Specialist Physiotherapist - Critical Care

Job summary

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Job Title:

Specialist Physiotherapist - Critical Care

Contract Type:
Permanent

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if we receive a large number of applications.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Specialist Physiotherapist to develop to join our General Intensive Care (GICU) therapy team at University Hospital Southampton (UHS).

The team is led by experienced Band 7 critical care Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists and the role would be ideal for a Physiotherapist with a special interest in respiratory care in the critical care setting as well as rehabilitation of those recovering from critical illness. The role benefits from the support of a Band 8a critical care specialist.

You will work as part of a combined therapy services team delivering patient care across a 7-day service, including weekends and bank holidays, on a roster basis. This will also include participation in the acute on-call respiratory rota.

This post is part of the wider Therapy services department. You will have many opportunities to develop new skills and knowledge through our in-service training. You will be part of a large department of over 300 Therapy staff including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Therapy support staff. We have strong links with local Universities and host many student placements within our department.

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service.

• UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

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This B6 Specialist Physiotherapy post will involve acute respiratory management of critically unwell patients therefore previous experience in critical care would be beneficial. Physiotherapists at UHS also lead on weaning from mechanical ventilation and support the wider MDT in management of complex tracheostomy patients.

Rehabilitation is also an established part of our critical care service at UHS, having set up a successful Early Mobilisation Project in 2012. Alongside this we have recently received funding to provide post critical care rehabilitation on the wards to support patients experiencing the symptoms of Post Intensive Care Syndrome in their recovery journey.

The role will part of an established static GICU therapy team and involve leading the team in the absence of the band
7. Band 5 staff rotate within the team on a 6 monthly basis, and the role would involve the supervision of band 5 staff both within the team and from a wider on call training perspective. Additionally, the role would be responsible for the supervision of band 4 therapy tech staff and students on placement within the team.

The regional Head and Neck service is covered by the team on an inpatient ward, and this role would involve managing this caseload and supporting band 5 staff to see these patients.

UHS has been a designated Major Trauma Centre since 2012 and GICU has 31 beds, providing both Level 2 and Level 3 care. The case mix is diverse and has a high acuity receiving not only trauma patients but also those from many regional and subregional specialties e.g.…