Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a demonstrably experienced, motivated and passionate physiotherapist to join our highly regarded neurosurgical team. This post would suit Band 5’s looking to specialise or current Band 6’s who would like to broaden their experience. This post is also suitable for a Band 5 transitioning to Band 6 on completion of training and competency to deliver neurosurgical services within UHP NHS Trust. 

The neurosurgical team provides a physiotherapy service to Neurosurgery ward which includes major trauma patients, head and spinal tumours, intracranial bleeds, spinal cord injury and elective spinal surgery patients. The service also covers Neuro intensive care unit and works closely with the rehabilitation team in critical care to provide high quality care. Applicants will need previous demonstrable experience working as a physiotherapist, across a broad range of specialities, including medicine / respiratory / neurology / outpatients / orthopaedics. If you are looking to develop your career in this field this is an excellent prospect.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

To provide a high standard physiotherapy service to the neurosurgical clinical areas. This involves providing a seven day service to neurosurgery.

To assist the Team Leaders in planning, coordinating, delivering and evaluating the Physiotherapy Service provided to patients within the team, on a day-to-day basis.

To assess and treat own caseload of patients, who may have complex presentations and to maintain own records as an autonomous practitioner.

To deputise for the Team Leaders when necessary.

To perform advanced physiotherapeutic assessment of patients with diverse presentations and complex physical and psychological conditions, to provide a diagnosis and develop and deliver an individualised treatment programme.

To hold responsibility for own case load and be responsible for a defined area of the service or a particular patient type, working autonomously. Senior support and supervision takes the form of regular formal training and clinical reasoning sessions and journal reviews.  Access to advice and support from specialist physiotherapists is available if required, clinical work is not routinely evaluated.

To undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner.

Supervise, educate and assess the performance of physiotherapy students and more junior staff; this would be to a graduate standard and involve working with universities to ensure the standard of practice and teaching meets the standards set by the degree level qualification.

Working for our organisation

We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.