Senior Physiotherapist

The post holder will:

• Provide a high standard of physiotherapy service to musculoskeletal outpatients.
• Provide specialist advice regarding the musculoskeletal physiotherapy assessment, diagnosis and treatment for patients referred to the service.
• Act as a source of expertise on the management of musculoskeletal conditions and provide an advisory service to patients, other physiotherapists, other healthcare professionals and the primary healthcare team including GPs.
• Be responsible for the safe and correct use of physiotherapy equipment within the department.
• Ensure staff are competent to use physiotherapy equipment within the department.
• Supervise more junior and student physiotherapists, physiotherapy technical instructors and assistants.

Main duties of the job:

• To interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts to form an accurate diagnosis and prognosis in a wide range of highly complex neuro-musculoskeletal conditions, to recommend the best course of intervention, and to develop comprehensive discharge plans.
• To undertake the comprehensive assessment of patients, including those with a complex neuro-musculoskeletal presentation, using investigative and analytical skills, formulating individualised management and treatment plans, using advanced clinical reasoning, and utilising a wide range of treatment skills and options to formulate a specialised programme of care.
• To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients, and to organise this effectively and efficiently concerning clinical priorities and use of time.
• To regularly participate in working parties developing policy changes within the outpatient physiotherapy iMSK services, which will impact on all service users.
• To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching, and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals, to promote understanding of the aims of physiotherapy, and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.
• To train, supervise and performance manage more junior staff, technical instructors, assistants and students. This will include the use of formal appraisal documentation.

Working for our organisation:

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust have come together to form University Hospitals Tees. As a result, post holders may be required to work across sites within both organisations. Across University Hospitals Tees, our ambition is to be the best place to work, ensuring we have the right staff in the right roles at the right time to deliver outstanding patient care and experience. We are committed to supporting our staff through an inclusive and supportive working environment, offering health and wellbeing initiatives, staff benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional development.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive recruitment process and welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates, including those whose first language is not English. We support the 'Making Every Contact Count' approach to behaviour change in the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

• To maintain own clinical professional development (CPD) by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments, and incorporate them as necessary into your work.
• To be an active member of the in-service training programme by attendance at/or participation in in-service training programmes, presentations and training sessions, staff meetings, tutorials, training sessions in house and by attending external courses and practising reflective practice.
• To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing and therapy colleagues to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary service.
• To undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of Evidence Based Practice projects, audit, research and outcome measures, either individually or with colleagues or with clinical specialist or manager. Make recommendations for change.
• To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and apply to work situation.
• To observe and adhere to the Code of Practice and Rules of Professional Conduct laid down by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Person specification:

• Degree/Diploma in Physiotherapy
• HCPC registration as a Physiotherapist
• Evidence of relevant postgraduate learning and continued professional development
• Significant post-registration experience as a Physiotherapist.
• Experience of assessing, diagnosing and treating a range of musculoskeletal, orthopaedic, neurological or community patients
• Experience supervising or supporting junior staff, assistants or students

Important:

Once sufficient applications have been received this vacancy may close early.

Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS): It is the policy of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost for their DBS certificate. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay on commencement with the Trust. The DBS check will be undertaken during the pre‑employment check screening.

Qualifications: Please note the essential qualifications required for the post are outlined within the Person Specification. You are required to provide original evidence of the necessary qualifications for the post at interview should you be shortlisted. You will also be required to provide original copies as part of the pre‑employment check screening.

New Starters - Probationary Period: For any new employees commencing employment with North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, you will be subject to satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period. Please note that internal applications and individuals that are appointed to fixed term appointments of less than 6 months duration are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or a bank member of staff).

Employment References: As part of our pre‑employment screening process, all applicants are required to provide references covering their last three years employment history including any gaps. Applicants are requested to ensure e‑mail addresses for all referees are included on their application form. Personal references are not acceptable.

Working Hours: If the hours advertised for the post are up to full time (37.5 hours per week), applications are still welcomed from individuals who may be seeking to work less than full‑time hours and all requests will be considered in line with the post being appointed to for the successful applicant.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Everything we do is shaped by our values: Respect, Support, and Collaborate. At University Hospitals Tees we want our workspaces to be places where everyone feels welcome, valued and safe. We treat people with respect, and we celebrate the differences that make each of us unique. We welcome applications from everyone, no matter your age, background, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family circumstances or beliefs. We are here to support you throughout your application and at every stage of your career with us. We believe we work best when we collaborate, learn from each other and build teams that reflect the communities we serve.

Disability: We are a Disability Confident Lead employer. This means we give fair and full consideration to applicants and will offer reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. If you need help with your application, or need the information in a different format, please contact our recruitment team and we will support you.

Right to Work in the UK: The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless they have permission to work via another route. Non UK/RoI candidates wishing to apply can self‑assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process. Please note that not everyone needs a 'Skilled Worker' visa. If you are applying for health or social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.

As a supporter of the Armed Forces and an employer of Reservists, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust are proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a promise by the nation to ensure that those who serve or who have served in the UK Armed Forces (and their families) are treated fairly. We recognise that reservists and veterans bring a variety of transferable skills and qualities to our workplace, developed through their military careers. Our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community has been recognised through the Armed Forces Covenant as a Silver Employer.

Further Important Information: Please check your email on a regular basis for updates on your application. If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be invited to email via this method. Please ensure you read the 'Guidance Notes for Applicants' document attached to this advert before completing and submitting your application. Unfortunately, we are unable to respond to all applicants and those who are not contacted within six weeks of the closing date should assume that their application has been unsuccessful.