Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Specialist Physiotherapist to develop to join our General Intensive Care (GICU) therapy team at University Hospital Southampton (UHS).  

The team is led by experienced Band 7 critical care Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists and the role would be ideal for a Physiotherapist with a special interest in respiratory care in the critical care setting as well as rehabilitation of those recovering from critical illness.  The role benefits from the support of a Band 8a critical care specialist.

You will work as part of a combined therapy services team delivering patient care across a 7-day service, including weekends and bank holidays, on a roster basis. This will also include participation in the acute on-call respiratory rota. 

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 Therapy staff including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Therapy support staff. We have strong links with local Universities and host many student placements within our department.

Working for our organisation

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. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care. 

 We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. 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 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

 We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

This B6 Specialist Physiotherapy post will involve acute respiratory management of critically unwell patients therefore previous experience in critical care would be beneficial. Physiotherapists at UHS also lead on weaning from mechanical ventilation and support the wider MDT in management of complex tracheostomy patients.

Rehabilitation is also an established part of our critical care service at UHS, having set up a successful Early Mobilisation Project in 2012.  Alongside this we have recently received funding to provide post critical care rehabilitation on the wards to support patients experiencing the symptoms of Post Intensive Care Syndrome in their recovery journey.

The role will part of an established static GICU therapy team and involve leading the team in the absence of the band 7.  Band 5 staff rotate within the team on a 6 monthly basis, and the role would involve the supervision of band 5 staff both within the team and from a wider on call training perspective.  Additionally, the role would be responsible for the supervision of band 4 therapy tech staff and students on placement within the team.

The regional Head and Neck service is covered by the team on an inpatient ward, and this role would involve managing this caseload and supporting band 5 staff to see these patients.

UHS has been a designated Major Trauma Centre since 2012 and GICU has 31 beds, providing both Level 2 and Level 3 care.  The case mix is diverse and has a high acuity receiving not only trauma patients but also those from many regional and subregional specialties e.g. GI surgery and Head and Neck surgical patients. 

Please read the job description and person specification carefully and ensure you fulfil the criteria. 

Please note for this specific role we also need the following skills and/or experience:
Essential:
•    Postgraduate senior skills and experience working in the field of acute critical care. This will include established skills in respiratory care, including experience in delivering comprehensive rehabilitation plans
•    Proven experience in doing shifts within an acute respiratory on-call service - including intensive care, adults and children
•    Evidence of postgraduate development to support enhanced skills and decision making
•    Experience working alongside and supervising/mentoring support staff or students
•    Knowledge and understanding of NHS procedures, ideally with personal experience
•    A clearly expressed desire to work in UHS Therapy services dept and in this clinical speciality, written as part of your application.
•    As we run a 7-day therapy service, flexibility is needed to work weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis as part of your working pattern.

Desirable:
•    Postgraduate involvement in audit/research/clinical project/service development
•    Evidence of providing teaching to therapy staff and students

Training and support can be offered to meet your learning requirements. 

We actively encourage all potential applicants to contact us to ask any questions you may have.

Please note:
•    Before applying, please ensure you will be able to attend an interview in person, as we will include practical assessments as part of our interviews. 
•    If you invited to interview, please dress in smart, comfortable clothing for the practical asst.
•    The interviews will take place in person on 8TH Oct
•    No virtual interviews will be offered, please do not apply if you will be unable to attend in person.
•    This post is for qualified Physiotherapists with postgraduate experience and not new graduates, please enquire about our newly qualified B5 posts separately.
•    We do not accept CV applications.
•    As part of these interviews, we may put names in reserve for similar B6 Physiotherapy posts, including fixed term opportunities.
•    Please be aware me may close the advert early if we get too many applications.
•    You will only be contacted if you are successfully shortlisted.
•    We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

For other therapy opportunities please email: Annette.Purkis@uhs.nhs.uk

We look forward to hearing from you