Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist Clinical Specialist

at  University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for detailed job description of the role.
The University Hospital Southampton (UHS) award-winning Therapy team is looking for a Band 8a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist or Occupational therapist to join our Medicine for Older Peoples’ Team (MOP). This is a new and exciting opportunity for a dynamic, flexible, and enthusiastic Therapist with a passion for frailty.
This new post offers an opportunity to provide highly specialist clinical skills in frailty and elderly care. You will have the opportunity to support and plan service delivery with senior leaders and focus on quality improvement and research initiatives.
At UHS we encourage innovative working practices and pioneer new approaches to complex frailty. Recently, working with community stakeholders like Saints Foundation we have been able to introduce an exercise practitioner role that supports inpatient rehabilitation and discharge.
As a Clinical Specialist, there will be opportunities to utilise your clinical, managerial and leadership skills within the MOP team, across the wider division, and community networks.
At UHS ‘Always Improving’ is a key trust value, therefore support will be given towards your continued learning, and personal and professional development. Alongside education at UHS we have excellent links and teaching opportunities with the University of Southampton.
As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to.
All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.
Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.
Specific to this role we are open to discussing flexibility in the hours that you work. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need, and we will explore what’s possible for the role and service
This post is part of the wider Therapy services department. You will have many opportunities to develop new skills and knowledge through our in-service training. You will be part of a large department of over 300 wte Therapy staff including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Therapy support staff.
As a new post, there will be a wide range of opportunities to develop the role within the frailty service at UHS, working with the MDT and partner services in the community. We are therefore looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic, and committed individual to lead service development and provide expert clinical support to the therapy department. The primary focus of the role will be within the MOP team, however there will be an expectation to support the frailty pathways across UHS acute services, linking closely with our front of house ED/AMU therapy team in particular.
As a clinical leader, there will also be an expectation to provide teaching, supervision and development opportunities to team leaders and specialist therapy staff.
Please ensure you check you fulfil all aspects of the essential criteria on the job description before applying.

DESIRABLE SKILLS INCLUDE:

1. Understanding and experience working with external partners i.e. ICS/voluntary sector on projects
2. Experience developing service improvement, conducting research or governance
3. Demonstrate a knowledge of NHS systems.
   We actively encourage all potential applicants to contact us to ask any questions you may have.

1. Professional qualification in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy, with postgraduate Master’s level study or alternative specialist course, e.g. in frailty
2. Current HCPC registration
3. Evidence of post-graduate clinical experience in frailty or older person’s team, with the ability to complete comprehensive geriatric assessments
4. Experience and evidence of managing and leading a team in the acute hospital setting
5. Broad range of clinical therapy experience in a variety of specialities, to complement a clinical specialist role in frailty, e.g. orthopaedics, general medicine, surgery and neurology
6. Motivated individual with excellent verbal and written communication skills to support the MDT working relationship
7. Experience managing collaborative projects, including engaging with internal/external stakeholders
8. Evidence of leadership skills and ability to manage a diverse team, including rosters and HR issues
9. Evidence of providing teaching to wider MDT, therapy teams and students
   10.Ability to stay calm and make appropriate decisions under pressure, in a fast-paced environment
10. Show a clear desire to work in the acute hospital setting
11. Show a clear desire to work within UHS therapy services