Our teams provide treatment to adults over the age of 18 years.  We are specialist in providing assessment and treatment to service users who have difficulties due to central nervous system pathology, genetic disorder, cardiac pathology and dysfunctional breathing patterns. The teams work in a variety of settings including Acute Stroke Unit, Inpatient Neurological Rehabilitation Unit, STSFT Community Stroke team, Neurological Outpatients across Sunderland and South Tyneside and Sunderland Physiotherapy Cardiac Outpatient clinic;  each is led by a Highly Specialist Physiotherapist. 

What are the Expectations of a Band 7 Physiotherapist?

The role of a Band 7 Physiotherapist is to work as an autonomous practitioner using advanced clinical reasoning skills to provide highly specialist therapy assessment, treatment and advice to an independently managed caseload which will incorporate complex presentation of conditions. Responsibilities include taking a lead role in clinical practice issues, day to day management of the service, lead service audits, provide outreach specialist advice and support team development.  

Alongside your manager you will offer highly specialist advice to raise the service profile and support service improvements. You are expected to achieve this with consideration to local/national initiatives, best practice and through the development and implementation of policies. 

What post qualifying/ post graduate courses can I access?

In house training:  

Appraisal: When you start work you will be assigned an appraiser who will provide yearly appraisals. This will support core values, behaviours, knowledge, and skill required to fulfil the requirements of the post and career development. 

Clinical: You will be provided with the opportunity to consolidate your knowledge and skills through work-based learning. Each year you will set objectives and a personal development plan which is reviewed regularly. Your learning will be supported through in house training, clinical supervision, and peer support. 

Leadership qualities are recognised as core skills to improve clinical outcomes; there are a range of in-house leadership courses available to support you. For more information, please follow the Hyperlink Link 

Research and audit opportunities are provided through placement projects, links with local Universities and links with Physiotherapy Research Champions. 

External training: 

The service provides support through time and funding for courses external to the Trust; requests need to be discussed with your line manager. 

Clinical Educators Course: STFT is a teaching hospital; to support student placements there are opportunities to attend clinical supervisors’ courses which are provided by local Universities. 

Who do I contact about my continuing professional development?

Please speak to your line manager to discuss and agree learning plans. The workforce team may be able to offer further signposting at the email address below for stsft.cpd@nhs.net

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