Specialty Physiotherapist - Acute and Emergency Medicine
We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic Physiotherapist to join our team of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Therapy Assistants who provide high quality therapy intervention to patients across Emergency, Acute General Medicine, Trauma and High Care Unit.
As part of a multidisciplinary team you will identify and undertake a comprehensive assessment of need at the point of hospital admission and deliver rehabilitation interventions to maximise patient recovery.
Key areas of responsibility
- Delivery of early therapy intervention post‑operatively and/or during the first 24 hours of hospital admission.
- Assessment, intervention and treatment of patients with respiratory physiotherapy amenable conditions.
- Implementation of programmes that minimise sedentary behaviour during the hospital stay.
- Supporting prevention and early resolution/management of delirium and other cognitive spectrum disorders through physical and cognitively stimulating activities.
- Collaborating with local health and social care providers to minimise institutionalisation through a ‘home first’ approach to hospital discharge.
- Supporting and willing to contribute to a 7‑day service.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide high quality, safe and effective physiotherapy services to patients across Acute and Emergency Medicine, including Trauma and High Care.
With support of the wider MDT, you will work collaboratively with patients and their carers to effectively assess, goal‑plan and treat patients in the Emergency Department and/or following admission to hospital. The post holder will strive to maximise patients’ independence and quality of life, working towards the wider therapy aims of early intervention, active recovery and discharge.
The post holder will also provide assessment and intervention to patients with respiratory physiotherapy amenable conditions and will be involved in student education and supervision. Opportunities to supervise junior staff and students are available, with senior support and training provided. Active participation in quality improvement, clinical audit and research projects will be encouraged.
Flexibility across 7 days is required.
Working for our organisation
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country, providing a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals – John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington, and Horton General Hospital in Banbury.
Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence, focused on compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.
Detailed job description and main responsibilitiesCommunication
- Consistently deploy effective communication and engagement skills enabling effective working relationships with all members of the multidisciplinary team.
- Effectively communicate with patients and their carers/family members, including the sensitive management of complex or contentious issues.
- Overcome barriers to effective communication, such as those caused by pathological impairment or language differences.
- Engage and build relationships with external agencies and providers to enhance patient care continuity and outcomes.
- Motivate and positively influence others through effective verbal and non‑verbal communication skills.
- Write complex reports accurately describing patients’ clinical status to aid effective continuing care and clinical management.
Clinical Responsibilities
- Enact professional and legal responsibilities for all aspects of clinical practice.
- Carry out comprehensive assessments for patients within acute and emergency medicine, including complex presentations, and form treatment and rehabilitation plans.
- Interpret and analyse multiple sources of clinical information to form accurate physiotherapy diagnoses in acute and emergency medicine.
- Assess and provide intervention to patients with respiratory physiotherapy amenable conditions across all clinical areas.
- Formulate and deliver comprehensive treatment, rehabilitation and discharge plans based on clinical skills, evidence‑based practice and patient preferences.
- Assess individuals and form a plan of care and recovery with patients who have a respiratory need.
- Evaluate patient progress against agreed treatment goals and modify plans accordingly.
- Determine patient mental capacity for informed consent; work within legal framework with patients lacking capacity and deprived of liberty.
- Co‑ordinate intervention where multidisciplinary collaboration is required.
- Maintain accurate written records using an electronic patient record system; maintain fidelity to professional standards.
- Mitigate risk of patient and staff harm using agreed risk assessment frameworks and trust manual handling policy.
- Demonstrate physical ability to carry out physiotherapy assessment and interventions including manual therapy techniques.
- Show highly developed dexterity, coordination and palpatory skills for assessment and manual treatment.
- Represent physiotherapy and/or individual patients at multidisciplinary team meetings to ensure coordinated care.
- Contribute to provision of a seven‑day service.
Leadership and management
- Responsible for competent use and maintenance of rehabilitation equipment and support others in safe use of equipment.
- Assist in supervision, teaching and appraisal of junior staff and assistants.
- Undertake delegated tasks and roles from team lead and deputise on occasions.
- Plan and organise own time, patient caseload, meetings, training and adjust plans as required based on staffing levels and unpredictable factors.
- Assist in planning junior staff, students and assistants’ timetables and deputise for senior staff in organisational duties.
Education and training
- Organise and contribute to team training and post‑registration education programme.
- Contribute to education of multidisciplinary groups, patients, families and carers as appropriate.
- Responsible for individual undergraduate student physiotherapists’ supervision and practice‑based learning.
- Adopt proactive approach in learning from others within and outside physiotherapy profession.
- Responsible for continuing professional development and maintain portfolio record for evidence.
- Maintain contemporary knowledge to apply best practice in acute and general medicine and rehabilitation.
- Participate in department quality improvement and clinical audit programme through authorised projects.
- Implement and maintain evidence‑based physiotherapy practice through continuing professional development.
- Ensure good working knowledge and application of national and local clinical standards.
Person specification
- Diploma or degree in Physiotherapy.
- HCPC registration.
- Experience in an Acute and General Medicine setting.
- Completion of junior rotations post‑registration in all core areas (including respiratory/medicine, neurology/rehabilitation, MSK/orthopaedics).
- Experience of MDT working.
- Experience of discharge planning including liaison with a wide variety of health and social care providers.
- Experience supervising junior staff and students.
- Participation in respiratory weekend and/or on‑call rotas.
COVID‑19
The COVID‑19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and our patients. Whilst vaccination is not a condition of employment, we encourage staff to get vaccinated. If you are unvaccinated, helpful advice and information are available on the Oxfordshire County Council website.
Vacancy Closures
Please note this vacancy may close early if a high volume of applications is received.
Probation Period
This post is subject to a 6‑month probationary period. If you currently hold a contract of employment with Oxford University Hospitals, this will not apply. This statement does not apply to medical staff or executive appointments.
Referencing
Provide correct work‑related email addresses so references can be sought promptly. Your first referee will need to be your line manager, supervisor or clinical lead from your current or most recent post or place of study. If you have previously worked for the Trust a reference from your last manager will be required if your offer of employment is to be confirmed.
Next Steps
Review the job description and person specification, and ensure your application reflects these criteria. Candidates selected for interview will be contacted after short‑listing, usually within 2 weeks. All correspondence will be via the e‑recruitment system; check your email regularly, including junk mail folders.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
Application numbers
Job advertisement will close automatically once the application limit is reached, regardless of whether this occurs before the advertised closing date.
