Physiotherapy Assistant Practitioner (Falls)

An exciting opportunity to join a well-established team to support the development of a new extension to the falls service offered by Bedford Hospital for the local population. The role is a fixed term contract to cover maternity leave for a period of 1 year. The post holder will be the first point of contact for patients referred to the Falls service. They will carry out assessments of falls patients who may have complex or multi-pathology conditions, and decide which pathway the patient will take.

The service is a new extension to the already established service provided for the local population to Bedford. The service will be provide rapid assessment and triage of all new referrals. The successful candidates will be required to complete the initial assessments and triage these patients to the appropriate pathway. The post holders will play a part in the development of this new and exciting service and will be fundamental to the shaping of the service. They will be part of a larger multi-disciplinary team providing 1 to 1, groups and home assessments for all patients, there will be a an expectation that some cross cover for groups and on-going treatments will be required to support the whole service.

The post would suit an experienced therapy assistant who would like to take on a new and exciting challenge. Candidates with other similar backgrounds will be considered as full training will be provided.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.
We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

To independently undertake highly skilled and specialised technical work and be responsible for the majority of the initial assessments of patients.

To be consistently able to undertake treatments to more complex patients where local guideline may not be written.

Use knowledge, skills gained to understand the needs of these patients and adjust physiotherapy programmes appropriately including for patients with challenging behaviour.

Use goal setting to be able to evaluate outcome of treatments.

Be able to use information gained to formulate treatment goals and select patients and times in rehabilitation programme to ensure a comprehensive treatment programme.

To be aware of your own scope practice and work within these parameters.

Actively seek mentorship to develop range and skill complexity of treatments offered to patients.

Be able to use clinical knowledge to help underpin reasons for treatment choices and make informed judgements and be able to demonstrate these to carers and patients.

Be able to watch patients reactions during treatment and respond appropriately.

To teach techniques or management programme to patients or carers on areas within in your scope of practice and evaluate outcomes and answer questions asked of you. Teaching sessions may be, planned or spontaneous.

Be responsible for the planning and organisation of fitness programmes.

To have a broad knowledge of services outside your immediate physiotherapy area in order to inform or refer patients appropriately.

Be able to make initial contact with these agencies and be able to justify reason for referral/collection of additional information.