Role Summary
Are you an enthusiastic Physiotherapist looking to develop your specialist stroke skills? Do you enjoy working across the full patient pathway, from acute care through to rehabilitation and discharge planning? If so, we'd love to hear from you.
We are looking for a motivated Band 6 Physiotherapist to join our friendly and supportive multidisciplinary team on our combined Acute and Rehabilitation Stroke Unit in beautiful North Devon.
This is an exciting opportunity to work with patients throughout their recovery journey, from the hyperacute phase through to rehabilitation and preparation for discharge home. You'll be supported to develop specialist stroke expertise, contribute to service innovation and quality improvement, and build the skills needed to progress your career within our forward-thinking Neurorehabilitation Service.
About the Role
For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.
More detail about the role
Based on our combined Acute and Rehabilitation Stroke Unit, you'll work as part of a dedicated specialist therapy team comprising Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Rehabilitation Support Workers, led by a Consultant AHP.
Together, we deliver specialist assessment and evidence-based rehabilitation in line with national stroke guidelines. Our purpose-built rehabilitation space, specialist equipment and daily therapy groups enable us to provide high-quality, intensive rehabilitation tailored to each patient's needs.
You'll work closely with an experienced and supportive multidisciplinary team, delivering compassionate, patient-centred care while supporting patients and their families through every stage of recovery. Alongside your clinical role, you'll have opportunities to contribute to service development, quality improvement and innovation, with access to regular clinical supervision, CPD and structured professional development.
A specialist Neurorehabilitation Service
Our inpatient stroke service is part of the wider Neurorehabilitation Service within the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. The service includes:
- Integrated Community Stroke and Neuro Service (Northern)
- Stroke Support Team (Eastern)
- Neuro Outpatient Services across North and East Devon
Working across this wider specialist network means you'll be part of an innovative and dynamic team that continually develops services to maximise rehabilitation outcomes for people living with neurological conditions.
You'll have opportunities to develop skills in specialist interventions including treadmill training, hydrotherapy, functional electrical stimulation (FES), and spasticity management, as well as contribute to local and regional service improvement projects.
Develop your career with us
We are proud of our strong track record in developing our staff. Many of our senior clinicians have completed postgraduate education to MSc level, and we've introduced Advanced Clinical Practitioner and Consultant AHP roles within our Neurorehabilitation Service.
Whether you're looking to deepen your clinical expertise, develop leadership skills or become involved in education, research or service improvement, you'll be supported to achieve your career goals through mentorship, supervision and ongoing learning opportunities.
A team you'll enjoy being part of
We're a friendly, ambitious and compassionate team with a shared commitment to delivering outstanding stroke rehabilitation. We value collaboration, innovation and continuous learning, creating an environment where everyone is encouraged to develop and where new ideas are welcomed.
By joining us, you'll become part of a wider Therapy Service dedicated to helping people regain independence, live well with long-term conditions and achieve the best possible quality of life.
Innovation
Innovation is central to therapies at the Royal Devon. Our teams have introduced a range of new initiatives and non-traditional roles, including a dedicated Research and Innovation Lead, and continue to embrace new technologies and approaches to improve patient care. This includes the development of ultrasound-guided injection therapy within our orthopaedic and neurology pathways, alongside a strong culture of quality improvement and research.
To find out more about careers in Therapies, please take a look at our brochure:
https://bit.ly/therapies-N
Work-life balance
A healthy work-life balance is important, and North Devon offers an exceptional place to live and work. Whether you enjoy dramatic coastlines, surfing, walking on Exmoor, cycling, or simply spending time outdoors, you'll find plenty of opportunities to make the most of life outside work while enjoying a rewarding career in a supportive and progressive team.
Working Pattern: Mon- Fri 8am -4pm. Work one weekend day every 6 weeks
Interview Date: 26th August 2026
For further information please contact Catherine Sandbach, Neuro rehab Service Lead on 01271 322 375, Catherine.sandbach@nhs.net
This is an internal vacancy for Royal Devon employees
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.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
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 people’s 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.
Our values are at the heart of everything we do, click here to find out more
It has never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you will help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.
Benefits
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 are 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 will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.
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. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there.
Salary is not the only financial benefit
You will 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 would love to hear from you.
