Senior Respiratory Physiotherapist

Note: This is a 9 month contract (salary will be prorated).

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 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.