Band 5 Physiotherapist | South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Are you a Physiotherapist with a passion for working with older adults who have mental illness and/or dementia?

Do you have the skills and knowledge necessary to manage a complex and varied caseload in a specialist inpatient setting?

Are you able to work with others with strength, kindness, and compassion?

We are looking for a Physiotherapist to work as part of a small physiotherapy team, delivering a high-quality physiotherapy service across the acute Mental Health of Older Adult Inpatient Wards, including specialist Dementia assessment and longer-term care units.

This role is based over 2 wards (separate sites) and requires the delivery of physiotherapy intervention for patients with Dementia as well as a smaller number of older people with severe complex mental health needs within the same setting.

The role will provide the successful candidate with the opportunity to further develop their physiotherapy skills. They will also be able to grow their clinical know how to build on the physiotherapy profile within a multi-disciplinary team environment as well as throughout the Trust.

We are committed to supporting our staff in their career aspirations. We offer a range of ongoing training and development within our service. This includes opportunities to attend sessions to develop clinical skills including working with a trauma informed approach and psychologically informed care as well as personal development.

· Assessment and development of interventions for those with dementia and older adults with complex mental health needs.

· Candidates will need to demonstrate the combination of clinical knowledge with clear communication in a dynamic environment with various professionals within the multidisciplinary team (MDT).

· Running varied weekly groups for services users on the ward.

· Promoting physical activity throughout service users time on the ward.

· Supervision of more junior staff and/or students.

· Agile and flexible working:

As one of the few Mental Health Trusts in London, we are proud to offer flexible working as part of our new ways of working, and we are happy to talk flexible working at the interview stage. In this role you will be able to work 7.5 hours Monday to Friday between the time frames 08:00 to 18:00, giving you the very best of good work life balance.

You will be based across 2 main inpatient sites: Chesham House situated in the Bethlem Royal Hospital Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3BX and Greenvale Specialist Care Unit, located at Voss Court, Streatham, SW16 3BS. This role provides the opportunity to develop a specialism in dementia, however, there will also be opportunities to work with individuals with mental health needs.

Chelsham House provides assessment, treatment and care for people aged over 65 with acute mental illness or those of all ages who have dementia. Greenvale Specialist Care Unit provides treatment for older people with predominantly complex organic mental health problems. The unit is specifically for service users who could not be safely treated in the community, but who do not require continued admission in an acute psychiatric ward.

· Complete timely assessments, treatment planning and delivery of interventions for service users on inpatient wards.

· To deliver physical activity groups including walking and exercise groups on the inpatient wards.

· To manage caseloads effectively.

· Working within a multidisciplinary team (MDT) to improve outcomes for our service users.

· Provide education on physical activity and health and wellbeing for services users as well as family members, carers and friends.

· A commitment to further developing the physiotherapy profile within individual teams and the wider Trust.

· Supervision of junior staff and/or students.