunities, helping patients transition from clinical care into sustainable activity and self-management support within the community.
The Lead Therapist will act as the Institute of Sport’s representative for the MSK Rehabilitation Pathway, serving as a key point of contact and building strong partnerships across health, community, voluntary, employment and local authority sectors. You will represent the service at relevant meetings and events at local, regional and national level.
You will lead the development and delivery of online MSK education resources, including webinars, recorded content and practical guidance on MSK prevention and workplace self-management, working with clinical colleagues and partners to ensure resources are accurate, accessible and relevant.
You will collect, analyse and report on participant engagement, clinical outcomes and pathway performance, working with the MSK Project Officer and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer to evidence impact and support service development. You will also contribute to reporting requirements for Hertfordshire County Council Public Health, ensuring timely and accurate submission of monitoring data and updates.
The role will oversee visiting therapists and students supporting clinic delivery, ensuring appropriate coordination, supervision and safe practice. The Lead Therapist will champion equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring the MSK Pathway is accessible to underrepresented groups and contributes to reducing health inequalities across Hertfordshire.
Skills and experience required
You will have applied experience in physiotherapy/sports therapy or a directly related area. You will demonstrable experience of assessing and treating musculoskeletal conditions. You will have experience of delivering both one-to-one clinical appointments and group-based exercise or rehabilitation sessions, with the ability to support individuals with a range of MSK conditions.
Ideally you will have experience of leading or coordinating clinical or community health services, with the ability to manage day-to-day service delivery and ensure safe, effective and person-centred care. You will be confident working with a range of partners and stakeholders and able to build positive working relationships across health, community, voluntary and local authority sectors.
You will have the ability to collect, manage and report on monitoring data and outcomes, using spreadsheets or database systems where required. You will have strong communication skills, with confidence presenting information and delivering education sessions both in person and virtually.
You will demonstrate a committed approach to issues related to equality and diversity.
Qualifications required
You will hold an undergraduate degree or equivalent level 6 qualification in Physiotherapy or Sports Therapy.
REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ACT
DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE
This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 as amended. The University requires that the successful applicant who is offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. An Enhanced Disclosure will be required and this will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings, as well as convictions. The University of Hertfordshire complies with the ‘Code of Practice for Registered Persons and other recipients of Disclosure Information’.
Overseas applicants and UK applicants who have lived abroad
Successful applicants who have lived outside the UK, for 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total), in the last 10 years, will be required to produce a ‘Certificate of Good Character/Conduct’ from each of those countries.
Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria. Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification.
Internal applicants – please ensure you apply via your employee self-service portal.
This post cannot be visa sponsored unless the applicant has a PhD / Doctorate.
Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Jenny Jones [email protected], Subject Group Lead for the Institute of Sport.
Closing Date: 01 September 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Reference Number: REQ000694
Date advert placed: 31 July 2026
Our vision is to transform lives and UH is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and building a diverse community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of their protected characteristics, and recognise there are different ways applicants may achieve the criteria in this document. We offer a range of employee benefits including generous annual leave, flexible location opportunities within the UK, discounted Sports Village memberships and free Active Staff sessions, personal and professional development and family-friendly policies. #GoHerts
