Therapy Service

Senior Therapist - Enhanced Supportive Care (Palliative Care)

Band 6

37.5 hours - Substantive

We are seeking a motivated and compassionate Therapist to work as part of our Enhanced Supportive Care (ESC) team. We are looking to recruit a Physiotherapist/Occupational Therapist with appropriate experience working with patients with palliative diagnoses. The post holder will be required to provide integrated therapy skills as part of their assessments.

Main duties of the job

The ESC service forms part of the Specialist Palliative Care Team and the post holder will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing therapeutic interventions including assessment, rehabilitation and palliative care to Gloucestershire ESC patients. The post holder will be involved in audit and evaluation of the service in a role that supports the integration of therapies into the ESC cancer patient pathway. Clinical supervision will be provided by the Clinical Lead Therapist for Oncology.

This role requires significant lone working and assessing patients within an outpatient setting, their home environment or via virtual platforms. The post holder must have the ability to drive and have access to their own vehicle.

About us

The Therapy service provides Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy to inpatients and outpatients at Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General Hospitals.

We are an integrated service providing patient centred care. Our mission is to 'enable people to maximise their potential to live well'

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

To provide therapeutic interventions including assessment and regular reviews and treatment interventions including but not exclusive to cognition, fatigue, personal identity, activities of daily living, reduced physical function, managing a deteriorating condition and palliation.

To demonstrate competence in office skills, data management, preparing and delivering educational material, liaison and skilled communication with a wide range of healthcare staff and patients.

To provide clinical interventions with patients and joint assessment in collaboration with community services.

To provide advice and guidance for oncology patients with an incurable cancer diagnosis.

To assume responsibility for personal development and supporting the development and supervision of others by CPD (continuing professional development), linked to appraisal.

To support evaluation and service development in the clinical area in line with national and local drivers.

DIMENSIONS

The post holder assumes responsibility for the day to day management of the clinical area, in the absence of the Clinical Specialist.

The post holder is supervised by a named therapist, who may not be present at all times. Clinical and professional supervision is in the form of regular clinical reasoning sessions, observed practice, peer review and formal training.

The post holder will link with the Band 7 Clinical Lead Therapist (Oncology) to support the use of resources within budget. The level of managerial responsibility involves the supervision and appraisal of junior therapists, support workers and undergraduates, with the support of the Band 7.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy.
• Be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.
• Relevant post graduate experience with individuals who have an incurable cancer.
• Completed or working towards completion of relevant post graduate training or equivalent experience demonstrated through Continued Professional Development.
• Specialist clinical reasoning, critical thinking, reflection and analytical skills, to be able to work independently.
• Specialist assessment and rehabilitation skills, particularly in relation to managing an incurable cancer and palliative care.
• Skills in training others including therapy staff and other professionals in the hospital and community.
• Experience of providing education and supervision to students in this specialist area.
• Advanced communication skills or willingness to complete a relevant course.
• The job requires a high level of organisational skills and flexibility to respond to the multiple and wide ranging demands.
• An ability to prioritise, time manage and work to deadlines is crucial.
• Ability and willingness to travel to other sites, including patients homes as required.
• Access to own car for community visits.
• Excellent social skills are essential.
• The post holder must be able to work autonomously, show initiative and work equally effectively in a team.
• Positive interpersonal skills to be able to communicate appropriately with staff, carers and patients.
• Competent IT skills.
• The post holder should have sound judgement, good analytical skills, and be proactive in seeking clarification on tasks when required.
• The post holder must be able to disseminate information to a wide range of audiences (including both lay and professional) and assist in the teaching and training of others.

See full Job Description for further details

Person Specification

Qualifications / Experience

Essential

• Degree/ diploma in Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy.
• Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.
• Experience of working in the UK, NHS with patients with palliative diagnoses
• Experience of supervising, appraising and providing education/training to others.
• Relevant post-graduate training demonstrated through CPD.
• Deliver a high level of skill in assessment and management of patients with a palliative diagnosis, from individuals who are newly diagnosed to individuals approaching end of life.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills, verbal, non-verbal and written when interacting with patients/carers, other team members and the multidisciplinary team (MDT).
• Knowledge of and ability to apply and utilise evidence based practice, including National guidelines to deliver, evaluate and audit the service.
• Demonstrate the ability to network with other professionals and set up close working relations.
• Work flexibly in response to the changing demands of the service and manage changes in service delivery in self and others.
• Work effectively as a team member within the multidisciplinary team.
• Work and maintain judgement under pressure whilst working with an emotionally difficult caseload.
• Have an understanding of the principles of Occupational Therapy as well as Physiotherapy in order to contribute to the development of an integrated therapy service.
• Evidence of continued CPD, including evidence of reflective practice and utilisation of best practice.
• Drive a Trust owned or privately owned vehicle

Desirable

• Experience in providing education and training/supervision for under- and post-graduate students and other healthcare professionals in this clinical area.

Employer details

Employer name

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cheltenham General Hospital

Cheltenham

GL53 7AN

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

318-23-T0050-C