Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist
We love what we do and we think you will, too!
At Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC), we provide joined-up mental health, physical health and learning disability services to people of all ages across Gloucestershire. We run community hospitals and provide care and support in people’s own homes and in a range of other locations across the county.
We are on a mission to enable people to live the best life they can and we have a vision to work together to provide outstanding care. We put people at the heart of our services, focusing on personalised care by asking ‘what matters to you’.
We’re passionate about making sure that everyone can contribute to achieving our mission and we are continually working to support healthy and happy high-quality teams in all areas of the Trust.
Our application process aims to understand each candidates knowledge, skills and experience. We have found that candidates that use AI to generate their answers can lack specificity and fail to address key criteria outlined in the job description.
It is really important to personalise your application to convey your individual skills, knowledge, and experiences effectively and for us to understand why you are applying for this role with GHC. We discourage over reliance on AI-generated applications as it will lessen your chances of success in securing an interview with us .
Job overview
We are looking for a motivated Physiotherapist to join our Physiotherapy and Health and Exercise Team. We are keen to hear from you and your thoughts, and would welcome your questions and feedback.
You will work within a MDT, including, Occupational Therapists, Therapy Assistants, Psychological Therapists, Dieticians, Doctors, Mental Health Nurses, Physical Health Nurses.
Wotton Lawn Hospital is an 88 bedded site, providing inpatient mental health care to Working Age Adults. The site includes a 4 x acute wards, a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit and a Low Secure Forensic Unit.
Wotton Lawn Hospital tour - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCRZnAPdSx8
You will utilise a range of physiotherapy skills including, MSK, Respiratory, Neurological, Falls and Rehabilitation. We appreciate that not all Physiotherapists will have a working knowledge of Mental Health specialist skills, therefore, you will be supported to develop a range of mental health assessment and treatment skills and intertwine these existing knowledge and experience.You will also be supported by the Physiotherapy lead and clinical specialist physiotherapist of Older Person Mental Health.
The inpatient Mental Health AHP Services are currently undergoing a transformation project with the goal of delivering Excellent care. As such, there will be opportunities for you to contribute to Service Development and redesign.
Main duties of the job
To be responsible for providing highly specialist evidence-based assessment and treatment for patients with acute mental illness, who may have complex acute or chronic physical and mental health presentations.
To focus upon the care needed to support safe discharge, from the point of admission. This may include working in different environments e.g. patient homes, outpatient clinics, inpatient wards.
To ensure appropriate pathways of care and communication are utilised, via liaison and collaborative working with the MDT and other agencies, as required.
To co-ordinate a team of physiotherapists and assistant staff, supporting the implementation of the services Clinical Governance action plan.
To act as a role model and to provide clinical supervision and appraisal to Band 5, Assistant and Technician staff. This will also include supporting students as a Practice Educator.
To participate in the evaluation and development of the Inpatient Mental Health Physiotherapy Service. You will be included within our Mental Health Physiotherapy CPD, including Inservice Training, Peer Supervision, Journal Club, Observed Practice, and wider GHC CPD opportunities.
Working for our organisation
We have in excess of 5000 staff working over 50 sites, providing a diverse range of services. We strive to support an organisational culture that is welcoming, builds and celebrates inclusivity and diversity and provides a sense of belonging and trust.
The annual NHS Staff Survey gives our people the opportunity to tell us about their experience working at the Trust. For the 2023 survey just over 2800 colleagues gave us their views (58.5%). It was great to see from the results that colleagues are saying that:
- 89.7% believe they are making a positive difference to patients/service users;
- 73.3% would recommend the organisation as a place to work;
- 82.4% agree that care of patients and service users is the organisations priority;
- 76.7% would be happy with the standard of care for a friend or relative
Our results put us as 5th nationally as a Community, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities NHS Employer of Choice and 1st equal amongst all NHS Provider Trusts in the South West. However, we know we have more to do and will continue to drive forward our commitment to making GHC a Great Place to Work.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post holder will be a senior member of the team working with service users across the Strategic Service Units. Service users can present with complex needs due to the interplay of acute mental health, physical health and longer-term recovery needs.
To undertake specialist evidence-based assessment, planning and implementation of physiotherapy treatment and health and exercise-based interventions for Working Age Adults.
To work with the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) to provide a co-ordinated specialist service for Working Age adults.
Facilitate timely discharge from hospital and respond to agencies requiring assessment of users, handover of mental and physical health care between primary and secondary services and vice versa.
To support clinical governance initiatives at ward / hospital level e.g. falls, equipment audit.
To be integral to the development and training of the physiotherapy and other AHP staff at Mental Health Inpatient Units.
To assist the Team Manager with the development and provision of in-patient services, primarily of the clinical and operational management of the joint Physiotherapy and Health and Exercise Team.
To provide leadership and supervision, as required, on a day to day basis to other staff within the team and act as a focal point for problem solving and maintaining clinical standards.
Person specification
Interview Criteria
Essential criteria- Degree in Physiotherapy
- HCPC registration
- Demonstrates the motivation to work within mental health
- Range of clinical experience across a variety of clinical areas
- Membership to a relevant professional body e.g. CSP
Interview Criteria
Essential criteria- Demonstrate the ability to transfer physiotherapy skills into the mental health specialism
When joining us, as well as becoming part of a team that makes a difference, we also offer:
- Free car parking at many of our sites
- 27 days leave plus bank holidays, increasing up to 33 days with long service
- A broad range of training and development opportunities, including apprenticeships up to Level 7 qualification.
- A multi-professional preceptorship programme for all Newly Qualified; Nurses, Nursing Associates, Internationally Educated Practitioners, Allied Health Professionals and Return to Practice Practitioners.
- Generous NHS pension and enhanced pay when if you work unsocial hours
- Flexible, family friendly and agile working opportunities
- Recognition and long service awards
- Fast Track physiotherapy
- Our Wellbeing line
- Access to discounts and salary sacrifice schemes; including Cycle to Work, Car scheme and discounts on travel, leisure and retailers.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date. Good luck with your application.
For more information please see the attached 'Additional Information for Applicants' document.