Senior Physiotherapist

ESSEX PARTNERSHIP UNIVERSITY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST; Sevenoaks; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Sevenoaks seeks a qualified clinician to deliver rehabilitation and long-term care. The role involves comprehensive assessments, managing complex caseloads, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. Ideal candidates possess a relevant healthcare degree and strong patient-centered care skills. The position includes flexible working hours and extensive benefits, including a generous pension and relocation package.

Benefits

27 days holiday plus bank holidays

Excellent pension scheme

Staff discounts

Relocation package

Interest-free season ticket loans

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Experience in rehabilitation and long-term care.
• Ability to manage complex caseloads effectively.
• Understanding of mental health services.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality clinical care to patients.
• Manage a caseload of patients with complex needs.
• Collaborate with other professionals for holistic care.

Skills

Patient-centred care

Assessment skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Rehabilitation techniques

Education

Relevant degree in healthcare

Tools

Therapeutic equipment

Job description

Overview

To deliver high quality, skilled clinical care to patients providing rehab and long term condition management. To utilise specialist skills and knowledge to undertake comprehensive assessments of patients, analysing information to formulate an accurate intervention. To collaboratively discuss and agree SMART goals and outcomes with patients. To ensure patients understand and consent to treatment plans, using the legal framework as appropriate for patients who do not have consent, working collaboratively with patients, carers and colleagues. Evaluate patient progress, reassessing and reviewing treatment programmes, adjusting as required. Be able to determine the potential for rehabilitation, future care and support needs. To manage a caseload of patients with complex health & social care needs, prioritising own workload and delegating tasks where appropriate. To be able to hand over patients to non‑qualified staff, providing clear treatment plans and reviewing progress appropriately. To assess and clinically justify the provision of equipment to patients. To be responsible for ensuring equipment provided is safe to use and advise the multi‑professional team/family where appropriate. To liaise with GP’s, other professionals and voluntary agencies to deliver patient centred care to a high standard. To manage discharges of patients in a timely manner completing clear discharge summaries explaining interventions, outcomes of therapy and appropriate next steps.

Working for our organisation

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
• We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.
• The community team of West Essex is part of the wider Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care System, supporting out of hospital care for West Essex residents.
• The post holder will be working as part of the integrated community teams with a focus on rehabilitation. This will involve helping patients to engage as independently as possible in activities which enhance their health & wellbeing. Interventions will be carried out within patients own homes, 24 hour care facilities and clinics.
• The post holder will work as part of the integrated team to plan, deliver and evaluate all aspects of the patient treatment process. This at times will include onward referrals to appropriate community based health and social care agencies.

Key Responsibilities – Clinical

• Deliver high quality, skilled clinical care to patients and provide rehabilitation and long term care/conditions management in a variety of community settings.
• Manage a caseload of patients with complex health & social care needs, using evidence based, client‑centred principles to assess, plan, implement & evaluate interventions.
• Utilise specialist skills and knowledge to undertake comprehensive assessments of patients.
• Analyse information gained from assessment to formulate an accurate intervention.
• Collaboratively discuss and agree SMART goals and outcomes for treatment with patients. This may involve negotiation and motivation skills and the need to work sensitively with patients.
• Ensure patients understand and consent to treatment plans. If the patient does not have the capacity to give consent, to work within the legal framework as appropriate.
• Develop collaborative treatment programmes with patients, carers and colleagues, demonstrating client‑centred practice and specialist problem‑solving techniques.
• Evaluate patient progress, reassess and review treatment programmes as required, determining the potential for rehabilitation and future care and support needs.
• Plan and prioritise own workload and delegate tasks where appropriate to ensure effective use of time.
• Facilitate the safe transfer of patients using approved moving and handling techniques and equipment.
• Assess and clinically justify the provision of equipment to patients. Ensure equipment provided is safe to use and advise the multi‑professional team/family where appropriate.
• Identify and undertake risk assessments of patients and environments during each intervention.
• Liaise with GP’s, other professionals and voluntary agencies to deliver patient centred care to a high standard.
• Be able to hand over patients to non‑qualified staff, providing a clear treatment plan and reviewing progress of this at appropriate and regular intervals.
• Be able to manage discharges of patients in a timely manner in agreement with patient, carers and families. Complete clear discharge summaries explaining interventions, outcomes of therapy and appropriate next steps.
• Use verbal, non‑verbal and written communication skills to ensure that patients and carers have an understanding of their condition and aims of therapy input.
• Adapt communication techniques according to individual needs of patients (e.g., learning disability, sensory problems, neurological difficulties or non‑English speaking).
• Communicate effectively with the multidisciplinary team where required.
• Escalate concerns to senior staff in a timely manner, if there are concerns regarding patient safety and/or staff. Complete DATIX forms, safeguarding referrals in line with Trust policy.
• Represent the therapy service in meetings with the aim of actively contributing and reporting back relevant information.
• Maintain accurate clinical records in accordance with professional and trust standards.
• Produce timely and accurate electronic patient records and reports in accordance with governing body regulations.

Professional Skills

• Adapt intervention to meet the needs of the individual patients.
• Take a holistic view of patients and their wellbeing, providing a patient‑centred approach to their care. Sensitive to patients' cultures, beliefs and emotions.
• Be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work including the management of patients in your care.
• Participate or take a lead for specific projects within your area of work to enhance patient care and service delivery.
• Supervise and support junior staff, assistants and students with guidance from line manager when needed. Use formal and informal supervision along with appraisals.
• Effectively manage own workload within working hours, completing clinical and non‑clinical tasks.
• Actively participate in Continuous Professional Development and maintain a portfolio recording learning outcomes.
• Take an active part in the therapy in‑service training programme, helping to deliver the training as required.
• Ongoing evaluation of own work and current practices through evidence‑based practice. Participate in audits and implementation of outcome measures for service development.
• Demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management.
• Deputise in the absence of therapy leads. Work on a flexible basis across localities to cover service needs.
• Delegate tasks appropriately to assistants, carers and other professionals.
• Demonstrate awareness of Trust wide and local policies and procedures.
• Understand national guidelines and legislation relating to health and social care and their impact on service provision.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times, consistent with Trust policy.
• Maintain appropriate and up‑to‑date knowledge and skills by undertaking training for professional development.
• Identify learning needs and provide training and mentoring to support team members, students and health care professionals.
• Provide clinical support to colleagues as required.
• Participate in annual appraisal and maintain a personal development plan.
• Participate in service development to ensure innovative practice and maintenance of standards.
• Complete mandatory training in line with Trust policy and procedures.

Working Hours and Conditions

Work collaboratively with key partner organisations, service users, carers, clinicians and other practitioners within the multidisciplinary team. Provide a 7‑day a week, 24‑hour a day service for 365 days a year, working shifts where appropriate and operationally required. Must hold a full driving licence and have access to a car for work. Will be required to be a lone worker and manage an independent caseload with regular supervision.

Legal and EEO Statements

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer. We particularly welcome applications from people with experience of using mental health services. We also hold the Disability two tick symbol and have made the pledge to employ more people with learning disabilities. If you require this application form in another format (e.g., braille or audio tape) please contact the Recruitment Department on 01375 364513 or email [email protected]. The Trust has the right to expire vacancies prior to the closing date. The Trust makes every attempt to contact all applicants and we strongly advise that you check the email account which is registered with NHS Jobs regularly. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expect all staff to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to robust safer recruitment processes.

Benefits and Additional Information

• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
• Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of 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.
• Work bank: supplement income and develop skills by working bank shifts.
• Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.

Additional Notes

As a newly appointed employee, you are responsible for incurring the cost of your initial DBS check relevant to your post; the amount will be deducted from your first salary with the Trust. If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Recently the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021 require any person directly employed to work in a care home or required as part of their role to be deployed to a CQC registered care home to have had both COVID vaccinations, unless exempt. Staff who are formally at risk within the organisation will be given priority in securing alternative employment. Should it come to light that a post being advertised by the Trust is considered suitable alternative employment to an individual who is at risk, the recruiting manager will be advised and the post will be withdrawn from NHS Jobs.