Clinical Specialist Therapist in Emergency Department
Join to apply for the Clinical Specialist Therapist in Emergency Department role at Royal Berkshire Hospital, Craven Road, Reading RG1 5AN (Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust).
Job Summary
This is a fixed-term/secondment opportunity for 12 months to cover maternity leave. The role is mainly based in the Emergency Department and associated Front Door Services and will also include covering the Falls and Frailty Response service.
Main duties
* Be an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist clinical expert in the management of patients in the Emergency Department supporting admission avoidance and safe, prompt return to the community.
* Work on the Falls & Frailty Response Service in the community alongside a Specialist Paramedic, providing a blue light response to older people who have fallen, providing rapid intervention, equipment and onward referrals.
* Be responsible for the operational management and clinical leadership of the Emergency Department Therapy (EDT) team in conjunction with other Specialist Band 7 Therapists and the Operational Lead for Front Door Service.
* Use expert occupational therapy or physiotherapy knowledge and advanced clinical reasoning skills to provide specialist support and advice to the therapy team and other healthcare staff, and manage own caseload of patients with highly complex discharge planning and admission avoidance support as an autonomous practitioner.
* Ensure a high quality and effective therapy service at the front door to the hospital.
* Work with South Central Ambulance Service on the 'Falls & Frailty Response Service' on 12 hour shifts as an autonomous practitioner, preventing conveyance to hospital and maximising independence and safety in the patient's home.
About the Trust
The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest district general hospitals in the country, caring for around 500,000 patients annually. The Trust achieved Foundation Trust status on 1 June 2006 and is rated Good by the CQC.
Details
* Date posted: 06 January 2026
* Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
* Band: 7
* Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 per annum
* Contract: Fixed term
* Duration: 12 months
* Working pattern: Full-time
* Reference number: 193-7595523NCG-A
* Job location: Royal Berkshire Hospital, Craven Road, Reading, RG1 5AN
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached Job Description and Personal Specification for further details.
Person Specification
Essential
* Substantial specialist experience at a senior level
* Extensive post-graduate experience
* Post-graduate training/qualification in the management of frail elderly patients and falls prevention
* Experience of teaching and presenting to other staff
* Experience of supervising and developing other staff and students
* In-depth understanding of non-elective admissions, admission avoidance and work with frail, elderly patients
* Knowledge of current issues and policy relating to field of practice
* Registered OT/Physio with HCPC
* Advanced knowledge and experience of a wide range of approaches to the management of frail elderly patients & falls prevention, including advanced clinical reasoning & treatment skills
Desirable
* MSc or equivalent training/experience in related area
* Management training
* Previous experience of a range of healthcare settings
* Attendance at specialist courses relating to OT/Physio within the field of ED/admission avoidance
* Completion of relevant QI projects
* Evidence of CPD
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information see NHS Careers website.
Employer
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Royal Berkshire Hospital
Craven Road
Reading RG1 5AN
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