Job overview

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

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 7 Advanced Physiotherapist to join our therapy team in the Acute Medical Unit (AMU) and Emergency Department (ED) for 12 months to cover for maternity leave. We are seeking to appoint a dynamic, reliable, and flexible senior Physiotherapist who can lead the team, alongside existing senior therapy staff.
The aims of this flexible and responsive service are to provide prompt therapy assessments, implement frailty care pathways, facilitate appropriate discharges, and provide acute respiratory cover across AMU and ED.
As we provide a 7-day therapy service for our Trust, the ability to work 8am to 6pm across a 7-day service, including weekends and bank holidays, on a roster basis, is essential. You will also support the acute respiratory twilight and on-call Physiotherapy rota.
As 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 290 wte Therapy staff including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Therapy support staff.

Working for our organisation

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. 

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. 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 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This 12-month career opportunity job offers you the chance to work in a friendly, supportive MDT environment with a team committed to improving patient care and experience. You will be expected to support the wider multi-disciplinary team across AMU and ED which consists of 90 beds in total. 
Patients present with a wide range of diagnoses and often have multiple pathologies and complex social situations. It is a fast-paced environment where effective communication, prioritisation, and teamwork are essential. Our focus is early assessment, complex discharge planning and respiratory physiotherapy.
Desirable skills for this role:
•    Experience of completing comprehensive geriatric assessments
•    Experience of working in the acute hospital setting (ideally within Acute Medical Units and Emergency Department)
•    Experience within a variety of acute areas e.g. Orthopaedics, Medicine, Elderly Care, Neuro
•    Experience of working within a large MDT and communicating effectively
•    Involvement in service developments and facilitating change
•    Experience of managing and supporting staff, rotas, and other team management skills
•    Evidence of leadership skills
•    Evidence of providing teaching to wider MDT, therapy teams and students
•    Ability to stay calm and make appropriate decisions under pressure in a fast-paced environment 
•    Respiratory skills (including NIV awareness) or be willing to undertake the appropriate training to support the service
•    Supporting the twilight and on-call Physiotherapy rota
Please read the Job description and ensure you fulfil the requirements of the person specification before applying.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Please note: Any applications written and generated by AI may not be shortlisted.
For other therapy career opportunities please email [email protected]

Person specification

Trust Values

Essential criteria

• Patient First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

Essential criteria

• Master’s degree in Physiotherapy or equivalent level of experience
• Current HCPC registration
• Significant relevant clinical experience or with the ability to demonstrate significant experience in physiotherapy practice
• Evidence of proven leadership and supervisory skills
• Previous experience within relevant clinical area
• Previous experience on-call, where relevant to clinical area
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Experience of audit, evaluation, or research
• Evidence of implementing change in a clinical environment

Desirable criteria

• Management qualification, or equivalent experience
• Attendance at post-graduation courses, or conferences, relevant to clinical area
• Able to demonstrate sound understanding of healthcare priorities and political agendas
• Experience working in an acute hospital setting
• Leadership qualification, or experience

Skills and competencies

Essential criteria

• Communication Prioritisation
• Time management
• Prioritisation
• Diplomacy
• Working autonomously
• Interpersonal skills
• Taking the initiative
• Collaborative approach
• Teamwork
• Influencing s
• Report writing
• Presentation skill
• Working under pressure

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large numbers of applications are received.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date of this post, please presume that you have not been selected for interview.

Applicants from University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust whose posts are considered to be ‘At Risk’ will be given prior consideration for this post

Our Trust runs the return to practice course each year for nurses who have been out of the profession and wish to return. To find out more please visit our website:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/WorkingHere/Typesofjob/Nurses/Returntonursing.aspx

http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/   Information on Southampton as a place to live and enjoy

https://www.uhs-vle.co.uk/   See what fantastic training and development we have on offer at UHS

http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthamptonHospitals learn about the Trust through visiting our YouTube channel 

Getting to Work

Application can be made for parking on site at UHS or through one of the park and ride schemes. This will be based on specific criteria to determine eligibility for site parking as this can be very limited.  UHS encourages staff to utilise other green methods of getting to work such as cycling or walking where possible. UHS is well connected through bus services to the city centre and other areas.

Please note that we will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.

Our staff are positive about working at UHS and rate us above average compared to other NHS Trusts in the Staff Attitude Survey. We are rated strongly on a number of areas including teamwork, communication and engagement.

Equality remains at the centre of all Trust policy making, service delivery and employment practice with all employees being given equality of opportunity to develop, apply for promotion and have working arrangements that enable them to achieve a manageable work-life balance.

The Trust actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for managers and staff to ensure this happens. The Trust also closely monitors recruitment activity, training and development and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and age.

As a service provider the Trust ensures equality of access and delivery of our services through the provision of interpreter services, facilities for the disabled and sensitivity for patients ethnic and religious differences and needs.

Relocating to Southampton

If you are thinking of moving to the Hampshire area, please find below a link to our website which offers guidance on finding accommodation:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/relocating-to-southampton

The Trust is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.