Specialist Physiotherapist, Rheumatology

This role would be suitable for a Band 7 Specialist Physiotherapist or a Senior Band 6 physiotherapist interested in developing enhanced skills in Rheumatology.

Dorset County Hospital therapy team areactively recruiting for a Highly Specialised Physiotherapist with Skills in Advanced Practice to join our multi-disciplinaryRheumatology team.

As part of the Rheumatology Service, you will be a key part of the multi-disciplinary team including Advanced Practitioners, Nurses, Pharmacist, Matron and Consultants as well as working alongside our wider MSK service and Community Pain Team.

Main duties of the job

The role is focussed on expert assessment and management of potential Rheumatological patients. You will be highly skilled in the assessment and management of this patient group.

You will help develop and influence the design of the service, ensuring you maintain strong relations with the existing service provision within the hospital that is to focus on the management of complex patients.

Whilst undertaking comprehensive assessment and diagnosis of patients with a wide variety of physical and emotional needs, you must formulate, deliver, review and progress individual treatment programmes and ensure effective treatment, specialist advice and timely discharge is achieved.

As a SeniorPhysiotherapistyou will be required to demonstrate leadership skills and be confident to work as an autonomous practitioner. You will be familiar with the assessment of patients with diverse presentations and complex physical, cognitive and psychological health conditions.

You will have the ability to demonstrate advanced clinical and diagnostic skills or a willingness to develop skills in Advanced Practice either through a portfolio route or Advanced Practice apprenticeship.

About us

The Therapies Service at Dorset County Hospital is an integrated Therapies Service working together to ensure that therapies provision is the best that it can be, balancing quality and acute pressures to provide and improve patient centred services.. The team is very supportive and there are lots of opportunities to develop both clinical and non-clinical skills, with access to internal and external courses.

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is a modern District General Hospital offering an excellent working environment. The Therapy department is committed to forging links with the local Universities, engaging with regional and national networks and increasing our involvement in therapy research.

Much of West Dorset is designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty, and the Jurassic coastline is protected by World Heritage status. There are numerous beaches within easy reach, and Portland harbour (host of 2012 Olympic Sailing) promotes a wide range of water sport activities. The area is largely rural, with good rail and road links. The closest airport is situated in Bournemouth.

For the right candidate there will be the opportunity to apply for advance practice modules or the advanced practice apprenticeship.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide high quality person centred care which always considers peoples safety, privacy and dignity using enhanced clinical knowledge that is evidence based in the field of rheumatology taking into account national guidelines.

To undertake independent assessment and oversee the therapy management of service users to incorporate pharmacological considerations, where appropriate, making complex clinical decisions regarding service user management and clinical outcomes.

To provide specialist clinical advice, leadership and support ensuring the needs of the service are met by exercising and demonstrating high levels of clinical judgement, critical analysis and enhanced decision making skills.

To manage change, to monitor and improve standards through supervision, evidence based practice, clinical audit, research, and education. To promote and demonstrate best practice by integrating evidence into practice.

Provide high quality innovative clinical practice. Be proactive in clinical decision making, underpinned by an enhanced level of theoretical and practical knowledge and be able to demonstrate improved patient care outcomes.

Undertake comprehensive specialist holistic assessment of patients and carers where needs are highly complex. This will involve planning, implementing, and evaluating the care delivery according to changing healthcare needs.

To work autonomously using advanced levels of history taking and examination skills within multidisciplinary team, guidelines, and protocols.

Utilise specialist clinical skills in assessment and/or formulation of treatment plan.

Demonstrate a high level of knowledge in relation to pattern of rheumatological disease, markers of condition progression and range of treatment available at each stage of condition.

Able to communicate effectively at different levels of the organisation and with staff, patient/service users, visitors, or external organisations both verbally and in writing in the exchange of highly complex, sensitive, or contentious information which may require the use of negotiating and/or persuasive skills

To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through continuing professional development activities including reflective practice, review of current research and relevant literature, maintenance of a personal portfolio and the attendance of specialist training courses as identified within a personal development plan.

To undertake supervision, performance, and day to day management of therapy staff working within the Rheumatology Service who report to the post holder.

If you are a forward thinking and dynamic therapist looking to further your professional experience then we would like to hear from you.

Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.

Please contact us atRecruitment@dchft.nhs.ukif you are unable to view or download the attachment.

For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.

Person Specification

Education and

Essential

• Diploma/Degree in Physiotherapy
• HCPC registration
• Undertaken a range of relevant postgraduate courses
• Undertaken clinical educators training
• Membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Desirable

• Member of Special Interest Group
• MSc or working at M level or equivalent experience /
• Undertaken appropriate leadership training
• Undertaken Advanced Practice modules
• Non-Medical Prescriber

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Able to demonstrate specialist expertise and knowledge underpinned by theory in relation to clinical assessment, clinical reasoning, treatment and evaluation of complex cases.
• Experience at Registered Practitioner Band 6 level or above
• Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, carers, other health professionals and team.
• Excellent ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Excellent time management skills with ability to organise, prioritise and delegate
• Ability to self direct learning, be critical and evaluate own learning needs, demonstrated in a CPD portfolio
• Demonstrates leadership ability and motivational skills
• IT skills, including using hospital data bases, word processing, excel, email and power point

Desirable

• IT skills - Ability to create and/or format data and/or spreadsheets using computerized systems

Experience

Essential

• Comprehensive post graduate physiotherapy experience including experience of relevant specialist pathway
• Experience of working autonomously and unsupervised
• Experience of having supervised staff who are directly accountable to the post holder
• Experience in completing audit and evidence based projects
• Evidence of actively participating in in-service training and evaluation effectiveness of training
• Experience and ability to work collaboratively within MDT

Desirable

• Previous experience at band 7 level.
• Attended external courses relevant to subject area
• Involvement in research in relevant specialist pathway
• Evidence of leading change management and innovation in clinical practice
• Evidence of presenting to MDT groups, undergraduate and postgraduate staff

Knowledge

Essential

• Specialist knowledge of evidenced based physiotherapy for designated specialist pathway
• Knowledge of national guidelines and standards pertaining to specialist pathway and physiotherapy
• Understanding of clinical governance and it's implication for physiotherapy
• Awareness and understanding of NHS structure, current issues and developments

Other

Essential

• Self motivated with a clear vision of role / commitment to specialty
• Demonstrate professional independence
• Work in a flexible manner and adapt to changing environments

Desirable

• Car driver with own use of transportation.

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset County Hospital

Dorchester

DT1 2JY

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

405-23-AH631PHYS