Specialist Physiotherapist

Job overview

Are you passionate about working with Older People?

Are you able to work flexibly and holistically in a caring and patient-centred environment?

We are looking for a Physiotherapist who has these values to join our friendly, compassionate and supportive team of Allied Health Professionals working with older people on acute mental health inpatient wards across Nottinghamshire.

It is not essential to have worked in this environment previously. There will be opportunity to grow and expand your knowledge and skills supported by a Physiotherapy Clinical Specialist. Having a positive attitude towards working with people with mental health problems is essential though and you must have an understanding of the impact of mental health on physical health.

Main duties of the job

You will work on our inpatient wards across sites at  Blossomwood (NG17) & Highbury Hospital (NG6). Our wards provide multi-disciplinary assessments and interventions for people over the age of 65 years who are experiencing acute mental ill health and for people of any age living with dementia.

You will provide comprehensive physiotherapy assessments and treatment interventions for patients with complex co-existing mental and physical health problems. Our patients present with a wide variety of co-morbidities including falls, frailty, reduced mobility, musculoskeletal conditions , fractures, neurological conditions and chronic respiratory conditions so it is essential that you have a wide range of clinical experience.

You will promote and facilitate the use of physical activity to positively impact physical and mental health and wellbeing.

You will work within an Allied Health Professional (AHP) Team which includes Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Dietetics & Support Workers.

You will be an active, visible and valued member of the wider inpatient multi-disciplinary team.

You will be involved with quality improvement projects and will lead on relevant service developments.

You will be responsible for the clinical supervision of a rotational Band 5 Physiotherapist, AHP apprentices, support workers and physiotherapy students and will contribute to the development of these colleagues.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To provide physiotherapy to individuals with mental health needs including dementia who are referred to the service.

To ensure a high-quality physiotherapy service is provided through multi-disciplinary, multi-agency working.  To carry out specialist assessment, goal setting, implementation of treatment programmes and evaluation which seek to work in partnership with service users and their carers in a recovery and positive risk-taking approach.

To represent and promote the specialist role of physiotherapy within the team including involvement with service planning and development.

Professional support will be provided by the Physiotherapy Clinical Specialist and AHP Lead.

The post holder will link into the wider physiotherapy network in Nottingham and will work cooperatively with colleagues to ensure high quality service provision and gain opportunities for support and continual professional development opportunities.

To contribute to the supervision of band 5 rotational physiotherapist and support staff working on the wards.

To contribute to the supervision and clinical support of physiotherapy students on placement in the service.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £26.40 (standard) or £54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.

You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £16 per year applies.