Northampton General Hospital
Job summary
The Therapies Complex Discharge Lead will provide advanced specialist Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy expertise across inpatient services, supporting patients with complex therapy needs that are impacting discharge and patient flow. This is the second year of receiving winter funding for the complex discharge therapy team, this year we will be approaching this as a UHN Therapies model, adding resilience and expertise across both NGH and KGH. Whilst NGH will be your primary site there may be occasions where you are required to work at KGH.
The post holder will lead a roaming therapy function, providing expert assessment, clinical decision making and advice to the daily Discharge Hub, escalation areas and medically fit wards. They will act as the senior therapy representative within discharge planning processes, working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to facilitate timely, safe and effective discharge decisions whilst ensuring the patient remains at the centre of all decision making.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will undertake highly specialised assessments and interventions for patients with complex clinical, functional and social needs. Working autonomously within professional standards and scope of practice, they will demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning, positive risk management and expert decision making to support discharge planning and optimise patient outcomes.
As a senior therapist, the post holder will provide clinical leadership, advice and support to therapy colleagues and the wider multidisciplinary team, helping to resolve barriers to discharge, promote evidence-based practice and maintain high standards of care. They will contribute to service development, quality improvement, education and workforce development activities across Therapies.
The post holder will be responsible for team leadership of the Therapies complex discharge team including day to day operational management, as well as responsibility for data collection and reporting on the impact of the service to Therapies management and the wider trust when requested.
The role includes participation in seven-day services and, where appropriate, professional on-call rotas. The post holder will lead on service development, audit, quality improvement and evidence-based practice initiatives, acting as a role model for professional standards, patient-centred care and collaborative working across UHN.
Person Specification
Education, Training & Qualifications
Essential
- BSc Honours (or equivalent) in Physiotherapy
- Health and Care Professions Council Registration.
Desirable
- Clinical educator training
- Evidence of involvement in research and clinical audit
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Experience of assessment, goal setting, planning, implementation and review of clinical therapy interventions as appropriate to the speciality
- Experience of working in the NHS
- Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team and making an active contribution towards its effective functioning
- Experience of managing a clinical caseload and prioritising work
- Knowledge of discharge pathways
- Experience of assessing and treating patients with complex discharge needs and signposting appropriately
Desirable
- Experience leading a team
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Skills to communicate effectively with patients, carers, team members, Therapy colleagues and other agencies
- Self-management skills
- Skills to effectively lead and motivate a team
Closing Date: 27 September 2026
To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.