NHS Physiotherapist

We are seeking an enthusiastic and skilled Highly Specialised Physiotherapist to work in the Red Cell Pain Management and Psychology Service (RCPMPS) at St George's Hospital. The postholder will work within the RCPMPS, providing outpatient physiotherapy support to individuals with haemoglobinopathies, focusing on pain management, physical function, and quality of life. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work compassionately and creatively using pain management physiotherapy skills, while contributing to consultation and MDT work. Since 2013, the service has gained a strong reputation for its innovative pain management approach for adults living with sickle cell disease (SCD), offering both individual and group interventions alongside an experienced pain management team that includes a psychologist and pain consultant.
The postholder will primarily focus on the physiotherapy aspect of the RCPMPS and will be supervised by the experienced pain management physiotherapist in the service. The postholder will join an established and supportive physiotherapy team within the trust, benefiting from ongoing professional development (CPD) opportunities and peer supervision.
St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey.Our sites include St George's Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).
While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.
The postholder will join an established and supportive physiotherapy team within the trust, benefiting from ongoing professional development (CPD) opportunities and peer supervision. Additionally, the postholder will be professionally linked to the broader St George's Hospital Adult Haematology team, collaborating with Clinical and Assistant Psychologists, a Social Prescribing Link Worker, haematology doctors, and community and hospital-based clinical nurse specialists. The Highly Specialised Physiotherapist will take a lead role in advising members of the RCPMPS on appropriate interventions for sickle cell disease and thalassaemia related chronic pain aimed at improving function and quality of life. The post holder will be responsible for delivering and developing the physiotherapy component of the RCPMPS Pain Management Programme (PMP). The Highly Specialised Physiotherapist will lead on the physiotherapy component of the group programme, both in terms of delivering the content to the group and updating, as required, written content for the programme manual. In order to achieve this, the Highly Specialised Physiotherapist must use highly specialist physiotherapy knowledge as well as demonstrating a clear understanding of CBT principles and group work. In order to achieve this it will be essential for the Highly Specialised Physiotherapist to develop and maintain close working relationships RCPMPS team members, the wider Haematology team, The Chronic Pain Self-Management Team, St Georges Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Department and Primary Care services. The Highly Specialised Physiotherapist will be expected to act as a source of expertise in the management of sickle cell related chronic pain for colleagues at St Georges Hospital and community settings. They will also contribute to a new community pilot project for patients with red cell conditions, supporting the development and delivery of workshops, outreach projects and patient participation, and working with the community MDT - including education sessions.
Given the growing emphasis on the appropriate management of long term conditions the Highly Specialised Physiotherapist will also be expected to take a lead in developing local policies and pathways for chronic pain for people living with sickle cell disease. The post holder will also supervise, initiate and participate in evidence-based projects and is responsible for implementing changes within the service and monitoring standards of practice.
The post holder will follow professional guidelines and work within the overall framework of the policies and procedures of the Clinical haematology department. The post holder will participate in audit, research and service development projects within the service. The post holder will also be involved in the training and continuing professional development of physiotherapists and other health professionals.
To act as an expert practitioner demonstrating advanced knowledge and skills within the speciality of sickle cell chronic pain management by
Providing expert clinical opinion as lead physiotherapist for the RCPMPS PMP
Providing advanced physiotherapeutic assessment and management of patients with diverse presentations, complex physical and psychological symptoms.
Holding ultimate responsibility for planning, developing and implementation of the physiotherapy component of the RCPMPS.
Working collaboratively with the other professionals within the RCPMPS to provide a high quality service and to ensure that the service responds proactively to local and national developments in chronic pain management
Providing and developing expert supervision, education and training in chronic pain management to all relevant professionals
Degree or equivalent in physiotherapy
Evidence of CPD in sickle cell disease/ chronic pain management in the form of a detailed personal development portfolio
Postgraduate education/courses in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and the management of pain
British Pain Society, Physiotherapy Pain Association
Formal management training
Further specialised training e.g. MSc in Pain Management, CBT diploma, Independent prescribing course for physiotherapists
Leadership training
Minimum 6 years post registration experience of a range of clinical areas including pain management and musculoskeletal physiotherapy.
Minimum of 3 years experience at Band 7 level.
Experience of working on a multidisciplinary cognitive behavioural pain management programme
Robust understanding of all aspects of clinical governance including previous experience of quality issues, audit, risk management.
Experience of planning and implementing service developments
Experience of management of physiotherapists or students
Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession
Lone working experience
Other group work experience e.g. Back Rehabilitation classes
Advanced clinical reasoning skills in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and pain management
Excellent skills in communicating verbally and in writing in a sensitive manner with patients who may be highly distressed (including report writing and preparing patient information)
Proven organisational skills including prioritisation, delegation and time management
Exceptional team building and team working skills including ability to lead and motivate others
Ability to keep legible and accurate records in English using POMR format
Ability to comprehend and work within the Trust's policies of data protection, equal opportunities and health and safety to meet the differing needs of patients
Skilled in risk assessment
Flexible
Excellent time management
St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
St George's Hospital