Job summary To provide a high standard Physiotherapy service across the Children's Critical Care team with senior support, assessing and treating acutely unwell children. The post holder is expected to work closely within the holistic team including Doctors, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Speech & Language Therapists and Play Therapists. This will also provision of the respiratory service within the Neonatal unit. Main duties of the job Provide an effective and efficient physiotherapy service to patients, including assessing, treating and delegating the changing workload within the Children's Critical Care unit. Perform specialist assessment of patients including those with highly complex presentations, and from this formulates a diagnosis and treatment plan, which is carried out as an autonomous practitioner. Maintain a clinical caseload of highly complex patients, these will mainly include acutely ill respiratory patients, with or without ventilatory support in the Children's Critical care setting. Provide cover and support to the neonatal unit for acutely ill pre-term/ term infants with or without ventilatory support. To provide a clear handover for patients discharged from the Critical Care unit if they should still be receiving Physiotherapy input. Partake in the supervision, teaching and appraisal of junior physiotherapists and physiotherapy students, including the appropriate teaching component of the on-call competency programme. Plays an active role in service development within acute paediatrics. Supports the team leader and undertakes delegated responsibilities. Supervises, initiates and participates in evidence-based projects within Paediatrics About us Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel. Date posted 24 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 6 Salary £37,338 to £44,962 a year pa Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Full-time Reference number 321-NOTSS-7051099-B6 Job locations John Radcliffe Oxford OX3 9DU Job description Job responsibilities Clinical: To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own professional activities To undertake the specialist assessment of patients as an autonomous practitioner, including those with highly complex presentations, and using clinical reasoning skills, knowledge of evidence-based practice. To interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts to form accurate diagnoses in a wide range of highly complex conditions and to formulate prognoses and recommend best course of intervention, developing and implementing comprehensive treatment and discharge plans. To continually reassess patients in order to progress treatments effectively and advise patients, carers and other colleagues as required. To assess a patients capacity to understand and to gain valid, informed consent for treatment. To work within a legal framework with patients who lack the capacity to consent or refuse treatment. To co-ordinate intervention which may include other disciplines; advises and educate patient/ carers/ relatives/ other health professionals. To demonstrate the ability to communicate complex and sensitive information to patient, carers and other staff, where there may be barriers to communication e.g. non-English speaking patients; those with communication disorders, impaired speech, hearing, and ensure all members of the team do likewise. To communicate effectively with all other disciplines involved in the patients care both in the Hospital and in the community thus ensuring a multidisciplinary approach and integrated service. To manage clinical risk within own caseload at all times. To maintain accurate electronic and written records using POMR system, in line with Professional Standards. To provide comprehensive progress and discharge reports to referrers as required. To be responsible for ensuring that Band 5 staff and student physiotherapists are maintaining the department standards. To participate in the respiratory overnight on-call, weekend and emergency duties as lone practitioner within the hospital site (with the possibility of twilight working and 7 day service). Provide advice to MDT regarding patients cardiorespiratory function. To demonstrate physical ability to carry out physiotherapy assessment and interventions including manual therapy techniques and therapeutic handling. To demonstrate highly developed dexterity, co-ordination and palpatory sensory skills for assessment and manual treatment of patients. To represent physiotherapy and / or individual patients at multi- disciplinary team meetings, to ensure delivery of co-ordinated care. This will include discussion of patient care / discharge planning. Management: To assist in the day to day running of the Childrens Critical Care service and caseload, including attending handover, planning, allocation, liaison with MDT, training and patient care. To be responsible for competent use and maintenance reporting of all equipment used including but not limited to gym equipment, hoists, IPPB, ventilators, saturation monitors and patient appliances, and to ensure that junior staff/students and assistants attain competency prior to use. To assist in the supervision, teaching and appraisal of junior staff and assistants on a daily basis. To be responsible for the operational management of the designated team in the absence of the team leader or as required. To flexibly plan and organise own time, patient caseload, meetings, training and adjusting plans as required according to staffing levels. To be able to respond to unpredictable work patterns and frequent interruptions. To assist in the planning of juniors, students and assistants timetables and deputise for the team leader in organisational duties. To represent Childrens Critical Care within the Childrens Therapy team. To support the Induction of all new staff to Childrens Critical Care in preparation for their undertaking of on call duties. To achieve the effective daily management of a caseload of patients including responding to urgent referrals, prioritising clinical work and balancing other patient related and professional activities in accordance with departmental standards. Education: To contribute to the education of multidisciplinary groups, patients, families and carers as appropriate. To be responsible for own personal professional development and keep abreast of new clinical practices in the area of critical care / cardiorespiratory care. To attend and contribute to, specialist continuing education programmes. To attend external courses / education as appropriate To be responsible for undergraduate student physiotherapists as allocated by the team leader. To be pro-active with regard to learning from other physiotherapy staff within the department, and other MDT staff in the Trust. To be responsible for and actively record own personal professional development and maintain a CPD portfolio in line with HCPC recommendations. To maintain current awareness and knowledge of all new developments relevant to physiotherapy treatments and attend training and courses as appropriate. To assist in organising and actively participate in the in-service and post-registration education programme within the specialist clinical area. To maintain and develop current knowledge of evidence-based practice, developing specialist knowledge of particular conditions and patient types. To undertake an evidence-based project / service development with professional presentation of the project to the physiotherapy team / department Research and audit: To participate in the departments on-going audits and appropriate work related evaluation/research projects To keep abreast of evidenced based practice in the clinical area by use of relevant reading, attendance at in-service training, external courses and database searches To ensure good working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor quality as appropriate General Conditions Risk Management The management of risk is the responsibility of everyone and will be achieved within a progressive, honest and open environment. Staff will be provided with the necessary education, training and support to enable them to meet this responsibility. Staff should be familiar with the Major Incident Policy Fire Policy Information governance and should make themselves familiar with the local response plan and their role within that response. Responsibilities for Health and Safety The post holder is responsible for ensuring that all duties and responsibilities of this post are carried out in compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, Statutory Regulations and Trust Policies and Procedures. This will be supported by the provision of training and specialist advice where required. Infection Control Infection Control is everyones responsibility. All staff, both clinical and non-clinical, are required to adhere to the Trusts Infection Prevention and Control Policies and make every effort to maintain high standards of infection control at all times thereby reducing the burden of Healthcare Associated Infections including MRSA. All staff employed by OUH have the following key responsibilities: Staff must wash their hands or use alcohol gel on entry and exit from all clinical areas and/or between each patient contact. Staff members have a duty to attend mandatory infection control training provided for them by the Trust. Staff members who develop an infection (other than common colds and illness) that may be transmittable to patients have a duty to contact Occupational Health. Child Protection The post holder will endeavour at all times to uphold the rights of children and young people in accordance with the UN Convention Rights of the Child. Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults The Trust is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults throughout the organisation. As a member of the trust there is a duty to assist in protecting patients and their families from any form of harm when they are vulnerable. Information Governance All staff must complete annual information governance training. If you have a Trust email account this can be completed on-line, otherwise you must attend a classroom session. For further details, go to the Information Governance intranet site. Data Quality Data quality is a vital element of every member of staffs job role. Oxford University Hospitals recognises the importance of information in the provision of patient care and in reporting on its performance. Data quality is therefore crucial in ensuring complete, timely and accurate information is available in support of patient care, clinical governance, performance management, service planning, and financial and resource planning and performance. All staff should ensure that they have read and understood the Trusts Data Quality Policy. Job description Job responsibilities Clinical: To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own professional activities To undertake the specialist assessment of patients as an autonomous practitioner, including those with highly complex presentations, and using clinical reasoning skills, knowledge of evidence-based practice. To interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts to form accurate diagnoses in a wide range of highly complex conditions and to formulate prognoses and recommend best course of intervention, developing and implementing comprehensive treatment and discharge plans. To continually reassess patients in order to progress treatments effectively and advise patients, carers and other colleagues as required. To assess a patients capacity to understand and to gain valid, informed consent for treatment. To work within a legal framework with patients who lack the capacity to consent or refuse treatment. To co-ordinate intervention which may include other disciplines; advises and educate patient/ carers/ relatives/ other health professionals. To demonstrate the ability to communicate complex and sensitive information to patient, carers and other staff, where there may be barriers to communication e.g. non-English speaking patients; those with communication disorders, impaired speech, hearing, and ensure all members of the team do likewise. To communicate effectively with all other disciplines involved in the patients care both in the Hospital and in the community thus ensuring a multidisciplinary approach and integrated service. To manage clinical risk within own caseload at all times. To maintain accurate electronic and written records using POMR system, in line with Professional Standards. To provide comprehensive progress and discharge reports to referrers as required. To be responsible for ensuring that Band 5 staff and student physiotherapists are maintaining the department standards. To participate in the respiratory overnight on-call, weekend and emergency duties as lone practitioner within the hospital site (with the possibility of twilight working and 7 day service). Provide advice to MDT regarding patients cardiorespiratory function. To demonstrate physical ability to carry out physiotherapy assessment and interventions including manual therapy techniques and therapeutic handling. To demonstrate highly developed dexterity, co-ordination and palpatory sensory skills for assessment and manual treatment of patients. To represent physiotherapy and / or individual patients at multi- disciplinary team meetings, to ensure delivery of co-ordinated care. This will include discussion of patient care / discharge planning. Management: To assist in the day to day running of the Childrens Critical Care service and caseload, including attending handover, planning, allocation, liaison with MDT, training and patient care. To be responsible for competent use and maintenance reporting of all equipment used including but not limited to gym equipment, hoists, IPPB, ventilators, saturation monitors and patient appliances, and to ensure that junior staff/students and assistants attain competency prior to use. To assist in the supervision, teaching and appraisal of junior staff and assistants on a daily basis. To be responsible for the operational management of the designated team in the absence of the team leader or as required. To flexibly plan and organise own time, patient caseload, meetings, training and adjusting plans as required according to staffing levels. To be able to respond to unpredictable work patterns and frequent interruptions. To assist in the planning of juniors, students and assistants timetables and deputise for the team leader in organisational duties. To represent Childrens Critical Care within the Childrens Therapy team. To support the Induction of all new staff to Childrens Critical Care in preparation for their undertaking of on call duties. To achieve the effective daily management of a caseload of patients including responding to urgent referrals, prioritising clinical work and balancing other patient related and professional activities in accordance with departmental standards. Education: To contribute to the education of multidisciplinary groups, patients, families and carers as appropriate. To be responsible for own personal professional development and keep abreast of new clinical practices in the area of critical care / cardiorespiratory care. To attend and contribute to, specialist continuing education programmes. To attend external courses / education as appropriate To be responsible for undergraduate student physiotherapists as allocated by the team leader. To be pro-active with regard to learning from other physiotherapy staff within the department, and other MDT staff in the Trust. To be responsible for and actively record own personal professional development and maintain a CPD portfolio in line with HCPC recommendations. To maintain current awareness and knowledge of all new developments relevant to physiotherapy treatments and attend training and courses as appropriate. To assist in organising and actively participate in the in-service and post-registration education programme within the specialist clinical area. To maintain and develop current knowledge of evidence-based practice, developing specialist knowledge of particular conditions and patient types. To undertake an evidence-based project / service development with professional presentation of the project to the physiotherapy team / department Research and audit: To participate in the departments on-going audits and appropriate work related evaluation/research projects To keep abreast of evidenced based practice in the clinical area by use of relevant reading, attendance at in-service training, external courses and database searches To ensure good working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor quality as appropriate General Conditions Risk Management The management of risk is the responsibility of everyone and will be achieved within a progressive, honest and open environment. Staff will be provided with the necessary education, training and support to enable them to meet this responsibility. Staff should be familiar with the Major Incident Policy Fire Policy Information governance and should make themselves familiar with the local response plan and their role within that response. Responsibilities for Health and Safety The post holder is responsible for ensuring that all duties and responsibilities of this post are carried out in compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, Statutory Regulations and Trust Policies and Procedures. This will be supported by the provision of training and specialist advice where required. Infection Control Infection Control is everyones responsibility. All staff, both clinical and non-clinical, are required to adhere to the Trusts Infection Prevention and Control Policies and make every effort to maintain high standards of infection control at all times thereby reducing the burden of Healthcare Associated Infections including MRSA. All staff employed by OUH have the following key responsibilities: Staff must wash their hands or use alcohol gel on entry and exit from all clinical areas and/or between each patient contact. Staff members have a duty to attend mandatory infection control training provided for them by the Trust. Staff members who develop an infection (other than common colds and illness) that may be transmittable to patients have a duty to contact Occupational Health. Child Protection The post holder will endeavour at all times to uphold the rights of children and young people in accordance with the UN Convention Rights of the Child. Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults The Trust is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults throughout the organisation. As a member of the trust there is a duty to assist in protecting patients and their families from any form of harm when they are vulnerable. Information Governance All staff must complete annual information governance training. If you have a Trust email account this can be completed on-line, otherwise you must attend a classroom session. For further details, go to the Information Governance intranet site. Data Quality Data quality is a vital element of every member of staffs job role. Oxford University Hospitals recognises the importance of information in the provision of patient care and in reporting on its performance. Data quality is therefore crucial in ensuring complete, timely and accurate information is available in support of patient care, clinical governance, performance management, service planning, and financial and resource planning and performance. All staff should ensure that they have read and understood the Trusts Data Quality Policy. Person Specification Shortlisting Criteria Essential HCPC Registered with Degree in Physiotherapy Evidence of CPD relevant to paediatrics / critical care specialty Broad range of NHS experience, ideally inclusive of paediatrics, respiratory, trauma, surgery and rehab Particiating in paediatric on-call and weekend rota Evidence of working as part of an MDT and goal setting Desirable Interest in audit and research Evidence of presentation skills and experience with presenting Experience of working in Paediatric / Critical Care environment Supervision and appraisals of other staff (inc students, therapy assistants and B5s) Person Specification Shortlisting Criteria Essential HCPC Registered with Degree in Physiotherapy Evidence of CPD relevant to paediatrics / critical care specialty Broad range of NHS experience, ideally inclusive of paediatrics, respiratory, trauma, surgery and rehab Particiating in paediatric on-call and weekend rota Evidence of working as part of an MDT and goal setting Desirable Interest in audit and research Evidence of presentation skills and experience with presenting Experience of working in Paediatric / Critical Care environment Supervision and appraisals of other staff (inc students, therapy assistants and B5s) Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Address John Radcliffe Oxford OX3 9DU Employer's website https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)