Specialist Senior Physiotherapist

This post offers the successful candidate the opportunity to work as part of an evolving Pelvic Health team and includes input to the highly thought of Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Colorectal service, along with male urology patients and persistent pelvic pain patients. Referrals are received from an established and highly integrated MDT, including consultant nursing and GP colleagues.
Formulate and deliver an individual physiotherapy treatment programme based on a specialist knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options using clinical assessment, reasoning skills and knowledge of treatment skills


To take lead responsibility for the day to day management of patient workloads, and the delivery of specialist physiotherapy assessment and treatment plans for designated groups of patients.


Represent physiotherapy service and/or individual patients at the multi-disciplinary team meetings.


Be responsible for the day to day management of specialist physiotherapy practitioner grades and below on a daily basis.


Maintain and develop current knowledge of evidenced-based practice in the areas of Pelvic Health Physiotherapy management, developing highly specialist knowledge of particular conditions and patient types.
Our People Charter outlines the behaviours we can expect from one another and what you can expect from Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust:


We're keen to meet people who share these values and are passionate about delivering the highest quality of care to our patients.
To provide day-to-day line management, to a team of staff, in a hospital setting.


To assess, develop and implement physiotherapy treatment utilising specialist theoretical knowledge and relevant practical experience within pelvic health.


To undertake lead responsibility of the supervision, training and appraisal of assistant practitioners, unqualified staff, peers and colleagues of specialist and physiotherapy practitioner grades and physiotherapy students.


Working without direct supervision using own initiative to interpret operational policies and procedures.


The postholder will have day to day management responsibility for the Pelvic Health physiotherapy team, including specialist physiotherapy practitioner grade staff (B6) and below.


The postholder will have the lead responsibility for co-ordinating the education of specialist physiotherapy practitioner grade staff (B6) and below.


To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of patients in your care.


To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations / multiple pathologies use advanced clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment techniques to provide an accurate diagnosis of their condition.


Formulate and deliver an individual physiotherapy treatment programme based on a specialist knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options using clinical assessment, reasoning skills and knowledge of treatment skills e.g. manual physiotherapy techniques, patient education, exercise classes, electrotherapy techniques and other alternative options.


To take lead responsibility for the day to day management of patient workloads, and the delivery of specialist physiotherapy assessment and treatment plans for designated groups of patients.


Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.


Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes. To ensure that clinical risk is assessed and managed by team members both of individual patients and the environment.


Work within trust clinical guidelines, The Health & Care Professionals Council (HCPC) standards and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) guidelines and to have a good working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor own and others quality of practice as appropriate.


When working in the community and domiciliary settings, work as a lone practitioner with telephone support from a clinical co-ordinator if required.


To be responsible for maintaining accurate and comprehensive patient treatment records in line with HCPC & CSP standards of practice, and local documentation standards. Represent physiotherapy service and/or individual patients at the multi-disciplinary team meetings, to ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service, and integrate physiotherapy treatment into the treatment programme. This will include discussion of patient care, patient progress and involvement in discharge planning.


To ensure that staff/assistants attain competency prior to use, and training records are completed and maintained.


Leadership/Management


To supervise and monitor individual team members patient records according to professional and the physiotherapy service standards.


To be responsible for teaching student physiotherapists to graduate level on physiotherapeutic skills and knowledge within core clinical areas.


Teach, assess and contribute to the performance assessment and appraisal of specialist physiotherapy practitioners grades (B6) and below.


Be responsible for the day to day management of specialist physiotherapy practitioner grades and below on a daily basis.


To be responsible for organising and planning own and teams caseloads to meet service and patient priorities, making adjustments on a daily basis as situations change or arise.


Maintain and develop current knowledge of evidenced-based practice in the areas of Pelvic Health Physiotherapy management, developing highly specialist knowledge of particular conditions and patient types.


Be an active member of the in-service training programme by attendance at, and participation in, in-service training programmes, tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses and peer review. This is in the context of physiotherapy specific education and facilitating education across our MDT.


Be responsible for the safe and competent use of medical devices, ensuring patients are instructed in correct and safe use and are aware of the risks and benefits of using specific devices.


To undertake surveys and audits as necessary to evaluate own and peers work.


Lead the implementation of the measurement and evaluation of work and current practices through the use of evidence based practise projects, audit and outcome measures, either individually or with more senior staff.


To monitor the teams compliance with professional codes of practice, departmental and Trust policies, procedures and guidelines including health and safety requirements.


To ensure that continuing professional development is achieved in line with the Registering Bodys requirements ensuring your registration is maintained.


Working as part of a team with more senior and junior qualified staff, assistants and students in specific service areas.


Liaising and communicating with the wider physiotherapy staff group.


Liaising and communicating with specialist medical staff including consultant and GP specialist staff and other healthcare professionals as appropriate.


The postholder will be required to travel between different hospital sites.


Subject to the prior agreement of the Head of Therapy you may engage in private practise.


Any private practice you may undertake must not diminish the level of service expected from you by the Trust in carrying out your duties.
Significant experience working in Pelvic Health
Significant post graduate experience including recent experience in the NHS
Significant experience at Band 6 / equivalent
Degree in Physiotherapy
Working towards or in possession of postgraduate diploma postgraduate certificate or Masters Degree or relevant post graduate qualification/courses
Clinical educator training

Significant knowledge of continence and pelvic health physiotherapy. Working towards or in possession of postgraduate diploma postgraduate certificate or Masters Degree or relevant post graduate qualification/courses
Attendance on external postgraduate courses relevant to the specialist field

Competent in core areas and specialist physiotherapy practice
Management skills

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust