Senior Physiotherapist inRochford inRochford PUBLISHED 11 NOV 2024

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work in EPUT'sStroke Early Supported Discharge Team within South East Essex.

If you have an interest in Stroke and would like to support and enable stroke survivors to reach their full potential, in their own homes and other community settings then this is the job for you. We are looking for a dynamic, keen and resourceful Physiotherapist to join our well established Early Supported Discharge Team.

This job will allow you to broaden your knowledge base as we use an interdisciplinary approach and you will work closely alongside other professionals. On a day to day basis you will hold your own caseload and work closely alongside, Speech and Language Therapists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Clinical Psychologists, Nurses and rehabilitation assistants to deliver high quality stroke rehabilitation in patient's own homes. There may also be the opportunity to work across the community stroke pathway with providing in-reach therapy into the Stroke rehabilitation unit (CICC).

We offer a highly motivated and supportive team, regular supervision, excellent training and development opportunities and flexible working arrangements.

Please note due to nature of post applicants must have a valid UK driving licence and vehicle.

For further information or an informal discussion contact Jo Harvey Therapy lead for intermediate care on or Ailsa Miller ESD Team Leader on

• To be responsible for the planning and delivery of high quality stroke specific physiotherapy within the Early supported discharge team and other community stroke services as required
• To manage a caseload of clients being discharged home from hospital early, coordinating the discharge and providing high quality stroke specific assessment, and implementation of treatment plans.
• To work effectively and flexibly within an interdisciplinary framework to provide integrated stroke rehabilitation care programmes for patients on the community stroke pathway within ESD (and CICC as required) for rehabilitation assistants to carry out.
• To provide input in to planning, development and evaluation of clinical services within the ESD Team and community stroke services, holding responsibility for defined projects as required

About us

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• To be responsible for the planning and delivery of high quality stroke specific physiotherapy within the Early supported discharge team and other community stroke services as required
• To manage a caseload of clients being discharged home from hospital early, coordinating the discharge and providing high quality stroke specific assessment, and implementation of treatment plans.
• To work effectively and flexibly within an interdisciplinary framework to provide integrated stroke rehabilitation care programmes for patients on the community stroke pathway within ESD (and CICC as required) for rehabilitation assistants to carry out.
• To provide input in to planning, development and evaluation of clinical services within the ESD Team and community stroke services, holding responsibility for defined projects as required.
• To provide expert leadership to junior staff through support, supervision and appraisal
• Work in close liaison with all members of the local MDT including Reablement, Social Services, Hospital and Discharge Team to achieve and maintain smooth care pathways for patients
• Assist in the collection of information to support the evaluation of services.

Service Provision

• Organise and maintain own diary and time to meet the demands of the Early Supported Discharge Service and clinical case load as well as supervision and support of other physiotherapist and rehabilitation assistants within the team.
• Contribute to service development through involvement in project teams and steering groups to provide expert operational advice to enhance decision making as necessary
• Take responsible care of the health and safety of self and others, ensuring policies and procedures for maintaining the provision of a safe environment are adhered to
• Ensure that all risk events are reported promptly, identifying remedial action plans and ensuring that actions are implemented in a timely fashion

Clinical Responsibilities

• To work as a specialised and autonomous practitioner and be professionally and legally responsible for all aspects of physiotherapy work, including the clinical management of patients
• To provide high quality physiotherapy assessment and treatment for a wide variety of medical diagnoses including stroke, complex neurology, frailty, orthopaedics, social and environmental needs of the service users within the Intermediate care setting
• To use expert knowledge to analyse and interpret data from multiple sources, including standardised tests to inform clinical diagnosis
• To use this assessment information to work with clients to identify client centred therapy goals as part of the overall multi-disciplinary care plan
• Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment
• Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes, this will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating

• To use knowledge and experience of clinical conditions, together with clinical judgment and reasoning skills, to determine a clients fitness for rehabilitation at the time of assessment

• To implement, monitor, evaluate treatment plans and modify interventions in order to measure progress and outcomes to ensure effectiveness of intervention
• Communicate with patients, relatives, carers and members of the multidisciplinary team by telephone, face to face, in writing or electronically to ensure that discharge takes place in a timely fashion
• Use excellent interpersonal skill to effectively communicate discharge information to patients/relatives who may sometimes be hostile and emotional regarding the options available
• Ensure appropriate information is available to patients, relatives and carers in order for them to understand the discharge process and make informed decisions
• Ensure accurate records are maintained to allow for the effective auditing and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions
• Contribute towards development of specialist policies and procedures, to ensure the effective delivery of care for patients with Early Supported Discharge Team as necessary
• Participate in research audit programs as appropriate, being aware of relevant research finding and there implications that relate directly to the service.

• Be a credible role model, able to demonstrate good practice to junior staff to maintain local, national and professional standards
• Participate in training and education programmes as required

• Participate in the supervision and written assessment of Physiotherapy students on practice placement with the organisation
• Comply with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and local policies and procedures

Professional Advice

• Act as a resource to ESD staff offering specialist physiotherapy advice and help in all aspects of care planning
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with other agencies involved in discharge including the local social services, housing and other private providers of long term care, often communicating sensitive and confidential information
• Attend case conferences as appropriate, giving specialist advice and input as required
• Attend multidisciplinary meetings with other agencies involved in ESD including Social Service, housing, Southend Hospital and Long Term Providers acting as the representative from ESD ensuring accurate and timely information is available to facilitate patient care
• Ensure effective partnership working with other services, notably other Intermediate Care Services, Wider Community Health Services GPs, Southend Hospital and Social Services

Managerial Responsibilities

• To provide line management to Junior PT/therapy assistant staff within ESD services as necessary
• Ensure effective staff management including adherence to policies and procedures to safeguard the well-being of patients and staff, to include staff appraisal and supervision, mandatory training, probationary and sickness policies as necessary
• Identify staff training and development needs in order to ensure the workforce is fit for purpose and appropriately skilled to deliver the contracted activity
• Support the directorate in the implementation and achievement of CQUIN and CIP targets where necessary
• Be responsible for the collection of evidence to support CQC compliance