Specialist Physiotherapist/Trainee

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

Perth & Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership

Learning Disability Physiotherapy Perth and Kinross Community

Specialist Physiotherapist/Trainee, Band 6/Annex 21 paragraph 2 (i)

A rare opportunity has arisen for a Physiotherapist to join our Learning Disability Team. This is an exciting new role which will be attractive to someone who would relish a clinical role with lots of variety and who values ongoing development. It is a great fit for a physiotherapist who is looking for a post where there is time to build rapport and connect with their patients. This is a community post which will be based in Perth at Murray Royal Hospital under Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership.

This post will also be considered as a training position under Annex 21 (Para 2 (i) of the Agenda for Change terms & conditions for applicants with post-graduate clinical experience in Physiotherapy practice who are looking to develop into a specialist position.

These candidates if successful will start in post as a Band 5 and be required to complete Specialist in house and specialist academic courses, professional supervision and clinical practice supervision prior to progression to Band 6.

We are looking for an individual with the necessary clinical skills who is adaptable, creative, and a great communicator, who would enjoy working closely as part of a small physiotherapy and larger multi-disciplinary team (which includes Specialist Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Clinical Psychologists, Dieticians, Psychiatrists, Speech and Language Therapists and Social Workers).

Our role as a Specialist Learning Disability Physiotherapy Team is to provide specialist assessment, treatment, and management to adults with a learning disability, whose needs cannot be successfully met by mainstream services, even when reasonable adjustments are made. This involves working collaboratively with our patient group, their network of care, mainstream health services and the MDT. As such, this role requires confident generalist Physiotherapy skills, skill in relationship building and will also allow you to develop specialist skills relating to working with people with a learning disability.

Due to the great diversity of the clinical presentations and treatments provided, previous broad physiotherapy experience would be a benefit. Equally there is a culture of ongoing learning, and for the right candidate we would work together to build the breadth of knowledge required to fulfil all aspects of this role.

Service delivery will be based on the 5 Lead Roles of a Learning Disability Physiotherapist which are: falls prevention and intervention, community level respiratory care, rehabilitation from acute injuries, management of mobility problems, and 24 hour postural care. The opportunity to be involved with service development to ensure we are providing an equitable and high quality service, in line with The ‘Standards of Practice for Physiotherapists working with Adults with a Learning Disability’ is an important and exciting part of this role.

Assessment and treatment is delivered in a variety of settings including clinics, community venues, and people’s homes. Some treatments require a high degree of physical effort, for example rebound therapy (using a trampoline) and hydrotherapy. Appropriate training for these therapies will be available and a willingness and physical ability to take part is required.

Many of our patients experience communication difficulties or use different communication methods. Experience of working with people who use adapted communication would be an advantage, however a natural ability to communicate with a wide variety of people and an enthusiasm to adapt and learn new communication strategies are the key strengths that we are looking for.

You should be a qualified Physiotherapist with HPCP registration to apply and have an interest in working within the Learning Disability field.

This is a permanent full time 37 hours post however consideration will be given to part time working; between Monday to Friday. This post requires membership of Disclosure Scotland’s PVG Scheme.

Informal enquiries to: Lynn Jones LD Physiotherapy Team Lead lynn.jones3@nhs.scot

Hours of work are: 37 but can be negotiable.

Short-listed applicants will be contacted by email. Please check your emails regularly, including your junk/spam folder.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

• You should apply for this post by completing the application process on Jobtrain.
• DO NOT upload a CV as this will not be used for shortlisting purposes.
• Posts close at midnight on the indicated date.
• For help to complete an application on Job Train please follow this link: https://www.careers.nhs.scot/how-to-apply/application-process/
• To view our accessibility statement, please follow this link: https://www.eess.nhs.scot/jobtrain-accessibility-statement/
• If you wish to participate in the Job Interview Guarantee Scheme and have been invited to interview, please contact the Hiring Manager as detailed in the advert to discuss any special requirements that you will need to enable you to attend the interview.
• Please note that our correspondence method is by e-mail, therefore please ensure you enter your email address accurately.
• Please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders) and your Jobtrain account for updates
• Please contact Jobtrain Candidate Support Hub https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home for advice and support with any system issues
• We recommend using the Internet Browser "Google Chrome" or "Microsoft Edge" when using Jobtrain
• Once you have submitted your application form you will be unable to make any amendments
• Some of our vacancies are for internal candidates only. If you are a member of staff, please ensure you update your Jobtrain profile to reflect that you are employed by NHS Tayside