Job Overview

We are looking for a skilled Grade 11 Acute Neuro Physiotherapist to provide expert assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation for patients with acute neurological conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury. You will work within a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality, evidence-based neurorehabilitation in an acute hospital setting.

Key Responsibilities:

•              Assess and manage patients with acute neurological impairments

•              Develop and implement personalised rehabilitation programmes

•              Facilitate early mobilisation and functional recovery

•              Provide specialist advice and education to patients, families, and staff

•              Collaborate closely with medical, nursing, and therapy colleagues

•              Participate in clinical audit, research, and service development initiatives

For an informal chat about this job, please ontact Lochlainn Mahon - l.mahon1@health.gov.je

Job Purpose

To work as an advanced AHP assessing, formulating, diagnosing and treating a complex clinical caseload as an autonomous physiotherapy practitioner.

To provide highly specialist information and advice to clients, their families and their Healthcare Professionals in relation to any trauma / elective conditions / procedures and it’s up to date and evidenced based management. 

To facilitate and provide learning opportunities and education to H&CS professionals and the wider community on trauma and elective surgery and the appropriate rehabilitation in order to improve knowledge & understanding about the condition, as well as reduce its’ burden and impact on our community.

To undertake audit activity and service evaluation within own area to support Head of Physiotherapy Department with strategy and policy development work regarding orthopaedics; supporting the integration of research evidence into orthopaedic clinical practice.

To supervise the work of other physiotherapists and assistants within the team in order to deliver a high quality physiotherapy service. 

Statutory Responsibilities

 Active engagement, participation and compliance with any other statutory responsibilities applicable to the role, as amended from time to time.

This role is politically restricted. The job holder is not permitted to undertake political activity involving standing for election to the Government or as a Parish Constable, or publicly supporting someone who is standing for election or playing a public part in any political manner.

The post holder will have to comply with all relevant States Laws, such as the Health and Safety at Work (Jersey) Law 1989 and any other associated legislation, Standing Orders, Financial Directions, and other relevant Codes of Practice

Ensure appropriate communication of relevant patient information through the maintenance and updating of patient/client records in line with the requirements of Clinical Governance and Quality as set out in the Standards of Practice from the CSP; HCPC and H&CS.

To meet all requirements of Clinical Governance (e.g. statutory & mandatory training; CPD; reflective practice etc.) and propose any necessary changes to physiotherapy service delivery, which this may give rise to.

To interpret and inform the Orthopaedic Consultant, Nursing and Principal Physiotherapist in Musculoskeletal Services of specific national and professional evidence and policies which affect the specialist area. 

Job Specific Outcomes 1 of 2

• Professionally responsible and accountable for the physiotherapy triage of and assessment, formulation, treatment and management of a caseload of complex (co-morbid; diagnostically challenging, complex psychosocial issues; requiring enhanced diagnostic workup; complex physical, cognitive and psychosocial impairments; associated mental health challenges; high prevalence of ACEs and trauma; life-limiting prognoses) patients moving through the in-patient orthopaedic pathway. Responsible for the decision making of when patients are ready for safe discharge, regarding physical capabilities. Participate in on call by local agreement. 
• Professionally responsible and accountable for planning, implementing and evaluating patient-centred, goal-orientated treatment and management programmes for a caseload of complex (as above) patients moving through the in-patient orthopaedic wards, utilising advanced specialist clinical reasoning skills and knowledge of relevant outcome measuresTo develop and implement specialist education and rehabilitation materials & programmes for the many elective surgical procedures and the various trauma admitted. Integrating with the MDT, Doctors, and Nurses, OT, Social workers and community teams.
• To maintain and oversee maintenance of accurate clinical records and statistical data in accordance with professional standards, providing written clinical reports to external agencies to optimise multi[1]disciplinary, multi-agency working and holistic patient care. 
• As part of the primary remit of the orthopaedic in-patient physiotherapy service, to provide specialist manual handling and rehabilitation related training to H&CS & community professionals.

Job Specific Outcomes 2 of 2

• Responsible for developing and implementing clinical audits within own specialist service area, critically appraising quality, safety, efficiency and evidence base, contributing to the physiotherapy and orthopaedic department governance and quality improvement agenda. Proposes changes and where appropriate supports implementation by the wider team, taking into consideration the impact on other professions and departments. 
• To contribute to and challenge best practice for orthopaedic in-patient, and enhanced recovery management, in line with discipline guidelines & evidence base.
• Responsible for the supervision, development and appraisal of team members, in accordance with organisational policies and professional standards to ensure that all are motivated, focussed and able to deliver their individual responsibilities to the best of their abilities.
• Supports business planning for physiotherapy aspect of orthopaedic in patient service; ensuring this aligns with physiotherapy and orthopaedics, with the Therapy Strategy, plus H&CS and Gov.je strategy where appropriate. 
• Responsible for daily running of orthopaedic in-patient, and enhanced recovery services including organisation and planning of work patterns and patient allocation to reflect service demands and priorities, including readjusting plans as necessary to support other teams as necessary. 

Qualifications

Degree and/or diploma of Physiotherapy or Chartered Society of Physiotherapy accredited Masters.

Qualified member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Registered with the Health Professions Council and have local registration to work as a physiotherapist.

5 years’ experience working in specialist area.

Additional specialist post-graduate knowledge and skills training through recognised, accredited courses. 

Knowledge

Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of trauma management, and elective surgery and ability to apply this to inpatient, outpatient and community settings across the entire clinical pathway.

Broad professional knowledge & experience in the rehabilitation of a wide range of orthopaedic, trauma and elective health conditions, pathology, disease and impairment in order to assess and treat patients safely and effectively. To advise patients and other professionals in the team about how their symptoms relate to their presentation and management.

Understanding of the role of other health professionals in the service (Clinical Psychologists and Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, Rapid Response Teams, Specialist Nurses) and in services external to orthopaedics (including, but not limited to neurology; rheumatology, Pain Service) supporting strategic work and the delivery of safe, effective and cohesive clinical care.

Understanding of clinical governance, its’ systematic evaluation and application.

Knowledge and experience of delivering quality improvement within healthcare settings

Knowledge of Health and Social Care legalisation and current practise.

Knowledge of wound care management 

Technical Work Based Skills

High level assessment skills to provide a working diagnosis based on the appropriate use, interpretation and assimilation of highly complex strands of data from a variety of sources. These will include diagnostic tests, self-report measures, information gained from family, carers and other healthcare professionals, as well as objective detailed physical and functional observational measurement and testing, involving highly developed dexterity, co-ordination, movement analytical skills.

Advanced specialist experience of treatment modalities relating to patient safety when there is physical and functional compromise.

The post holder is expected to have acquired and maintained specialist expertise for the delivery of physiotherapy input into in-patient orthopaedics and enhanced recovery programmes.

Computer skills that enable use of word processing, data collection and analysis, literature searching and presentation production.

Leadership skills to optimise participation in multidisciplinary treatment and training programmes.

Supports critical appraisal, adaptation and implementation of relevant national and international guidelines for specialist area. 

General skills / attributes

Effective negotiating and interpersonal skills

The post requires the holder to be able to effectively communicate complex clinical information in spoken and written form for patients, carers, including through interpreters, and fellow professionals and outside agencies.

To be able to engage patients in rehabilitation /active self-management of their condition, where they are often emotionally distressed, ambivalent or resistant to this. Barriers to overcome may include fear or misunderstandings about their condition, previous negative experiences of healthcare, or previous negative life experiences such as physical, emotional or sexual abuse, and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). 

Excellent problem solving and analytical skills, undertaking ongoing risk assessment and clinical reasoning for highly complex patients with multiple co-morbidities.

Able to remain professional and work effectively under pressure 

Experience

Five years, (full time equivalent), relevant post qualification experience, with a minimum of three years’ experience in relevant services.

Experience and knowledge of project-based service delivery, incorporating planning, evaluation, reporting methods and appropriate user involvement processes (e.g. co-design)

Experience in healthcare quality improvement initiatives

Experience in teaching and training other professions

Experience of supervising/ managing/ developing junior/assistants/students through PRA and teaching.

Experience of working effectively with a multidisciplinary and multi-agency team.

Experience of reviewing, reflecting and critically appraising own practice and performance through CPD and professional supervision and appraisal that is in line with national and local guidelines

Experience in analysing and providing comment on professional and ethical issues. 

Personal Attributes

Up to date registration with Jersey Care Commission and with the HCPC.

Up to date DBS enhanced check and up to date adult safeguarding training/child protection training.