Highly specialist physiotherapist

Band 7 Neuro and Complex Rehab Oncology Physiotherapist, 0.6WTE Cross site Chelsea and Sutton, 12 months fixed term.

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is the largest comprehensive cancer centre in Europe with a national and international reputation for high quality patient care, research, development and education. As physiotherapists we are key members of a multidisciplinary team geared to the support people with a cancer diagnosis across the care continuum, in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Oncology provides a challenging environment for developing a number of skills including clinical reasoning, communication and multi-professional working. Ongoing professional training and development is encouraged and supported.

An opportunity has arisen for a motivated and experienced physiotherapist to join the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. We are looking for an enthusiastic physiotherapist with neurology experience and an interest in oncology. The post holder will see patients with neurological cancers in outpatients, multi‑disciplinary clinics and inpatients.

Main duties of the job

The post holder supports the wider inpatient team with complex rehabilitation including metastatic spinal cord compression. You will be supported by senior colleagues, with regular supervision and in‑service training.

Working for our organisation

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world‑leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals – one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey – as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on‑going achievements.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification:

• Provide a physiotherapeutic diagnosis, to develop and deliver individualised treatment programmes and make appropriate referrals to other disciplines
• Undertake evidence‑based audit and research projects within neuro‑oncology in conjunction with band 5/6 physiotherapists on rotation, to further clinical practice and service development
• Undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner
• Manage clinical risk within own patient caseload
• Evaluate patient progress, re‑assess and alter treatment programmes if required
• Comply with the Trust Manual Handling Policy and local therapeutic handling guidance at all times
• Deputise operationally for and as agreed with the Band 8a Physiotherapists with other Band 7 colleagues. In the absence of superintendent cover on site, direct general enquiries to designated head of service
• Undertake a maximum of 2 additional departmental responsibilities, e.g. Health and Safety Representative, Trade Union Representative, Co‑ordinating In‑Service Training
• Take an active role in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraisee and be responsible for setting and agreeing a personal development plan with the band 8a physiotherapist
• Further develop and maintain an awareness of evidence based practice and current developments in cancer and its treatment and the implications these may have for the delivery of care.
• Take an active role, where appropriate, in the education of students within the Royal Marsden School

Assist where appropriate as clinical educator for Physiotherapy students

Person specification

Education & Qualifications

• Diploma/degree level qualification in physiotherapy
• Membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy or have alternative indemnity arrangements
• HCPC Registered Physiotherapist
• Evidence of on‑going personal/professional development through maintenance of CPD portfolio

Experience

• NHS experience
• Demonstrable knowledge in core physiotherapy skills including respiratory, neurology, orthopaedics, surgical, medical and rehabilitation
• Evidence of skill in provision of a physiotherapy service to patients with haemato‑oncology diagnoses
• Knowledge/Experience in the treatment of patients with cancer
• Ability to teach skills/knowledge to others in both formal and informal environments

Skills, Abilities & Knowledge

• Confident to take the lead and articulate ideas and concerns
• Advanced communication skills with particular ability to work with complex/sensitive situations with patients, carers, physiotherapy colleagues and the wider MDT
• Ability to show tact and to manage boundaries
• Ability to be innovative and respond to change
• Ability to maintain judgement under pressure
• Ability to make decisions organise and prioritise
• Ability to keep accurate patient notes
• Evidence of a good understanding of NHS issues
• Evidence of a good understanding of clinical governance
• Ability to supervise physiotherapy colleagues and facilitate their development
• Ability to work in a stressful environment and recognise the additional stresses of patients/carers dealing with a cancer diagnosis
• Computer literate (e.g. Microsoft words and Outlook)
• Membership of a relevant clinical interest group in physiotherapy

Other

• Flexibility to meet the service needs
• Ability to participate in the provision of an on call physiotherapy service
• Able to work on both sites and to be flexible to meet the needs of the role

The Royal Marsden values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.

Flu Vaccination – What We Expect of our Staff

At The Royal Marsden we have an immune‑compromised patient population who we must protect as much as we can against the flu virus. Each year, seasonal flu affects thousands of people in the UK. Occurring mainly in winter, it is an infectious respiratory disease capable of producing symptoms ranging from those similar to a common cold, through to very severe or even fatal disease.

The wellbeing of our staff and patients is of the upmost importance to us, and it is the expectation of The Royal Marsden that all patient‑facing staff have an annual flu vaccination, provided free of charge by the Trust.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.