Location
Honor Oak Health Centre, Turnham Road, Brockley

Hours
Full time (hours not specified)

Salary
£39,959 per annum

About the Role
As a Community Orthopaedic Physiotherapist, you will undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner. You will perform advanced physiotherapeutic assessments of patients presenting with diverse and complex orthopaedic, physical, and psychological conditions. You will provide provisional diagnoses and develop and deliver individualised treatment programmes tailored to each patient’s needs.

You will manage your own caseload within a defined area of the service and participate in caseload management alongside other team members, supported by a Band 7 physiotherapist. You will contribute to evidence-based audit and research activities to advance the team's clinical practice and make recommendations for practice improvements to senior staff.

Supervision of Therapy Assistants, Junior Physiotherapists, and Physiotherapy students in clinical settings will be part of your responsibilities. You will be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of your work, including patient management.

Your role involves comprehensive and holistic patient assessments, including those with complex multi-pathologies. You will use manual and other assessment techniques combined with clinical reasoning to provide accurate diagnoses and identify patient problems. You will ensure patients understand treatment proposals, obtain valid informed consent, and work within legal frameworks when patients lack capacity.

Using specialist knowledge of pathophysiology, evidence-based practice, and treatment strategies, you will formulate effective treatment plans and goals in collaboration with patients. You will evaluate patient progress, reassess, and adjust treatment programmes as necessary. You will liaise with the multidisciplinary team regarding discharge planning to ensure safe, timely, and effective discharge from hospital or community care.

You will be responsible for the safe and competent use of electrotherapy, manual handling, respiratory equipment, and other aids, ensuring junior staff attain competency prior to use. Effective communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal, will be essential to engage patients and their families, especially when discussing concerns, prognoses, and sensitive issues.

You will work within Trust, departmental, and CSP guidelines, maintaining a good knowledge of national and local standards. When working in community and domiciliary settings, you will operate as a lone practitioner with telephone support from senior physiotherapists as needed.

Accurate and evaluative record keeping in accordance with Trust and departmental policies is required, ensuring records are suitable for audit and legal purposes.

Experience
Proven experience in advanced physiotherapeutic assessment and treatment of patients with complex orthopaedic and multi-pathological conditions. Experience working autonomously and managing a defined caseload. Ability to supervise junior staff and students in clinical settings.

Experience in evidence-based audit and research activities is desirable.

About you
Professional, accountable, and confident in clinical decision-making. Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage patients and families sensitively and effectively. Able to work independently in community and domiciliary settings with appropriate support.

Committed to continuous professional development and adherence to Trust, departmental, and professional guidelines.

Qualifications
Registered Physiotherapist with relevant professional qualifications. Specialist knowledge in orthopaedics and community physiotherapy practice. Compliance with legal and professional standards for patient consent and treatment.