Principal Physiotherapist

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 06 May 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the physiotherapy service as part of the Neurosciences team at St George's Hospital in the role of

The Vestibular Operational Lead will be responsible for the professional leadership, line management and development of the outpatient vestibular and neurology outpatient service, providing a direct link for the professionals within the Audiological Medicine department ensuring delivery of safe, effective, and efficient care.

We are looking for an organised and enthusiastic physiotherapist with excellent clinical leadership in the assessment and management of adults with neurological and vestibular disorders. With your job share partner, you will lead the Neurology & Vestibular Outpatient team. The post holder will have a clinical caseload where you will operate at an advanced level of clinical practice, with clinical skills to assess, diagnose, and manage complex vestibular problems and undifferentiated balance conditions. You will be responsible for the operational management of the physiotherapy team, in conjunction with the Audiovestibular Medicine Department and Neurology Physiotherapy teams, ensuring delivery of high quality patient centred care.

Main duties of the job

  • Responsible for the operational management of the neurosciences physiotherapy service of St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in conjunction with the General Manager for Therapies/Critical Care and Therapy Lead for Neurosciences, including recruitment, implementation of comprehensive training and continuing professional development plans for all neuro physiotherapy staff within designated area.
  • Responsible for the clinical leadership of the neurosciences physiotherapy service at St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Uses expert clinical reasoning to provide highly specialist support and advice to the physiotherapy and other clinical staff within and outside the organisation whilst maintaining a clinical caseload of highly complex patients as an autonomous practitioner.
  • Provides expert opinion to managers, which supports the strategic direction of the physiotherapy service across the whole organisation utilising the principles of clinical governance, evidence based practice and quality assurance.
  • Identifies clinical research, audit and data collection priorities within area of expertise to drive departmental and neurosciences service clinical development strategies

About us

The post holder is expected to have a clear understanding of how this post contributes to the achievement of the trust vision of:

A thriving Foundation Trust at the heart of an integrated healthcare system. One that delivers improved patient care at a community, hospital and specialist setting, supported by a unique and nationally recognised programme of research, education and employee engagement.

We expect all our staff to share the values that are important to the Trust, being Excellent, Kind, Responsible & Respectful, and behave in a way that reflects these.

If you have the motivation, enthusiasm and desire to develop your clinical, leadership and managerial skills plus the ability to work well and flexibly within a team, we would welcome your application for this post.

Date posted

23 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£61,927 to £68,676 a year pro-rata, per annum, Inclusive of HCAS (inner)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

200-NN-712849-AHP-MK

Job locations

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust London

Blackshaw road

London

SW17 0QT


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the supporting document attached, ensuring that any application refers to supporting documents and person specification

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the supporting document attached, ensuring that any application refers to supporting documents and person specification

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree/ Diploma in Physiotherapy
  • State Registration
  • Working at masters level as demonstrated by ongoing CPD including masters level accreditation, lecturing on masters level courses and research/ publications
  • Post registration training in evidence-based neuro physiotherapy e.g. motor control, motor learning, orthotics, patient management, handling and facilitation skills.
  • Commitment to advanced clinical and professional development
  • Member of SIG

Desirable

  • Recognised post graduate qualification e.g. MSc
  • Member of relevant appropriate multi professional group.

Experience

Essential

  • Minimum 6 years post registration experience
  • Minimum of 1 year's NHS experience (can include undergraduate experience).
  • Minimum 3 years at Senior 1 level experience working in neuro-rehabilitation/ neuro-services environment
  • Highly specialist knowledge and experience in a wide range of approaches to the management of neuro-rehabilitation patients demonstrated by advanced clinical reasoning
  • Evidence of team leadership skills including staff and student management, supervision and teaching.
  • Experience of working within a multidisciplinary/ interdisciplinary team.
  • Clear understanding of other disciplines roles and expectations.
  • Evidence of continued professional development reviewing current practice and research developments and their application to clinical practice
  • Robust understanding of all aspects of Clinical Governance including previous experience of quality, audit and risk management
  • Previous experience of formal presentations to multi professional groups.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the role of physiotherapy within the current evolving health environment.
  • Experience of developing services Professional

Desirable

  • Previous experience as Band 8a in a teaching hospital environment
  • Actively involved in teaching to the multidisciplinary team as well as evaluating and auditing the effectiveness of the training.
  • Experience of research methodology.

Professional Presentation

Essential

  • Physically fit and able to comply with Trust Manual Handling Guidelines
  • Professional demeanour

Skills/Abilities

Essential

  • Expert advanced clinical practitioner.
  • Exceptional team building and team working skills
  • Able to work independently
  • Excellent time management and organisational skills
  • Able to present information, written and orally in a clear and logical fashion.
  • Ability to keep legible and accurate records in English using POMR format.
  • Ability to comprehend and work within the Trust's policies including data protection, equal opportunities and Health and Safety to meet the differing needs of the patient.
  • Proven clinical leadership ability.
  • Able to recognise in yourself and individuals work related stress and pressures.
  • Confidence in teaching multidisciplinary staff groups.
  • Conduct professional affairs in a confident and assertive manner.
  • Excellent presentation skills
  • Ability to exert moderate to intense physical effort for frequent period of up to 40 minutes at a time throughout the working day.
  • Able to carry out concurrent activities (multi- tasking) and working in an unpredictable working pattern.
  • Ability to frequently cope with working in a stressful environment and with intense concentration for periods of up to 40 minutes at a time throughout the day.
  • Ability to cope with daily exposure to highly unpleasant working conditions (i.e. sputum, bodily fluids, fleas, incontinence, verbal abuse, etc.)

Desirable

  • Competent IT skills
  • Experience of service development
  • To have presented research at conferences.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree/ Diploma in Physiotherapy
  • State Registration
  • Working at masters level as demonstrated by ongoing CPD including masters level accreditation, lecturing on masters level courses and research/ publications
  • Post registration training in evidence-based neuro physiotherapy e.g. motor control, motor learning, orthotics, patient management, handling and facilitation skills.
  • Commitment to advanced clinical and professional development
  • Member of SIG

Desirable

  • Recognised post graduate qualification e.g. MSc
  • Member of relevant appropriate multi professional group.

Experience

Essential

  • Minimum 6 years post registration experience
  • Minimum of 1 year's NHS experience (can include undergraduate experience).
  • Minimum 3 years at Senior 1 level experience working in neuro-rehabilitation/ neuro-services environment
  • Highly specialist knowledge and experience in a wide range of approaches to the management of neuro-rehabilitation patients demonstrated by advanced clinical reasoning
  • Evidence of team leadership skills including staff and student management, supervision and teaching.
  • Experience of working within a multidisciplinary/ interdisciplinary team.
  • Clear understanding of other disciplines roles and expectations.
  • Evidence of continued professional development reviewing current practice and research developments and their application to clinical practice
  • Robust understanding of all aspects of Clinical Governance including previous experience of quality, audit and risk management
  • Previous experience of formal presentations to multi professional groups.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the role of physiotherapy within the current evolving health environment.
  • Experience of developing services Professional

Desirable

  • Previous experience as Band 8a in a teaching hospital environment
  • Actively involved in teaching to the multidisciplinary team as well as evaluating and auditing the effectiveness of the training.
  • Experience of research methodology.

Professional Presentation

Essential

  • Physically fit and able to comply with Trust Manual Handling Guidelines
  • Professional demeanour

Skills/Abilities

Essential

  • Expert advanced clinical practitioner.
  • Exceptional team building and team working skills
  • Able to work independently
  • Excellent time management and organisational skills
  • Able to present information, written and orally in a clear and logical fashion.
  • Ability to keep legible and accurate records in English using POMR format.
  • Ability to comprehend and work within the Trust's policies including data protection, equal opportunities and Health and Safety to meet the differing needs of the patient.
  • Proven clinical leadership ability.
  • Able to recognise in yourself and individuals work related stress and pressures.
  • Confidence in teaching multidisciplinary staff groups.
  • Conduct professional affairs in a confident and assertive manner.
  • Excellent presentation skills
  • Ability to exert moderate to intense physical effort for frequent period of up to 40 minutes at a time throughout the working day.
  • Able to carry out concurrent activities (multi- tasking) and working in an unpredictable working pattern.
  • Ability to frequently cope with working in a stressful environment and with intense concentration for periods of up to 40 minutes at a time throughout the day.
  • Ability to cope with daily exposure to highly unpleasant working conditions (i.e. sputum, bodily fluids, fleas, incontinence, verbal abuse, etc.)

Desirable

  • Competent IT skills
  • Experience of service development
  • To have presented research at conferences.

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).

Additional information

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

Employer name

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust London

Blackshaw road

London

SW17 0QT


Employer's website

https://www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust London

Blackshaw road

London

SW17 0QT


Employer's website

https://www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

Principal Physiotherapist

David Herdman

David.Herdman@stgeorges.nhs.uk

02087253013

Date posted

23 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£61,927 to £68,676 a year pro-rata, per annum, Inclusive of HCAS (inner)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

200-NN-712849-AHP-MK

Job locations

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust London

Blackshaw road

London

SW17 0QT


Supporting documents

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