Job Description

Lead with purpose. Transform cancer rehabilitation at The Christie.



Are you ready to lead specialist therapy services at one of Europe's leading cancer centres?

At The Christie, we're looking for a dynamic and compassionate Lead Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist to shape the future of oncology rehabilitation. This role sits within our newly created Directorate of Supportive Oncology, placing you at the heart of an innovative team driving excellence in patient care and quality of life.

Why this role?

You'll lead and inspire a dedicated team of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, and Lymphoedema Therapists. You'll be the go-to expert in cancer rehabilitation, supporting patients with the most complex needs across their treatment journey. You'll drive service transformation, education, and research, ensuring our therapies remain cutting-edge and evidence-based. You'll help shape the Supportive Oncology directorate, working alongside national and international experts in supportive cancer care

We're looking for someone who:

Is HCPC registered (Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy) with advanced clinical experience. Has a passion for oncology or specialist rehabilitation. Can inspire and lead others, with a proven track record of service development and team leadership. Is driven by quality, innovation, and the desire to improve patient outcomes.

At The Christie, you'll find:

A role where your leadership will directly shape the future of cancer rehabilitation. Opportunities to be involved in research, innovation, and national AHP networks. An innovative and collaborative environment within the Supportive Oncology directorate, where your professional development is valued. The chance to truly make an impact on patient care at a cancer centre of international excellence.

The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.



We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.



We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.



Clinical

Provide expert assessment and management for oncology patients with complex rehabilitation needs. Act as a specialist resource, offering clinical advice, support for teaching, and training to patients, carers, and healthcare professionals. Contribute to complex MDT meetings and service-wide care planning, ensuring evidence-based practice. Lead the development, audit, and implementation of clinical guidelines, pathways, and treatment programmes. Be responsible for the overall quality of the PT and OT service, ensuring patient safety and clinical effectiveness is demonstrated by using evidence-based practice, outcome measures. And fostering a culture of openness and learning. Ensure that the PT and OT services maintains accurate clinical documentation and uphold professional standards (HCPC, CSP, RCOT). Promote research, audit, and innovation in oncology rehabilitation, disseminating findings at local, regional, and national level.

Leadership & Management

To be operationally and professionally responsible for the management and strategic direction of physiotherapy and occupational therapy, lymphoedema services and specialist AHPs ensuring professional and clinical standards are achieved. Drive strategic and operational planning for therapy services in line with Trust and national AHP priorities. Using clinical knowledge and expertise, lead and advise the trust in the development and / implementation of policies and procedures related to practice. To be responsible for clinical governance for services including incident management and clinical risk for designated services. To use analytical skills and clinical judgement and reasoning to interpret data such as service level and clinical data for reports / service development / research / audit as required and present findings and recommendations to the trust. Support workforce planning, recruitment, appraisal, and staff development. Manage resources, budgets, and equipment, ensuring safe and effective service delivery. Promote a culture of continuous improvement, patient safety, equality, and inclusivity. This includes budget management, staff appraisals, absence, performance management, recruitment and clinical governance issues. Identify and lead change in practice and service delivery in accordance with evidence-based standards and policy, and challenging traditional boundaries and current thinking. Wider divisional responsibility as determined by the division.

Education, Training & Research

To contribute to the implementation and delivery of the Trust's strategy for the development of clinical academic careers in Nursing and Allied Health Professionals. Champion professional development, CPD, and education opportunities for AHP staff. Collaborate with HEIs, GM Cancer, and other partners to support educational opportunities at every level from pre-registration learning to clinical academic careers. Promote a questioning, evidence-based culture that supports audit, research, and innovation. Using clinical expertise is able to present audit to large professional groups at local, regional or national level. Deliver teaching, training, and presentations internally and externally to raise the profile of oncology rehabilitation.

Professional

Provide professional leadership and support to the multidisciplinary team. Ensure staff competency through training, supervision, and appraisal systems. Champion evidence-based practice and innovation in clinical care. Adhere to HCPC, CSP, and RCOT codes of conduct, maintaining professional registration and ongoing CPD. Ensure high standards of clinical governance, risk management, and patient safety across services. Act as a role model for professional behaviours, communication, and collaborative working. * Represent the Trust at local, regional, and national forums, contributing to policy and service development.