Rotational Physiotherapist – Acute Inpatient
Band 6 Rotational Physiotherapist – Acute inpatient, West Middlesex University Hospital site.
We are looking for an experienced Physiotherapist to work with a dynamic therapy team at West Middlesex Hospital. The role offers weekly in‑service training, regular supervision and the chance to consolidate practical and leadership skills or step up to a Band 6 position.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work on a six‑month rotation across different inpatient therapy teams. They will provide senior support to Band 5 physiotherapists and therapy assistants, collaborate closely with occupational therapists, deliver high‑quality care and lead specific projects and service developments as delegated by the Band 7 therapist or Clinical Lead Therapist.
The role requires autonomous practice, including assessment, treatment and management of a designated caseload, maintaining up‑to‑date records, and applying evidence‑based practice.
They will supervise, teach and support junior staff, therapy assistants and students on placement.
Job responsibilities
* Professionally and legally responsible for all aspects of patient care.
* Manage own clinical caseload autonomously without direct supervision.
* Carry out proficient physiotherapy assessments and determine diagnoses or impairments.
* Use appropriate assessment and treatment techniques, including comprehensive subjective and objective assessments.
* Agree physiotherapy goals with patients, ensuring they are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and appropriately timed.
* Plan and implement individual physiotherapy programmes, including for complex conditions.
* Use treatment options such as advice, gait re‑education, exercise prescription and therapeutic aids/equipment.
* Monitor and evaluate treatment, measuring progress and modifying interventions as required.
* Recognise when supervision is needed and seek assistance when appropriate.
* Interpret clinical and non‑clinical facts to formulate accurate prognoses and develop discharge plans.
* Identify and manage risk in complex acutely ill patients and support junior staff in clinical reasoning.
* Identify and manage manual handling risks, including bariatric patients.
* Collaborate with occupational therapists regarding patient discharge risk.
* Provide comprehensive written records of assessment and treatment.
* Ensure informed consent and work within a legal framework, even with patients lacking capacity.
* Communicate effectively with patients and carers, including those with complex communication needs or who speak English as a second language with an interpreter.
* Work closely with the multi‑disciplinary team, attending or organising MDT meetings such as case conferences and ward rounds.
* Use all physiotherapy equipment safely and in line with department standards.
* Provide appropriate physiotherapy aids and equipment to patients.
* Manage clinical risk within own caseload.
* Participate as an active member of the respiratory evening and on‑call rota, working without supervision during on‑call and weekends.
Professional responsibilities
* Comply with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy codes of conduct.
* Maintain personal CPD through self‑directed learning, reflective practice and attend in‑service training, including giving presentations and postgraduate courses as per personal development plan.
* Develop understanding and application of evidence‑based practice and physiotherapy techniques.
* Implement evidence‑based practice into the daily clinical service.
* Appraise Band 5 staff, therapy assistants and meet agreed objectives and personal development plan.
* Teach and assess graduate‑level therapeutic skills to students.
* Collect data for research and audits, and implement changes.
* Lead or contribute to research projects using research grants, with the Therapy Research Champions.
* Apply clinical governance principles to own caseload and participate in departmental governance sessions.
Organisational responsibilities
* Demonstrate good time management and organisational skills in managing daily workload.
* Support Band 7 in redistributing staff to meet clinical pressures and oversee the caseload when Band 7 is absent.
* Communicate assessment findings and outcomes to other disciplines via reports, discharge letters, etc.
* Make appropriate referrals to other physiotherapists and multidisciplinary team members.
* Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date patient records and statistics per departmental, professional and legal standards.
* Induct, teach, supervise junior staff, students and assistants, providing feedback and ensuring compliance with mandatory training.
* Ensure safe use of all therapeutic equipment and aids (including gym, respiratory and electrotherapy equipment).
* Delegate tasks to therapy assistants per departmental and professional guidelines.
* Support Band 7 and, when delegated, lead service and policy developments.
* Carry an identified bleep.
Effort and working conditions
* Perform assessments and treatments using manual and therapeutic handling techniques requiring moderate to high physical effort and concentration, often daily.
* Follow the Trust manual handling policy at all times.
* Work alone as required, depending on on‑call rotas.
* Deal sensitively with patients experiencing high anxiety or aggression, such as pain, fear or dementia.
* Convey unwelcome news about functional progress or diagnosis sympathetically to patients and carers.
* Regular exposure to unpleasant working conditions such as body fluids and occasional verbal or physical aggression.
This role involves regular weekend working and on‑call commitments. The provision of seven‑day services and extended hours is being reviewed across the department.
Covid‑19 vaccination is a condition of employment for this role, unless an exemption applies.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
* BSc or Diploma in Physiotherapy (or above)
* HCPC registration
* Evidence of ongoing CPD since qualification
* CSP registration
* Membership of a special interest group
Previous Experience
* Evidence of working as a qualified therapist in the UK NHS system (or equivalent public healthcare system)
* Experience as a qualified physiotherapist in broad inpatient clinical areas
* Experience in emergency on‑call respiratory service provision
* Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team
* Participation in in‑service training and teaching
* Supervision of Band 5 physiotherapists, students or therapy assistants
* Experience as a qualified physiotherapist in the community, musculoskeletal outpatients and paediatrics
* Previous experience as a Band 6 Physiotherapist in a relevant post
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
* Clinically reason the application of assessment and treatment techniques in a variety of settings.
* Effectively self‑manage time, prioritisation, clinical caseload and stress.
* Guide and direct therapy assistants and students in clinical practice.
* Use professional communication strategies with patients, carers and the MDT.
* Understand and apply CPD requirements outlined by the HCPC.
* Participate in research or audit activities.
* Possess clinical educator training and/or appraisal skills.
Personal Characteristics
* Communicate clearly, both written and orally, in a logical manner.
* Basic computer skills including word processing, spreadsheets, presentation packages and internet use.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check for any previous convictions.
The Trust is committed to equality and welcomes applications from all, regardless of background. Adjustments can be made for disabled candidates.
Employment is subject to a six‑month probationary period.
Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.
Salary: £45,953 – £54,254 per annum, inclusive of HCAS.
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