Senior Paediatric Physiotherapist

Job responsibilities

PLEASE NOTE: To view the Job Description and Person Specification, please click ON APPLY FOR THIS JOB - this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site, you will need to register if you do not already have an account.

1. To effectively manage a complex and diverse caseload using evidence based/child centred principles: including prioritisation; assessment, and intervention leading to a package of care designed to meet the childs needs in a range of settings. To continuously monitor and evaluate the care package to ensure it meets the childs needs.
2. To assess children and young people (CYP) for specialist equipment and recommend its purchase and to continuously monitor and evaluate its effectiveness and safety so that the CYP is able to use the equipment safely.
3. To be responsible for facilitating parents, school staff and other agencies to develop their knowledge and skills to contribute towards the CYPs care plan so that all involved with the child have a good understanding of their role.
4. To have an understanding of the effects of disability and provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to the social and physical environment and to act as an advocate on disability issues so the CYP receives a high standard of care.
5. To be able to communicate effectively with CYP and to gain informed consent to treatment in order to have the capacity to work within a legal framework with CYP who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
6. To contribute specialist advice as part of the Code of Practice for the Assessment of Special Educational Needs in line with educational policies and procedures in order to ensure the CYP receives the best possible care in school.
7. To interpret medical, educational and psychological assessments of the CYP in order to manage the complexity of the needs and integrate and prioritise care plans with other agencies.
8. To communicate in a skilled manner with CYP of all ages who have a range of physical and psychological barriers to communication, their parents/carers and other members of the multi-agency team providing reports and attending and initialling meetings as necessary to ensure the CYPs care needs are met.
9. To effectively motivate CYP of all ages with a range of complex needs to work with programmes of intervention and towards personal goals utilizing skill mix opportunities available within other agencies and the CYPs family in order to achieve maximum potential.
10. To comply with CYP Protection procedures and training requirements and to ensure junior staff/assistants work within policy so that any risks are quickly identified and appropriately dealt with.
11. To contribute to the clinical governance agenda by maintaining high quality records, providing clinical supervision, participating in audit projects, implementing evidence based practice to ensure high quality standards of service are met.
12. To provide a source of clinical advice, and to plan, organise and deliver training for junior staff and assistants/technical instructors and to organise the appropriate delegation of work in order to deliver an efficient and effective service.
13. To hold responsibility for own caseload and work without direct supervision. Supervision takes the form of regular formal training and clinical reasoning sessions, peer review, case conferences. Access to advice and support from senior physiotherapists is available if required, clinical work is evaluated as appropriate.
14. To be aware of, and identify areas for improvement in clinical practice and to assist with managing the changes to service delivery in order to maintain high standards of care.
15. To contribute to a high quality service by working within national, local and professional standards and to act as a source of clinical advice for junior staff in order to ensure a high standard of service is delivered.
16. To participate in multi-agency working groups (providing reports are necessary) to develop clinical and policy changes, which may involve being the lead physiotherapy contributor in order to address modernisation and developments as necessary.
17. To participate in IPR both as an appraiser and appraisee leading to PDPs and the identification of training needs in order to ensure a competent workforce.
18. To ensure accurate data is maintained, both written and electronic, in order to contribute to performance management and to provide information on outcomes of patient care.
19. To ensure that the cultural and religious diversity considerations of the service are met in order to provide an equitable and appropriate service for the CYP.
20. To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in reflective practice, local and national training opportunities including work based learning opportunities and literature reviews in order to ensure appropriate service standards are maintained.
21. To work as a lone practitioner in a community setting without the support of physiotherapy so that an efficient service is maintained.
22. To regularly deputise for the Band 7 Physiotherapist in their absence.

Attainment and qualification

Essential

• Diploma/Degree in Physiotherapy
• HCPC Registered (Health & Care Professions Council)
• Post graduate experience as a qualified physiotherapist
• Paediatric relevant post graduate courses and learning opportunities
• Relevant Band 6/Band 5 Paediatric experience

Desirable

• APCP member
• Clinical educator training
• Leadership courses or training

Skills

Essential

• Ability to assess, treat and then evaluate treatment programmes for Children and Young People with physical disabilities.
• Committed to personal and team development
• Exceptional interpersonal skills including negotiation and conflict resolution
• Able to pass on skills/knowledge e.g. training/teaching skills
• Ability to prioritise, supervise, delegate and organise.
• Communication skills including empathy, communication with CYP
• Multidisciplinary team working

Desirable

• Evidence of contribution to audit and outcome measures.
• Experience of additional professional or leadership roles
• Relevant specialist Paediatric Physiotherapy training e.g. Bobath / Oxford Seating / Biomechanics of Gait

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Relevant Band 6 / Band 5 Paediatric experience
• Knowledge of legislation relating to professional practice and CYP / safeguarding / disability.
• Sound understanding of, and ability to contribute to, clinical governance and risk
• Knowledge of a variety of paediatric conditions relating to physical disability in CYP, including cerebral palsy, DMD and other neuro-developmental conditions
• Knowledge of infant and child development

Desirable

• Documentation and report writing e.g. EHCPs
• Experience of working in a community setting
• Other work with CYP

Disposition

Essential

• Passion for Paediatric Physiotherapy
• Accountability, openness and respect

Desirable

• Positive and flexible approach

Special demands of the post

Essential

• Driving License or Able to travel to meet job needs

Desirable

• Positive and flexible approach

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).

UK Registration

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