Static Virtual Fracture Clinic Physiotherapist

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

This job is now closed

Job summary

Looking for something a little different?

Maybe a new challenge or a different aspect and perspective to your current role?

You will get experience of working within the acute management of simple fractures and be welcomed into our small, dynamic, friendly team.

The current service is run by physiotherapists, but is part of the orthopaedics trauma pathway, we work closely with the orthopaedic consultants and the Emergency Department team.

VFC is mainly a triage and advice service that manages simple acute peripheral fractures in adult and children.

We have a daily ward round with one of the orthopaedic consultant and use a digital system called e trauma. We are mainly based at Worthing Hospital but also cover St Richards Hospital and there is some scope for home working. There will at times be a need to attend either site, this is once a fortnight and for example for meetings or to lead teaching sessions.

Patients are almost all managed virtually over the phone and by email, with occasional face to face contact.

Patients are referred to the VFC from the Emergency Department and Minor Injuries Unit. We also receive some referrals from GPs or other hospitals.

Normal working hours are 8.30 - 16.30 Monday to Friday

*Please see attached further information before completing application.

Main duties of the job

As a member of the Virtual Fracture Clinic (VFC) team you will virtually assess, treat, and clinically manage patients with acute musculoskeletal injuries, mainly simple fractures post emergency department review.

Your main role will be within the VFC; you will work with the team to manage and prioritise the clinical caseload, triage and assess patients over the telephone and provide treatment and advice in line with VFC guidelines.

The role includes supervising junior members of staff and students, initiating and participating in evidence-based projects, and contributing to the in-service training programme.

Worthing hospital is currently the base for this job but there you will be expected to work at St Richards hospital approximately once every 2 weeks. You may at times be asked to work at different hospital sites or from home for short periods of time.

About us

Join us at UHSussex, every day is different, you can be the change, better never stops

At UHSussex we're proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK's largest acute Trusts, we're a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Improving lives: We are a vibrant and inclusive organisation, with hardworking, talented and dedicated individuals, who work together towards a common goal, to always put our Patient First. Our mission is summed up by our 'where better never stops' motto and no matter the role at UHSussex, you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

Build a career with us: As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

Date posted

12 March 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£35,392 to £42,618 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

279-6033088-MAR24

Job locations

Worthing Hospital

Lyndhurst Road

Worthing

BN11 2DH

Job description

Job responsibilities

As an autonomous practitioner, to assess and treat a specialist caseload of Orthopaedic patients, who may have complex presentations or complications, without direct supervision from senior staff.
To work alongside Orthopaedic Consultants, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, other members of the VFC team and the wider MDT.
To seek assistance when/where necessary and understand own professional limitations.
To prioritise referrals according to clinical need.
Maintain contemporaneous written and digital records to trust standards of all clinical observations and interventions.
Hold working knowledge of all systems used relating to management of patients. This includes; VFC digital solution (currently Etruama), Careflow, Bluespier, Evolve, Affinity, Sectra and responsibility for learning new systems, as these are developed.
To use advanced clinical reasoning skills to provide specialist support and advice to the A&E team and other professionals / medical staff.
To provide a strong link between emergency, outpatient and inpatient services.
To assess, fit and evaluate orthotic devices including boots, braces, slings etc as required with appropriate training
Select appropriate and individual treatment pathways e.g. onward referral to Physiotherapy, consultant led clinics etc following VFC management guidelines
To work alongside and support Band 7s and team leads in the planning and organisation of the teams activities and programmes.
To be responsible for teaching, supervision and appraisal of recently qualified members of the team and undergraduate students, and be involved in the teaching of MDT staff.
To adhere to Departmental protocols, Trust policies your professional Code of Conduct, and National Standards where they exist.
To actively work to avoid unconscious bias when working with patients and staff.
Committed to delivering patient focused approach and seamless care across professional boundaries, ensuring the safety, effectiveness and efficiency of the service at all times.
To promote and maintain collaborative working with other healthcare professionals and administration staff.
Share responsibility with colleagues for patient and staff safety including maintaining a clean and tidy environment and equipment and liaising with estates and housekeeping where necessary. Communication
To liaise with other Physiotherapists in regard to patient care, and ensure appropriate follow up is arranged.
To be an active member within the multi-disciplinary team and ensure effective communication with other professions both verbally and in writing e.g. medical notes and reports.
To be able to communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, carers and other staff including imparting unwelcome news.
To be able to deliver important clinical information and advice to patients and carers in a class or group setting,
To ensure timely and effective communication with the Physiotherapy Manager and Senior Staff on all professional matters.
To maintain an accurate record keeping system in line with CSP standards and local guidelines.
To attend and be an active participant in speciality, peer group and departmental staff meetings.
To initiate and maintain contacts with local and national clinical interest groups, appropriate to the clinical field.
To be able to motivate others through effective communication skills.
Be aware of the standard information available for patients and use it appropriately.
Use the electronic patient administration and record keeping system.
Respond promptly to telephone enquiries / messages/ e mail received
Use a range of verbal and non-verbal tools to communicate effectively with patients who may have a variety of different communication requirements.
To have effective telephone communication skills, thus enabling the assessing and giving of advice to patients over the telephone in the Virtual Fracture Clinic.
To use effective communication skills to reduce actual or potential conflict situations that may occur with patients, relatives, colleagues etc.
To actively work to avoid unconscious bias when working with patients and staff.
To be aware of, and support service development, to ensure accessibility to patient information and services.
Service Delivery and Improvement
To be responsible for implementing within your clinical practice, the relevant standards and policies, including those applicable to the Trust, and also wider policies and guidelines, for example set by the CSP / NICE etc.
To ensure that as an individual practitioner the post holder advises the Team Lead and Physiotherapy Manager of any changes to the service to ensure quality and effectiveness of care for their patients.
To work with the Physiotherapy team to provide an efficient and effective service.
Be involved in the proposal/development and implementation of departmental policies, pathways, guidelines etc.
To comply with fire, health & safety, universal precautions, infection control measures and all other departmental policies.
To report all complaints/incidents to the immediate senior member of staff and document accordingly.
To be aware of, and support service development, to ensure accessibility to patient information and services.
To engage with local service improvement strategies such as patient first
Actively look for opportunities to improve the service for patients and staff.
To participate in audit and research to help improve and support services.
People Management and Development
To ensure that junior members of the team are informed of developments and changes and that they work to these standards.
To supervise junior Physiotherapists, Physiotherapy technicians, and Physiotherapy students on clinical placements.
To be responsible to and deputise for the team lead in Orthopaedics.
To participate in the Trust Appraisal Scheme both as an appraiser and an appraisee.
To assist in the supervision and development of the junior Physiotherapists on rotation in the clinical area.
To be responsible for the training of students on placement, juniors, technicians and assistants within the clinical area.
To communicate on a regular basis with staff regarding the Trusts objectives, plans and business developments.
To develop objectives for staff and to appraise staff at least once annually. To give staff ongoing support to aid them in achieving their objectives.
To discuss expected outcomes of training and development activity with staff prior to attending training events.
To discuss outcomes with staff after attending training and development activity and to assist staff to transfer, develop and use new skills acquired.
To actively work to avoid unconscious bias and support equitable staff learning and development opportunities.
Patient Care Delivery
To undertake the comprehensive assessment and treatment of patients including those with complex presentations.
To demonstrate the Trust values and attitudes in regard to the management of patients and everyday working with colleagues.
To seek guidance from senior staff as required and to give guidance to more junior staff.
To devise an individualised Physiotherapy management and/or treatment plan, using clinical reasoning skills to utilise a range of treatment options.
To be able to devise and lead specialist Physiotherapy treatments which may include group work, e.g. exercise classes
To work with members of the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure a seamless delivery of care, provide advice and education within this forum, acting as an expert in your own professional field.
To be understand and be aware of health inequalities and suggest and support strategies to eliminate or mitigate these.

Job description

Job responsibilities

As an autonomous practitioner, to assess and treat a specialist caseload of Orthopaedic patients, who may have complex presentations or complications, without direct supervision from senior staff.
To work alongside Orthopaedic Consultants, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, other members of the VFC team and the wider MDT.
To seek assistance when/where necessary and understand own professional limitations.
To prioritise referrals according to clinical need.
Maintain contemporaneous written and digital records to trust standards of all clinical observations and interventions.
Hold working knowledge of all systems used relating to management of patients. This includes; VFC digital solution (currently Etruama), Careflow, Bluespier, Evolve, Affinity, Sectra and responsibility for learning new systems, as these are developed.
To use advanced clinical reasoning skills to provide specialist support and advice to the A&E team and other professionals / medical staff.
To provide a strong link between emergency, outpatient and inpatient services.
To assess, fit and evaluate orthotic devices including boots, braces, slings etc as required with appropriate training
Select appropriate and individual treatment pathways e.g. onward referral to Physiotherapy, consultant led clinics etc following VFC management guidelines
To work alongside and support Band 7s and team leads in the planning and organisation of the teams activities and programmes.
To be responsible for teaching, supervision and appraisal of recently qualified members of the team and undergraduate students, and be involved in the teaching of MDT staff.
To adhere to Departmental protocols, Trust policies your professional Code of Conduct, and National Standards where they exist.
To actively work to avoid unconscious bias when working with patients and staff.
Committed to delivering patient focused approach and seamless care across professional boundaries, ensuring the safety, effectiveness and efficiency of the service at all times.
To promote and maintain collaborative working with other healthcare professionals and administration staff.
Share responsibility with colleagues for patient and staff safety including maintaining a clean and tidy environment and equipment and liaising with estates and housekeeping where necessary. Communication
To liaise with other Physiotherapists in regard to patient care, and ensure appropriate follow up is arranged.
To be an active member within the multi-disciplinary team and ensure effective communication with other professions both verbally and in writing e.g. medical notes and reports.
To be able to communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, carers and other staff including imparting unwelcome news.
To be able to deliver important clinical information and advice to patients and carers in a class or group setting,
To ensure timely and effective communication with the Physiotherapy Manager and Senior Staff on all professional matters.
To maintain an accurate record keeping system in line with CSP standards and local guidelines.
To attend and be an active participant in speciality, peer group and departmental staff meetings.
To initiate and maintain contacts with local and national clinical interest groups, appropriate to the clinical field.
To be able to motivate others through effective communication skills.
Be aware of the standard information available for patients and use it appropriately.
Use the electronic patient administration and record keeping system.
Respond promptly to telephone enquiries / messages/ e mail received
Use a range of verbal and non-verbal tools to communicate effectively with patients who may have a variety of different communication requirements.
To have effective telephone communication skills, thus enabling the assessing and giving of advice to patients over the telephone in the Virtual Fracture Clinic.
To use effective communication skills to reduce actual or potential conflict situations that may occur with patients, relatives, colleagues etc.
To actively work to avoid unconscious bias when working with patients and staff.
To be aware of, and support service development, to ensure accessibility to patient information and services.
Service Delivery and Improvement
To be responsible for implementing within your clinical practice, the relevant standards and policies, including those applicable to the Trust, and also wider policies and guidelines, for example set by the CSP / NICE etc.
To ensure that as an individual practitioner the post holder advises the Team Lead and Physiotherapy Manager of any changes to the service to ensure quality and effectiveness of care for their patients.
To work with the Physiotherapy team to provide an efficient and effective service.
Be involved in the proposal/development and implementation of departmental policies, pathways, guidelines etc.
To comply with fire, health & safety, universal precautions, infection control measures and all other departmental policies.
To report all complaints/incidents to the immediate senior member of staff and document accordingly.
To be aware of, and support service development, to ensure accessibility to patient information and services.
To engage with local service improvement strategies such as patient first
Actively look for opportunities to improve the service for patients and staff.
To participate in audit and research to help improve and support services.
People Management and Development
To ensure that junior members of the team are informed of developments and changes and that they work to these standards.
To supervise junior Physiotherapists, Physiotherapy technicians, and Physiotherapy students on clinical placements.
To be responsible to and deputise for the team lead in Orthopaedics.
To participate in the Trust Appraisal Scheme both as an appraiser and an appraisee.
To assist in the supervision and development of the junior Physiotherapists on rotation in the clinical area.
To be responsible for the training of students on placement, juniors, technicians and assistants within the clinical area.
To communicate on a regular basis with staff regarding the Trusts objectives, plans and business developments.
To develop objectives for staff and to appraise staff at least once annually. To give staff ongoing support to aid them in achieving their objectives.
To discuss expected outcomes of training and development activity with staff prior to attending training events.
To discuss outcomes with staff after attending training and development activity and to assist staff to transfer, develop and use new skills acquired.
To actively work to avoid unconscious bias and support equitable staff learning and development opportunities.
Patient Care Delivery
To undertake the comprehensive assessment and treatment of patients including those with complex presentations.
To demonstrate the Trust values and attitudes in regard to the management of patients and everyday working with colleagues.
To seek guidance from senior staff as required and to give guidance to more junior staff.
To devise an individualised Physiotherapy management and/or treatment plan, using clinical reasoning skills to utilise a range of treatment options.
To be able to devise and lead specialist Physiotherapy treatments which may include group work, e.g. exercise classes
To work with members of the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure a seamless delivery of care, provide advice and education within this forum, acting as an expert in your own professional field.
To be understand and be aware of health inequalities and suggest and support strategies to eliminate or mitigate these.

Person Specification

Professional Registration

Essential

HCPC Registered

Desirable

MSCP

Experience and Qualifications

Essential

Physiotherapy Degree (BSc or MSc equivalent). UK registration

Desirable

Evidence of Post-graduate education such as post grad Diploma/ MSc modules

Skills Non-Clinical

Essential

Excellent IT, presentation, and teaching skills
Experience of supporting, developing and training staff
Evidence of Reflective Practice
Understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion and how this applies to healthcare
Documented evidence of recent speciality relevant CPD

Desirable

Able to use spreadsheets, social media platforms and other related IT programs.
Remain updated with professional practice and research
CIG membership e.g. ATOCP
Knowledge of broader departmental working National agendas NSF guidelines NICE guidelines
Experience of service development Evidence of research , audit and service development

Skills Clinical

Essential

Have completed at least one band 5 rotation within the NHS in Trauma & Orthopaedics
Completed at least one full MSK rotation at band 5 or above
Proven clinical skills in speciality
Evaluation of treatment intervention
Analysis and assessment processes
Clinical reasoning, decision making and problem solving
Staff supervision
Teaching experience
Effective communication within MDT
Handling day-to-day professional issues with colleagues
Recognition of importance of team working
Seeks help appropriately

Desirable

Experience of treating a variety of complex conditions within both Elective and Trauma Orthopaedics
Orthopaedic X-ray interpretation through experiential learning or via short course/module
On-call respiratory competency training and participation
Previous band 6 experience in speciality
Experience of a Virtual Fracture Clinic

People Manangement and Development

Essential

Experience of appraising and supervising less experienced staff and students
Experience of developing and leading training sessions
Ability to manage a busy and complex caseload, and complete clinical and non-clinical duties.
Evidence of up to date CPD / portfolio etc.

Desirable

Experience of supporting / supervising staff with performance development needs
Student supervision
Leadership and experience of first line management and assessment of junior and support staff

Other Qualities

Essential

Willingness to participate in the Orthopaedic and respiratory (with appropriate competency training and assessment) on-call / weekend rota

Desirable

Able to drive / owns car Lives within 30 mins of a UH Sussex hospital for on-call purposes

Person Specification

Professional Registration

Essential

HCPC Registered

Desirable

MSCP

Experience and Qualifications

Essential

Physiotherapy Degree (BSc or MSc equivalent). UK registration

Desirable

Evidence of Post-graduate education such as post grad Diploma/ MSc modules

Skills Non-Clinical

Essential

Excellent IT, presentation, and teaching skills
Experience of supporting, developing and training staff
Evidence of Reflective Practice
Understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion and how this applies to healthcare
Documented evidence of recent speciality relevant CPD

Desirable

Able to use spreadsheets, social media platforms and other related IT programs.
Remain updated with professional practice and research
CIG membership e.g. ATOCP
Knowledge of broader departmental working National agendas NSF guidelines NICE guidelines
Experience of service development Evidence of research , audit and service development

Skills Clinical

Essential

Have completed at least one band 5 rotation within the NHS in Trauma & Orthopaedics
Completed at least one full MSK rotation at band 5 or above
Proven clinical skills in speciality
Evaluation of treatment intervention
Analysis and assessment processes
Clinical reasoning, decision making and problem solving
Staff supervision
Teaching experience
Effective communication within MDT
Handling day-to-day professional issues with colleagues
Recognition of importance of team working
Seeks help appropriately

Desirable

Experience of treating a variety of complex conditions within both Elective and Trauma Orthopaedics
Orthopaedic X-ray interpretation through experiential learning or via short course/module
On-call respiratory competency training and participation
Previous band 6 experience in speciality
Experience of a Virtual Fracture Clinic

People Manangement and Development

Essential

Experience of appraising and supervising less experienced staff and students
Experience of developing and leading training sessions
Ability to manage a busy and complex caseload, and complete clinical and non-clinical duties.
Evidence of up to date CPD / portfolio etc.

Desirable

Experience of supporting / supervising staff with performance development needs
Student supervision
Leadership and experience of first line management and assessment of junior and support staff

Other Qualities

Essential

Willingness to participate in the Orthopaedic and respiratory (with appropriate competency training and assessment) on-call / weekend rota

Desirable

Able to drive / owns car Lives within 30 mins of a UH Sussex hospital for on-call purposes

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).