Clinical specialist physiotherapist: burns and plastics

Role Title: Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist: Burns and Plastics
Job Reference Number: 002406
Purpose of the Role
The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist will provide advanced clinical knowledge and expertise to lead, develop and deliver a specialist physiotherapy service to patients with burn injuries in the National Burns Unit, including those with complex acute and rehabilitative needs. The post holder will also contribute to service delivery within the wider Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery Department, in line with service needs. This is a new post that will complement the existing resource and will join an expanded dedicated multidisciplinary team in the National Burns Unit.
The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist will possess skills and expertise greater than that expected of a Senior Physiotherapist, in particular related to clinical leadership, service development, clinical audit, education and research. The National Burns Unit provides specialist care for patients with burn injuries of all severities, including thermal, chemical, electrical and inhalation injuries. The Burns Physiotherapy service works as part of a specialist inter‑disciplinary team comprising Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Medical Social Work, Speech and Language Therapy, Clinical Nutrition, Nursing and Plastic Surgery.
The post holder will provide expert assessment and intervention across the acute and rehabilitation phases of burn care, including specialist clinical decision‑making throughout the patient journey, from the acute phase of admission through to long‑term outpatient follow‑up and community discharge planning.
The Burns and Plastics Physiotherapy service consists of 1 Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, 1.8 Senior Physiotherapists, and 1 Staff Grade and provides a Physiotherapy service to the National Burns Unit and the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department. The burns unit has 10 beds and the capacity to ventilate 2 patients. The Physiotherapy service aims to provide acute treatment, rehabilitation and assessment and management of scar.
Key Responsibilities

Provide an expert Clinical Physiotherapy service to the National Burns Unit and the Plastic and Reconstructive Department.
Be the clinical lead for Burns and Plastics physiotherapy team.
Lead and coordinate the Physiotherapy services to the National Burns ICU, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient follow‑up treatment including rehabilitation, advanced scar management and outreach attendance.
Act as the clinical lead at Burn Consultant clinics, referral and liaison with local services.
Contribute to wider plastics service including Hand Therapy‑led clinics.
Act as a regional education and quality resource for burns and plastics physiotherapy, as required.
Develop the SJH Burns Physiotherapy service to meet the needs of a National Centre of Excellence and in line with National Clinical Care Programme.
Promote and ensure clinical effectiveness of SJH Burns and Plastics Physiotherapists through performance management, education, audit and research.

Core Skills of a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist

Demonstrates advanced knowledge and skills within Burns and Plastics Physiology.
Demonstrates evidence‑based practice through the process of clinical reasoning and decision making, allowing knowledge to be applied to complex/different situations.
Demonstrates an educational role and participates in research.
Generates new knowledge and skills, disseminates advanced ethical awareness and responsibilities in specific areas.
Demonstrates leadership and a critical understanding of the context in which practice occurs, including social, political and inter‑professional collaboration.
Supports seniors in the development, leadership and evaluation of the Burns and Plastics service.
Maintains high standards of clinical practice within that specialist area.
Contributes to a structured process for education of colleagues, undergraduates and other disciplines in that specialist area.
Undertakes research relevant to the speciality.
Provides an information resource for junior clinicians.

Professional / Clinical Functions

Demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning skills in the area of burns and plastics.
Carry a clinical caseload appropriate to the post.
Be responsible for client assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of individualised treatment plans that are client‑centred and in line with best practice according to British and European burns standards.
Be responsible for goal setting in partnership with client, family and other team members as appropriate.
Communicate and work in co‑operation with other team members.
Develop effective communication with and provide instruction, guidance and support to service users, family, carers etc.
Document client records in accordance with professional standards and departmental policies and in line with British and European burn standards.
Provide a service in varied locations in line with local policy/guidelines and within appropriate time allocation (e.g., clinic, home visits).
Participate in review meetings, case conferences, ward rounds etc. as appropriate.
Maintain professional standards of practice, maintain quality standards of work and cooperate with quality assurance programmes.
Work within own scope of professional competence in line with principles of best practice, professional conduct and clinical governance.
Seek the advice of relevant personnel when appropriate/required.
Adapt and develop services in response to demand and current clinical evidence.
Supervise, initiate and participate in evidence‑based projects and be responsible for implementing change within the area and setting and monitoring standards of practice.
Operate within the scope of practice of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists.

Education & Training

Act in an advanced clinical advisory role to colleagues.
Act as a clinical resource within the department sharing knowledge and expertise to develop clinical skills and enhance the quality of the physiotherapy service.
Represent the profession, HSCPs and organisation at local, national and international levels regarding the speciality.
Maintain and develop specialist expertise and knowledge by actively engaging in continuing professional development.
Participate in postgraduate education in specialist field as appropriate.
Be responsible for maintenance of standards of practice of self and designated staff.
Remain up to date with current developments and emerging practices and the implications that they may have for clinical practice.
Provide expert advice and training to national and international colleagues in the field.

Health & Safety

Implement agreed policies, procedures and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
Work in a safe manner with due care and attention to the safety of self and others.
Be aware of risk management issues, identify risks and take appropriate action.
Report any adverse incidents or near misses.
Adhere to department policies in relation to the care and safety of any equipment supplied for the fulfilment of duty.

Administrative

Provide clinical leadership in the day‑to‑day running of the service by supporting and supervising staff, prioritising and allocating work.
Contribute to the development and implementation of procedures, policies and guidelines while adhering to existing standards and protocols.
Actively participate in the improvement and development of Physiotherapy services by liaising with the Physiotherapy Manager.
Gather and analyse statistics and participate in audits as directed by the Physiotherapy Manager.
Represent the department at meetings and conferences.

Required

Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, and Employment: Must be registered as a Physiotherapist by the Physiotherapists Registration Board at CORU.
Hold a proven record of clinical expertise in burns and plastics and must hold a minimum of five full‑time or equivalent years post‑qualification experience, of which four full‑time or equivalent years must be consecutive in the required area of specialism, burns and plastics.
Demonstrate a proven record of clinical/academic achievement including continuing development in the special field.
Provide proof of Statutory Registration on the Physiotherapist Register maintained by the Physiotherapists Registration Board at CORU before a contract of employment.
Maintain annual registration on the Physiotherapist Register maintained by the Physiotherapists Registration Board at CORU.
Confirm annual registration with CORU to Human Resources, St James’s Hospital by way of the annual Patient Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).
Demonstrate evidence of postgraduate CPD relevant to the role as a burns and plastics physiotherapist.

Desired

In the process of achieving or having completed a relevant clinical master’s degree.
Clinical experience in hand therapy.
Evidence of postgraduate CPD in the area.

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