Specialist Physiotherapist - NICU

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and enthusiastic physiotherapist to join the Neonatal Therapy Team at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS foundation trust. The team covers a level 1 and level 3 unit across 2 hospital sites and a neonatal follow up clinic. The neonatal unit at Luton hospital is a brand-new, purpose-built unit, featuring larger cot spaces, modern equipment and enhanced facilities, creating an outstanding environment for babies, families and staff and a unique environment in which to work. Alongside the current team (2 neonatal physiotherapists and 1 neonatal occupational therapist) the post holder will provide developmental support to high risk infants and their families through specialist physiotherapy assessment and intervention, early intervention, developmental care and family-centred care. Through holistic management the post holder will also provide input and support for infant's respiratory and orthopaedics needs when necessary. Working closely with the multidisciplinary team the post holder will contribute to service development, teaching, and clinical supervision. The neurodevelopmental follow up clinic at Luton hospital is one of the few enhanced follow up services in the country, providing the post holder with a unique opportunity to really support infants and their families upon discharge and up until 2 years old, ensuring each child receives the highest standard of care possible., · The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of specialist neonatal physiotherapy support within the model of Family Integrated Care to infants andfamilies on the neonatal units at Bedfordshire Hospitals Neonatal Services on both Luton and Bedford site · The role will use highly specialist skills to manage their own complex caseload, working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team. They will be responsible for providing advanced neonatal physiotherapy assessment, advice and interventions with babies who are most at risk of developmental issues in the future and to support the neonatal unit with promoting and delivering family integrated developmental care. · The post holder will work as an integral member of the neonatal multidisciplinary team, working closely alongside families, Neonatal Consultants and Nursing Teams, Infant Feeding team, AHP and Psychology Team (local and ODN) to provide evidence based care. · The post holder will manage a full caseload within NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) and neonatal follow up until 2 years old, ensuring each child receives the highest standard of care possible within resource limitations. Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available. Our values We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity and creating a culture that values differences. Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job. To undertake the comprehensive assessment of patients, including those with a complex presentation, using investigative and analytical skills. To interpret clinical and non-clinical facts to form accurate diagnosis and prognosis in a wide range of highly complex conditions. These include children with neurological, orthopaedic and respiratory problems. To have highly developed skills in the observation, handling and assessment skills for an extremely fragile patient population and to interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts, including perinatal and maternal history to assist in the formulation of accurate diagnoses and prognoses in a wide range of highly complex conditions. To formulate individualised management and treatment plans recommending the best course of intervention. To formulate a specialised programme of care using clinical reasoning and to utilise a wide range of treatment skills. This usually involves liaison with a wide range of professionals across the health and social services. Due to the complexity and nature of the patient's conditions, care management is often longer term and thus requires frequent re-assessment. To assist with reviewing, organising and participate in the neurodevelopmental follow up clinic with Neonatal consultants to assess children at 9 months and 2 years. To assist with reviewing, organising and participate in the physiotherapy follow up outpatient clinics

• Significant post-registration experience in paediatrics is essential and in neonatal physiotherapy is desirable
• Experience in acute paediatric and neonatal settings
• Excellent communication and MDT working skills
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• A development post may be considered for candidates who demonstrate the appropriate potential and commitment to develop into the role.