About this role
Job summary
37.5 hours per week.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Band 6 Physiotherapist to join ourDischarge to Assess Team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting timely hospital discharges and enabling patients to regain independence within their own homes or community settings.
As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will deliver high-quality, person-centred physiotherapy assessments and interventions, ensuring safe and effective transitions of care from acute services. The team supports patients both in their own homes and in care home environments, working in line with the Governments Discharge to Assess model and promoting a Home First approach.
This role is well suited to individuals who enjoy working collaboratively within a fast-paced team environment.
We strongly encourage prospective applicants to make contact for an informal discussion prior to submitting an application.
All Livewell Southwest staff are expected to able and willing to work across a 7 day service.
Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline.
Main duties of the job
To provide a high standard Physiotherapy service by using advanced physiotherapeutic assessment of patients who have complex presentations with physical, psychological and cognitive conditions. The post holder will undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner, and work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team. The post holder will take an active role in planning, co-ordinating, delivering, developing and evaluating the service, undertaking evidence-based audit and research projects to further own and the teams clinical practice. They may lead on the implementation of specific changes to practice and contribute to service protocols. This job may include supervising and managing staff.
This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route; please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility.
About us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values, kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.
We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.
We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.
Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.
Job description Job responsibilities
MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES Responsibility for People Management.
To take responsibility for all aspects of service delivery, including providing leadership to Physiotherapy colleagues, providing cover for staff who are absent and deputising in the team leads absence.
Deputising in the absence of the Registered manager/Team Lead can include operational/leadership duties such as supporting triage, waiting list management, attending meetings and delegation of work to Physiotherapy/support staff.
To take a flexible approach to supporting colleagues in times of caseload pressure, including working with colleagues to maintain clinical cover across the team within the resources available.
To co-ordinate the day-to-day activities of Physiotherapy and admin staff where applicable.
To regularly supervise and line manage both workload and caseload of Physiotherapist/support staff, undertaking and recording line management meetings and appraisals, supporting the attainment of competencies, knowledge and achieving objectives set out in their personal development plan.
To take responsibility and assist the team lead with the recruitment process of Physiotherapy and support staff e.g. taking part in interview panels, induction process and engaging with preceptorship programmes.
To support Physiotherapy/support staff and other Livewell SW health and social care professionals, to develop their knowledge, experience, providing advice, guidance, and signposting where appropriate.
To regularly provide learning opportunities to Physiotherapy/support staff and colleagues. This includes facilitating and providing instruction, training to supporting their development, attainment of skills, and ability to reflect on professional and ethical issues.
To attend student educator training and regularly supervise Physiotherapy students on practice placement, in line with Livewell SWs Placement Guidance for Non-Medical Undergraduate Learners and Students policy.
To support colleagues as a practice supervisor or supporting those completing the Preceptorship programme, including acting as a Preceptor in line with Livewell SWs Preceptorship Guidance document.
To participate in providing instruction, learning opportunities, experience and training to health and social care staff and students, including those from other Livewell services, professional disciplines and colleges as agreed with Team Lead.
To plan, organise and lead when delegated, both formal and informal treatments and health education groups for both service users and formal/informal carers.
To educate service users and both formal/informal carers regarding the impact of cognitive, perceptual, and physical deficits that affect patient safety and independence in the hospital and home, leisure, and workplace.
To support team lead with complaint management and responses, assisting with addressing and resolving complaints.
5.2 Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources.
On the rare occasion you may handle patient valuables as part of a home visit or community assessment, that you follow Livewell SWs policy Cash & Cheque Handling Procedures, section 6 Patient Money, section 7 Patient Travel.
To assess, prescribe and authorise both general and specialist aids and adaptive equipment in line with the organisations and the Community Equipment Services policy and procedures.
On occasions make recommendations for/work with trusted assessor for minor adaptations to increase / enable or compensate for independent function, teaching compensatory techniques as required.
Where required may need to assess seating and positioning needs and treat as appropriate including assessment for and prescription of standard wheelchairs and accessories when accredited referring on to the wheelchair services as required for assessment of complex and specialist mobility and seating needs.
If appropriate following specialist training or working with colleagues who have undergone specialist training, recognise when there is a need to assess for splintingand positioning to prevent, treat and manage deformity and improve function for the upper limb, fabricating splints which may be complex in nature.
To ensure all equipment and relevant clinical stock is accounted for, maintained, used effectively and efficiently with risk assessments and appropriate training completed.
To ensure new or replacement equipment is not used by self or staff until it has been commissioned in accordance with Livewell SW policy. Defective equipment is reported and made safe without delay in accordance with Livewell SW procedures.
To utilise Livewell SW resources responsibly, following policy and guidance around the security, useability, decontamination, and maintenance of assessment equipment utilised in the clinical setting.
Authorise spend on services within operational and financial limits as designated by role and banding.
To take responsibility for ensuring solutions are at all times cost effective and to work within financial delegated limits.
To have a working knowledge of statutory and non-statutory funding and the legislation/guidance that underpins these funding streams, ensuring service users meet the eligibility criteria when advocating for/ utilising services on the service users behalf (e.g. Care Act eligibility, Housing legislation etc)
To assess the need for short/long term care placements or care packages for service users where required; factoring in the use of equipment, techniques or compensatory methods that safely meet the service users care needs whilst aiming to preserve health and social care budgets wherever possible.
To maintain high professional standards and conduct at all times, complying with the standards of practice in line with Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and all of HCPC standards and regulations.
To follow Livewell uniform policy at all times, and to present in a professional manner.
To exercise good personal time management, punctuality, and consistent reliable attendance.
To comply with the Lone Working Policy and procedures, utilising safety devices and/or apps, and always informing the department of your whereabouts during work hours.
To manage often competing clinical and non-clinical demands, prioritising the day-to day management of own caseload and that of the team, delegating activities as appropriate.
To work as an autonomous practitioner, independently organising, planning, and diarising a designated caseload to meet service priorities, readjusting plans as situations change and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.
To manage a caseload of service users with complex needs, applying logical professional rationale that is based upon evidence based / person-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.
To ensure use of risk assessment in all areas of your work are undertaken and comply with Livewell SW Health and Safety policies and Lone Working Policy.
To maintain up to date, accurate and complete records of all activity and clinical input (all formats of service user contacts, MDT care plans, assessments, reports), ensuring confidentiality at all times, complying with Livewell SW Health & Corporate Records policy and HCPC requirements for thorough and sufficient records.
To provide written communication to outside agencies and charitable bodies to support the need for services and equipment on discharge from the service.
To be responsible for the timely discharge of people from your caseload.
To utilise and complete applicable outcome measures in your service and offer service user feedback mechanisms when facilitating the discharge of service users from Livewell SW services.
To actively engage in caseload supervision with line manager, taking responsibility for ensuring own personal and professional development and statutory training demonstrating the ability to apply increasingly complex skills / knowledge as defined by identified competencies.
To submit completed travel expenses in line with Livewell SWs Travel and Subsistence Expense Claims policy.
To ensure all leave is requested in line with Livewell SW policy.
To report accidents, incidents, complaints, or faulty equipment in line with Livewell SW policy and procedures.
Responsibility for people who use our services.
To ensure the service user is aware of the role and philosophy of Physiotherapy and
components of the Physiotherapeutic process, utilising all means necessary toenable individuals to understand the nature and purpose of proposed actions orintervention, including explaining any possible risks involved.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Postgraduate clinical experience working in the profession Experience of working in inpatient, outpatient and community settings Ability to organise and prioritise workload An understanding of Clinical Governance and its implications for services including experience of quality issues and participation in service development, research and audit Supervisory and appraisal experience Experience of group work
Desirable
Experience of waiting list management Experience of working with staff from other agencies Experience of audit projects
Qualifications Essential
Degree or equivalent in physiotherapy HCPC Registration Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio including attendance at recent postgraduate courses relevant to the clinical field Recognised qualification in written and spoken English if this is not first language Can demonstrate substantial relevant experience within the NHS, including experience as a Physiotherapist in a post providing a range of experience e.g. orthopaedics, elderly care, medical, surgical, neurological and musculo-skeletal conditions Ability to frequently travel independently and in a timely manner between Livewell Southwest sites and community locations including areas not served by public transport.
Desirable
Post graduate training in subjects relevant to role Masters degree ECDL or equivalent Membership of relevant Special Interest Group Clinical educator qualification and experience
Knowledge Essential
Working knowledge of a broad range of rehabilitation, neurological and medical conditions relevant to post. Knowledge and understanding of complex legislation surrounding health and social Experience of working as part of a physiotherapy and multidisciplinary team Experience of supervising student physiotherapists or physiotherapy assistants/technical instructors/support workers Competent IT skills Presentation skills Ability to contribute to weekend/evening working rosters (if applicable to post) Ability to maintain effective judgement and reasoning skills under pressure Knowledge of wide range of legislation relevant to clinical area e.g NSFs, clinical guidelines, Care Act
Desirable
Knowledge and understanding of complex legislation surrounding health and social care provision Project or people management experience Experience of teaching and presenting
Skills Essential
Skills in clinical assessment, intervention and evaluation Ability to communicate appropriately and effectively with patients, colleagues and other partners Able to work effectively and efficiently as part of a team and as part of a wider multidisciplinary service Good interpersonal skills Good communication skills Ability to use initiative and work independently Negotiation skills Service development and quality improvement skills Good time management Good organizational skills Evidence of good multidisciplinary working Leadership and management skills Ability to reflect and critically appraise performance Ability to organize and respond efficiently to complex information Ability to work under pressure
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Livewell Southwest
Address 200 Mount Gould Road
Mount Gould
Plymouth
Devon
PL4 7PY
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)