Job summary
Extended Scope Practitioner / Specialist Physiotherapist in Lumbar Spine. Band 8a
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is looking for a demonstrably experienced, dynamic and enthusiastic musculoskeletal clinician to join our Lumbar Spine Pathway Triage Service. The successful applicant will be working alongside an existing team of Clinical Specialists, LSP clinical lead and wider neurosurgical and pain multidisciplinary teams. The role of the post holder will be to undertake the advanced assessment, investigation and appropriate onward referral of spinal patients referred by GPs to the service. Previous demonstrable experience in a like or similar field is desirable but not essential. The post will involve training to allow proven competency in any 'extended scope of practice' required and will include shadowing our consultants in neurosurgery and the pain management centre.
The Lumbar Spine Pathway form part of the Plymouth Back Pain pathway for patients in Plymouth and some surrounding areas.
If you are a dynamic progressive physiotherapist with relevant demonstrable clinical experience, excellent leadership skills, and inspire innovative team working this is the post for you!
Main duties of the job
To undertake a lead Advanced / Extended Scope Physiotherapy Practitioner role within the Lumbar Spine Pathway. Acting and working as an expert autonomous practitioner and working independently at an advanced practice level, demonstrating advanced knowledge and skills with a specific specialism in spinal pathology, within the Spinal Service and musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To undertake a lead Advanced / Extended Scope Physiotherapy Practitioner role within the Lumbar Spine Pathway. Acting and working as an expert autonomous practitioner and working independently at an advanced practice level, demonstrating advanced knowledge and skills with a specific specialism in spinal pathology, within the Spinal Service and musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.
To provide assessment, treatment, management advice and education to patients with a range of acute and chronic, routine to highly complex clinical presentations. This includes the integration of research evidence into practice via the process of advanced clinical reasoning and decision-making. Determining clinical diagnosis may requiring further investigations for example diagnostic imaging, blood investigations and associated tests.
To have a collaborative relationship with colleagues in MSK physiotherapy, Chronic Pain Management teams, Radiology and other specialist secondary care services. Management and treatment may involve advanced knowledge and skills, spinal injection therapy, escalation to on-call orthopaedics or surgery.
To work as part of the spinal surgical teams (orthopaedic and neurosurgical) to discuss cases to decide on further management options which may include spinal surgery, spinal injections, further investigations, referral to another specialist service, discharge to self- manage.
To engage in service level development/discussions/meetings relating to the area of work independently and as delegated by the Therapies Service Line Manager.
Together with the existing Outpatient Specialists provide clinical leadership and expertise within the Physiotherapy Department with respect to spinal pathologies.
To be involved in developing and support commissioning of any new pathways relating to back pain and its management in the community setting.
To lead, undertake, and/or support research as a key leader to advance professional practice, devise or test clinical benchmarks, outcome measures or clinical indicators.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To undertake a lead Advanced / Extended Scope Physiotherapy Practitioner role within the Lumbar Spine Pathway. Acting and working as an expert autonomous practitioner and working independently at an advanced practice level, demonstrating advanced knowledge and skills with a specific specialism in spinal pathology, within the Spinal Service and musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.
To provide assessment, treatment, management advice and education to patients with a range of acute and chronic, routine to highly complex clinical presentations. This includes the integration of research evidence into practice via the process of advanced clinical reasoning and decision-making. Determining clinical diagnosis may requiring further investigations for example diagnostic imaging, blood investigations and associated tests.
To have a collaborative relationship with colleagues in MSK physiotherapy, Chronic Pain Management teams, Radiology and other specialist secondary care services. Management and treatment may involve advanced knowledge and skills, spinal injection therapy, escalation to on-call orthopaedics or surgery.
To work as part of the spinal surgical teams (orthopaedic and neurosurgical) to discuss cases to decide on further management options which may include spinal surgery, spinal injections, further investigations, referral to another specialist service, discharge to self- manage.
To engage in service level development/discussions/meetings relating to the area of work independently and as delegated by the Therapies Service Line Manager.
Together with the existing Outpatient Specialists provide clinical leadership and expertise within the Physiotherapy Department with respect to spinal pathologies.
To be involved in developing and support commissioning of any new pathways relating to back pain and its management in the community setting.
To lead, undertake, and/or support research as a key leader to advance professional practice, devise or test clinical benchmarks, outcome measures or clinical indicators.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc in Physiotherapy - Degree level or equivalent in Physiotherapy/ Occupational Therapy with further specialist professional qualifications at Masters level.
- Postgraduate Masters degree relevant to the speciality or proven evidence of working at equivalent level or towards.
- HCPC registration
- Proven evidence in post graduate training relating to the management of MSK conditions.
- Current IRMER and competency for requesting x-ray investigations.
Desirable
- Demonstrable experience of teaching other professions.
- Management training
- Injection Therapy qualification.
- Non-medical prescriber qualification.
Knowledge & experience
Essential
- Extensive demonstrable post graduate specialist MSK experience with a specific interest in LBP and pain management.
- Demonstrable experience of leading and delivering teaching to AHP / Medical staff.
- Proven evidence of CPD underpinning specialist MSK practice.
- Recent involvement in audit / research and proven evidence of embedding this into practice.
- A proven awareness of current NHS and Health issues with an awareness of commissioning frameworks.
Desirable
- Published research paper related to the physiotherapy profession or this speciality
- Demonstrable experience of leading a multidisciplinary team in physiotherapy.
- Demonstrable experience working within an extended scope of practice.
- Proven knowledge of the radiology guidelines applied to MSK conditions.
- Proven knowledge of pathology and blood tests used within MSK diagnosis.
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- Able to deal with a broad range of personalities, demonstrable experience of dealing with HR issues.
- Ability to write and present reports.
Desirable
- Appraisal Skills
- Demonstrable audit experience
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc in Physiotherapy - Degree level or equivalent in Physiotherapy/ Occupational Therapy with further specialist professional qualifications at Masters level.
- Postgraduate Masters degree relevant to the speciality or proven evidence of working at equivalent level or towards.
- HCPC registration
- Proven evidence in post graduate training relating to the management of MSK conditions.
- Current IRMER and competency for requesting x-ray investigations.
Desirable
- Demonstrable experience of teaching other professions.
- Management training
- Injection Therapy qualification.
- Non-medical prescriber qualification.
Knowledge & experience
Essential
- Extensive demonstrable post graduate specialist MSK experience with a specific interest in LBP and pain management.
- Demonstrable experience of leading and delivering teaching to AHP / Medical staff.
- Proven evidence of CPD underpinning specialist MSK practice.
- Recent involvement in audit / research and proven evidence of embedding this into practice.
- A proven awareness of current NHS and Health issues with an awareness of commissioning frameworks.
Desirable
- Published research paper related to the physiotherapy profession or this speciality
- Demonstrable experience of leading a multidisciplinary team in physiotherapy.
- Demonstrable experience working within an extended scope of practice.
- Proven knowledge of the radiology guidelines applied to MSK conditions.
- Proven knowledge of pathology and blood tests used within MSK diagnosis.
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- Able to deal with a broad range of personalities, demonstrable experience of dealing with HR issues.
- Ability to write and present reports.
Desirable
- Appraisal Skills
- Demonstrable audit experience
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).
