Physiotherapist

Job Overview

Band 6 Physiotherapist – Stroke Early Supported Discharge Team - Full time

We have an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and motivated physiotherapist to join Hillingdon Community Adult Rehabilitation Service in the Stroke Early Supported Discharge and neuro team. We are looking for a highly motivated team worker with excellent communication skills.

The Stroke ESD team works with adults who have suffered an acute stroke and is comprised of occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, stroke consultants, clinical neuro-psychologists, and rehabilitation support workers. We have a strong focus on multi-disciplinary working, and therapists work with clients in their homes.

You will have direct responsibility for the management of rehabilitation support workers. There is a possibility of rotation with The Hillingdon Hospital Stroke Unit. There is good support for personal development and opportunities to develop the service in line with best practice. There is access to in-service training programmes, which the successful applicant would be encouraged to attend and take an active role in.

This post would be suitable for a band 6 who has both stroke/neurology and community experience, although applicants with suitable experience at band 5 level will be considered.

The successful applicant must be able to travel throughout Hillingdon and have access to a car to carry out home visits in the community.

Main duties of the job

1. To provide specialised neuro physiotherapy assessment, education, advice, and treatment to adult patients in the community referred via Hillingdon stroke early supported discharge pathway without direct supervision.
2. To work in a variety of community locations including patient’s homes, nursing homes, and residential homes and provide intensive rehabilitation.
3. To educate and advise patients, their families, and carers in order to facilitate self-management of their condition and optimise their rehabilitation potential and quality of life.
4. To independently manage a defined caseload of complex cases contributing to the provision of a rehabilitation service.
5. To support in the development of new initiatives within Central and North West London NHS Trust and London Borough of Hillingdon Adult Social Care.
6. To be an active member of the multidisciplinary team working collaboratively with other members of the team and recognising the skills and expertise of others.
7. To deputise for the band 7 stroke ESD clinicians for smooth running of stroke ESD team.
8. To undertake seven-day working.
9. To be proactive in personal professional development.
10. To provide support and supervision to Band 5 physiotherapists, rehabilitation support workers, therapy technicians, and delegated undergraduate physiotherapy students, including monthly supervision and annual appraisal.
11. To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.
12. To maintain clinical records as an autonomous practitioner.
13. The job description and person specification are an outline of the tasks, responsibilities, and outcomes required of the role. The job holder will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by their line manager.
14. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the Service and the Organisation.

Person specification

Education/ Qualifications

Essential criteria

1. Degree/Diploma in Physiotherapy
2. State Registration with HCPC
3. Post-registration course in Neurology or experience working with stroke/neurological clients.

Desirable criteria

1. Post Graduate Degree
2. Post Registration Course in Neurology
3. Post Registration Course Goal setting
4. Membership and/or involvement in National special interest group.

Previous Experience

Essential criteria

1. Neurological acute or neuro Rehab
2. Community Working
3. Experience of working with students
4. Experience of teaching juniors and assistants
5. Previous experience of working in the UK or a similar health economy as a Physiotherapist.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential criteria

1. Able to demonstrate clinical and professional development
2. Excellent written and verbal communication
3. Demonstrates flexibility, problem solving, initiative, and leadership
4. Excellent IT skills, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and databases
5. Understanding of the problems of disability and its effects
6. Able to demonstrate good understanding of the role of a Physiotherapist in a rehab setting as well as the role of other professionals in MDT
7. Demonstrates insight into the problems of disability and its effects.

Attitudes, aptitudes, personal characteristics

Essential criteria

1. Willingness and ability to learn new skills
2. Physical fitness to undertake rehabilitation handling of patients
3. Ability to work flexibly and prioritise workload appropriately
4. Friendly, approachable, and able to demonstrate empathy