Rotational Senior Physiotherapist in Northampton

Are you an experienced physiotherapist looking for an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and supportive acute therapy team? We're looking for a senior physiotherapist who is passionate in providing high standards of care to join the Therapies team at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust for a fixed term contract to cover maternity leave. Secondments will be considered. Rotations include:

Acute Medicine

Elderly Medicine

Urgent Care & Frailty

Stroke

Respiratory

We welcome applicants looking to further develop their band 6 skills or those seeking development into their first band 6 role.

As a department we are passionate about supporting continuing professional development to ensure we provide the highest standards of care to our patients. We encourage staff to be involved in clinical projects, with opportunities to present these to the wider trust at our annual Therapies Evidence Based Project Showcase.

The successful candidate will partake in the respiratory on-call service, providing evening respiratory on-call services until 10pm and the provision of 7-day therapy services throughout the department

Main duties of the job

To provide a high standard of Physiotherapy within the following acute inpatient rotations: Respiratory, Surgery, Trauma and Orthopaedics, Stroke, Acute Medicine, Elderly Medicine and Urgent Care and Frailty.

To be an active member of the evening and weekend respiratory on call service.

To perform advanced and detailed assessments of patients presenting with a wide range of complex conditions and comorbidities; providing a diagnosis, plan, and goals, to develop and to deliver an individualised treatment programme to patients.

To work closely with Occupational Therapy colleagues to provide joint therapies assessments and treatment plans enabling efficient use of Therapies Team resources.

To manage a caseload and be responsible for a defined area of the service, working without direct supervision, managing attendance of board rounds and ward meetings to contribute significantly to patient flow.

To be highly skilled in identifying pathways of patient care, discharge plans, and suitable discharge locations.

Support band 7 and 8 colleagues in the day-to-day management and supervision of therapy teams, including supporting Band 5 therapists.

Mentor physiotherapy students during clinical placements (MSc & BSc) providing support and regular supervision with support from the Practice Development Lead as required.

Support newly registered staff during the preceptorship period taking on the role of preceptor, completing regular reviews and clinical supervision.

About us

University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) brings together Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. As a group, we are committed to improving services for our communities through collaboration, modernising care delivery and striving for excellence. Working together enables us to share expertise, strengthen services and create greater opportunities, and there may be a requirement to work across sites depending on service needs. Our Excellence Values are Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity and Courage. UHN welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive working environment. We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Gold Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme. Candidates who identify as members of the Armed Forces community and meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.

Job responsibilities

Corporate Responsibilities

Build safe working knowledge of all equipment used to provide safe patient care and participate in maintenance and training.

Supporting Clinical and Patient Excellence

To work autonomously within departmental clinical teams to provide excellent physiotherapy care to a diverse client group.

Manage a caseload independently on designated ward/s, supporting junior staff with their caseload management.

To increase and expand knowledge base and experience, clinically and non‑clinically.

To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients including those with diverse or complex presentation/multiple pathologies; use advanced clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment techniques to provide an accurate diagnosis of their condition.

Formulate and deliver a complete specialised physiotherapy programme based on sound knowledge of evidence-based practise and treatment options.

Ensure that all patients have a documented problem list and goals that the patient has been involved in creating.

To participate in 7‑day working patterns, including Bank Holidays.

To be an active member of the respiratory on call overnight and weekend rota.

To represent the physiotherapy service and/or individual patients at multidisciplinary team meetings. This will include discussion of patient care, progress and involvement in discharge planning.

Support junior members of staff to develop the skills required to effectively attend and contribute to MDT meetings and board rounds.

Use clinical reasoning to balance risk, safety, patient choice and eligibility for services.

Communicate effectively with patients, their families, carers, members of the multi-disciplinary team, Therapy colleagues and other agencies.

To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to colleagues, relatives and carers when appropriate to promote understanding of the aims of therapy.

Respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.

Lead on appropriate service development activities through participation in team meetings and service development sessions.

Propose changes to processes and procedures carried out within the Therapy Service to improve effectiveness and efficiency.

Exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.

Submit accurate timesheets within set department timescales for additional hours worked.

In the absence of Therapy colleagues through planned or unplanned leave, work flexibly to meet the prioritised needs of the Therapy service both within the specific clinical areas and across all service areas.

Delegate work tasks appropriately to junior Therapy staff and Administrative Support staff.

Take the lead in training and education of other staff and students within the Therapy services.

Where appropriate, take the lead in the induction of new staff.

Maintain accurate and up to date records of clinical interventions, consistent with legal and organisational requirements.

Provide formal clinical reports for the multi-disciplinary team as required.

Collect, record and submit accurate clinical and personal statistical data in line with departmental requirements and guidelines.

Maintain and develop professional knowledge and skills to ensure fitness to practice as an Physiotherapist, in line with HCPC standards.

Regularly attend and participate in Therapy service staff meetings.

Identify own learning and development needs which will contribute to the production of a Personal Development Plan.

Build an ongoing Continuing Professional Development portfolio, reflecting on and recording learning outcomes of development opportunities.

Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate current Physiotherapy research and apply this to practice in conjunction with the Therapy team.

Contribute to audit and research activity within the Therapy Service as appropriate.

Review and reflect on own practice and actively participate in regular supervision and annual appraisals.

Deputise for band 7 as necessary to ensure smooth running of service. Work alongside team leader to co-ordinate annual leave cover.

Be involved in the supervision and appraisal process for both registered and non-registered staff members.

Support the probation process for new starters.

To undertake best use of NHS resources.

Professional Responsibilities, Quality Assurance and Monitoring

To work within Trust Core Competencies and objectives (Knowledge and Skills Framework based), Chartered Society of Physiotherapy guidelines, HCPC standards and code of conduct and to have good working knowledge of national and local standards and policies.

Complete all work necessary to maintain registration and encourage others to do so.

Monitor own and others quality and standard of practice by appraisal and review.

Maintain and monitor standards on health and safety, consent, note keeping, clinical governance, continuous professional development on both a personal, professional and departmental level.

To supervise and teach students during clinical placements.

Policy and Service Development, Research and Development Responsibilities

To use information such as Clinical governance, NICE, and other clinical specific guidelines and evidence of best practice to assist in producing working guidelines, competencies and objectives to develop the service.

OTHER INFORMATION

The post-holder may be required to carry out other relevant duties as required.

The post-holder will adhere to the duties specified under the Staff Responsibilities of the NHS Constitution in their day-to-day work and behaviours.

The post-holder will be expected to aspire to the Values of the Trust in their day-to-day work and behaviours in order to support the Trust in achieving its Vision.

The post-holder will adhere to, at all times, any Professional, NHS Code or Conducts and legislation relevant for their area of work.

The post-holder will make themselves familiar with, and adhere to, at all times, the policies and procedures of the Trust, and their area of work.

The post-holder will be expected to work to any Corporate/Division/Directorate/Department objectives and standards in order to provide an acceptable level of service.

The post-holder will be expected to undertake training, including mandatory and role‑specific training, relevant to their role and ensure it is renewed as required.

Skills

• Able to assess a patient's needs and plan a treatment plan with short and long term goals.
• Able to support and teach Technical instructors and band 5 staff.
• Able to manage caseload autonomously.
• Physical effort e.g. moving patients.
• Emotional effort e.g. distressing or traumatic circumstances.
• Experience of interpersonal working.
• Good written and verbal communication.
• Able to modify and progress patient treatment.
• Able to maintain high standards of note keeping.
• Able to get to the hospital within 45 minutes, for on call purposes.
• Have experience in supporting and mentoring students.
• Teaching and presentation skills.
• Ability to use and teach the use of physio tools.
• Ability to access Department of Health and National Institute of Clinical Excellence information using the internet.
• Health and safety awareness.

Knowledge & Experience

• Completion of at least 4 of the core band 5 rotations e.g. orthopaedics, surgical, medical, care of the elderly, respiratory and stroke unit.
• Current band 5 experience within an acute hospital setting.
• Participation in work based learning.
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
• Evidence of knowledge and understanding of the Clinical Quality Care standards.
• Experience of working in the NHS.
• Development.
• Current experience in respiratory on call work.
• Experience of leading work based learning.
• Knowledge and evidence of participation in KSF.
• Experience and knowledge of Clinical Governance.

Education, Training & Qualifications

• BSc Honours or equivalent in Physiotherapy.
• Health and Care Professions Council Registration.
• Pursuing or willing to undertake post graduate training.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Reference number

265-8093173-CSS

Job locations

University Hospitals of Northamptonshire