Job summary
An exciting opportunity to set up physiotherapy on our Neonatal units at University Hospitals of Leicester!
This post (30 hours/ week) will work with a newly appointed Occupational Therapist to introduce a Therapy service to the NNUs, a new speciality to add to existing Children's Hospital Therapy Team. The post covers the neonatal units at both Leicester Royal Infirmary and Leicester General Hospital, implementing the therapeutic approach in both settings.
You will provide early intervention where children are at risk of neurological complications, working to normalise muscle tone and movement with the use of handling and positioning techniques and play activities, working closely with parents and families and other staff on NNU to develop confidence and enable a 24-hour approach to movement, activity and positioning on the unit.
You will be a source of expertise to fellow clinicians, colleagues, and multidisciplinary team (MDT) members & Trust managers as required, including advising on respiratory care within NNU as appropriate.
Main duties of the job
You will develop care pathways and integrate developmental surveillance programmes, working closely with the clinical specialist OT for neonatal care and build relationships with services in the wider communities including therapists, community paediatricians, social care, and health visitors.
You will develop close links with community therapy services to ensure smooth transitions of care and support on discharge from the unit.
They will work with the clinical specialist OT to develop and drive the therapy service, identifying areas for growth and development, develop close working relationships with therapy colleagues covering paediatric intensive care (PICU) and the East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre (EMCHC), supporting the knowledge and skills development of more junior staff.
You will be able to identify and develop opportunities for quality improvement, efficiencies and income generation alongside the Therapy Clinical Team Leader and Therapy Speciality Lead
The successful applicant will work alongside the established Childrens Therapy team, which includes our Clinical Specialists that work within the following specialities, Cystic Fibrosis, Long Term Ventilation, Intensive Care/ High Dependency, Acute Paediatrics, East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre, Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia, Outpatients, Paediatric Rheumatology, Regional CYP Post Covid Service and Paediatric Obesity Management (CEW) service shared with Nottingham.
About us
We are one of the biggest and busiest NHS trusts in the country, incorporating the General, Glenfield and Royal Infirmary hospitals. We have our very own Children's Hospital and run one of the country's leading heart centres.
Our team is made up of more than 17,000 staff providing a range of services primarily for the one million residents of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
We work with partners at the University of Leicester and De Montfort University providing world-class teaching to nurture and develop the next generation of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, many of whom go on to spend their working lives with us.
Our purpose is to provide 'Caring at its best' and our staff have helped us create a set of values that embody who we are and what we're here to do. They are:
- We focus on what matters most
- We treat others how we would like to be treated
- We are passionate and creative in our work
- We do what we say we are going to do
- We are one team and we are best when we work togethe
Our patients are at the heart of all we do and we believe that 'Caring at its best' is not just about the treatments and services we provide, but about giving our patients the best possible experience.
About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust: (leicestershospitals.nhs.uk)
Job description
Job responsibilities
Physiotherapists are specialists in movement and those working in neonatal care provide specialist assessment, support and advice to promote the development and normalisation of muscle tone, strength and movement in both premature and full term infants under the care of the neonatal team.
They are able to provide early intervention where children are at risk of neurological complications, working to normalise muscle tone and movement with the use of handling and positioning techniques and play activities, working closely with parents and families and other staff on NNU to develop confidence and enable a 24 hour approach to movement, activity and positioning on the unit
- The post holder will be responsible for undertaking advanced screening assessments, diagnosis, treatment, & reviews for full term and premature infants with potential or actual developmental concerns including any congenital or orthopaedic conditions such as CTEV and Erbs Palsy.
- The post holder will develop care pathways and integrate developmental surveillance programmes, working closely with the clinical specialist OT for neonatal care and build relationships with services in the wider communities including therapists, community paediatricians, social care, and health visitors.
- They will act as a clinical advocate for developmental care within the neonatal unit environment by utilising effective communication, education and collaboration with the multidisciplinary team and parents/carers.
- The post holder will act as an autonomous practitioner in leading and developing the specialist neonatal physiotherapy service within UHL
- They will lead service development and support clinical practice in the neonatal setting.
- They will be a source of expertise to fellow clinicians, colleagues, and multidisciplinary team (MDT) members & Trust managers as required, including advising on respiratory care within NNU as appropriate.
- They will maintain an excellent knowledge of current evidence-based practice and use advanced clinical reasoning, critical thinking, reflection, and analysis to ensure treatment meets the holistic needs of the child.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Physiotherapists are specialists in movement and those working in neonatal care provide specialist assessment, support and advice to promote the development and normalisation of muscle tone, strength and movement in both premature and full term infants under the care of the neonatal team.
They are able to provide early intervention where children are at risk of neurological complications, working to normalise muscle tone and movement with the use of handling and positioning techniques and play activities, working closely with parents and families and other staff on NNU to develop confidence and enable a 24 hour approach to movement, activity and positioning on the unit
- The post holder will be responsible for undertaking advanced screening assessments, diagnosis, treatment, & reviews for full term and premature infants with potential or actual developmental concerns including any congenital or orthopaedic conditions such as CTEV and Erbs Palsy.
- The post holder will develop care pathways and integrate developmental surveillance programmes, working closely with the clinical specialist OT for neonatal care and build relationships with services in the wider communities including therapists, community paediatricians, social care, and health visitors.
- They will act as a clinical advocate for developmental care within the neonatal unit environment by utilising effective communication, education and collaboration with the multidisciplinary team and parents/carers.
- The post holder will act as an autonomous practitioner in leading and developing the specialist neonatal physiotherapy service within UHL
- They will lead service development and support clinical practice in the neonatal setting.
- They will be a source of expertise to fellow clinicians, colleagues, and multidisciplinary team (MDT) members & Trust managers as required, including advising on respiratory care within NNU as appropriate.
- They will maintain an excellent knowledge of current evidence-based practice and use advanced clinical reasoning, critical thinking, reflection, and analysis to ensure treatment meets the holistic needs of the child.
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma/BSc (hons)/MSc in Physiotherapy
- HCPC Registration
- Evidence of recent CPD specific to the speciality clinical area
Desirable
- Evidence of undertaking relevant validated or accredited course at post graduate or masters level and or experience working to this level
Experience
Essential
- Significant post graduate clinical experience within a relevant specialist area to the equivalent of Master degree level
- Previous employment as a senior therapist in a relevant specialist area
- Evidence of experience in teaching within Physiotherapy and the wider MDT
Desirable
- Experience of audit/clinical evaluation/outcome measures
- Member of Special Interest Group
Analytical and Judgement skills
Essential
- Evidence of ability to evaluate own and others practice and bring about change
- Evidence of ability to evaluate, analyse and resolve issues and problems.
Planning and organisation skills
Essential
- Demonstrates effective coping skills for dealing with pressurised and unexpected situations.
- Demonstrates a flexible and innovative approach to meet service needs
Desirable
- Evidence of willingness to take on new responsibilities and projects
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential
- Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
Other requirements specific to the role
Essential
- Express enthusiasm for post and desire to work in clinical area
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma/BSc (hons)/MSc in Physiotherapy
- HCPC Registration
- Evidence of recent CPD specific to the speciality clinical area
Desirable
- Evidence of undertaking relevant validated or accredited course at post graduate or masters level and or experience working to this level
Experience
Essential
- Significant post graduate clinical experience within a relevant specialist area to the equivalent of Master degree level
- Previous employment as a senior therapist in a relevant specialist area
- Evidence of experience in teaching within Physiotherapy and the wider MDT
Desirable
- Experience of audit/clinical evaluation/outcome measures
- Member of Special Interest Group
Analytical and Judgement skills
Essential
- Evidence of ability to evaluate own and others practice and bring about change
- Evidence of ability to evaluate, analyse and resolve issues and problems.
Planning and organisation skills
Essential
- Demonstrates effective coping skills for dealing with pressurised and unexpected situations.
- Demonstrates a flexible and innovative approach to meet service needs
Desirable
- Evidence of willingness to take on new responsibilities and projects
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential
- Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
Other requirements specific to the role
Essential
- Express enthusiasm for post and desire to work in clinical area
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
