Physiotherapy Senior Technical Instructor

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced, motivated and passionate Senior Technical Instructor to join our Emergency Care Therapy. This dynamic team is looking for someone who is confident to deliver high quality therapeutic assessments and interventions within the therapy team which includes Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists. A valid and proactive contribution to support innovation and service development is actively encouraged from all team members.

The successful candidates must have experience in the field of Acute Medicine/Emergency Care/Frailty as a therapy assistant working in the NHS or similar environment. Excellent inter-personal skills, strong values based patient centred care and effective team work are essential to the post.

The successful candidate will be joining therapy teams in delivering an enhanced seven day therapy service inclusive of weekend working and evening work to patients as part of the wider therapy department. The mix of interventions you will deliver will vary over time depending on the patient's needs.

Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS at Risk staff throughout Devon who is able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.

To perform specific therapeutic (clinical and non-clinical) assessment, treatment and discharge of an identified caseload of patients within the Therapy Team as part of the MDT in Emergency Care. The clinical caseload will be allocated and indirectly supervised by registered Health and Care Professions Council registered therapists within the area.

To undertake all aspects of clinical duties within an agreed protocol within the individuals scope of practice. To ensure competence is gained and retained in all areas in which you practice.

• To work independently, but under the direction of the HCPC registered Therapists to perform specific tasks for an individual or group of patients, as part of their assessment, rehabilitation and therapeutic care programmes as well as facilitating earlier discharge from inpatient settings.
• To work within protocols and competencies specific to this post. To act as first contact in specific situations.

Patient management includes assessment and information gathering to identify patient needs; development of personalised treatment and care plans collaboratively with the registered therapy staff and review of progress and ongoing needs at regular intervals.

Treatment activities might include following exercise and mobility programmes; and educating & advising patients and their families about their situation and options for the future.

We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Clinical

• To be accountable for own clinical practice and caseload management. To work without direct supervision but under the direction of the qualified staff in the performance of specific tasks for emergency care patients, as part of their treatment and rehabilitation programmes. Duties may include:

¾ Initial assessment, treatment of post-operative patients, in accordance with established protocols, scope of practice and competence.

¾ Development and Implementation of rehabilitation treatment programmes.

¾ To understand and communicate complex information in simple and clear terms to patients, relatives, carers and other members of the MDT.

¾ Develop person-specific goals for individuals and their carers.

¾ Training and education of emergency care staff in the delivery of rehabilitation exercise programmes.

¾ Positioning advice and care.

¾ Conduct basis physiotherapeutic respiratory assessment.

¾ Recognise acute and chronic deterioration and modify treatment accordingly.

¾ Assessing performance of activities of daily living.

¾ Teaching the use of specialist rehabilitation equipment.

¾ Carry out level 1 & 2 psychological interventions, e.g. active listening

• To understand, provide, receive and exchange complex condition related information with patients and relatives, who may have communication difficulties. Patients may have complex acute or long term communication difficulties following trauma or long term ventilation, e.g. tracheostomy patients.
• To be actively involved in the communication of information regarding patient's conditions and any other useful information to the physiotherapists and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
• To communicate effectively with patients and carers. Communication skills of persuasion, motivation and explanation will be needed. Barriers to communication may include loss of hearing, altered perception, pain and language disorders associated with brain injury.
• To be aware at all times of the needs of patients during illness or disability and to promote and encourage independence and restoration of function.
• Be aware of the entire emergency care pathway, including hyper acute / acute / rehab phases and the implications of this on standards of therapy care.
• Plan and manage own patient caseload across emergency care areas.
• To work independently, but under the direction of a Physiotherapist to perform procedures and treatment plans for an individual or group of patients, as part of their treatment and rehabilitation programmes.

For further details please see attached JD&PS.