We are pleased to be able to offer this exciting opportunity to join our experienced Neuro Physiotherapy department as part of the Band 6 neurological rotations, in this fixed term position.

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic physiotherapist with a broad range of neuro experience.

Main duties of the job

This role encompasses neuro specialist rotations across Denmark hill and south sites including acute neurosciences, neuro community, stroke, neuro outliers, neuro rehabilitation (level 1 and 2) and neuro outpatients.

The large Therapy Department, at Kings, has over 250 therapists from Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language Therapy professions. The department has instilled traditions of supporting learning and development, which ensures all staff are given opportunities to develop the skills and knowledge to further their careers.

There is a well-established in-service education programme within the Neuro Physiotherapy department, access to a selection of internal courses and comprehensive library and computer facilities on site.

Students are regularly on placement from the local universities.

Applicants should have HCPC registration and be able to demonstrate experience in neurological physiotherapy, including competent respiratory skills. You should have evidence of acute neurological and rehabilitation skills, as well as experience of discharge planning within the NHS.

NB: Please note there is a word limit of 1000 words for your supporting statement

About us

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c�1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Job description

Job responsibilities

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CLINICAL AND PROFESSIONAL

Patient Care

• To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work including management of clinical risk, knowledge of indications and precautions of chosen techniques in line with national and trust clinical guidelines, protocols and pathways where they exist.
• To receive referrals, undertake comprehensive assessments and independently plan individual specialised treatment programmes for patients appropriately depending on the diagnosis, using clinical reasoning and integrating specialist neuro physiotherapist skills
• To use recognised outcome measures to evaluate the effect of the physiotherapy interventions and to ensure the treatment programmes are progressing appropriately.
• To carry a designated clinical caseload including complex patients and prioritise efficiently taking into account clinical and service priorities using specialist knowledge to underpin decisions
• To provide individual patient equipment as required such as walking aids and work collaboratively with Orthotic services to provide splints and supports. To issue such equipment with due regard to safety of the equipment, and in line with legal, national and local guidelines
• To be responsible for the standard of physiotherapy carried out by rehabilitation/physiotherapy assistants or technical instructors working with you.
• To undertake home visits when appropriate, to ensure planned discharge from hospital/rehabilitation unit.
• Advise, guide and teach Band 5 staff and students in the assessment and management of patients and other aspects of clinical practice.
• On the appropriate rotations to independently assess patients in a neuro outpatient clinic, run group/class work and community fitness programs, working without direct supervision, including management of the waiting list.
• To be an active member of the on-call, enhanced weekend duty rotas on stroke and neurosciences rotations, and cover of statutory and public holidays including working as lone physiotherapy practitioner at night.
• Undertake other clinical duties as requested by the Clinical Lead Physiotherapist or Physiotherapy Manager.

Communication

• To consult appropriately with senior specialist staff regarding patients with particular problems.
• Provide patients, families and other carers with specialist advice or instruction to promote the understanding of the aims of physiotherapy and to ensure consistent patient management and manage expectations.
• To communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise rehabilitation potential and to improve understanding of their/the condition To facilitate the best possible communication outcomes working collaboratively with interpretation services and multidisciplinary colleagues where necessary
• To be able to persuade and motivate patients through effective communication skills.
• To provide and receive information from patients, carers and other professionals regarding a patients condition and treatment progress. This may include the sharing and receiving of complex and/or sensitive information.
• Develop and maintain close working relationships with physiotherapy colleagues, referring clinicians, other members of the multidisciplinary team and other appropriate persons or agencies involved in the provision of care to these groups of patients in the community and hospital settings to provide a coordinated service.
• To attend family meetings and ward rounds to ensure that the physiotherapeutic management of patients is integrated into the individual patient treatment plan and that other members of the MDT know the progress of the patient.
• Provide education using specialist knowledge to relevant patient groups

MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

Information Management

• To maintain comprehensive, accurate and timely patient notes and records in accordance with departmental policy and to ensure the safekeeping and confidentiality of these records.
• To keep comprehensive records of activity in accordance with local and national requirements, using departmental software systems as required

Human Resources Management

• To participate in the Kings College Hospital Employee Performance Appraisal system and to fulfil its requirements, progressing to undertaking independent appraisals of Band 5 staff and physiotherapy/rehabilitation assistants.
• To organise and monitor the day to day work of the physiotherapy/rehabilitation assistants and porter where allocated.
• To deputise for the Band 7 physiotherapist when appropriate and adapt to changing service demands.
• To participate in the supervision and teaching of Band 5 physiotherapy staff, students and assistants, progressing to independent supervision, management and competency assessment of a student.
• To be an active team member by supporting other members, offering assistance, being flexible and approachable particularly during changing service demands and staffing levels.

Physical Resources

• To ensure that work areas are kept clean, safe and tidy and to be responsible for regular inspection and reporting defects of equipment used and report to the Clinical Lead Physiotherapist.
• To be aware of the cost/benefit implications in the selection of appropriate equipment to be provided for patient long-term use.

Service Development

• To identify opportunities to improve the service and to discuss them with Team Leads and Clinical Lead Physiotherapists and take forward as personal project where appropriate.

• To demonstrate a knowledge of Clinical Governance and have an active role in clinical effectiveness and audit programmes in order to develop and improve services.

TRAINING, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

• To provide teaching, guidance and advice when appropriate to nursing staff and other professionals involved with the post-holders patient groups.
• To undertake in-service and post-graduate training to improve patient care and for professional development
• Keep abreast of current development in physiotherapy generally and specifically in the area of neurological physiotherapy, and incorporate into current practice and disseminate to other members of staff, following discussion with the Clinical Lead.
• To contribute to the in-service training programme for the neuro physiotherapy staff, including teaching on it.
• To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities, using reflective practice and maintain a portfolio that indicates personal development.
• To be involved in research and evaluation of practice as opportunities arise and following discussion with the Clinical Lead Physiotherapist
• To participate in education programmes for schools, community groups and other visitors to Kings College Hospital
• To prepare and present a research/audit or development project / in-depth study for each rotation which contributes to service development, own personal knowledge and professional development, presenting the project to the department at the end of the rotation.

Person Specification

Knowledge Skill and Experience

Essential

• Demonstrates a broad knowledge of neuro conditions in the acute setting
• Has experience of utilising a range of neuro physiotherapy interventions
• Has experience of assessing and treating patients in the critical care setting
• Has experience of discharge planning within the NHS setting

Desirable

• Demonstrates specialist interest in neurology such as course, project.
• Has experience of assessing and treating neurological patients with respiratory compromise

Communication skills

Essential

• Demonstrates experience of working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
• Able to communicate effectively with professionals and patients alike

Planning and Organisation

Essential

• Demonstrates prioritisation and delegation to effectively manage own busy caseload

Employer details

Employer name

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

King's College Hospital

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 9RS

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

213-DH-7523