Physiotherapist

An exciting new position has arisen for a Band 5 Physiotherapist to join the recently established South West Post Covid Assessment Service, covering Wandsworth and Merton, working alongside a multidisciplinary team to deliver holistic and coordinated care to patients. The post-holder will join the team based at Battersea Studios, to support community patients with post-covid-19 syndrome. You will be supported by senior physiotherapists in your clinical and professional development.

This is a permanent role with non-recurrent funding, should funding for the service not be extended, you will be redeployed to similar post in the Trust.

The South West Post-Covid Service was established in April 2021 and is integrated with St Georges South West Specialist MDT, IAPT, Social Prescribers and Community GPs. The SW Post-Covid Community Team is made up of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, rehabilitation assistants, case managers and includes Psychological support via IAPTs (Improving Access for Psychological Therapy). The Specialist MDT is comprised of Respiratory, Cardiology, Neurology, Emergency Medicine, Rehabilitation and Psychiatry consultants and Advanced Health Professionals including a Physiotherapist, and Psychologist. A range of support and interventions are available to post-Covid sufferers ranging from 1:1 input, the utilisation of online platforms and apps, such as ‘Your Covid Recovery’ and ‘Living With’ or signposting to other appropriate services.

Central London Community Healthcare (CLCH) is one of the largest community healthcare organisations in London and Hertfordshire, providing our services to diverse communities/boroughs in 11 London Boroughs - Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea, Merton, Richmond, Wandsworth, Westminster - and Hertfordshire

As this is a new condition, prior experience is not required; we are looking for candidates who are enthusiastic, flexible and a desire to learn. The post-holder will be supported to gain the skills and confidence to assist in patient triage and assessment. In conjunction with the team, they will help coordinate care, case manage selected patients and provide helpline advice. They will assist in the evaluation of community-based interventions and help pioneer strategies to improve the care of these patients. Excellent communication and team-working skills are essential, this post will also provide an opportunity for possible clinical research with studies currently underway evaluating the factors driving Long-Covid.
1. To undertake physiotherapy assessments for a designated caseload using a variety of different techniques including standardised and non standardised assessments to make an accurate assessment of client need
2. To gather relevant information from a variety of sources, and analyse and interpret all information gained to make an independent decision.
3. To work with clients and their carers to identify and prioritise their needs and agree physiotherapy goals as part of an overall individual and specialised treatment programme based on a variety of treatment options
4. To use clinical reasoning skills to select appropriate therapeutic intervention which is meaningful for client and specific to the specialised clinical area
5. To monitor and evaluate treatment with clients in order to measure the effectiveness of intervention and progress.
6. To demonstrate an awareness of future therapy and clinical needs based on a growing understanding of prognosis and other influencing factors.
7. To involve rehab support workers in packages of care for clients, as appropriate, delegating and monitoring their intervention.
8. To keep accurate up-to-date records on patient care treatment and equipment provision which comply with quality standards of Trust/Service policies and meet legal requirements.
9. To share clinical skills with colleagues through joint working and shadowing.
10. To provide written and/or verbal reports to referrers and other agencies involved in clients’ care and participate in clinical meetings as necessary.

Please refer to the attached Job Description for full list of responsibilities