Virtual Fracture Clinic Practitioner

As a member of the Virtual Fracture Clinic (VFC) team you will virtually assess, treat, and clinically manage patients with acute musculoskeletal injuries, mainly non-surgical fractures post emergency department review. The daily caseload is variable, and the work environment often fast paced with changing priorities depending on service need.
Your role will be within the VFC; you will work with the team to manage and prioritise the clinical caseload, triage and assess patients over the telephone and provide treatment and advice in line with VFC guidelines. Occasionally you may be required to see patients face to face.
The role includes supervising students and supporting less experienced staff, as well as initiating and participating in evidence-based projects, and contributing to the in-service training programme.
Worthing hospital is currently the base for this job but at times you will be asked to work from other hospital sites or from home (currently fortnightly this could be subject to change).
This job opportunity is open to all post graduate practitioners with applicable or transferable experience and not limited to physiotherapists. This fixed term maternity cover role is ideally full time though we may be able to consider part time options., · As an autonomous practitioner, to assess and treat a specialist caseload of Orthopaedic patients, who may have complex presentations or complications, without direct supervision from senior staff.
· To work alongside Orthopaedic Consultants, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, other members of the VFC team and the wider MDT.
· To seek assistance when/where necessary and understand own professional limitations.
· To prioritise referrals according to clinical need and be flexible and responsive with daily working practices to accommodate this.
· Hold working knowledge of all systems used relating to management of patients. This includes VFC digital solution (currently Etrauma), Careflow, Bluespier, Evolve, Affinity, Sectra and responsibility for learning new systems, as these are developed.
· To provide a strong link between emergency, outpatient, and inpatient services.
· To assess, fit and evaluate orthotic devices including boots, braces, splints, slings etc as required with appropriate training.
· Select appropriate and individual treatment pathways e.g. onward referral to Physiotherapy, consultant led clinics etc following VFC management guidelines.
· To be responsible for teaching, supervision, and appraisal of recently qualified members of the team and undergraduate students and be involved in the teaching of MDT staff., · To liaise with other Physiotherapists regarding patient care and ensure appropriate follow up is arranged.
· To be an active member within the multi-disciplinary team and ensure effective communication with other professions both verbally and in writing e.g. medical notes and reports.
· To be able to communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, carers and other staff including imparting unwelcome news.
· To ensure timely and effective communication with the Physiotherapy Manager and Senior Staff on all professional matters.
· To maintain an accurate record keeping system in line with CSP standards and local guidelines.
· To attend and be an active participant in speciality, peer group and departmental staff meetings.
· To initiate and maintain contacts with local and national clinical interest groups, appropriate to the clinical field.
· To be able to motivate others through effective communication skills.
+ Be aware of the standard information available for patients and use it appropriately.
+ Use the electronic patient administration and record keeping system.
+ Respond promptly to telephone enquiries / messages/ e mail received.
+ Use a range of verbal and non-verbal tools to communicate effectively with patients who may have a variety of different communication requirements.
+ To have effective telephone communication skills, thus enabling the assessing and giving of advice to patients over the telephone in the Virtual Fracture Clinic.
+ To use effective communication skills to reduce actual or potential conflict situations that may occur with patients, relatives, colleagues etc.
+ To actively work to avoid unconscious bias when working with patients and staff.
+ To be aware of, and support service development, to ensure equitable accessibility of patient information and services.
Service delivery and improvement
· To be responsible for implementing within your clinical practice, the relevant standards, and policies, including those applicable to the Trust, and wider policies and guidelines, for example set by the CSP / NICE etc.
· To ensure that as an individual practitioner the post holder advises the Team Lead and Physiotherapy Manager of any changes to the service to ensure quality and effectiveness of care for their patients.
+ To work with the Physiotherapy team to provide an efficient and effective service.
+ Be involved in the proposal/development and implementation of departmental policies, pathways, guidelines etc.
· To comply with fire, health & safety, universal precautions, infection control measures and all other departmental policies.
· To report all complaints/incidents to the immediate senior member of staff and document accordingly.
+ To be aware of, and support service development, to ensure accessibility to patient information and services.
+ To engage with local service improvement strategies such as patient first
+ Actively look for opportunities to improve the service for patients and staff
+ To participate in audit and research to help improve and support services.
People management and development
· Responsible for carrying out duties in line with the Trust's e-rostering processes, including managing rosters, supporting staff allocation, and contributing to effective budget reconciliation and workforce planning.
+ To ensure that junior members of the team are informed of developments and changes and that they work to these standards.
· To supervise junior Physiotherapists and Physiotherapy students on clinical placements.
· To be responsible to and deputise for the team lead in Orthopaedics.
· To participate in the Trust Appraisal Scheme both as an appraiser and an appraisee.
· To assist in the supervision and development of the junior Physiotherapists.
· To be responsible for the training of students on placement and juniors within the clinical area.
· To communicate on a regular basis with staff regarding the Trusts objectives, plans and business developments.
· To develop objectives for staff and to appraise staff at least once annually. To give staff ongoing support to aid them in achieving their objectives.
· To discuss expected outcomes of training and development activity with staff prior to attending training events.
+ To discuss outcomes with staff after attending training and development activity and to assist staff to transfer, develop and use new skills acquired
+ To actively work to avoid unconscious bias and support equitable staff learning and development opportunities.
Patient care delivery
· To undertake the comprehensive assessment and treatment of patients including those with complex presentations.
· To demonstrate the Trust values and attitudes regarding the management of patients and everyday working with colleagues.
· To seek guidance from senior staff as required and to give guidance to more junior staff.
· To devise an individualised Physiotherapy management and/or treatment plan, using clinical reasoning skills to utilise a range of treatment options.
· To be able to devise and lead specialist Physiotherapy treatments
+ To work with members of the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure a seamless delivery of care, provide advice and education within this forum, acting as an expert in your own professional field.
+ To understand and be aware of health inequalities and suggest and support strategies to eliminate or mitigate these.
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria.
Prior to submission of your application for any internal secondment or fixed term post, please ensure that you have discussed this with your line manager to obtain their approval.
If you do not have written approval from your current line manager to take this position if successful as an internal secondment opportunity, it would be offered as a fixed term position.
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations-elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications

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