An exciting opportunity has arisen to join an established Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Practitioner team (Advanced Practice) at Kingston Hospital. The team is led by an MSK Physiotherapy Consultant and supported by the Orthopaedics department. We work covering clinics at Kingston and off site in local locations. We work closely with our secondary and primary care colleagues and also have a Spinal MDT with the Neurosurgeons at St George's.
Although a general specialty role, we are looking for experience with Hand patients, as this role will have a Hand bias predominantly, but in house training and support will also be provided.
The role includes triage and assessment of patients referred for an Orthopaedic opinion, as well as carrying a physiotherapy caseload. The job plan covers the Advanced practice job plan of 70:30 (clinical: non-clinical) with protected time for four pillar activity.
Whilst we are looking for an experienced Advanced Practitioner, we would also welcome Trainee AP's who are in their thrird year of an AP MSc.
* To works as an autonomous OPP and provide expert orthopaedic assessment, clinical diagnosis, and management in an extended scope role in both the Orthopaedic and Physiotherapy departments.
* To triage orthopaedic referrals and make a decision whether the patient should have an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon or OPP.
* To refer patients from primary and secondary care services onto appropriate specialities according to agreed pathways, e.g. physiotherapy, rheumatology, neurosurgery and pain clinic.
* Be the physiotherapy lead within a multi-disciplinary team, providing specialist advice to other specialist health professionals, such as GPs, Orthopaedic, Rheumatology, Neurology and Pain Management Consultants, Specialist Registrars, Senior House Officers, GPs with Special Interest, and others as necessary.
* To take a lead role in identifying research and audit needs in the musculoskeletal physiotherapy service and orthopaedic department; and develop a research and evidence based practice culture.
* To identify clinical research and audit priorities in order to drive the ESP and musculoskeletal physiotherapy clinical development strategy.
* To provide clinical education and act as a source of the highest specialist knowledge for other physiotherapy team members when encountering complex and/or problematic clinical situations that need immediate clinical input and provide advice for the ongoing management of such patients.
Development and staff wellbeing
Your growth and personal happiness matters to us. After all, we can't expect the best from you if we don't invest in your development and nurture your wellbeing. From the moment you join us, we're committed to fostering your professional and personal development within a supportive, empowering environment. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to advance further, we provide you with the tools and opportunities you need to succeed. We actively support colleagues to take part in research, quality improvement and innovation, whatever their role or level in the organisation.
To support your wellbeing, we offer an extensive range of resources, including an on-site staff nursery at Kingston Hospital, wellbeing practitioners, regular wellbeing classes, dedicated staff physiotherapist, comprehensive occupational health services, 24/7 employee assistance programme, and a range of other support and activities.
We also take every opportunity to thank and recognise the work our teams do, through weekly 'shoutouts' and patient feedback, monthly and annual awards.
Wherever you work across our organisation, we look forward to welcoming you.
Please see the attached Job description and person specification attached as per the Job role