Physiotherapist in Tavistock

An exciting opportunity has arisen to come and join the Tavistock Community Therapy Team as a Physiotherapist. We are based at Abbeyrise in the centre of the historic and beautiful town of Tavistock and our offices are alongside the river, providing a relaxing and scenic environment for those lunch time breaks. There are also a number of tasty food outlets for those days when you just want to treat yourself and order lunch in. We are fortunate to be based with our Devon Social Care, District Nursing and Healthy Ageing Team colleagues and this enables us to provide a truly holistic and collaborative service which is a joy to work in.

Tavistock is centrally located for applicants from Launceston, Okehampton and Plymouth, being a 20 - 30 minute drive from each location. There is a reliable bus service from Plymouth to the local bus station which is a 5 minute walk from Abbeyrise offices. There are also opportunities for car sharing from Plymouth to help with travel costs. For Plymouth commuters, you will be driving against the rush hour flow, so it’s not as bad as you may think. Please come out and meet us and see for yourself.

The Tavistock team has excellent office facilities, free car parking on site, hybrid pool cars and are at the forefront of digital working within Livewell with access to excellent IT. We have also been known to participate in social activities with some great venues around us. Come and have a look.

We have a part time position available. You will work within our Therapy team, alongside OTs and Therapy support workers. You will need to be an excellent communicator, competent in a wide range of clinical areas especially the frail elderly with multiple pathology & end of life care. You will need to demonstrate flexible problem-solving skills, ability to work alone or with other team colleagues e.g. occupational therapists, Speech & Language Therapists, support workers & Health & Social Care Co-ordinators.

The uniqueness of working in Tavistock allows for you to gain & develop skills in urgent care, hospital discharge, Community Hospital, Falls & Frailty & a variety of therapy rehab approaches; so variety is in abundance here.

We are a service with a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice, in-service training, individual performance review & personal development planning. We provide excellent support through regular line management meetings, post-graduate education & practice supervision. The team benefits from close working relationships with the wider MDT, such as Adult Social Care, District Nurses, Long Term Conditions Matron & GPs. All staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

The post holder will primarily work in the community setting. The post is part of the Livewell South West Community Rehab teams so the post holder may be required to work across the Livewell area. Undertakes all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner, including professional and legal accountability, and managing clinical risks for all aspects of own work. Most aspects of work will involve delivery of the care as part of the multidisciplinary team.

To undertake physiotherapeutic assessment of patients with diverse or complex physical, psychological, cognitive and behavioural conditions in order to provide an accurate diagnosis and prognosis. To formulate and deliver an individualised physiotherapy treatment programme, including manual therapy techniques, therapeutic handling, patient education, provision of exercise (individual/group), and other alternative options. This includes the appropriate selection of referrals for inclusion in a range of treatment programmes, one to one sessions using advanced treatment options, advanced communication, questioning and reasoning skills.

Undertake evidence-based audit and research projects to further own and teams clinical practice. Make recommendations to the Team Lead for potential changes in practice and service. May lead on the implementation of specific changes to practice within the team or contribute to service protocols. Supervise, educate and assess the performance of Physiotherapy students. Working with Universities to ensure the standard of practice and teaching meets the standards by the degree level qualification.

To be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients in your care. To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management, and support more junior staff to do likewise. To interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts to form accurate diagnosis and prognoses in a wide range of highly complex conditions, to recommend the best course of intervention, and to develop comprehensive management plans under intermediate care.

To represent LWSW externally (locally, regionally and nationally) regarding physiotherapy services provided to patients in the hospital and community. To undertake the comprehensive assessment of patients, including those with a complex presentation, using investigative and analytical skills, and to formulate individualised management and treatment plans, using clinical reasoning, and utilising a wide range of treatment skills and options to formulate a specialised programme of care and to support junior staff in this work.

To demonstrate highly developed dexterity, co-ordination and palpatory senses for assessment and manual treatment of patients. Use an extensive range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients/carers; to motivate, gain co-operation, to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating, e.g.: patients may be dysphasic, depressed, deaf, visually impaired or who may be unable to accept diagnosis, or realistic expectations of Physiotherapy intervention.

To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients, and to organise this effectively and efficiently regarding clinical priorities and use of time. To participate in working parties developing policy changes within the community, which will impact on all service users. To ensure that designated staff implement policy and service development changes. To work with the Team Leader in developing the strategic and operational management of the ward Physiotherapy service.

To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to patients, relatives, carers and other professionals, to promote understanding of the aims of physiotherapy, and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care. To provide specialist and highly specialist advice to physiotherapy colleagues working within other clinical areas. To provide specialist advice, teaching and training to other members of the MDT regarding the management of patients.

To work jointly with other health and social care colleagues and services (for example medical, nursing, Social Services, private sector and therapy colleagues) to ensure patients identified rehabilitation and care needs are met through delivery of a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary service. To advise on and prescribe as appropriate, and in line with Organisational and departmental policies and procedures, both general and specialist rehabilitation aids, equipment and recommend low-level adaptations for patients referred to Community Therapy.

To initiate, organise and attend multi-disciplinary/multi-agency case conferences, liaison meetings and patient reviews as necessary and appropriate. To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent, which must be documented and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment. To comply with local confidentiality policies, child protection and vulnerable adult procedures.

Experience: Working as a member of an MDT with the ability to work flexibly. Extensive clinical experience in health and/or social care. Documented evidence of CPD. Multi pathology assessment. Home and community assessments. Management, leadership and supervisory skills. Clinical supervision and appraisal of staff. Risk assessment in a variety of settings. Assessment of posture and positioning. Working in and facilitation of groups.

Qualifications: Diploma / Degree in Physiotherapy. HCPC Registration. Ability to frequently travel independently and in a timely manner between Livewell Southwest sites and community locations including areas not served by public transport. Recognised first-line management/leadership qualification. Post graduate training relevant to clinical area. Membership of relevant special interest groups. Full and valid driving licence and access to a car for work purposes is required. Reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act will be taken into account for the successful applicant.

Knowledge & Skills: Can demonstrate substantial relevant experience within the NHS, including experience as a junior in a broad rotational post providing a broad range of experience in orthopaedics, elderly care, medical, surgical, neurological and musculoskeletal conditions. Understanding of PT outcome measures. Ability to work autonomously and set own priorities. Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues. Supervisory and appraisal skills. Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance. Ability to organise and respond efficiently to complex information. Working knowledge of health and social care legislation and its use in current practice. Working knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and its application to practice. Presentation and training skills. Ability to work flexibly. Ability to work under pressure. Application of health and safety and risk management policies including risk assessment. Detailed knowledge of a range of standardised/non-standardised assessment. Detailed knowledge of varied intervention media. Clinical conditions relevant to PT area of practice. Specialised skills in clinical assessment, intervention and evaluation. Willingness to work flexibly and to work across range of community and inpatient settings. Ability to travel and attend to service users based across Plymouth and South Hams & West Devon. Full and valid driving licence and access to a car for work purposes is required. Reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act will be taken into account for the successful applicant. Wheelchair Accreditation. Knowledge and use of complex manual handling techniques and strategies including manual handling plans and risk assessments. Leading in-service training and education workshops for PTs and other disciplines. Applying research to practice. Knowledge of NSF’s Professional and Government agenda.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.