Senior Respiratory Physiotherapist

Sussexcommunity; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity for a Band 6 physiotherapist within the respiratory team at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospitals. The role involves working with a multidisciplinary team, providing support to junior staff, and engaging in professional development. The Trust offers a supportive environment and a comprehensive benefits package, making it an ideal workplace for those passionate about respiratory care.

Benefits

At least 27 days of annual leave

Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme

Blue Light card eligibility

Qualifications

• Experience in respiratory physiotherapy and multidisciplinary team work.
• Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of an MDT and ensure clinical development.
• Lead a team and support junior staff.

Skills

Communication

Organizational Skills

Clinical Governance Understanding

Stress Management

Education

Diploma / degree in physiotherapy

State registration

Membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our respiratory team for a dynamic and enthusiastic Band 6 physiotherapist. We are looking for an individual with NHS experience and a passion for respiratory and critical care physiotherapy to join a well-established team at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospitals.

You will be an integral part of the team including a Band 8a clinical Lead physiotherapist, Band 7's, static and rotational 6's, rotational 5's and therapy assistant practitioners.

Main duties of the job

1. You will have experience of working as part of an MDT and ensuring the clinical development of yourself and others. You should demonstrate the ability to case manage through an understanding of the full patient pathway.
2. You will be supported by experienced senior staff and will have the opportunity to develop both clinically and managerially, leading a team and/or working with junior staff and students, depending on your level of experience.
3. The department offers a friendly and supportive working environment which actively supports Continuing Professional Development, through an established appraisal system, in-service training and post-graduate library facilities.

About us

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff, we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working?

We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it's adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

• At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits.
• Blue Light card eligibility.
• And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below.

Job responsibilities

We’ve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application demonstrating how you meet these requirements. Also, check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children).

All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date has been agreed.

Following your corporate induction, you will be expected to attend the Trust’s 2-week Induction Programme for RNs, NAs, RMs, ODPs, and Paramedics. The programme is full-time (please email [e-mail] if this is problematic) and involves travel to both Trust sites. The programme includes supernumerary shifts in the clinical area, classroom-based sessions, and e-learning.

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Please note that this role may attract a high volume of applications and may close earlier than the stated deadline. We encourage early application.

Person Specification

Qualification

• Diploma / degree in physiotherapy
• State registration
• Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio, including attendance at recent postgraduate courses relevant to the clinical field.
• Portfolio evidence of information learning.
• Membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
• Involvement in CSP Special Clinical Interest Group.

Skills

• Able to present information, written and orally, in a clear and logical manner.
• Ability to organise, prioritise, and delegate.
• Understanding of clinical governance and its implications for services, including experience of quality issues and audit.
• Ability to comprehend and work within the Trust's policies on data protection, equal opportunities, and health and safety, meeting the differing needs of patients.
• Ability to keep accurate and legible patient notes.
• Able to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and handle concurrent activities.
• Ability to cope with working in a stressful environment and with emotional or challenging patients and carers.
• Contribute to the running of external courses.
• Evidence of participation in research/audit.
• Supervision of other staff, including undergraduate students.
• Committee membership, e.g., Safety Committee.

Experience/Knowledge

• Experience of working as part of a physiotherapy and/or multidisciplinary team.
• Supervision of students or physiotherapy assistants.
• Evidence of working within the respiratory area.
• Stay updated with professional practice and new research.
• Understanding of legal responsibilities of the profession.
• Experience with stroke patients, general rehabilitation, respiratory, musculoskeletal outpatient orthopaedics.
• Knowledge of community physiotherapy and intermediate care services.
• Involvement in audit, research, and understanding of quality issues.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring a Disclosure to be made for any previous criminal convictions.

Respiratory Clinical Lead Physiotherapist

£37,338 to £44,962 per annum (pro-rata)