Description
We have an exciting opportunity for a MSK Physiotherapist in West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust to join the Outpatient Physiotherapy Department at West Hertfordshire Therapy Unit.
You will be responsible for providing highly specialised assessment and treatment for patients with complex musculoskeletal needs, offering expert advice, guidance and information to patients, carers, relatives and healthcare professionals.
You will take a lead role in delivering advanced physiotherapy care, managing diverse and complex patient presentations, working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to support clinical diagnosis, and independently planning and delivering appropriate treatment.
You will also be responsible for maintaining accurate clinical records, acting as a specialist resource for physiotherapy staff and other healthcare professionals, and planning, coordinating and evaluating the physiotherapy service in collaboration with the Therapy Services General Manager and Therapy Team Leads.
As an MSK Physiotherapist, you will be responsible for supervising, appraising and supporting the professional development of junior physiotherapy staff within the clinical team.
You will be managing a substantial clinical caseload, applying your specialist theoretical knowledge and practical experience to maintain high professional standards.
You will also be responsible for supervising, educating and assessing physiotherapy students, working closely with universities to ensure clinical teaching and assessments meet graduate-level qualification standards.
Additionally, you will be leading evidence-based audits and research projects to identify opportunities for improvement, recommending changes to the clinical lead or service manager, and supporting the implementation of revised working practices and service protocols.
You will also be expected to participate in a seven-day working rota, if introduced and required by the department.
Main duties of the job
- To communicate sensitive and highly complex information using appropriate verbal and non-verbal techniques, ensuring patients understand their condition and available support options.
- To obtain informed consent and use appropriate persuasion, motivation and explanation techniques when engaging with patients experiencing bereavement, anxiety, fear, pain or loss of independence.
- To organise and prioritise daily clinical activities in response to changing service demands, ensuring effective use of available time, facilities and resources.
- To develop individualised discharge arrangements by establishing realistic patient goals, evaluating progress against agreed outcomes and identifying suitable ongoing support requirements.
- To ensure a safe clinical environment by following health and safety procedures, checking the suitability of equipment and patient appliances, and reporting accidents, hazards or incidents promptly.
- To maintain comprehensive patient records and manage clinical information using relevant information technology in accordance with Trust requirements.
Person Specification
- Physiotherapy degree qualification and full HCPC registration.
- Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy or equivalent.
- Documented CPD with specialist MSK skills and knowledge.
- Senior-level NHS experience in orthopaedic and MSK physiotherapy.
- Experience in post-operative outpatient rehabilitation, with Cerner EPR knowledge desirable.