Highly Specialist Musculoskeletal Therapist

Job overview

Band 7 Highly Specialist MSK therapist

Full-time

Main base : St Helier Hospital

The Trauma & Orthopaedic Department is looking for a full-time Highly Specialist MSK Therapist to support our Virtual Fracture Clinic.

This role is predominantly based at St Helier Hospital, however the postholder will be expected to travel to Epsom Hospital to support any clinics set up at this location.

Ideally you will currently be working at a band 6 level or above and have extensive MSK experience dealing with the management of orthopaedic conditions.

This role forms part of a structure which includes the VFC APP lead, Band 6 physiotherapist,  T & O consultants & registrars, Administration.

You should be dynamic, flexible and a great team player. You will be an integral part of the MDT and will be expected to work autonomously with strong clinical decision making skills, in often challenging environments.  You should be competent with virtual MSK consultations, but also be comfortable carrying an MSK caseload within a busy fracture clinic.  You should have strong management and leadership skills in order to be able to deputise for the VFC Clinical Lead, when needed.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be a highly experienced Musculoskeletal (MSK) Therapist with experience within orthopaedics.

The post holder will support the Lead for the Virtual Fracture Clinic Service.   You will ensure that the Trust offers a comprehensive and cohesive service for all Orthopaedic Trauma patients.

The post holder will autonomously undertake assessment and treatment of adults and children who present with an injury in the Virtual Fracture Clinic. This is to determine a clinical diagnosis, treatment plan and appropriate discharge within their professional boundaries, in line with training, skills and competencies.

The post holder will carry a caseload in fracture clinic providing specialist MSK care, working in at a specialist level. Working collaboratively and supervised by the lead consultants in that field. They will take a lead, with the support of the VFC clinical lead on the management of proximal humeral fractures, Achilles ruptures and soft tissue injuries.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Ensure the orthopaedic trauma patients are treated appropriately in a timely manner.
• Supervise in the absence of the band 8A the band 6 MSK Therapist as part of their rotation from MSK department.
• Liaise closely with the Orthopaedic Consultant of the Week (CoW) discussing treatment plans for patients that have presented through ED and require Orthopaedic input.  Manage the plan for these patients.
• Request bloods, x-rays, CT/MRI scanning of patient, with outcome and plan of care.
• Explain clearly the treatment plan with the patient for their condition.  This may include advising patients of distressing news.  Delegate to the junior nurse as necessary.
• Create and analyse reports for the VFC.  Make service improvements where necessary.
• Input and update all patient data on database.
• Review waiting list numbers against waiting times.  Manage improvements that can reduce unnecessary waits.
• Refer patients to other specialities.
• Support the VFC Clinical Lead to evaluate service regularly and implement service improvements.