Senior Physiotherapist

We are looking for an enthusiastic and dynamic physiotherapist to join our friendly team here at Oakwood Unit in a band 6 role. An ideal candidate will have effective communication skills, experience of providing physiotherapy to patients with complex conditions, be a good team player, and have a forward-thinking outlook.

We are a 24-bedded physical health inpatient unit at Prospect Park Hospital providing high-quality patient-centred rehabilitation, which focuses on maximising potential, enabling independence where possible, and optimising safe discharge from hospital. This exciting job role involves working with a wide range of patients, many of whom are referred from the local acute hospitals following an illness or trauma and have complex and multiple conditions.

BHFT is a dynamic trust, rated outstanding at our last CQC inspection, with a focus on constant improvement in the fast-moving healthcare environment the NHS currently is.

The successful applicant will be offered this part-time role (0.6 WTE) and working patterns can be discussed in the interview. The service preference would be that the candidate can cover Mondays - Wednesdays as part of these hours. Currently, there are no weekend or on-call requirements, although this may be subject to change in the future.

Main duties of the job

1. To be responsible for the management of a highly complex caseload working closely with the Multi-Disciplinary Team in the delivery of rehabilitation and discharge planning to ensure a smooth transition for our patients from hospital to the community.
2. To provide highly skilled specialist assessments, planning, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based treatments according to individual needs, promoting independence and self-care of long-term conditions.
3. To liaise and work with family and NOK of our patients in assessing and planning safe discharge from hospital, including participation in family discharge planning meetings.
4. Supervising junior members of staff and students with support from our partner universities.
5. Participate in in-service training programmes and contribute effectively to service development.
6. Continuous Professional Development (CPD), including ongoing development of CPD portfolio and participating in audit and research projects.

Working for our organisation

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The “must haves” for this role:

• A Physiotherapy Degree/Diploma with HCPC registration and experience in rehabilitation.
• Able to embody our Trust values of being Caring, Committed and Together.
• Good understanding and use of IT Programmes as we are a digital Trust.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

• Diploma/Degree in Physiotherapy
• State Registration
• CSP Membership
• Membership of relevant Special Interest Group

Continuous Professional Development

• Evidence of CPD in a portfolio including attendance at recent post-graduate courses relevant to the clinical field / reflective practice in relevant clinical field

Previous Experience

• Ability to demonstrate considerable relevant experience as a Band 5 or 6 physiotherapist in the ward setting
• Post-graduate experience of working as part of a physiotherapy team and multidisciplinary team
• Supervision of assistants / students
• Experience of service development / leading service development
• Experience of delegating tasks and some palliative care experience

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Sound knowledge of Physiotherapy in the relevant area
• Knowledge of this post and PCT
• Ability to work independently, but seek help when required
• Ability to pass on skills/knowledge to others within both formal and informal environments
• Understand the legal responsibilities of the profession
• Awareness of relevant National and local policies and guidelines relevant to the area
• Able to present information, written and orally, in a clear and logical manner.
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to organise, prioritise and delegate
• Ability to supervise other staff e.g. assistants, technical instructors
• Understanding of clinical governance and its implications for services.
• Good knowledge of factors that contribute to good team working
• Drive and enthusiasm for clinical excellence and clinical development
• Good time management
• Flexible and Adaptable
• Able to maintain judgement under pressure
• Ability to problem solve
• Demonstrate appropriate use of initiative
• Ability to contribute positively to team working / team morale.
• Willingness to take directions / constructive criticism and willingness to learn
• Presentation Skills
• Knowledge of Critical Appraisal
• Self-directed learning
• Evidence of participation in Audit and Research

Additional Requirements

• Occupational Health clearance and ability to travel between multiple sites efficiently

These are the values that we live by at Berkshire Healthcare:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

We welcome people who share these values to come and work for us.

Please find attached the behaviour framework that underpins these values for this job role.

At Berkshire Healthcare, we foster an inclusive workplace where everyone belongs.

We welcome talent from all backgrounds and offer guaranteed interviews to disabled applicants and armed forces community members who meet the minimum criteria.

Please note we may close positions before the advertised date.

Once you have applied, please check your email regularly for updates. All appointments are subject to NHS Employment Checks, and false information may result in withdrawal of offers. For information on how we store your information, please review our privacy statement.

No agencies, please.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.