Rotational Physiotherapist

Do you want to work in a dynamic, experienced and sociable therapy team? At Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust we are looking to share learning and expertise amongst the therapy team based at the West Middlesex Hospital Site to keep our service moving in the fast paced area of acute medicine. If you are an experienced Physiotherapist wanting to consolidate your practical and leadership skills or looking to step up to a Band 6 role, this is the perfect opportunity. With weekly in service training, regular supervision and the desire to provide the best care possible for our patients, we are looking for a motivated and engaged individual who is wanting to be a part of the therapy team at West Middlesex Hospital.

We currently offer rotations in our Emergency Department & Frailty, Older adults, Respiratory Medicine, Enhanced care/ICU, Orthopaedics and Stroke therapy teams. Successful candidates will also join the on-call respiratory physiotherapy rota. The therapy department has recently completed a successful consultation to organise working patterns of staff to cover a current 7 day service provision within their contracted hours. The proposals aim to strengthen the current 7 day provision and provide a safe, efficient and sustainable service.

The post holder will be on a 6 monthly rotation across different in-patient therapy teams. They will provide senior support to rotational band 5 physiotherapist and therapy assistants as well as working closely with the occupational therapist of the team. They will have a range of clinical experience, provide sound clinical expertise to their team and more junior staff and coordinate and deliver high quality care. They will be a role model for expert clinical care, and lead on specific projects / service developments and management functions as delegated by the Band 7 therapist or Clinical Lead Therapist. They will role model the identified Trust values at all times.

The post holder will work as an autonomous practitioner in providing physiotherapy assessment, treatment and management to their own designated caseload of patients and to maintain up to date physiotherapy records. They will evidence based principles and current best practise to assess, plan, implement and evaluate physiotherapy interventions.

The post holder will provide supervision, teaching and support to more junior staff, therapy assistants and students on placement.

• Be professionally and legally responsible for all aspects of your work, including the management of patients in your care.
• Carry and prioritise your own designated clinical caseload, working as an autonomous practitioner without direct supervision.
• Undertake proficient physiotherapy assessments in line with department and professional standards, forming diagnoses and identifying impairments and limitations.
• Use appropriate and effective assessment and treatment techniques, including comprehensive subjective and objective assessments and therapeutic handling skills.
• Use good communication skills to set physiotherapy goals with patients, involving the multidisciplinary team as appropriate.
• Plan and implement individual physiotherapy programmes for all patients, including those with complex conditions, using clinical reasoning and knowledge of treatment options.
• Utilise treatment options such as gait re-education, exercise prescription and provision of appropriate therapeutic aids/equipment.
• Monitor and evaluate treatment to measure progress and modify as needed.
• Modify treatment interventions as required and seek supervisor input when necessary.
• Interpret clinical and non-clinical information to formulate prognoses and discharge plans.
• Identify and manage risk in complex acutely ill patients and support junior staff in clinical reasoning; identify and manage risk in complex manual handling scenarios (e.g., bariatric patients) in collaboration with the team.
• Identify and manage discharge risk in collaboration with Occupational Therapists.
• Provide comprehensive written records of assessment and treatment according to standards.
• Ensure patient understanding of the physiotherapy intervention to obtain valid informed consent and work within a legal framework with patients lacking capacity.
• Use verbal and non-verbal communication tools with patients/carers, including those with complex communication needs or language barriers.
• Work with the multi-disciplinary team in MDT meetings, ward rounds and discharge planning to communicate patient progress and prognosis.
• Be responsible for the safe and competent use of all physiotherapy equipment and the provision of physiotherapy aids and equipment to patients.
• Manage clinical risk within own caseload.
• Be an active member of the respiratory evening and on-call rota and work autonomously on-call and during weekends.

• Comply with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy codes of professional conduct.
• Take responsibility for continuing professional development (CPD) through self-directed learning, reflective practice, in-service training, presentations and postgraduate courses, maintaining an up-to-date CPD portfolio.
• Develop understanding and use of evidence-based practice and techniques; contribute to implementing evidence-based practice in daily service delivery.
• Involve in appraisals of band 5 staff during rotations and supervise Therapy Assistants, fulfilling agreed objectives and development plans.
• Teach and assess graduate-level therapeutic skills and knowledge to physiotherapy students.
• Be involved in data collection for research and audits and monitor and implement change; have opportunity to lead or participate in research projects with Therapy Research Champions.
• Understand and apply clinical governance principles to own caseload and participate in departmental clinical governance sessions.

• Demonstrate good time management and organisational skills and adapt to changing workloads.
• Identify pressures in clinical caseload and support Band 7 to redistribute staff; in Band 7 absence, oversee the team’s caseload.
• Ensure timely communication of assessment findings, treatment and outcomes to other disciplines (discharge letters, social services reports, etc.).
• Make appropriate referrals to other physiotherapists and MDT members when required.
• Keep accurate patient records and statistics in line with standards.
• Induct, teach and supervise junior staff, students and assistants and contribute to performance assessments; comply with mandatory training.
• Be responsible for safe use of therapeutic equipment and aids (gym, respiratory equipment, electrotherapy) by patients.
• Delegate tasks to therapy assistants within guidelines and support Band 7 in leading service and policy developments.
• Carry an identified bleep and participate in service development as delegated.

• Perform assessment and treatment using manual and therapeutic handling techniques requiring moderate to high physical effort and concentration.
• Comply with the trust manual handling policy.
• Work alone at times, including during on-call rosters; manage interactions with anxious or aggressive patients with sensitivity.
• Communicate difficult news regarding progress or diagnosis empathetically.
• Be exposed to unpleasant conditions (body fluids) and occasional aggression; weekend work and on-call commitments are involved. The 7-day service and extended hours are currently under review.

Covid-19 vaccination is a condition of employment for this role, unless an exemption applies. The successful applicant may have contact with vulnerable service users and we will therefore seek proof of being fully vaccinated during the recruitment process.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts, operating at two main acute sites (Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital) and award-winning clinics. Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services including maternity, A&E and children’s services, plus HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us as Good in safety, effectiveness, care and responsiveness, and Outstanding in leadership and resource use. We continually invest in facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex. Flexible working arrangements are welcome where possible to support staff and patient needs.

The Trust is committed to equality and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. Adjustments can be made for disabled candidates. Early applications are advised as vacancies may close when sufficient applications are received. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.