University Hospital Southampton NHS FT
Therapist (OT or Physio) Role in Post-critical Care Rehabilitation
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Job Overview
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for detailed job description of the role.
Main Duties of the Job
We have a new and exciting opportunity for a B7 Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist to develop a new post-critical care rehabilitation service, providing additional rehabilitation to patients as they move onwards from ICU to hospital discharge.
Recovery from critical illness starts in ICU, however, the impact of the ICU experience on both the patient and their family can last for many months. This postholder will lead a team developing and implementing personalized rehabilitation plans (addressing both physical and non-physical goals), working with other members of the MDT, to facilitate discharge and make onward referral to community services as required.
You will work as part of a combined therapy services team delivering patient care across a 7-day service, including weekends and bank holidays, on a roster basis. NB Physiotherapy staff will be part of the acute on-call respiratory rota.
This post is part of the wider Therapy services department. You will have many opportunities to develop new skills and knowledge through our in-service training. You will be part of a large department of over 300 Therapy staff including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Therapy support staff. We have strong links with local Universities and host many student placements within our department.
Working for our Organisation
University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.
Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.
We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.
At UHS, we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.
At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognising that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.
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Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
We have a new and exciting Band 7 opportunity for either an OT or Physio to lead in post-critical care rehabilitation for patients as they continue on their recovery journey.
There are 75 critical care beds at UHS with approximately 2500 admissions per year. Up to 80% of those experiencing critical illness will report symptoms of post intensive care syndrome (PICS) and it is well documented that continuity of care and a dedicated recovery team can help to address some of these symptoms.
This post will provide support for patients stepping down from the ICU to ward based care; this transition is a significant fracture point in their recovery, when patients and family start to make sense of their critical illness. Information, support and appropriate rehabilitation at this stage can be pivotal in managing ongoing delirium, addressing physical impairments and facilitating a satisfactory quality of life.
This post would suit an OT or Physio, who has a keen interest in rehabilitation and working collaboratively to problem solve with other members of the MDT, in the best interest of the patient.
An important part of this new service will be to collect data to demonstrate the impact of the service to support future growth. Sharing good practice locally and nationally, in addition to educating ward teams about recovery after critical illness is also key aspects of this role.
Please ensure you fulfil all the essential criteria and have read the job description before applying.
Skills and/or Experience Required
For this specific role we need the following skills and/or experience:
- Postgraduate senior skills and experience working in the field of acute critical care, in the NHS or similar.
- For a Physiotherapist this will include established skills in respiratory care, including proven experience in acute respiratory on-call service.
- Experience in delivering comprehensive rehabilitation plans for patients with complex multi-pathology, demonstrated by including a personal example in your statement.
- Experience in supervision, teaching, research and audit.
- Clear expressed desire and reasons for leading this project.
- A clearly expressed desire to work in UHS Therapy services dept and in this clinical speciality, written as part of your application.
- Experience working in the NHS is desirable.
- As we run a 7-day therapy service, flexibility is needed to work weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis as part of your working pattern.
We actively encourage all potential applicants to contact us to ask any questions you may have.
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Additional Information
- Interviews will be held remotely on Teams on 4/8/26
- Please write application in your own words, keeping information clear and concise.
- We do not accept CV applications.
- This post could be offered on a secondment basis. If you are internal, please discuss with therapy manager before applying.
- We reserve the right to close this vacancy based on the number of applications received.
If this post is not for you and you are interested in finding out about other Therapy opportunities, please email Annette.Purkis@uhs.nhs.uk
We look forward to hearing from you.
Person Specification
Physio - Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience
Essential Criteria
- Masters in Physiotherapy or equivalent experience: highly specialist skills with relevant levels of study.
- Current HCPC registration.
- Significant relevant clinical experience or with the ability to demonstrate significant experience in physiotherapy practice.
- Evidence of proven leadership and supervisory skills.
- Previous experience within relevant clinical area.
- Previous experience on-call, where relevant to clinical area.
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
- Experience of audit, evaluation, or research.
- Evidence of implementing change in a clinical environment.
Desirable Criteria
- Management qualification, or equivalent experience.
- Attendance at post-graduation courses, or conferences, relevant to clinical area.
- Able to demonstrate sound understanding of healthcare priorities and political agendas.
- Experience working in an acute hospital setting.
- Leadership qualification, or experience.
OH - Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience
Essential Criteria
- Masters in Occupational Therapy or equivalent experience: highly specialist skills with relevant levels of study.
- Current HCPC registration.
- Significant relevant clinical experience or with the ability to demonstrate significant experience in Occupational Therapy practice.
- Evidence of proven leadership and supervisory skills.
- Previous experience within relevant clinical area.
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
- Experience of audit, evaluation, or research.
- Evidence of implementing change in a clinical environment.
Desirable Criteria
- Management qualification, or equivalent experience.
- Leadership qualification, or experience.
- Able to demonstrate sound understanding of healthcare priorities and political agendas.
- Attendance at post-graduation courses, or conferences, relevant to clinical area.
- Experience working in an acute hospital setting.
Trust Values
Essential Criteria
- Patients First
- Always Improving
- Always Improving
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