Highly Specialist Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Physiotherapist

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000

Job description

Highly Specialist Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Physiotherapist

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Band 7 Physiotherapist to join our multidisciplinary team in delivering high-quality cardiac rehabilitation services. This role involves providing specialist care to patients recovering from cardiac events, surgery, or with chronic cardiovascular conditions, ensuring optimal physical recovery, improved quality of life, and reduced risk of recurrence.

The successful candidate will play a key leadership role within the cardiac rehabilitation team, offering clinical expertise, supporting service development, and mentoring junior staff members. You will work collaboratively with colleagues across disciplines to provide a holistic, patient-centred approach to rehabilitation.

Main duties of the job

An opportunity has arisen for a Band 7 Physiotherapist with proven clinical skills to join the Cardiovascular Rehabilitation team. You will have the opportunity to develop your skills in operational and clinical management in the Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Team which is multi-professional, providing care and optimising outcomes for our patients across Lambeth and Southwark living with cardiovascular conditions. The post is supported by a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, Clinical Lead and Consultant Physiotherapist, and is a member of the wider Band 7 and 8 respiratory in- and outpatient team.

You will have experience at a senior level including cardiovascular care and evidence of an interest in developing further in this area. An excellent communicator, you will demonstrate a desire to work creatively to bring about innovative service development within cardiovascular rehabilitation services and the Physiotherapy profession. A strong commitment to training at undergraduate and post-graduate levels and an interest in quality improvement and research is desirable.

The wider Trust incorporates several leading cardiovascular rehabilitation services with whom we liaise and jointly develop services. You will be expected to contribute to this service development to further the aims of the Trust in delivering exceptional services to cardiovascular patients.

About us

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK's best-known hospitals - Guy's, St Thomas', Evelina London Children's Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield - as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high-quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.

We are among the UK's busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark.

We are working in partnership with King's Health Partners, to deliver our vision of creating a new centre of excellence, which will be the global leader in the research into and treatment of heart and lung disease, in patients from pre-birth to old age.

We strive to recruit and retain the best staff as the dedication and skills of our employees lie at the heart of our organisation and ensure that our services are of the highest quality, safe and focused on our patients.

Job responsibilities

To take a lead role in the advanced assessment and treatment of patients referred for cardiac rehabilitation, including those with multi-pathology and those who have highly complex and/or chronic presentations, to determine clinical diagnosis and treatment indicated and to maintain associated records, as an autonomous practitioner.

To take a lead role in supervision and teaching of physiotherapists/physiotherapy assistants/students and MDT staff across both sites and the phase IV community-based exercise programmes in physio-therapeutic treatment and management of patients referred for cardiac rehabilitation including those requiring complex rehabilitation.

To provide skilled team leadership and be responsible for operational management, team development, implementation of policy and policy changes in own clinical area, and to set and monitor standards of practice in both the acute and community settings.

To supervise, initiate and participate in evidence-based projects, including recommendations for change in practice and to lead in departmental research and audit within cardiac rehabilitation.

To oversee and participate in new initiatives within cardiac rehabilitation services (Pilot Heart Failure Programme, Home Rehabilitation and Community Phase III).

To develop and deliver exercise rehabilitation and educational materials in a group-based patient setting.

Person Specification

Knowledge/ Qualifications

• Diploma / Degree in Physiotherapy
• Post Graduate Courses relevant to the clinical specialty
• Registration HCPC
• Continued Professional Development including evidence of reflective practice
• Recognised post-graduate qualification e.g. MSc. in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation
• Post graduate course(s) in management and/or leadership training
• Membership of relevant National SIG e.g. ACPICR/BACPR

Skills

• Specialist skills in the management of complex cardiac patients including specialist assessment and identification of suitability for the rehabilitation programme
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary setting, goal planning, developing care pathways and using outcome measures
• Experience of service development/evaluation and audit/change management
• Shows excellent written and oral communication skills, including ability to present information in a clear and logical manner.
• Evidence of leadership skills and an awareness of skill mix and service needs
• Advanced knowledge of a wide range of approaches to the holistic management of complex patients living with cardiovascular disease
• Knowledge of current national policies/standards/initiatives in cardiovascular physiotherapy
• Advanced IT skills e.g. Excel spreadsheet functions, word document editing and report writing

Experience

• Significant post-registration experience at Band 6 level with evidence of experience in cardiovascular physiotherapy in both inpatient and outpatient settings
• Experienced in clinical governance and demonstrates an understanding of the implications for physiotherapy services
• Training, development and supervision of students/physiotherapists/instructors/assistants.
• Experience of research development or participation
• Previous experience as a Band 7 within a cardiovascular setting

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.

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Lead - Cardiovascular Rehabilitation