Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our friendly, multi-disciplinary Learning Disability team at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, providing physiotherapy services to the local population in their own home, day service, or an educational setting.
Our specialist service addresses complex health needs, such as, postural management, community respiratory care, therapeutic walking/standing, and rehabilitation where individuals cannot access mainstream services with reasonable adjustments. The successful candidate will undertake assessments and provide Physiotherapy interventions to adults with learning disabilities who may have complex communication, behavioural, physical health and/or sensory needs. The patient will be at the centre of any care given and this will require working closely with the wider multidisciplinary team, care teams and their families.
This post will consider newly qualified Physiotherapists, who are able to demonstrate experience or transferrable skills and have a keen interest in learning disabilities.
There are professional development opportunities through preceptorship, CPD sessions, supervision, and Physio colleague peer support.
The service runs Monday to Friday. There will be no requirement for weekend or out of hours working. Whilst full-time hours are available, consideration will be given to job share or part-time hours for the right candidate(s).
Regular travel throughout Somerset is required. There is a mileage allowance to cover costs for fuel.
Main duties of the job
- Work with and for adults with learning disabilities to meet health needs, such as complex posture, recurring chest infections, mobility issues and falls, rehabilitation, and chronic constipation.
- Work across Somerset based on referral and service need.
- Promote that reasonable adjustments are made when adults with learning disabilities access mainstream services.
- Develop and use specialist skills to assess physiotherapy related conditions, considering other pathologies and associated complex bio/psycho/social needs.
- Agree patient centred goals in partnership with patients, carers, and other members of the healthcare team. Develop and deliver individualised management care plans.
- Provide a high standard of therapy input to all patients.
- Work as an autonomous practitioner having mainly self-directed support and learning, and formal supervision in accordance with Trust policy. Supervision takes the form of regular formal training, clinical reasoning sessions and peer review. Access to advice and support is available from Senior Therapists within the team.
- Participate in service development and continued professional development (self and in-service).
- Provide support, guidance and training to peers, assistant practitioners, students, patients and those who matter most to them.
- Supervise Band 4 Assistant Practitioners (clinically and/or operationally).
- Support the supervision, education and assessment of Physiotherapy students to a graduate standard during practice placements.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
- Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
- NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
- Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
- A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Deliver high quality physiotherapy assessment and treatment for adults with learning disabilities, supporting needs such as posture, mobility, respiratory health, rehabilitation and falls prevention.
- Formulate and deliver evidencebased, individualised treatment plans in partnership with patients, carers and the wider multidisciplinary team.
- Manage your own varied community caseload, prioritising effectively and working autonomously with support from senior physiotherapists.
- Communicate clearly and sensitively, using a range of approaches to overcome communication barriers and support involvement in care.
- Maintain accurate, professional clinical records and contribute to MDT meetings, care planning and ongoing reviews.
- Participate in supervision, CPD, in-service training and service development, while also supporting the learning of Assistant Practitioners and Physiotherapy students.
- Work flexibly across Somerset, including occasional exposure to challenging behaviours, clinical environments and moderate physical effort.
NOTE:
- This post will require travel throughout the Trust/County to meet the needs of the service. You will require a valid UK driving licence and access to transport with appropriate business insurance.
- This job description is subject to change as it is reviewed against the NHS Agenda for change (job matching).
Job description
Job responsibilities
Deliver high quality physiotherapy assessment and treatment for adults with learning disabilities, supporting needs such as posture, mobility, respiratory health, rehabilitation and falls prevention.
- Formulate and deliver evidencebased, individualised treatment plans in partnership with patients, carers and the wider multidisciplinary team.
- Manage your own varied community caseload, prioritising effectively and working autonomously with support from senior physiotherapists.
- Communicate clearly and sensitively, using a range of approaches to overcome communication barriers and support involvement in care.
- Maintain accurate, professional clinical records and contribute to MDT meetings, care planning and ongoing reviews.
- Participate in supervision, CPD, in-service training and service development, while also supporting the learning of Assistant Practitioners and Physiotherapy students.
- Work flexibly across Somerset, including occasional exposure to challenging behaviours, clinical environments and moderate physical effort.
NOTE:
- This post will require travel throughout the Trust/County to meet the needs of the service. You will require a valid UK driving licence and access to transport with appropriate business insurance.
- This job description is subject to change as it is reviewed against the NHS Agenda for change (job matching).
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or pre-reg Masters in Physiotherapy
- Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (UK)
- Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio
Desirable
- Membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
- Evidence of relevant and up to date post graduate training
Experience
Essential
- Can demonstrate clinical skills encompassing the core areas of community respiratory, postural management, mobility training, rehab and therapeutic handling
Desirable
- Experience in an NHS community hospital/community setting at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
- Experience in hydrotherapy.
- Experience in 24-hour postural management
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Understanding of Health & Safety and Risk Management Policies
- Computer literacy
- Understanding and use of reflective practice
- Understanding and use of Shared Decision Making
- Access to transport to travel throughout the Somerset Partnership area & willingness to be flexible in working locations
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or pre-reg Masters in Physiotherapy
- Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (UK)
- Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio
Desirable
- Membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
- Evidence of relevant and up to date post graduate training
Experience
Essential
- Can demonstrate clinical skills encompassing the core areas of community respiratory, postural management, mobility training, rehab and therapeutic handling
Desirable
- Experience in an NHS community hospital/community setting at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
- Experience in hydrotherapy.
- Experience in 24-hour postural management
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Understanding of Health & Safety and Risk Management Policies
- Computer literacy
- Understanding and use of reflective practice
- Understanding and use of Shared Decision Making
- Access to transport to travel throughout the Somerset Partnership area & willingness to be flexible in working locations
Desirable
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
