About this role
Job summary We are seeking an experienced, forward-thinking Clinical Specialist (physiotherapist or occupational therapist) to lead and advance our ED and Frailty pathway. You will provide expert assessment and intervention at the front door, reduce unnecessary admissions, expedite safe discharge, and support person-centred care for adults living with frailty and complex needs.
This is a visible leadership role in a fast paced environment. You'll combine clinical practice with service development, workforce upskilling and cross-speciality collaboration.
Main duties of the job The Emergency therapy team provides occupational and physiotherapy services to ED, AAU, SDEC, the short stay wards and OPAL unit. The team will be led by the post holder, working in close collaboration with the band 7 physiotherapist and band 7 occupational therapist. Services are provided over 7 days on an 8am to 8pm basis with a reduced weekend service. The team work closely with medical and nursing colleagues to assess and make rapid decisions regarding admission, discharge and support required within the community with onward referrals.
Key working relationships: Head of therapies Deputy Head of Therapies Clinical lead therapists Frailty Practitioner Falls Practitioner Members of MDT within the acute and emergency care pathways Director of operations and senior leaders within the trust HCT, EPUT and Social care colleagues. HR, Governance, Informatics and Finance Lead Third sector organisations
You will have significant post registration experience with substantial recent practice at senior level in acute/urgent care and frailty/older people's rehabilitation. This is alongside strong leadership, supervision and change management experience.
This is a fixed term post to cover a secondment. The role is 37.5 hours per week to cover extended hours and the weekend service.
About us The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave; a national programme thats changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.
This means were working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.
Were a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.
Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.
Job description Job responsibilities
Main duties of the job
To provide clinical leadership for the multidisciplinary therapy team working in ED, AAU, SDEC, short stay wards and the OPAL unit (frailty). To act as an expert therapist and leader within the wider therapies team, within the Princess Alexandra Hospital in the field of frailty and in the delivery of pathways in, through and out of the hospital. To lead on service transformation within the ED/AAU/OPAL area with emphasis on developing services fit for the future in frailty and reduction of hospital admission. To act as the lead clinical representative on agreed clinical and service development groups and boards, To provide highly specialist care of complex patients including extended scope interventions and management as appropriate, To provide expert training, advice and clinical education to service providers, service users and service commissioners, To have a clinical leadership role within therapies and professional leadership role for physiotherapy / occupational therapy (depending on profession of the individual in the role). To be accountable for professional Allied Health Professional (AHP) clinical standards within the service, ensuring clinical staff have the skills, knowledge and competence to uphold the quality of clinical services and the continual development of professional practice in line with the HCPC codes and current best practice. To work collaboratively with the Emergency Department, Frailty Unit, Short Stay Wards and Same Day Emergency Care Unit, managers and clinicians across the hospital as well as Therapy Leads ensuring delivery of the clinical KPIs for the service and to identify, plan and implement service development opportunities in order to improve the activity and financial viability of the service in line with agreed targets. To provide clinical leadership for the multidisciplinary therapy team working in ED, AAU, SDEC, short stay wards and the OPAL unit (frailty). To act as an expert therapist and leader within the wider therapies team, within the Princess Alexandra Hospital in the field of frailty and in the delivery of pathways in, through and out of the hospital. To lead on service transformation within the ED/AAU/OPAL area with emphasis on developing services fit for the future in frailty and reduction of hospital admission. To act as the lead clinical representative on agreed clinical and service development groups and boards, To provide highly specialist care of complex patients including extended scope interventions and management as appropriate, To provide expert training, advice and clinical education to service providers, service users and service commissioners, To have a clinical leadership role within therapies and professional leadership role for physiotherapy / occupational therapy (depending on profession of the individual in the role). To be accountable for professional Allied Health Professional (AHP) clinical standards within the service, ensuring clinical staff have the skills, knowledge and competence to uphold the quality of clinical services and the continual development of professional practice in line with the HCPC codes and current best practice. To work collaboratively with the Emergency Department, Frailty Unit, Short Stay Wards and Same Day Emergency Care Unit, managers and clinicians across the hospital as well as Therapy Leads ensuring delivery of the clinical KPIs for the service and to identify, plan and implement service development opportunities in order to improve the activity and financial viability of the service in line with agreed targets. Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and personal specification for the role. We welcome applicants to call or visit the department. Please get in touch on 01279 827199.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Degree or diploma in Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy MSc or equivalent experience HCPC Registration Extensive Post Graduate training in frailty
Experience Essential
Extensive post graduate clinical experience with at least 2 years with the ED/frailty setting Recent clinical Leadership experience at a senior level within acute setting Demonstrable experience of delivering a service based on the needs of the patient Service development and clinical leadership within a multi-faceted organisation Experience of working in a busy and dynamic environment and experience of working in an inter-disciplinary mannerE Comprehensive understanding of the pillars of clinical governance E Experience of using research and other evidence to inform and drive practice A comprehensive understanding of the needs of the acute hospital and admissions avoidance service Experience of active contribution to the annual business planning cycle process. Experience of staff management including setting objectives, team and individual appraisals, recruitment and disciplinary issues. Experience of setting and delivering service strategy to optimise patient pathway and therapy services.
Desirable
Previous experience of working as a band 8a Change management experience Experience of mentoring and training clinical staff and students, across multidisciplinary teams Experience of leading clinical governance initiatives
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.
Employer details Employer name The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust
Address The Princess Alexandra Hospital
Harlow
Essex
CM20 1QX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.pah.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)