Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist (Musculoskeletal)

Clinic: SPARC Physiotherapy — Rathfarnham–Knocklyon

Contract: Permanent, part-time

Hours: 18.5 hours per week

Start date: September 2026

Salary: In line with the HSE Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist scale (€71,405–€82,860 FTE), pro-rata for 18.5 hours, commensurate with experience

Reports to: Clinical Lead / Clinic Director

About SPARC

SPARC is an established private musculoskeletal physiotherapy clinic with a strong reputation for clinical excellence and evidence-based care. Based in Rathfarnham–Knocklyon, we combine a collaborative, multidisciplinary culture with a genuine commitment to the professional development of our clinicians. Through SPARC Education, we deliver multiple accredited CPD events each year, ensuring our team remains at the forefront of contemporary MSK practice.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist to join our team on a part-time basis (18.5 hours per week). This is a senior appointment that combines an advanced, complex clinical caseload with responsibilities in clinical leadership, mentorship, and service development.

The successful candidate will act as a clinical resource for the wider team, manage the most complex presentations independently, and contribute to the ongoing development of our clinical standards and services. The role offers a high degree of professional autonomy and is well suited to an experienced clinician seeking to apply and extend their specialist expertise within a supportive and ambitious clinical environment.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical

  • Manage an advanced, complex musculoskeletal caseload, providing expert assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment.

  • Act as the clinic's clinical reference point for complex, atypical, or non-responding presentations.

  • Triage and manage clinical risk, including red-flag identification and timely onward referral.

  • Maintain accurate, contemporaneous clinical records in line with CORU and professional standards.

  • Apply and interpret validated outcome measures to monitor and improve clinical effectiveness.

Clinical Leadership & Mentorship

  • Provide clinical supervision, mentorship, and teaching to junior and developing colleagues.

  • Support the onboarding and competency development of clinical staff.

  • Contribute to and lead in-service training, case discussions, and journal clubs.

  • Promote a consistent culture of evidence-based, patient-centred practice.

Service Development & Governance

  • Contribute to the development of clinical pathways, protocols, and care standards.

  • Support clinical audit, outcome monitoring, and quality improvement initiatives.

  • Help identify and develop new service lines aligned to specialist expertise.

  • Adhere to all clinical governance, health and safety, GDPR, and infection-control requirements.

Professional

  • Maintain CORU registration and engage actively in continuing professional development, including SPARC Education events.

  • Remain current with relevant research and integrate evidence into clinical practice.

  • Represent SPARC professionally with patients, referrers, and external partners.

Essential Criteria

  • CORU registration as a Physiotherapist (or eligibility, with registration in place prior to commencement).

  • Post-registration Master's degree in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (essential).

  • A minimum of 7 years' post-qualification experience, with substantial experience in musculoskeletal / outpatient physiotherapy.

  • Demonstrable advanced clinical reasoning and a proven track record in the management of complex MSK caseloads.

  • A clear commitment to evidence-based practice and ongoing professional development.

  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and clinical record-keeping skills.

  • The ability to work autonomously and to manage clinical risk independently.

Desirable Criteria

  • Membership of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP) or an equivalent professional body.

  • Experience in clinical supervision, mentorship, or teaching.

  • Postgraduate training in relevant areas (e.g. dry needling/acupuncture, injection therapy, sports rehabilitation, exercise prescription).

  • Experience contributing to clinical audit, research, or service development.

  • Familiarity with practice-management and clinical software systems.

Personal Attributes

  • Professional, self-motivated, and patient-centred.

  • A collaborative team member who supports and develops colleagues.

  • Adaptable, solution-focused, and sound in clinical judgement.

  • Committed to high standards of care and continuous improvement.

What We Offer

  • Salary in line with the HSE Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist scale (pro-rata for 18.5 hours).

  • Multiple accredited CPD events each year through SPARC Education, with opportunities to teach and lead.

  • A varied and stimulating specialist caseload with a high degree of clinical autonomy.

  • Flexible part-time hours (18.5 per week) supporting a healthy work-life balance.

  • A supportive, clinically driven team with a strong culture of professional development.

How to Apply

To apply, please fill in the form below AND submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to (eamon@sparc.ie).

Closing date: 30th June 2026. We reserve the right to close this competition earlier should a suitable candidate be appointed; early application is therefore encouraged.

SPARC is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.