Physiotherapist (Paeds Acute)

A fixed term Band 6 position has become vacant within the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital Acute Paediatric Physiotherapy Team (Wards and outpatients).

The job involves cross site work between the Chelsea and the West Middlesex site (there is an internal shuttle bus) and participation on the weekend and out of hours rota.

The Acute team has a High dependency ward on the Chelsea site as well as two further main wards which includes longer term surgical patients which often require significant developmental input as well as a more acute ward. This can have a variety of neurological, respiratory and orthopaedic conditions. There is also a day surgery unit for our orthopaedic patients.

The West Middlesex site has one main acute ward with an attached short stay unit. There is also a day surgery unit.

The outpatient services are on the Chelsea site only and there is a mixture of consultant and GP referrals. We also run clinics alongside our Orthopaedic and A&E colleagues.

The team works closely with our colleagues in the Neonatal team, Community Paediatric Physiotherapy team and Physiotherapy Orthopaedic Practitioners as well as our medical and nursing colleagues.

Please do get in contact if you are interested in the role and have further questions regarding the position.

Main duties of the job

The post includes participation in the hospital's respiratory on-call and weekend service for both adults and children.

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

To be able to carry and prioritise your own designated clinical caseload, working as an autonomous practitioner without direct supervision. To monitor caseloads of other staff when deputising for the Band 7 during short periods of leave.

During each rotation to take responsibility for certain patient conditions or clinical areas, as delegated by the Band 7, and to develop specialised assessment and treatment skills in these areas with support from the Band 7.

Provide sound evidence based clinical advice as required to staff and patients

To determine the patients understanding of the physiotherapy intervention in order to gain valid, informed consent and to be able to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.

To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools when communicating with patients/carers to maximise the patient's rehabilitation potential. This will include communication with people with complex communication difficulties such as dysphasia, deafness, dementia, mental health problems, those who have difficulty accepting their diagnosis and young children. To communicate with people who speak English as a second language through the use of an interpreter.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.

Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.

We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.

We welcome applications for flexible working arrangements, accommodating requests where possible to support our staff and patient needs.

The Trust is committed to equality and welcomes applications from all, regardless of background. Adjustments can be made for disabled candidates. Early application is advised as vacancies may close once sufficient applications are received. If you haven't heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.