Job Description

We are looking for a motivated general rotational physiotherapist with good acute hospital experience to work within our Inpatient Physiotherapy teams covering the wards at Worthing Hospital. The post is permanent. This role will be focused on providing a high standard of Physiotherapy assessment, treatment and evaluation to clients within the Inpatient Physiotherapy service at Worthing Hospital.



You will have excellent opportunities for your own skills development, working within a strong and supportive MDT and alongside an established peer group of Physiotherapy Support Workers. This Band 6 position is an excellent opportunity to work within a dynamic, forward looking and innovative department.



Worthing Hospital is in a wonderful location, situated adjacent to the South Downs National Park and the sea and with excellent transport links to London and across Southern England. You will be joining a strong and supportive Physiotherapy team within the top performing University Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We look forward to welcoming you on an informal visit or discussing any aspect of this exciting opportunity further.



Please note we may close this advert earlier than the published closing date if we receive a large number of applications, so please do not delay in submitting your application as soon as possible in order to be considered for this post.

To provide advanced assessment and treatment for a range of highly complex patients within the physiotherapy service.



To supervise, teach and appraise Band 5 physiotherapists, technicians, assistants, students and other members of the multi-disciplinary team. To support the team lead with operational management. To participate in CPD, IST, audit, evidence-based projects and service development projects which may include making recommendations for change in practice. To remain competent for respiratory on-call and to work as part of the respiratory on-call rota. To participate in the development, planning and evaluation of related services across the Trust. To participate in implementation of policy and changes in own clinical area, and to set and monitor standards of practice. To remain competent for respiratory on-calls and to work as part of the respiratory rota. To be prepared to participate in future 7-day service provision if applicable.

The post covers a range of clinical specialities,



Respiratory Orthopaedic General Medicine Front Door Frailty Team Neurology MSK Outpatients Paediatrics

Areas for rotation are subject to change according to service needs and developments.



To manage a significant clinical caseload and support clinical staff on a day-to-day basis, working with the Team Leads to ensure quality service delivery.



At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.



We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.



As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.



We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Candidate Information Pack:

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/



This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria.



Communication



To be an active member within the multi-disciplinary team and ensure effective communication with other professions both verbally and in writing e.g. medical notes and reports to assist achievement of patient centred goals and maximising the patient's potential.



To communicate effectively with patients with a variety of communication difficulties e.g. blind, deaf, dysphasic, learning difficulties, dementia, and for people who do not have English as their first language. This will involve the effective use of verbal, written, pictorial, tactile and visual communication tools.



To be able to communicate with patients effectively in both a one to one and a group or class setting.



To liaise with other physiotherapists in regard to patient care and ensure appropriate follow up is arranged where required.



Educate patients, carers and relevant MDT staff on a range of topics including Physiotherapy techniques, therapeutic positioning, exercises, mobility activities and advice and education with regards to patient condition.



Use empathetic, tactful and interpersonal skills to encourage and empower patients and carers to maximise patients' rehabilitation potential; giving opportunity for unloading / sharing of concerns and issues.



To communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, carers and other staff including imparting unwelcome news.



To be able to motivate others such as staff and patients through effective communication skills.



Attend Handover & MDT meetings to represent current Physiotherapy management with regards to patient progress and potential and be able to make to decisions accordingly.



To liaise with other team members and team lead with regards to day-to-day issues and ward management e.g. staff shortages, increased patient caseload.



To use effective communication skills to reduce actual or potential conflict situations that may occur with patients, relatives, colleagues etc. To be able to manage situation sensitively, in accordance with trust policies and seeking senior support where required.



To be a patient advocate when required and liaise with those involved in patient care.



To ensure timely and effective communication with the Physiotherapy Manager and Senior Staff on all professional matters.



To attend and be an active participant in relevant peer group and departmental staff meetings.



To be aware of the standard information available for patients and use it appropriately.



Keep accurate and comprehensive documentation of all patient contact in line with CSP standards and local guidelines including uni and multi-professional documentation.



To initiate and maintain contacts with local and national clinical interest groups, appropriate to the clinical field.



Respond promptly and appropriately to telephone enquiries / messages/ e mails received.



Service Delivery and Improvement



To be responsible for implementing within your clinical practice, the relevant standards and policies, including those applicable to the Trust, and also wider policies and guidelines, for example set by the CSP / NICE etc.



To ensure that as an individual practitioner the post holder advises the Team Lead and Physiotherapy Manager of any changes to the service to ensure quality and effectiveness of care for their patients.



To work with the physiotherapy team to provide an efficient and effective service.



To propose and make changes to working practices in consultation with the team lead where applicable. To support the ongoing development and improvements of Physiotherapy services



Be involved in the proposal/development and implementation of departmental policies, pathways, guidelines etc.



To comply with fire, health & safety, universal precautions, infection control measures and all other departmental policies.



To report all complaints/incidents to the immediate senior member of staff and document accordingly.



To identify areas where the service is not working as effectively or efficiently as possible and liaise with line manager, offering reasoned ideas for solutions



To propose and make changes to working practices in consultation with the team lead where applicable. To support the ongoing development and improvements of Physiotherapy service.



People Management and Development



To assist in the supervision of various personnel such as Band 5 physiotherapists, physiotherapy technicians, and physiotherapy students on clinical placements.



To share responsibility for the training of various personnel such as Band 5 physiotherapists, physiotherapy technicians, and physiotherapy students on clinical placements. Being proactive with teaching in practical situations, assisting with competencies, delivering good quality in-service training.



To participate in the Trust Appraisal Scheme both as an appraiser and an appraisee.



To carry out role as an appraisee by appraising staff in-line with department appraisal guidelines, at least annually and jointly helping devise learning needs, objectives and development plans for staff.



To give staff ongoing support to aid them in achieving their objectives.



To have a role in organising relevant in-service training programmes and supporting its delivery.



To communicate on a regular basis with staff regarding the trust and physio department objectives, plans and vision.



To discuss expected outcomes of training and development activity with staff prior to attending training events.



To discuss outcomes with staff after attending training and development activity and to assist staff to transfer, develop and use new skills acquired.



To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through continued professional development activities and recording this in a portfolio and in the KSF document.



To keep abreast of all new developments which includes activities such as attending IST, relevant study days, visits to specialist units, attending relevant networks and reading relevant research and articles.



To be pro-active with regard to learning from senior staff and peers within the department.



Patient Care Delivery



To maintain a high standard of clinical care using evidence-based practice and evaluate outcomes.



To undertake the comprehensive assessment and treatment of a wide variety of patients including those with complex presentations.



To seek guidance from senior staff as required and to give guidance to more junior staff.



To devise an individualised physiotherapy management and/or treatment plan, using clinical reasoning skills, utilising a range of treatment options and evidence-based practice.



To be able to devise and lead specialist Physiotherapy treatments which may include group work, e.g. in-patient pulmonary rehabilitation, back class



To demonstrate the trust values and attitudes in regard to the management of patients and everyday working with colleagues.



To work with members of the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure a seamless delivery of care, provide advice and education within this forum, acting as an expert in own professional field.



To be competent in the treatment of respiratory patients as part of the on-call rota



To carry out advanced physiotherapy assessment and treatment interventions (on patients who may also be acutely unwell) using developed physiotherapy techniques, knowledge and therapeutic handling.



To identify and highlight any concerns regarding patient health to the appropriate health professional with the appropriate degree of urgency



There is a requirement to exert moderate physical effort for significant periods each day.



To be responsible for the safe use of equipment used in carrying out physiotherapy duties, adhering to the departments medical devices policy. This includes competence and accuracy to use equipment by yourself and other healthcare professionals, carers and patients e.g. monitoring and maintaining the safety and condition of the gym equipment.



To be able to manage potentially stressful, upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner including patients with chronic pain presentations and psychosocial problems.



To work with members of the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure a seamless delivery of care, provide advice and education within this forum, acting as an expert in your own professional field.



To demonstrate physical ability to carry out physiotherapy assessment and interventions, including highly developed manual physiotherapy techniques and therapeutic handling.



To exert leadership where appropriate during tasks undertaken with physiotherapy colleagues or other MDT members e.g. if leading functional transfers or mobility work.



To assess, measure, label, adjust to size and issue walking aids as appropriate and various standard splints / orthotics.