Respiratory Physiotherapist

Sussexcommunity; Horsham; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Part time

Job summary

A part-time Respiratory Physiotherapist is sought to join a supportive team in Horsham. This role involves providing specialist respiratory services, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and engaging in professional development. The position emphasizes compassionate care and aims to improve patient outcomes through education and support.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Excellent training and development opportunities

Cost-effective workplace nurseries

Qualifications

• Over 2 years in a similar setting.
• Significant, broad postgraduate experience.

Responsibilities

• Assess and treat caseloads autonomously.
• Support primary and secondary care staff in caring for patients.
• Participate in MDT meetings and provide patient-centered care.

Skills

Strong clinical knowledge

Effective communication

Time management

Holistic approach

Flexible team player

Education

Degree/Diploma in Physiotherapy

Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council

Job description

We're looking for a part-time Respiratory Physiotherapist to join our Community Respiratory Service.

You will join a well-established and supportive team of multidisciplinary practitioners, clinically led by a respiratory nurse, with input from secondary care consultants and healthcare professionals.

The COPD service operates five days a week, from 08:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday. It aims to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions, improve self-management of chronic lung conditions through education and support, and maintain close liaison with the wider health and social care community. Services include pulmonary rehabilitation and oxygen assessment.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Physiotherapist with the right approach and a flexible, 'can-do' attitude.

Car driver with a car available for work is essential. The post is based at Horsham Hospital.

Main Duties of the Job

1. Assess and treat caseloads autonomously, providing specialist respiratory services to patients in their homes or clinics, including post-hospital discharge and long-term self-management, as well as in Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Oxygen services.
2. Be an active member of the multidisciplinary team, assessing and treating patients with complex respiratory needs and maintaining accurate patient records.
3. Identify measures to stabilize patient status and reduce hospital admissions.
4. Participate in the delivery of Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Oxygen services, including exercise testing, prescription, progression, and education.
5. Support the line manager in managing the Respiratory community services, including supervising junior staff.
6. Engage in ongoing professional development and service development with the team lead, consultants, and therapy leads.
7. Participate in MDT meetings and provide empathetic, patient-centered care, working with multiple agencies across the spectrum of respiratory patients.
8. Collaborate with Palliative Care to ensure quality end-of-life care plans and discussions.

About Us

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to help manage health, prevent hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.

Our vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community, offering opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.

Why Work for Us?

• Positive NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing.
• Varied environments including community hospitals, patients' homes, and bases across Sussex.
• Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualized hours, and flexi-retirement.
• Excellent training, development, and research opportunities.
• Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton.
• Active networks for EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief.
• Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust.
• Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast.

Our Values: Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence guide everything we do.

We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.

This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.

Job Responsibilities

1. Support primary and secondary care staff in caring for patients with chronic respiratory disease, facilitating early discharge and alternatives to admission.
2. Use advanced specialist skills to assess physical and psychosocial needs, including acutely unwell adults, and initiate appropriate care plans.
3. Plan treatment goals with patients and carers, leading and participating in meetings and case conferences.
4. Communicate effectively with patients, relatives, carers, and MDT members to ensure high-quality, patient-centered care.
5. Work inclusively, embracing diversity with colleagues and patients.
6. Understand and apply relevant clinical guidance, including completing oxygen assessments and prescriptions following training.
7. Support Pulmonary Rehabilitation programs, including assessments and outcome measures.
8. Assist with outpatient clinics and manage caseloads effectively, prioritizing clinical work.
9. Participate in cross-professional training opportunities.
10. Communicate service access and organization clearly to patients and carers.
11. Maintain CPD and participate in supervision.
12. Assist senior clinicians and the Clinical Lead to ensure continuity of care and deputize when needed.
13. Contribute to policy, protocol, and care pathway development based on evidence-based guidelines.
14. Respond flexibly to emerging healthcare challenges, such as Covid-19.
15. Engage in quality improvement projects and develop leadership skills.
16. Attend and contribute to MDT meetings, sometimes leading sessions.
17. Report and record incidents, accidents, or complaints following procedures.
18. Seek guidance, supervision, and coaching as appropriate.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree/Diploma in Physiotherapy
• Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council
• Up-to-date professional development portfolio

Experience

• Significant, broad postgraduate experience
• Experience working in a multidisciplinary environment
• Understanding of service development
• Experience with respiratory patients
• Over 2 years in a similar setting
• Experience supervising others
• Experience working in an integrated healthcare environment

Skills and Knowledge

• Strong clinical knowledge
• Holistic approach to patient needs
• Ability to evaluate own skills and interventions
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Caseload and time management skills
• Flexible team player
• Extensive knowledge of pulmonary rehabilitation

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A disclosure check will be required.

Salary: £37,338 to £44,962 per annum, pro-rata.