Job summary
Are you ready to take on a key leadership role that will help shape the future of Physiotherapy within Mental Health services?
Devon Partnership NHS Trust is offering an exciting internal secondment opportunity for a dynamic and experienced physiotherapist to step into the role of Head of Profession for Physiotherapy. This is a 6-month opportunity, working 15 hours per week, to lead and support physiotherapy services across our mental health settings.
What Were Looking For
We are seeking a motivated, experienced physiotherapist with:
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A passion for mental health care and a strong understanding of the physiotherapist's role within this field.
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Proven leadership experience and the ability to influence practice at a strategic level.
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Excellent communication and organisational skills.
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A commitment to staff development, evidence-based practice, and continuous service improvement.
This secondment is ideal for someone seeking to develop their leadership experience in a high-impact, Trust-wide role.
Main duties of the job
As the Professional Lead Physiotherapist you will:
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Provide strategic leadership and professional oversight to the Physiotherapy team working across the Trusts Mental Health services.
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Be responsible for the organisation, planning, coordination, delivery, evaluation and governance of physiotherapy practice in mental health settings.
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Promote a culture of high-quality, person-centred care and innovation within the physiotherapy workforce.
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Act as the clinical expert in physiotherapy for Mental Health, offering advice, guidance and support to physiotherapists, student physiotherapists, assistants/technical instructors, and wider multidisciplinary teams.
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Ensure effective risk management, supervision, and excellence in documentation and clinical standards.
About us
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma/degree in Physiotherapy
- Valid State registration with the Health and Care Professions Council
- Extensive post graduate experience, some of which must be spent at a senior level in a relevant clinical field
- Post-graduate training in wheelchair prescription, orthotics, postural management, gait analysis, total communication, working with older people and those with mental health conditions
- Evidence of on-going CPD maintained in a portfolio including attendance at recent postgraduate courses relevant to Mental Health physiotherapy, leadership and management
Desirable
- Management qualification
- To have a Masters or equivalent level of training in Mental Health or relevant Physiotherapy speciality
Knowledge
Essential
- An in-depth knowledge and skill base of physiotherapy and treatment techniques gained from a broad ranging experience in the physical health setting and evidence of ability to adapt and build upon these skills to deliver appropriate and high quality physiotherapeutic interventions to people presenting with a wide range of physical and mental health problems.
- Evidence of an expert broad based knowledge of the use and application of the range of mental health conditions and current evidence based assessment, treatment and outcome measurement.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of NHS and Social Care Community Team working or equivalent
- Experience in the development, management and co-ordination of staff and services
- Experience of liaising with other disciplines, agencies and providers to assess, deliver and monitor services for clients in the community
- Previous experience in a leadership role
- Experience in managing complex disability and evidence of special communication skills
- To demonstrate highly developed dexterity, coordination and palpatory senses, for assessment and manual treatment of Clients. The use of highly developed therapeutic handling skills, manual techniques and facilitation of movement.
- Carry out assessments and treatments of people with severe physical and sensory impairment and poor mobility with frequent intense physical effort on a daily basis e.g. handling of heavy body parts, uncontrolled movements by patient. This may include several short periods of static postures kneeling, crouching, crawling, twisting, bending, and stretching on a daily basis. Often working for up to an hour on the floor with a client on a daily basis.
- To comply with the Trust Manual Handling policy and local therapeutic handling guidance at all times. This includes highly developed therapeutic handling skills, manual techniques and facilitation of movement. To provide expert advice on continuing management to client and members of the multidisciplinary team/family/carers.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma/degree in Physiotherapy
- Valid State registration with the Health and Care Professions Council
- Extensive post graduate experience, some of which must be spent at a senior level in a relevant clinical field
- Post-graduate training in wheelchair prescription, orthotics, postural management, gait analysis, total communication, working with older people and those with mental health conditions
- Evidence of on-going CPD maintained in a portfolio including attendance at recent postgraduate courses relevant to Mental Health physiotherapy, leadership and management
Desirable
- Management qualification
- To have a Masters or equivalent level of training in Mental Health or relevant Physiotherapy speciality
Knowledge
Essential
- An in-depth knowledge and skill base of physiotherapy and treatment techniques gained from a broad ranging experience in the physical health setting and evidence of ability to adapt and build upon these skills to deliver appropriate and high quality physiotherapeutic interventions to people presenting with a wide range of physical and mental health problems.
- Evidence of an expert broad based knowledge of the use and application of the range of mental health conditions and current evidence based assessment, treatment and outcome measurement.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of NHS and Social Care Community Team working or equivalent
- Experience in the development, management and co-ordination of staff and services
- Experience of liaising with other disciplines, agencies and providers to assess, deliver and monitor services for clients in the community
- Previous experience in a leadership role
- Experience in managing complex disability and evidence of special communication skills
- To demonstrate highly developed dexterity, coordination and palpatory senses, for assessment and manual treatment of Clients. The use of highly developed therapeutic handling skills, manual techniques and facilitation of movement.
- Carry out assessments and treatments of people with severe physical and sensory impairment and poor mobility with frequent intense physical effort on a daily basis e.g. handling of heavy body parts, uncontrolled movements by patient. This may include several short periods of static postures kneeling, crouching, crawling, twisting, bending, and stretching on a daily basis. Often working for up to an hour on the floor with a client on a daily basis.
- To comply with the Trust Manual Handling policy and local therapeutic handling guidance at all times. This includes highly developed therapeutic handling skills, manual techniques and facilitation of movement. To provide expert advice on continuing management to client and members of the multidisciplinary team/family/carers.
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).
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
