About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly specialist Band 7 Paediatric Physiotherapist to join the Community Children's Therapy Team at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Full UK Driving Licence and access to a car is essential for this role.
This post provides specialist physiotherapy assessment, treatment and management for babies, children and young people with complex, chronic, disabling and life-limiting conditions across community settings. The role requires advanced clinical reasoning, autonomous decision-making and close multi-agency working to support children with highly complex physical, neurological and developmental needs.
The post holder will hold a specialist caseload, contribute to service development, and provide clinical leadership, education and support to colleagues within the multidisciplinary team. This is a lone-working role within the community, requiring a high level of professional accountability and adherence to Trust policies.
Main duties of the job To provide highly specialist physiotherapy assessment, treatment and ongoing management for children and young people with complex and multiple needs. To independently manage a specialist caseload, prioritising work according to clinical risk and service need. To work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary and multi-agency framework including health, education, social care and voluntary sector partners. To provide specialist advice, training and support to colleagues, families and partner agencies. To contribute to service development, audit, quality improvement and clinical governance activity within the Community Children's Therapy Service. To act as a source of specialist knowledge and clinical expertise within paediatric physiotherapy.
About us
The Community Children's Therapy Team delivers physiotherapy services to babies, children and young people across a wide range of community settings including homes, schools, clinics and early years environments.
We work with children who present with complex physical, neurological, developmental and learning needs, often requiring coordinated, long-term and multi-agency intervention. The team is committed to delivering high-quality, child-centred care that promotes safety, independence and participation.
You will be supported by an experienced leadership team and work closely with colleagues across Children's Community Health Services. We actively encourage professional development, reflective practice and service improvement, and value the specialist contribution of senior clinicians in shaping and sustaining safe, effective services.
Job description Job responsibilities Clinical responsibilities
To undertake comprehensive, highly specialist assessment of babies, children and young people using advanced clinical reasoning, standardised assessments and observational skills. To plan, deliver and evaluate specialist physiotherapy interventions in a variety of community environments, including home, school and clinic settings. To formulate, implement and regularly review individualised treatment plans and goals, adapting interventions in response to changing clinical presentation or circumstances. To assess, prescribe and review specialist paediatric equipment and liaise with orthotics and equipment services as required. To provide specialist advice to support diagnostic formulation and communicate complex, sensitive information to families in an understandable and compassionate manner. To accept professional accountability for clinical decisionmaking and risk management within a complex caseload. Caseload management To manage a defined specialist caseload autonomously, prioritising referrals and interventions based on clinical need, safeguarding considerations and risk. To work as a lone practitioner in the community in accordance with Trust loneworking policies and procedures. To maintain accurate, timely and professional clinical records in line with Trust standards. Leadership, education and support To provide specialist advice, guidance and informal supervision to junior staff, students and support workers. To contribute to the education and training of colleagues, students and multiagency partners in relation to paediatric physiotherapy practice. To support a culture of learning, reflective practice and continuous improvement within the team. Multiagency working To work closely with colleagues across health, education and social care to develop coordinated, childcentred care plans. To contribute specialist physiotherapy reports and attend relevant meetings including education reviews, safeguarding meetings and case conferences as required. To provide advice for statutory processes including SEND assessments and educationbased manual handling risk assessments. Governance, quality and professional responsibilities To ensure all practice is evidencebased and aligned with professional standards, national guidance and Trust policies. To participate in audit, service evaluation and quality improvement activity. To identify and escalate clinical risks, incidents or safeguarding concerns in line with Trust procedures. To maintain HCPC registration and demonstrate ongoing professional development through CPD and appraisal. To actively promote the Trusts values and contribute to a safe, inclusive and respectful working environment.
Person Specification
Transport Essential
Full UK Driving Licence & access to a car
Education and Qualification Essential
Graduate Diploma/Degree in Physiotherapy HCPC registration Evidence of Post Graduate development
Desirable
Post Graduate qualification
Experience and Knowledge Essential
Experience of working with children Significant relevant paediatric experience at band 6 level Experience of working within the community Extensive general post graduate physiotherapy experience in relevant settings including significant experience within paediatrics Significant experience of delegating work to more junior and support staff Experience of educating and supporting student physiotherapists Sound knowledge of current best practice Sound understanding of the requirements of clinical governance Sound understanding of professional conduct and confidentiality Ability to relate theory to clinical situations Sound understanding of relevant legislation, eligibility criteria / policies and procedures relating to children Demonstrable knowledge of a wide range of paediatric therapy assessment and intervention Knowledge and practical experience of manual handling including paediatric equipment
Desirable
Evidence of managerial experiences/opportunities Experience of delivering training to colleagues in health and/or other agencies
Skills and Ability Essential
Significant experience of supervising junior and support staff Experience with computer-based data systems Post graduate training related to relevant clinical areas Maintenance of a comprehensive portfolio of evidence of CPD Excellent caseload management skills Clinical planning and organizational skills Ability to manage own time Ability to work alone as well as part of a team Ability to work under pressure and recognize when support is required IT skills including word processing, excel, power point and email Ability to lead in a given situation Good verbal communication skills Ability to make independent decisions seeking help and guidance when required, taking into account Trust / departmental policies and guidelines Be flexible, quick thinking, resourceful and assertive Ability to accept advice and act upon it Ability to negotiate Ability to triage referrals Full Uk driving licence and access to a car Ability to travel easily and independently across the footprint of the locality (Blackpool Wyre and Fylde)
Desirable
Experience of research, audit, reflective practice or outcome measures Clear written reporting skills
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.
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 Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address St Annes Primary Care Centre
Durham Ave
St Annes
FY8 2EP
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.blackpoolteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)