Team Lead Physiotherapist Critical Care

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity to join our experienced Critical Care team here at King’s College Hospital Denmark Hill site. At the Denmark Hill site we currently have 85 adult critical care beds arranged across 6 critical care units covering Neurosurgery, Major trauma, Cardiothoracics, Medicine and Livers. The Trust has recently opened the a new 60 bedded critical care unit allowing the successful candidate a chance to work in an innovatively designed, state of the art critical care unit.

Continuing Professional Development is encouraged through the Kings appraisal and development system and there is a well-established in-service education programme. Attendance at post-registration courses is supported and there are comprehensive library and computer facilities on site. There is a strong drive to participate in research at Kings and the critical care team regularly submit posters and publications at national and international conferences. Students are regularly on placement from local universities.

King’s welcomes applications from all candidates, and ask that candidates ensure they are available for the indicated interview date, to be held face to face at King’s College Hospital in London.

The trust reserves the right to close the application window earlier than the proposed closing date in the case of high numbers of application

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic physiotherapist with a broad range of respiratory experience, excellent critical care skills, demonstrable leadership skills and the ability to actively contribute to service development. The large critical care team at King’s is facilitated by three Clinical Lead Physiotherapists and supported by a Research Consultant Physiotherapist. The successful applicant will be responsible for the co-ordination and management of physiotherapy input into the Critical Care units at Kings.

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is a large London teaching trust providing specialist services to the region and also serving a large local population. You will be expected to work closely with colleagues within physiotherapy and in the wider multidisciplinary team, both in the hospital and our local community.

Applicants should have HCPC registration and be able to demonstrate significant critical care experience including the ability to cope with complex management issues.

For further information, please contact Rish Moodley, Clinical Lead Physiotherapist in Critical Care on 020 3299 4917 or e-mail [email protected]

Closing date 1/8/2025 Interview date: 14/8/2025 (Provisional)

NB:

Please note there is a word limit of 1000 words for your supporting statement. Applications over this limit will not be considered.

Working for our organisation

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

CLINICAL AND PROFESSIONAL
Patient Care

To be responsible for the efficient, effective and safe management of all patients referred to their
section.

To receive referrals, undertake full assessment and independently plan individual, specialized, evidence-based, treatment programmes for patients appropriately depending on the physiotherapist’s diagnosis, using clinical reasoning and a variety of highly specialist skills such as use of respiratory and ventilatory adjuncts, tracheostomy management, capillary blood gases, and acute rehabilitation.

To carry a significant clinical caseload within a critical care, high dependency or ward environment, including highly complex and diverse patient groups such as those with Chronic respiratory conditions such as Cystic Fibrosis, COPD and Bronchiectasis, those following cardiac and liver and abdominal surgery, or major trauma.

To prioritise work efficiently taking into account clinical and service priorities, using highly specialist knowledge to underpin decisions.

To provide individual patient equipment as required, such as, walking aids, incentive spirometers. To issue such equipment with due regard to safety of the equipment, and in line with legal, national and local guidelines.

To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work, and of the team, including management of clinical risk, knowledge of indications and precautions of chosen techniques in line with national and trust clinical guidelines, protocols and pathways where they exist.

Communication
To be able to persuade and motivate patients, through effective communication skills.

Provide patients, families and other carers with specialist advice or instruction to promote the understanding of the aims of physiotherapy and to ensure consistent patient management.

To provide and receive information from patients, carers and other professionals regarding a patients condition and treatment progress. This will include the sharing and receiving of some complex and/or sensitive information

To communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximize rehabilitation potential and to improve understanding of the condition which will require the appropriate response to the patients’ level of communication, facilitating the best possible communication outcome e.g. use of speaking valves.

To develop and maintain close working relationships with other members of the team, ensuring appropriate attendance at rehabilitation ward rounds, multi-disciplinary meetings and case conferences, including occasional organisation of the latter.

MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
Information Management
To maintain comprehensive and accurate patient notes and records in accordance with departmental policy and to ensure the safe keeping and confidentiality of these records.

Human Resources Management
To deputise for the Clinical Lead Physiotherapist.

To have an active role in effective team working in the physiotherapy department, leading, assisting, and supporting other team members

Supervise and assist team members (band 6’s, band 5’s and assistants) in maintaining an appropriate case mix and workload.

To be responsible for the standard of physiotherapy carried out by physiotherapy assistants working within team.

To appraise and develop band 6, band 5 and assistant staff and to fulfil the King’s appraisal system requirements including performance management e.g. time-keeping, competencies

To manage workload and assist other members of the team to make appropriate priorities so that staff are not under undue pressure, particularly in times of annual, sick or study leave.

Service Development
To contribute to the formulation of departmental policies and procedures and participate in agreed developments in the physiotherapy service or its organisation.

To initiate and implement changes to working practices related to research findings or service initiatives e.g. following demand and capacity work including evaluation of such changes.

TRAINING, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
Be a clinical educator by being responsible for the training and professional development of undergraduate students seconded to the Department as requested by the Physiotherapy Manager, and provide written reports on their progress and competence.

To keep abreast of new developments generally within physiotherapy, and within the area of critical care conditions particularly.

To incorporate into current practice and disseminate to other members of
staff following discussion with the Clinical Lead Physiotherapist

Prepare and participate in lectures, seminars and demonstrations to other physiotherapists, student physiotherapists and other disciplines as appropriate, internal and external to the Trust

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• HCPC registration
• Working at a Masters level, as demonstrated by ongoing CPD, evidence-based project work, external post graduate lecturing

Desirable criteria

• MSc in related subject

Communication and relationship skills

Essential criteria

• Able to work as a team leader showing commitment to that team

Analytical skills

Essential criteria

• Able to assess, plan and progress treatment appropriately

Planning and organisational skills

Essential criteria

• Able to organize own workload, and that of junior staff, using prioritisation and delegation skills to support workers

Physical/Personal skills

Essential criteria

• Able to work at moderate to high levels of physical activity involving the delivery of manual therapy, therapeutic handling and the demonstration of exercise

Knowledge skills and experience

Essential criteria

• Wide-ranging post graduate experience including neurology, rehab and musculo-skeletal conditions
• Specialist knowledge and experience in respiratory and critical care including a broad range of acute and chronic conditions and problems

IMPORTANT

• Check your email account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you
• If you delete the job from any of your accounts, you may be prevented from accessing further communications
• To enquire about your application or inform us of any changes in your circumstances, please contact the named person on this advert
• Please provide email addresses for referees where possible
• Please review the documentation on our recruitment microsite, particularly the Trust’s criminal records checking policy
• All staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and for ensuring they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
• Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

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