Specialist Physiotherapist

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a fulltime band 6 physiotherapist to join the LYPFT Learning Disability (LD) Service. We are looking for a dynamic physiotherapist keen to work with learning disabled adults who require specialist health support due to complex physical, sensory, communication and behavioral impairments.

The successful candidate will be based within the larger of our two Community Learning Disability Teams (CLDT) which covers the West and South area of Leeds. The service runs Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. The post sits alongside a full complement of other LD professionals as well as 2 full-time permanent band 6 physiotherapists.

Physiotherapy referrals, assessments, interventions and training are typically around postural, mobility, falls, pain and respiratory management but can cover any range of conditions and symptoms.

Main duties of the job

As a band 6  the clinical role includes: contributing to the management of the physiotherapy referrals and allocations, providing specialist health assessments, delivering  person centered care plans, training multi agency carers in a range of bespoke therapeutic interventions, assessment and supply of moving and handling and postural equipment, risk assessments, supporting team colleagues in induction and physical health training needs, acting as a clinical educator to physiotherapy students, delegating a range of therapeutic interventions to and clinically supervising Band 3 and 4 Therapy Assistants and  Senior Support Workers.

The service has its own therapy suite with an orthotic clinic, a hydrotherapy pool, a rebound therapy room, a clinic and treatment room and routinely utilises local leisure centre facilities (community hydro pool, fitness gyms and sports halls). Working collaboratively with the teams’ dietitians, occupational therapists, other physiotherapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, LD nurses and speech and language therapists holistic professional skill development is gained through both formal and informal MDT consultation and joint working.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The LD service has clear clinical governance pathways and supports professional and service development. As a  band 6 there is an expectation to contribute or lead on service development, service projects and task groups. Robust supervision structures are in place with 1:1s with the LD Clinical Team Manager and the LD Clinical Lead Physiotherapist. There is peer support through weekly MDT meetings, monthly LD physiotherapy professional development meetings and 3 monthly LD AHP forum meetings.

As a Trust we have adopted smarter ways of working to enable both work from an office based as well as remote working through the provision of laptops and mobile phones with full access to our systems.

If you are a physiotherapist with experience of supporting people with long term multifactorial health issues such as previous experience working within neurology, paediatric or LD services and are interested in gaining experience working in a range of community settings within an MDT providing assessment and bespoke programmes to adults with a learning disability this could be the job for you.

For more information contact [email protected] (Clinical Lead Physiotherapist in Learning Disability Services)

Our service offers assessment and intervention to adults with learning disabilities in Leeds who have a range of complex physical health issues whose needs cannot be met within a mainstream service. You will join a network of Physiotherapists who will support you to develop your clinical skills in areas such as postural management, respiratory, passive movement programmes, hydrotherapy and rebound therapy. The Physiotherapists meet monthly for group clinical supervision, to share good practice and initiate service improvements.

You will be a valued member of our highly supportive multi-disciplinary, community learning disability service and AHP community.  You will manage an identified caseload of clients with a range of clinical needs.

You will be supported to develop your skills through, MDT meetings, the Physiotherapy practice development meetings and the AHP forum.