An exciting opportunity is available for a proactive, dynamic, and inspiring Band 6 Physiotherapist to join the Rapid Response Service in Somerset.

The Rapid Response Service encompasses four primary work streams, providing a diverse and rewarding daily experience, including:

Hospital avoidance and diversion: Treating patients in their own homes, employing a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) approach for all Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). This supports acutely unwell patients who prefer to remain at home.

Urgent community response (UCR): Encompassing nine pillars such as falls, carer breakdown, urgent equipment, frailty, End of Life (EOL), reduced mobility, confusion, urgent catheter, and diabetes. Over the past year, significant steps have been taken to enhance the capacity and responsiveness of existing UCR services, aligning with the national rollout of the two-hour standard. Somerset FT is mandated to provide a UCR service from 8 am to 8 pm, seven days a week across the system.

RRS support for end-of-life patients: Assisting patients who have deteriorated within the community or wish to return home for their final moments in a chosen environment.

Supporting intermediate care services: Collaborating with initiatives like Discharge to Assess (D2A) for patients with short-term reablement needs at home. Additionally, providing support to the hospital-at-home team with more complex patients in the community, aiming to prevent hospital admissions whenever possible.

Main duties of the job

The primary goal of the Rapid Response Service (RRS) team is to enable patients to remain at home, recover, reintegrate into essential aspects of their lives, and prevent admissions to acute healthcare sectors.

In your role, you will apply your skills to assess and clinically manage patients identified for RRS intervention, with the aim of averting further clinical deterioration or hospital admissions. Collaborating with colleagues in local neighbourhood teams is crucial for achieving positive outcomes.

Responsibilities include conducting focused therapy assessments to prevent hospital admissions, participating in Urgent Community Response (UCR) activities (covering the nine pillars mentioned, including assisting patients in getting up from the floor using suitable lifting equipment), and facilitating prompt discharges from local Accident and Emergency (A& E) departments. This involves comprehensive treatment planning, risk assessment, and the promotion of independent functioning. A dedication to a person-centred approach, along with the ability to prioritise tasks and work flexibly, is fundamental to the role.

About us

As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.

The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.

There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. You will experience the best of both in Somerset, the countryside and the cosmopolitan - there is truly something for everyone!

Job description

Job responsibilities

Utilise verbal and non-verbal communication tools to obtain valid informed consent, addressing barriers like hearing loss, altered perception, and dysphasia.

Optimise rehabilitation potential by effectively communicating with patients and caregivers, employing persuasion and motivation to encourage adherence to treatment programs.

Function autonomously with self-directed support, adhering to formal supervision as per Trust policy.

Hold professional and legal responsibility for managing patients, including delegation to students and assistants.

Manage clinical risk within the caseload, responding to unpredictable demands, and prioritising patient needs.

Maintain accurate records and statistics using relevant IT systems, understanding service data requirements.

Provide high-standard therapy services, developing individualised treatment programs and goals.

Contribute to projects and professional working groups, supporting educational requirements for students.

Oversee safe use of therapeutic equipment, functioning autonomously in clinical supervision.

Support sickness/absence management, commit to professional development, and maintain clinical professional development.

Drive positive change within the team, demonstrating flexibility in working locations.

Possess a valid driver's license with appropriate insurance for Trust transportation needs.

Person Specification

Essential criteria

Essential

• Car owner and car driver
• HCPC registered as Physiotherapist
• Extensive experience in community
• Experience of working with frail and elderly population and providing rehabilitation
• Supervision and appraisal experience
• Evidence of advanced clinical reasoning
• Diploma / degree in Physiotherapy

Desirable

• Membership of CSP
• Service development experience

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

South Petherton Hospital

Bernard Way

South Petherton

TA135EF

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

184-CM5275210-B