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Job summary

Main area
Physiotherapy
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 6
Contract
Fixed term: 9 months (on call)
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (7 day working pattern and overnight on call)
Job ref
213-Division-A-8140985
Employer
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
PRUH
Town
Orpington
Salary
£45,953 - £54,254 pro rata per annum inc HCAS
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
16/08/2026 23:59

Employer heading

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust logo

Senior Physiotherapist Emergency and acute medicine

NHS AfC: Band 6

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£2.1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 14,000 staff based across 5 main sites in South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local hospital services across its different sites, and specialist services from King’s College Hospital (KCH) sites at Denmark Hill in Camberwell and at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) site in the London Borough of Bromley.

We encourage all our staff to have a healthy work/life balance. In doing so, you can apply for flexible working from the beginning of your employment. We offer a range of options which are designed to suit different circumstances and priorities in line with service requirements. 

flexible-working

Job overview

To provide Physiotherapy assessment and treatment, support admission avoidance and early discharge to patients in the emergency department, acute medical and acute geriatric units. To work with the multidisciplinary teams to support discharge planning and onward rehabilitation referrals for patients. Participate in a 7-day rota and an overnight respiratory on-call rota.  This is a fixed-term contract which will end 14th May 2027.

Main duties of the job

To ensure a high standard, efficient and effective physiotherapy assessment, treatment and intervention for all patients designated to him/her as inpatients.   To prioritise, assess, treat and manage their own caseload of patients as an autonomous practitioner, including the maintenance of comprehensive records.  To work as an effective team member, communicating appropriately with patients, carers, and other team members as required.  Tteach and develop junior physiotherapists, technical instructors, and physiotherapy assistants within the Physiotherapy teams. To undertake an evidence-based project throughout each rotation to further the clinical practice of self and the team, and to enhance patient care. To be an active member of the on-call, weekend duty rotas, and cover of statutory and public holidays including working as lone physiotherapy practitioner at night. To assist Band 7 in organizing the Rota. 

Working for our organisation

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. Transforming Healthcare is the vision at the heart of the King’s Strategy – 2026 to 2031. Together, we are pursuing six strategic ambitions: delivering high-quality patient care; being a great place to work; leading pioneering research, innovation and education; building strong and successful partnerships; providing timely and efficient care; and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.  Achieving these ambitions will require all of us to work as one Team King’s, united by a shared commitment to our values of being caring, collaborative, inclusive and innovative. By living these values every day, we will transform healthcare for our patients, our communities and each other

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • To receive referrals, undertake full assessment and independently plan individual specialized treatment programmes for patients appropriately, depending on the physiotherapist’s diagnosis; using clinical reasoning and specialist skills such as use of respiratory adjuncts, patient education, exercise and advanced airway clearance techniques.
  • To use recognized outcome measures to evaluate the effect of the physiotherapy interventions and ensure the treatment programmes are progressing appropriately.
  • To carry a designated clinical caseload including complex patients and prioritize that work efficiently taking into account clinical and service priorities using specialist knowledge to underpin decisions.
  • To provide individual patient equipment as required, walking aids, splints and supports.  To issue such equipment with due regard to safety of the equipment, and in line with legal, national and local guidelines.
  • To be responsible for the standard of physiotherapy carried out by physiotherapy assistants or technical instructors working with you. 
  • To undertake home visits when appropriate, to ensure planned discharge from hospital. Assessment and management of patients and other aspects of clinical practice.
  • To be an active member of the on-call, weekend duty rotas, and cover of statutory and public holidays including working as a lone physiotherapy practitioner at night. To assist Band 7 in organizing the Rota.
  • Undertake other clinical duties as requested by the Clinical Lead Physiotherapist or Physiotherapy Manager.
  • To consult appropriately with senior specialist staff regarding patients with problems.
  • Provide patients, families and other carers with specialist advice or instruction to promote the understanding of the aims of physiotherapy and to ensure consistent patient management.
  • To communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximize rehabilitation potential and to improve understanding of the condition which will require the appropriate response to the patients’ level of communication, facilitating the best possible communication outcome e.g. use of interpreters.
  • To be able to persuade and motivate patients through effective communication skills.
  • To provide and receive information from patients, carers and other professionals regarding a patient's condition and treatment progress.  This may include the sharing and receiving of complex and/or sensitive information.
  • Develop and maintain close working relationships with physiotherapy colleagues, referring clinicians, other members of the multidisciplinary team and other appropriate persons or agencies involved in the provision of care to these groups of patients in the community and hospital settings to provide a coordinated service.
  • To attend case conferences and ward rounds to ensure that the physiotherapeutic management of patients is integrated into the individual patient treatment plan and that other members of the MDT know the progress of the patient. 

Provide education using specialist knowledge to relevant patient groups.

  • To maintain comprehensive, accurate and timely patient notes and records in accordance with departmental policy and to ensure the safekeeping and confidentiality of these records.
  • To keep comprehensive records of activity in accordance with local and national requirements, use departmental software systems as required.  
  • Tparticipate in the King’s College Hospital Employee Performance Appraisal system and to fulfil its requirements, progressing to undertaking independent appraisals of junior staff.
  • To organise and monitor the day to day work of the physiotherapy assistants where allocated.
  • To deputise for the Band 7 physiotherapist when appropriate and adapt to changing service demands. 
  • To participate in the supervision and teaching of junior physiotherapy staff, students and assistants, progressing to independent supervision, management and competency assessment of a student.
  • To be an active team member by supporting other members, offering assistance, being flexible and approachable particularly during changing service demands and staffing levels.
  • To ensure that work areas are kept safe and tidy and to be responsible for regular inspection and reporting defects of equipment used and report to the Clinical Lead Physiotherapist
  • To be aware of the cost/benefit implications in the selection of appropriate equipment to be provided for patient long-term use.
  •  Identify opportunities to improve the service, and to discuss them with the Clinical Lead Physiotherapist and take forward as a personal project.
  • To demonstrate a knowledge of Clinical Governance and have an active role in clinical effectiveness and audit programmes to develop and improve services.
  • To provide teaching, guidance and advice when appropriate to nursing staff and other professionals involved with the post-holder’s patient groups.
  • To undertake in-service and post-graduate training to improve patient care and for professional development and incorporate learning into current practice and disseminate.
  • To contribute to the in-service training programmes for the physiotherapy staff, including teaching on it, and organizing the senior programme.
  • To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities, using reflective practice and maintaining a portfolio that indicates personal development.
  • To be involved in research and evaluation of practice as opportunities arise.
  • Tparticipate in education programmes for schools, community groups and other visitors to King’s College Hospital.
  • To prepare and present a research/audit or development project / in-depth study for each rotation which contributes to service development, own personal knowledge and professional development, presenting the project to the department at the end of the rotation.
  • To attend physiotherapy meetings and other meetings as requiredtaking responsibility to support the functioning of the department.
  • To take an active part in departmental meetings e.g. contribute to discussion, take on the role of Chair, contribute to the development of departmental policies and procedures.
  • To undertake Therapy Handling training and comply with the guidelines.
  • Tundertake any other duties commensurate with grade as requested by the Physiotherapy Manager or Clinical Lead Physiotherapist.
  • To work on any of the Kings College Hospital sites as required and in any working pattern as required by the service e.g., 7 day working Rota’s, extended hours etc
  • To be aware of own Health and Safety responsibilities including contributing to the infection control and cleanliness of the hospital by ensuring cleanliness of own equipment, undertaking mandatory training, abiding by the hand-washing policy and other policies related to Barrier nursing.
  • You have a general duty of care for the health, safety and well-being of yourself, work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountability associated with this post.
  • To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King’s College Hospital 

NHS Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.

  • Personal information relating to patients and staff.
  • To be responsible, with management support, for your personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
  • This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post-holder.
  • All employees must hold an 'nhs.net' email account which will be the Trust's formal route for email communication.  You are therefore required to check this regularly and to deal with such communication promptly. 

Person specification

Essential

Essential criteria
  • Degree or other recognised qualification in Physiotherapy
  • HCPC
  • Wide ranging post graduate clinical experience
  • Extended post graduate experience in Medical specialities
  • Able to demonstrate continuing professional development at a post graduate level e.g. up to date CPD portfolio
  • Awareness of Clinical Governance and its implications for the physiotherapy service
  • Knowledge and experience of admission avoidance and home first approach to patient care
  • Able to delegate to Physiotherapy assistants
  • Competent to take part in respiratory on call service
  • Team working skills and understand roles of other MDT members
  • Able to prioritise workload of own and others
  • Comprehensive assessment skills and varied rehabillitation techniques
Desirable criteria
  • Experience in working in Community Physiotherapy
  • Member of appropriate special interest group
  • Experience of staff supervision
  • Undertaken QI work

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Capital Nurse, LondonApprenticeships logoAge positiveArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerStep into healthOne NHS Finance

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. On occasions, we may close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Nicola Rennie
Job title
Clinical lead Physiotherapist Acute medicine
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01689 863846

If you have problems applying, contact

Address
King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Jennie Lee House
2nd Floor
Love Walk Lane
SE5 8AD
Telephone
020 3299 0072
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