Description
We have an exciting opportunity for a Specialist Physiotherapist in West Hertfordshire NHS Trust to join the Inpatient Therapy Department at Watford General Hospital.
You will be responsible for providing specialised assessment and treatment to patients with complex physical and psychological needs, undertaking advanced physiotherapeutic assessments, developing diagnoses and delivering individualised treatment programmes.
You will also be responsible for providing expert advice, guidance and information to patients, carers, relatives and other professionals, while supporting a coordinated approach to patient care through effective communication with medical and nursing staff, social workers and the wider multidisciplinary team.
Main duties of the job
As a Specialist Physiotherapist, you will be responsible for managing your own caseload and a defined area of the service or specific patient group, working autonomously without direct supervision.
You will be responsible for undertaking all aspects of your clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner and maintaining your professional development through regular clinical supervision, formal training, clinical reasoning sessions, peer review, case conferences and reflective practice.
You will also be responsible for supervising, educating and assessing junior physiotherapists, assistants, technical instructors and clerical staff, as well as supporting physiotherapy students to develop their clinical skills and knowledge to graduate standard.
You will work collaboratively with universities to ensure student teaching and clinical practice meet the required degree-level standards.
Job responsibilities
- To undertake evidence-based audit and research activities to enhance personal and team clinical practice, identifying opportunities for improvement and making recommendations to the Clinical Lead or Service Manager.
- To participate in the 7-day working roster, including evening, weekend and bank holiday emergency on-call duties as required.
- To provide specialist respiratory physiotherapy support during emergency on-call periods, including offering appropriate clinical advice to medical, nursing and other healthcare professionals regarding patients' respiratory and chest conditions.
- To assess and manage clinical risks within your allocated workload, ensuring appropriate measures are taken to promote patient safety.
- To establish appropriate prognoses and agree meaningful treatment goals with patients, contributing to comprehensive discharge planning based on clinical findings and expected outcomes.
- To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date patient treatment records in accordance with professional and Trust standards.
Person Specification
- Physiotherapy degree or equivalent qualification.
- HCPC registration as a Physiotherapist.
- Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
- Evidence of developed specialist physiotherapy skills.
- Experience working in an acute inpatient setting.
Benefits
- Career Progression: access to Learning & Development opportunities
- Work-life Balance: flexible shifts, committed shifts, wellbeing resources and built paid annual leave
- Opportunity & Access: over 50 partner NHS Trusts to give you the flexibility of choice to work how and where you want