Posted 15 August, 2026
Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in Paediatric Obesity
Childrens Health Ireland
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Full Time
Reference: 1730708339
Purpose of the Role
The paediatric obesity service in Children's Health Ireland is an established multidisciplinary team providing assessment and treatment of children and adolescents referred with overweight and obesity. The service at CHI at Temple Street is an accredited centre of excellence for the management of obesity in children at European level (EASO COMS) and is linked with international centres in Europe, Australia and in the United States. Treatment options vary according to clinical need, and include 1:1 interventions or group programme in line with best practice. The service participates in a strong audit and research programme and has published in peer reviewed journals.
The HSE Model of Care for the Management of Overweight and Obesity* was published in 2020 and the Obesity and Overweight Care Pathway**, which supports an activity based funding approach was agreed in 2022. The Model of Care and pathway set out how the care of people living with overweight and obesity should be organised and resourced now and in the future. Services are aligned to five defined levels of care. Level 3 refers to physician led, multidisciplinary specialist weight management services that provide care for children with complex obesity, while level 4 involves specialist hospital care for individuals with complex obesity including bariatric surgery services. CHI will be a provider of both level 3 and level 4 services.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the growing multidisciplinary team as Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist to lead in the delivery of Physiotherapy intervention to individuals attending the service. The post holder will be an integral member of the MDT developing and delivering medical (and in the future, surgical) obesity management pathways to children and adolescents with complex obesity that are referred to the service. This includes comprehensive assessment, development and delivery of care plans, and advice and support to individuals on medical (and surgical) care pathways in individual and group settings.
The post holder will work closely with MDT colleagues in assessment of patients referred to the service, development of individualised multidisciplinary care plans, attending case conferences, MDT meetings and other team meetings. The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist will also provide leadership in service design and delivery, service monitoring and evaluation, provision of training and development of integrated care to ensure a streamlined hospital/primary care interface. They will act as advisor both locally and nationally in this area of speciality.
Obesity management services are being developed at a pace in Ireland, with new approaches to treatment, development of national clinical practice guidelines, investment in the national Obesity and Overweight Care Pathway and significant training opportunities. The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist will have opportunity to grow with this innovative and vibrant community, delivering the right care at the right time in the right place to children and adolescents with obesity.
Essential Criteria:
• Hold a Physiotherapy qualification recognised by the Physiotherapists Registration Board at CORU - candidates must state CORU registration number on application.
• All candidates must have five years' full time (or equivalent) post qualification clinical experience of which 3 must be in the area of Paediatrics with direct experience in Paediatric weight management
• Evidence of relevant and up-to-date post graduate continuous professional development in the area of Paediatric Obesity
• Candidates must demonstrate achievement in the areas of clinical audit, quality improvement initiatives, practice development, teaching and research.
• Have experience in the supervision of junior physiotherapists and/or students
• Have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability, management, leadership and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.
How to Apply & Informal Enquiries
Applications for this post must be accompanied by a cover letter, setting out relevant experience that illustrates how the essential criteria listed above are met.
The criterion for short listing is based on the requirements of the post, as outlined in the eligibility criteria.
* Please note that you must submit a cover letter with your CV, this forms part of your application and CV's will not be accepted without a detailed cover letter.
The closing date for submissions of CVs and cover letter is Thursday, 27th August at 23:45 pm
Applications must be completed through the advertised post on CHI.jobs by clicking 'Apply for Job'.
Applications will not be accepted through direct email or any other method.
For informal enquiries for this role, please contact Cliona Blake, Physiotherapy Manager, on 018784561 or [email protected]
For other queries relating to this recruitment process, please contact Talent Acquisition Specialist Victoria Gsamelova [email protected]
PLEASE NOTE:
CHI has transitioned to a process of a one commencement day per month for all new employees and Secondments. This update to our Onboarding process is aligned to changes in our monthly/fortnightly payroll and with the corporate induction program. This process enhancement ensures that we can thoroughly prepare for your arrival and facilitate a smooth transition in your onboarding journey.
It is important for you to note that if you do not have your pre-employments and mandatory training completed in time, your commencement date will be deferred to the next available date.
Below, you'll find the list of commencement dates for 2026 for your information.
• 2nd November
• 7th December
The paediatric obesity service in Children's Health Ireland is an established multidisciplinary team providing assessment and treatment of children and adolescents referred with overweight and obesity. The service at CHI at Temple Street is an accredited centre of excellence for the management of obesity in children at European level (EASO COMS) and is linked with international centres in Europe, Australia and in the United States. Treatment options vary according to clinical need, and include 1:1 interventions or group programme in line with best practice. The service participates in a strong audit and research programme and has published in peer reviewed journals.
The HSE Model of Care for the Management of Overweight and Obesity* was published in 2020 and the Obesity and Overweight Care Pathway**, which supports an activity based funding approach was agreed in 2022. The Model of Care and pathway set out how the care of people living with overweight and obesity should be organised and resourced now and in the future. Services are aligned to five defined levels of care. Level 3 refers to physician led, multidisciplinary specialist weight management services that provide care for children with complex obesity, while level 4 involves specialist hospital care for individuals with complex obesity including bariatric surgery services. CHI will be a provider of both level 3 and level 4 services.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the growing multidisciplinary team as Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist to lead in the delivery of Physiotherapy intervention to individuals attending the service. The post holder will be an integral member of the MDT developing and delivering medical (and in the future, surgical) obesity management pathways to children and adolescents with complex obesity that are referred to the service. This includes comprehensive assessment, development and delivery of care plans, and advice and support to individuals on medical (and surgical) care pathways in individual and group settings.
The post holder will work closely with MDT colleagues in assessment of patients referred to the service, development of individualised multidisciplinary care plans, attending case conferences, MDT meetings and other team meetings. The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist will also provide leadership in service design and delivery, service monitoring and evaluation, provision of training and development of integrated care to ensure a streamlined hospital/primary care interface. They will act as advisor both locally and nationally in this area of speciality.
Obesity management services are being developed at a pace in Ireland, with new approaches to treatment, development of national clinical practice guidelines, investment in the national Obesity and Overweight Care Pathway and significant training opportunities. The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist will have opportunity to grow with this innovative and vibrant community, delivering the right care at the right time in the right place to children and adolescents with obesity.
Essential Criteria:
• Hold a Physiotherapy qualification recognised by the Physiotherapists Registration Board at CORU - candidates must state CORU registration number on application.
• All candidates must have five years' full time (or equivalent) post qualification clinical experience of which 3 must be in the area of Paediatrics with direct experience in Paediatric weight management
• Evidence of relevant and up-to-date post graduate continuous professional development in the area of Paediatric Obesity
• Candidates must demonstrate achievement in the areas of clinical audit, quality improvement initiatives, practice development, teaching and research.
• Have experience in the supervision of junior physiotherapists and/or students
• Have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability, management, leadership and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.
How to Apply & Informal Enquiries
Applications for this post must be accompanied by a cover letter, setting out relevant experience that illustrates how the essential criteria listed above are met.
The criterion for short listing is based on the requirements of the post, as outlined in the eligibility criteria.
* Please note that you must submit a cover letter with your CV, this forms part of your application and CV's will not be accepted without a detailed cover letter.
The closing date for submissions of CVs and cover letter is Thursday, 27th August at 23:45 pm
Applications must be completed through the advertised post on CHI.jobs by clicking 'Apply for Job'.
Applications will not be accepted through direct email or any other method.
For informal enquiries for this role, please contact Cliona Blake, Physiotherapy Manager, on 018784561 or [email protected]
For other queries relating to this recruitment process, please contact Talent Acquisition Specialist Victoria Gsamelova [email protected]
PLEASE NOTE:
CHI has transitioned to a process of a one commencement day per month for all new employees and Secondments. This update to our Onboarding process is aligned to changes in our monthly/fortnightly payroll and with the corporate induction program. This process enhancement ensures that we can thoroughly prepare for your arrival and facilitate a smooth transition in your onboarding journey.
It is important for you to note that if you do not have your pre-employments and mandatory training completed in time, your commencement date will be deferred to the next available date.
Below, you'll find the list of commencement dates for 2026 for your information.
• 2nd November
• 7th December
