Band 6 Stroke and Neurology Physiotherapist | Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Ivy Chimneys; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a Specialist Physiotherapist to join the Stroke Early Supported Discharge Team. This role involves providing high-standard assessments and treatments to patients with neurological conditions in both inpatient and community settings. The ideal candidate will have experience in assessing and treating neurological conditions, strong communication skills, and the ability to work autonomously. The position offers flexible working hours, 27 days of holiday plus bank holidays, and a generous pension scheme.

Benefits

27 days holiday plus bank holidays

Excellent pension scheme

Staff discounts

Relocation package

Interest-free season ticket loans

Qualifications

• Must have a degree in Physiotherapy and registration with the Health Professions Council.
• Experience working with patients with neurological conditions is preferred.
• Strong communication skills to liaise with multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive assessment and treatment for patients with neurological conditions.
• Work autonomously and manage junior staff.
• Produce clear patient records and treatment plans.

Skills

Neurological expertise

Clinical reasoning

Communication skills

Patient assessment

Education

Degree in Physiotherapy

Tools

Assessment techniques

Electronic patient records system

Job description

To be a Specialist Physiotherapist with expertise in neurology, responsible for providing a high standard of assessment, treatment and evaluation to patients, both in a Rehabilitation Ward setting and in the community as part of the Stroke Early Supported Discharge Team.

Build on previous experience, further develop clinical and managerial competencies and develop neurological expertise within the Specialist Stroke and Neurological Services Team providing care to patients who have had a recent stroke or are diagnosed with a neurological condition as part of the community specialist inpatient service and Early Supported Discharge (ESD) Team.

Work autonomously without the need for direct supervision, carry out appraisals & clinical supervision for junior members, serve as a clinical educator for students on placement, delegate work appropriately, manage assistant practitioners and therapy assistants, triage & prioritise referrals & workload, and practice in accordance with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy rules of Professional Conduct and the Health Professions Council’s regulations.

Clinical Duties

• 1. Undertake a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis of patients with neurological and complex conditions, using well developed clinical reasoning to select appropriate assessment techniques and determine a clinical diagnosis of the patient’s needs.
• 2. Analyse the information gained from the assessment to formulate an accurate prognosis for the patient and then discuss and agree goals and outcomes for treatment with them, setting realistic timescales for achieving these.
• 3. Give a full explanation of the patient’s condition and proposed treatment to the patient, ensuring the patient understands this and agrees to the treatment plan, and work within the legal framework as appropriate if the patient does not have the capacity to give consent.
• 4. Select appropriate treatment techniques from a wide range of specialist skills available, basing the selection on both theoretical and practical knowledge and evaluated past experience.
• 5. Be personally responsible for all aspects of safety relating to equipment used when treating the patient or issued to the patient for their own use, and checking or teaching competency of non‑qualified staff in using equipment.
• 6. Produce clear written information and exercise programmes for patients to follow at home or when not with a Physiotherapist, teaching health care assistants, carers and caregivers.
• 7. Use developed clinical reasoning skills to review and evaluate patient progress and their current condition at each appointment and amend the treatment programme as appropriate to achieve agreed goals.
• 8. Plan and undertake discharge of patients from the Rehabilitation Ward or the ESD service when agreed goals have been reached or treatment is no longer appropriate.
• 9. Be able to review referrals received from acute hospitals and assess for appropriateness against criteria, correctly identify inappropriate referrals and confidently refer on or back as required.
• 10. Provide specialist evidence based advice to more junior physiotherapists and other professionals working within the field on clinical issues.
• 11. Produce timely and accurate electronic patient’s records and reports in accordance with Health Professions Council and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy regulations.
• 12. Maintain knowledge of development of Stroke Pathways and Models including potential for 7‑day services in future.

Communication Skills

• 13. Use verbal, non‑verbal and written communication tools to ensure that patients and carers have an understanding of their condition and the role and aims of Physiotherapy.
• 14. Present clinical information objectively to the Multi‑disciplinary Team to contribute to a high standard of care, liaising with social services, education or other allied health professionals and ensuring coordinated inter‑disciplinary service.
• 15. Be confident in their own diagnosis and effectively communicate that to others, including medical doctors and allied health professionals.
• 16. Share information in a timely manner with a more senior physiotherapist if there are concerns about a patient’s safety, condition or progress.
• 17. Urgently report and take appropriate action if there are any concerns about staff and/or patient safety to more senior Physiotherapy staff.
• 18. Represent the Physiotherapy service in meetings with other professionals, accurately contributing and reporting back relevant information to their line manager.
• 19. Promote and develop links with key personnel in other organisations, including the voluntary sector, to facilitate the delivery of appropriate care in a seamless fashion.
• 20. Maintain confidentiality at all times.

Professional Skills

• 21. Adapt communication, treatment, information and advice to meet the needs of individual patients, ranging from vulnerable to well informed.
• 22. Be sensitive to patients’ own cultures, beliefs and emotions, especially when asking them to undress for treatment and during assessments or treatments; obtain consent prior to assessment and treatment.
• 23. Take a holistic view of the patient and their well being, considering all factors and not purely focusing on a specific medical condition, sign or symptom.
• 24. Be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of patients in your care.
• 25. Support and guide non‑qualified staff in both clinical and organisational skills.
• 26. Deputise for more senior physiotherapy staff and delegate duties in a competent and safe way to other members of staff.
• 27. Take a lead for specific projects within your own area of work to enhance patient care and service delivery (e.g. develop patient information leaflets).
• 28. Exhibit and maintain a high personal standard of professional expertise, attitude and behaviour at all times in accordance with Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and local service policies; be an advocate for the profession.
• 29. Be an active member of the MDT, recognising own responsibilities and respecting other team members (both immediate work group and the service as a whole).
• 30. Delegate tasks appropriately to Assistant Practitioners, Therapy Assistants, carers and other professionals considering the complexity of the task and the skills and competence of that person.
• 31. Fully understand systems and procedures in place in your area of work, implementing them to contribute to continuity and smooth running of the service.
• 32. Effectively manage and prioritise own workload within the time available, delegating or arranging cover when required and assisting other staff to prioritise their workload and adjust team plans to accommodate changes in demand.
• 33. Efficiently manage a challenging caseload, demonstrating flexibility with varying levels of staff, varying complexity of patients and fluctuating numbers of patients on the caseload.

Work that wraps around your needs

• Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Benefits

• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
• Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us.
• Season ticket loans are interest‑free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.