Senior Respiratory Physiotherapist

Senior Respiratory Physiotherapist (Location: Remote)

Job Type Full Time

About the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association

The Irish Lung Fibrosis Association (ILFA) is a small but rapidly growing charity that supports people with lung fibrosis and their families across Ireland. Lung fibrosis is a progressive, life limiting disease, and ILFA provides education and support to help and empower those who are affected by it. We also advocate on behalf of our community and engage in research that leads to better healthcare services and other positive outcomes. In a recent member survey ILFA was rated 8.8 out of 10 for member satisfaction.

About this post

Would you like to be at the cutting edge of patient centred research in Ireland? If so, this role is your chance to lead a groundbreaking study that could change the way lung fibrosis services are delivered across Ireland.

Studies show that engaging in pulmonary rehabilitation improves outcomes for lung fibrosis patients and yet in a 2022 survey conducted by ILFA in conjunction with the Irish Thoracic Society, 75% of respondents had never been offered pulmonary rehabilitation. ILFA would like to change that by building on prior studies to demonstrate for a larger cohort that virtual pulmonary rehabilitation is safe and effective. Recommendations for scaling a safe and effective virtual pulmonary rehabilitation programme for lung fibrosis patients will be made to the HSE to inform patient care going forward.

We are looking for a Senior Physiotherapist to lead this pilot project, working with our study partners and other medical and physiotherapy advisory resources to deliver virtual pulmonary rehabilitation to approximately 100 lung fibrosis patients (including Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and other progressive fibrotic interstitial lung diseases) in 2026.

This project, funded by the HSE under Section 39 provides an opportunity for the right leader to make a difference in the way pulmonary rehabilitation is delivered in Ireland.

This post integrates:

• Advanced respiratory physiotherapy practice
• Digital health innovation
• Service development
• Applied clinical research

The programme will aim to improve access to specialist pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with fibrotic lung disease across Ireland, particularly those with geographic or mobility barriers.

Summary of post

We are seeking an enthusiastic, highly motivated and experienced physiotherapist to join the ILFA team and act as a link between scientific study and professional practice, leading a small team to deliver two waves of eight week pulmonary rehabilitation courses with 48 patients in each wave (eight per class). To deliver this project the postholder will work closely with ILFA's researchers, public and patient involvement group, clinical and community partners, and the project steering group.

The duties of the post are

• Engage with the study partner, community services and the patient and public involvement group to support the development of the study.
• Work with ILFA's nurse to remotely screen referred candidates for the study.
  • Exercise tolerance testing (adapted for home setting)
  • Oxygen requirement review (in liaison with respiratory teams)
  • Symptom assessment (breathlessness, fatigue, cough)
• Prescribe and progress an exercise programme tailored to lung fibrosis (acknowledging rapid desaturation and exertional limitation).
• Lead a team to deliver a structured, evidence based virtual pulmonary rehabilitation programme tailored to fibrotic lung disease including exercise and educational classes (breathlessness management, energy conservation, oxygen safety and use, self management and exacerbation recognition).
• Implement safety escalation protocols for hypoxia or clinical deterioration.
• Monitor patient progress and, along with ILFA's nurse, provide advice to patients before, during and after their VPR course.
• Lead patient data collection and work with the study partner in the project evaluation.
• Lead the creation of resources and recommended procedures that can be implemented for future VPR activities.
• Act as a liaison between clinical and community services, and the study partner.
• Ensure compliance with GDPR, HSE digital health standards, and ILFA's quality, safety and incident handling procedures.
• There may be an opportunity to present findings at relevant conferences and public engagement events.

Qualifications

• BSc or MSc degree in physiotherapy.
• CORU Registered Physiotherapist (demonstration of current and maintained registration required).
• Practice in accordance with standards set by the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists.
• At least 3 years post registration experience including experience delivering pulmonary or cardiac rehabilitation.
• Right to live and work in Ireland.
• Candidates must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such that a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service can be expected.
• Garda vetting will be required.

Knowledge and experience (essential)

• Clinical experience working with respiratory patients.
• Can operate collaboratively and flexibly within a small virtual team.
• Excellent administrative and IT skills.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written).
• Experience of supervising students/therapy assistants/support staff.

Knowledge and experience (desirable)

• Previous research experience with clinical populations, particularly projects involving children, adolescents and young adults.
• Experience working with Interstitial Lung Diseases.
• Evidence of project leadership.

Career Level Senior

Education Level BSc Or MSc Degree In Physiotherapy

Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists,