Job Description

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a MSK Physiotherapist in West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust to join the Outpatient Physiotherapy Department at West Hertfordshire Therapy Unit. You will be responsible for providing highly specialised assessment and treatment for patients with complex musculoskeletal needs, offering expert advice, guidance and information to patients, carers, relatives and healthcare professionals. You will take a lead role in delivering advanced physiotherapy care, managing diverse and complex patient presentations, working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to support clinical diagnosis, and independently planning and delivering appropriate treatment. You will also be responsible for maintaining accurate clinical records, acting as a specialist resource for physiotherapy staff and other healthcare professionals, and planning, coordinating and evaluating the physiotherapy service in collaboration with the Therapy Services General Manager and Therapy Team Leads.

Main duties of the job

As an MSK Physiotherapist, you will be responsible for supervising, appraising and supporting the professional development of junior physiotherapy staff within the clinical team. You will be managing a substantial clinical caseload, applying your specialist theoretical knowledge and practical experience to maintain high professional standards. You will also be responsible for supervising, educating and assessing physiotherapy students, working closely with universities to ensure clinical teaching and assessments meet graduate-level qualification standards. Additionally, you will be leading evidence-based audits and research projects to identify opportunities for improvement, recommending changes to the clinical lead or service manager, and supporting the implementation of revised working practices and service protocols. You will also be expected to participate in a seven-day working rota, if introduced and required by the department.

About us

Here at NHS Professionals, we run England's largest NHS staff bank and are experts at putting people in places to care. Every year we help thousands of dedicated and highly skilled NHS workers enjoy better career opportunities, more flexible shifts, and a healthier work-life balance across our partnered Trusts.

Career Progression access to Learning & Development opportunities, so that you can take on new roles and challenges

Work-life Balance flexible shifts, committed shifts, wellbeing resources and build paid annual leave

Opportunity & Access over 50 partner NHS Trusts to give you the flexibility of choice to work how and where you want

Job Roles & Responsibilities

• To communicate sensitive and highly complex information using appropriate verbal and non-verbal techniques, ensuring patients understand their condition and available support options. To adapt communication approaches to overcome language, cultural, cognitive, sensory and emotional barriers, while maintaining confidentiality and respecting individual needs.
• To obtain informed consent and use appropriate persuasion, motivation and explanation techniques when engaging with patients experiencing bereavement, anxiety, fear, pain or loss of independence. To involve relatives and carers in discussions about patient progress and future care arrangements where appropriate.
• To organise and prioritise daily clinical activities in response to changing service demands, ensuring effective use of available time, facilities and resources. To delegate appropriate tasks, accept delegated responsibilities and adjust work schedules to accommodate urgent requirements and departmental priorities.
• To develop individualised discharge arrangements by establishing realistic patient goals, evaluating progress against agreed outcomes and identifying suitable ongoing support requirements. To provide patients, relatives, carers and relevant professionals with practical instructions to encourage continuity of care following discharge.
• To ensure a safe clinical environment by following health and safety procedures, checking the suitability of equipment and patient appliances, and reporting accidents, hazards or incidents promptly. To apply clinical governance and risk management principles consistently and contribute to maintaining compliance with organisational policies and professional standards.
• To maintain comprehensive patient records and manage clinical information using relevant information technology in accordance with Trust requirements. To participate in staff meetings, journal clubs, clinical networks and professional learning activities, sharing relevant developments and supporting the continued improvement of departmental practice.

Person Specification & Qualification

• Physiotherapy degree qualification and full HCPC registration.
• Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy or equivalent.
• Documented CPD with specialist MSK skills and knowledge.
• Senior-level NHS experience in orthopaedic and MSK physiotherapy.
• Experience in post-operative outpatient rehabilitation, with Cerner EPR knowledge desirable.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

NHS Professionals Limited

Location

West Hertfordshire Therapy Unit, Jacketts Field,
ABBOTS LANGLEY, Hertfordshire, WD5 0PA, United Kingdom