Physiotherapist

Job description

Are you a dedicated physiotherapist with a passion for helping individuals with neurological conditions? Join the team at the Merlin Neuro Therapy Centre, a leading healthcare charity in mid-Cornwall that provides essential therapies, counselling, and support for our community.

About the Charity

It also hires out clinical and therapy space to enable the local community to access other health-related services.

The Centre opened in April 2009 with 17 staff and 60 volunteers. A board of 10 Trustees is responsible for the charity’s governance.

We are continually considering how we can develop our services and best meet the needs of our community. We are excited about the opportunities we plan to expand the therapies we can provide to people across Cornwall, including developing our hydrotherapy and Sensory Integration Therapy services for individuals across the lifespan.

Summary of the Role

As a Physiotherapist, you will deliver high-quality, client-centred care, supporting individuals to engage in everyday life and achieve their rehabilitation goals. You will:

• Assess, plan, and provide physiotherapy and hydrotherapy treatments.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, carers, and families.
• Supervise junior staff and therapy Assistants and contribute to service development.
• Assist in expanding our therapy services.

• HCPC and CSP registered Physiotherapist with experience in neurological conditions.
• Strong clinical assessment and treatment planning skills.
• Effective communicator, capable of working with clients, families, and professionals.
• Willingness to undertake training and contribute to service innovation.

• A supportive, multidisciplinary team environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• The chance to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

FTE £33,969

Role Profile

Job Summary

You will provide a therapy rehabilitation service to Merlin Centre service users, providing direct clinical care, encompassing physiotherapy assessment, treatment and management of service users, reviewing treatments, evaluating progress, and making changes as needed.

A key function of the role is to enable people to engage with and participate in everyday life, including education, leisure, and recreational opportunities, by providing advice, guidance, training, and support. A willingness to undertake training is essential to achieving and maintaining an appropriate level of competence in all areas required to perform this role.

You will be comfortable using technology to record and evaluate assessment and therapy processes, including supervision, communication with other professionals and for record keeping.

The role is primarily based at the Merlin Centre; however, you may occasionally be required to provide home visits or therapy in the community.

You will also assist in the day-to-day management of the therapy department and take an active role in the ongoing physiotherapy service development, including the gym and hydrotherapy services

Main Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• To be aware and adhere to Merlin Centre procedures and policies.
• Always respect patient confidentiality.
• To manage clinical risk within the Merlin Centre and act to effectively manage identified risks.
• Always adopt safe codes of practice, adhere to the rules of professional conduct, and be aware of emergency procedures.
• To be responsible for safely and competently using therapeutic equipment, manual handling, and therapy gym equipment.
• To work effectively and safely as an autonomous practitioner and as an active and supportive member of the wider therapy team.
• To be competent and confident to work independently and collaboratively with the therapy team across our service provision areas, including land-based therapy (indoors and outdoors) and hydrotherapy.
• Maintain client documentation, records, and accurate statistical information to reflect the care provided and meet professional standards.
• To undertake training as required and achieve and maintain an acceptable level of competence in all aspects of the job. To keep up to date with developments in clinical practice to ensure the delivery of evidence-based care.
• Act independently in prioritising client needs to plan, implement, evaluate, treat, and progress client care to maximise functional independence and rehabilitation potential within a specialist area, using a sound knowledge of evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning skills.
• To be responsible for your own workload in conjunction with the Clinical Lead ensuring clients receive a full assessment and planned programme of care, with regular reviews and adaptation as required. To appropriately use outcome measures and goal setting.
• To support the smooth, efficient, and effective running of the therapy department and assist in service development. Deputise for senior staff to maintain continuity of service delivery in their absence.
• To support the development of an in-service training program, providing training and advice to the therapy team and other clinical and non-clinical staff.
• To participate in the annual appraisal system for personal development and performance review.
• Be involved, where necessary, in promoting and marketing The Merlin Centre.
• At times you may be required to do other duties to assist with the organisational running of the Centre.
• May be expected to travel to different locations and will, therefore, be required to transport and unload clients and equipment following manual handling guidelines.

• To be skilled in communicating with clients with various physical, cognitive, and communication difficulties.
• Ensure that feedback and appropriate information is given to clients in a client-centred manner.
• Liaise with members of the MDT and work jointly, as appropriate, about patient care and treatment plans.
• Liaise with other professionals, such as doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, social workers, clients’ families, carers, and employers.
• To provide feedback and advice to care staff and other multi-disciplinary team members regarding the assessment and treatment of a client’s physical, functional, cognitive, sensory, and perceptual abilities. This includes psychosocial needs. Feedback may be offered to relatives, carers and external agencies as consented by the client or their advocate(s).
• Make referrals to other agencies as required/appropriate.
• To work with clients, families, and the multidisciplinary team to identify client-centred goals for their overall rehabilitation programme.

• To maintain clinical records and write reports to a professional standard efficiently and effectively.
• Contribute to department audits, research activities and collating outcome measures as required.
• To initiate and complete referrals, including equipment and ongoing support or therapy.
• To contribute to service development or department assessments, audits, guidelines, and standards.

• Supervision of assistant staff and education and supervision of students on clinical placement as agreed.
• To comply with the HCPC and CSP code of ethics and professional conduct.
• To maintain Health Professionals Council registration.
• Contribute to in-service programmes, including feedback on courses attended.
• To review and reflect on your own practice and performance through effective use of professional supervision and appraisal.
• To participate in own supervision and work towards objectives set in appraisal.

• To comply with the mandatory training requirements.
• To keep up to date with new developments within the clinical field through membership to specialist groups and professional bodies. This includes clinical guidelines and evidence-based assessment and treatment.
• Attend conferences and meetings, including professional shows, as required.
• Attend external and internal training courses as agreed for continual professional development and meeting appraisal objectives. Training may be subject to contractual agreements.

Confidentiality

The post holder will be expected to maintain the complete confidentiality of all material and information they access and process.

Equal Opportunities

To comply with The Merlin Centre’s equal opportunity policy and avoid any behaviour which discriminates against colleagues, potential employees, clients and families on the grounds of sex, marital status, race, age, belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion, disability, creed, class, gender or sexual orientation.

Core values and beliefs

All staff are expected to work in line with The Merlin Centre’s core values and beliefs as these underpin the work and ethos of the centre. These are an integral part of the job including the probationary period, performance, and development reviews.

Terms and Conditions

Your contracted hours will be 24 hours a week, predominantly worked over 3 days. As the role and service develop, there will be the opportunity to increase these hours.

Salary will depend on experience.

General

This Job Description is not exhaustive, and the postholder may be required to undertake other appropriate duties and responsibilities as required.

Merlin Centre, Therapy Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff and volunteers must be responsible and accountable for their safeguarding practice and proactive in identifying and reporting safeguarding concerns.

If you’re passionate about providing exceptional physiotherapy care and want to be part of a charity making a real impact, we’d love to hear from you!

Expected hours: No less than 24 per week

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company pension
• Free parking
• Paid Lunch breaks
• Sick pay

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability
• Driving Licence (preferred)

Please email your CV to [email protected]