Physiotherapist (band 5) | Medway Community Healthcare CIC in Minster

Are you a newly qualified or band 5 Physiotherapist who wants to build on your knowledge and skills within a specialist team? Do you want to gain experience in a community stroke rehabilitation setting and have the ability to continue with the patient journey into the community? Are you passionate about working in stroke? If you answered yes, we’ve got the perfect role for you!

MCH are looking for a self‑motivated and dynamic band 5 Physiotherapist to join our friendly stroke team. This exciting opportunity working with adults following a stroke has arisen due to expanding our team. We have funding for a full‑time band 5 physiotherapist to join our inpatient rehabilitation team. This post is based in Sheppey Community Hospital and will also cover the community caseload in Swale. The role covers communities across Swale but also Medway. The MCH Stroke pathway covers the patient journey from discharge from the acute hospital, through rehab to home.

The stroke pathway consists of inpatient units (SRU) at Harmony House and Sheppey Community Hospital, as well as Early Supported Discharge Team (ESD) and Stroke Community Assessment Rehabilitation Team (SCART) for longer‑term rehab. You will have the opportunity to support your patients to achieve their goals for as long as clinically indicated. You will be working as part of a specialist Stroke team including Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapists, Nurses, Rehabilitation Assistants and Social Workers.

Key Responsibilities

• To assess, diagnose, treat and manage your own specialist caseload of patients with supervision from a senior physiotherapist.
• Maintain records in line with Organisation and Professional standards.
• To provide specialist intervention and evaluate outcomes.
• To work with colleagues in an interdisciplinary manner for the benefit of stroke patients and the service, towards national and key service objectives.
• To train and support the carers of patients and participate in appropriate specialist training of colleagues.
• To advise and provide clinical support to therapists/staff on Physiotherapist issues.
• To supervise the work of assistants, technical instructors, students and other staff working with the postholder.
• To be able to work within your own scope of practice and engage fully in the supervision and Performance Development Review processes.
• To be able to work flexibly and accommodate flexible working arrangements.

Additional Opportunities

This is your chance to join a progressive and innovative service in a social enterprise that is patient and staff focused – you’ll even have the opportunity to become an MCH shareholder. We encourage staff to get involved in exploring new ways of working and service development. We’ll provide well established, in‑service training, one‑to‑one supervision, and appraisals with regular support. You’ll be able to develop your skills in a friendly and supportive team.

Communication and Relationship Skills

• To work alongside other Physiotherapist colleagues providing support and professional exchange of ideas and experience.
• To attend appropriate meetings within Stroke Services & when appropriate.
• To liaise with the Lead Therapist and manager of Stroke Services.
• To liaise with the area team lead clinician regarding day‑to‑day management of caseload within Stroke Services.
• To contribute to specialist clinical teams by discussing own and others input around clients’ needs ensuring a well‑co‑ordinated care plan.
• To communicate complex condition‑related information from assessment to clients, carers, families and members of the multidisciplinary team/other professions.
• To work closely with clients, carers and families, agreeing decision‑making relevant to the client management and discharge planning.
• To share assessment findings, agree treatment plans, progress rehabilitation, give advice, teaching etc.
• This will include patients with communication and comprehension difficulties and those who may be unable to accept diagnosis/prognosis.
• To demonstrate skills in motivating clients and carers to engage in the therapeutic process.
• To demonstrate negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations.
• To deal with initial complaints sensitively and to process according to organisational policy.
• To work with and delegate work under protocol to Stroke Rehabilitation Assistants, and other junior colleagues.
• To liaise with health and social care professionals regarding patient care, treatment progress and discharge planning.
• To employ excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Maintain appropriate communication with the Specialist Stroke Physiotherapist/Team Leader, participating in regular supervision of caseload and seeking advice when appropriate.
• To be aware of, adhere to and implement Service and Team plans and policies including integrated/multi‑agency working.
• To provide specialist advice to other parties as appropriate.
• To explain the role of Stroke Rehab in work settings.

Knowledge, Training and Experience

• Diploma/degree in Physiotherapy.
• Current Health Professions Council registration.
• Membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
• Membership of Special Interest Group.
• Post‑graduate training e.g. courses, other CPD activities.
• Broad range of experience at junior level or relevant experience at undergraduate level.
• Experience of responding to demand/prioritising work/managing caseload.
• Good knowledge of basic assessment and treatment of patients with a broad range of conditions – experience with neurological patients.
• Understanding of national and professional issues.
• Knowledge of primary and secondary care services.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills – including observation, listening and empathy skills.
• Able to communicate clearly with other team members and patients/carers.
• Teaching and presentation skills.
• Basic IT skills.
• Able to demonstrate a holistic approach to patient management.
• Able to work in and fully contribute to a team.
• Basic audit skills.
• Aware of limitations, personal strengths and weaknesses.
• Demonstrates good analytical and reflection skills.
• Adopts a problem‑solving approach.
• Flexible, reliable and organised.
• Professional approach and appearance.
• Negotiation and problem‑solving skills.
• Good organisational skills and prioritisation skills.
• Experience of giving training and presentations.
• Understanding of the roles of other professionals.
• Knowledge of standards of record keeping.
• To have experience of working independently as well as part of a team.
• To identify personal and professional development evidence by a personal development plan as part of the appraisal process.
• To demonstrate a working knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit and their application to professional practice.
• To keep up to date with new techniques and developments for the promotion and maintenance of evidence‑based practice in specialist clinical field.

Analytical and Judgement Skills

• To assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack the capacity to consent to treatment.
• To analyse complex information regarding client care and compare a range of options for intervention.
• To refer on to other specialist services as appropriate providing timely and detailed information to ensure good continuity of care.
• To make appropriate clinical decisions following specialist assessment, including recognising potential breakdown.
• To undertake, record, continually review and work within individual patient risk assessments in line with local policy, referring to the Specialist Stroke Physiotherapy /Team Leader where risk cannot be safely reduced/managed.
• To make a differential diagnosis on the basis of evidence from specialist assessment.
• To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice with peers/clinical supervisor.
• To demonstrate that ability to reflect on and evaluate training provided.

Planning and Organisational Skills

• To contribute to the development of the team and wider stroke and Physiotherapy /Therapy services making recommendations to the Specialist Stroke Physiotherapy /Team Leader.
• To be responsible for the supervision and co‑ordination of less senior staff and students on a daily basis as allocated by the Specialist Stroke Physiotherapy /Team Leader.
• Ensure that your own practice and that of staff under your supervision meets legal, service and professional standards.
• To comply with organisational, departmental and Trust policies and procedures and be involved in commenting on and proposing changes to, policies and protocols.
• To collect and submit all data and statistics as required in a timely and accurate manner and ensure team members do so.
• To be aware of Health and Safety aspects of your work and implement any policies, which may be required to improve the safety of your work area, including your prompt recording and reporting of accidents or concerns.
• To manage clinical and non‑clinical risk within own role according to team and Trust protocols including the development of individual patient clinical risk assessments and assist the Team Leader in ensuring the whole team do likewise.
• To be responsible for organising and planning own caseload, allocated staff and work demands to meet patient and service priorities, in conjunction with the Team Leader, alerting them of excessive demands and effects on patient care.

Physical Skills

• To deliver individually tailored Physiotherapy treatment programmes using a broad range of Physiotherapy skills in individual and group settings.
• To provide specialist Physiotherapy assessment and intervention for patients to maximise independence, enable adjustment to long‑term disability and support patients newly discharged from hospital.
• To work in an interdisciplinary way to provide comprehensive assessment of patients with a wide variety of presentations and conditions; using clinical reasoning skills and assessment techniques to formulate individualised treatment plans and programmes.
• Ability to travel across Medway and Swale in a timely manner.

Responsibility for Patient / Client Care

• To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work including responsibility of an allocated patient caseload/workload.
• To undertake assessments of patients including those with diverse and complex presentations and conditions: using clinical reasoning skills and assessment techniques to formulate individualised treatment plans and programmes.
• To continually reassess patient progress, adapting treatment plans accordingly, and developing discharge plans.
• To attend and actively contribute at MDT meetings, Ward Rounds, Case Conferences etc discussing patient care, treatment programmes, goals and discharge planning.
• To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence based practice and outcome measurers.
• To ensure that clients and carers are involved in the planning and implementation of their specialist care plans.
• To refer on to other specialist services if required.

Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation

• To contribute to the planning and provision of speciality placements for the under‑graduate Physiotherapy students, training, supervising and contributing to their formal assessments.
• Be actively involved in the planning, delivery and participation of in‑service training programme, professional clinical groups, peer review groups, attendance at external courses and all other professional development activities.
• Understanding of the balance of professional development needs with service needs.

Responsibilities for Financial and Physical Resources

• To assess patients for standard and bespoke aids and appliances, request their provision and teach patients and carers in their safe application and use, assisting less senior staff where needed.
• To monitor and request equipment.
• To be responsible for the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained – including equipment loans to clients.
• To ensure the safe use of any equipment by clients/carers.

Responsibilities for Human Resources (HR)

• To teach, assess and contribute to the appraisal and development of less senior team members.
• To liaise with and work alongside care staff, support staff, assistants and volunteers.
• To direct and supervise the work of Stroke Rehabilitation Assistants.
• To provide specialist advice to other parties as appropriate.
• To provide and supervise full placements for Physiotherapy students and prospective Physiotherapy students.
• To participate in the organisational wide appraisal process.
• To be responsible for maintaining and developing own competency to practice and developing in‑depth knowledge of specialist areas and conditions, through professional development and CPD activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects development.
• Participate in the Trust’s Staff Appraisal System as an appraisee, including the agreement of Personal Development Plans.

Responsibilities for Information Resources

• To undertake general administrative and client related administrative tasks in line with Stroke Services operational policies.
• To keep up to date, accurate, problem orientated medical records in Physiotherapy and MDT notes in line with Organisation policy, legal requirements and professional standards and to provide written reports, discharge summaries etc as required and to support the Specialist Physiotherapy /Team Leader in ensuring all team members achieve these standards.
• To provide accurate statistical information as required.
• To produce reports reflecting specialist knowledge regarding clients needs and devise care plans.
• To share specialist and complex information with others observing data protection guidelines.
• Understanding of Clinical Governance and managing risk in your own work.

Responsibilities for Research and Development

• To participate in clinical governance and audit projects within local services.
• To participate in the collection of research data as required.
• To participate in and develop innovations in areas of risk management, quality standards and clinical effectiveness.
• To ensure that the views of service users and carers are regularly sought to influence the planning and delivery of services.

Freedom to Act

• To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries.
• To demonstrate knowledge of and adherence to Professional Clinical Guidelines and to abide by the Code of Professional Practice as set out by the Health Professionals Council.
• To manage and prioritise own specialist caseload independently.
• To maintain professional standards by engaging in appropriate training and development for own specialist field to maintain up to date HPC registration.

Physical Effort

• Sitting and/or standing in restrictive positions while assessing clients and/or delivering therapy.
• Working with clients who have complex physical limitations thereby requiring specialist handling skills and the ability to use hoists (training will be provided).

Mental Effort

• Intense concentration required for assessment and treatment of client who may have significant difficulties expressing themselves and/or comprehending language.
• Frequent periods of sustained concentration required.

Emotional Effort

• The nature, level, frequency and duration of demands arising from inevitably adverse environmental conditions (e.g., inclement weather, extreme heat/cold, smells, noise and fumes) and hazards, which are unavoidable.

This advert closes on Thursday 21 May 2026.