Andrew Emms, Lead Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Practitioner in the MSK Team at ROH, talks about what makes the Advanced Practice Physiotherapist role at ROH different.
How does this role differ to other physio roles?
ROH is a centre of excellence at the forefront of musculoskeletal practice. We combine cutting edge clinical expertise with a ‘small hospital’ feel that fosters close inter-professional working and peer support.
The Centre for Musculoskeletal medicine is a large team of about 40 combining the skills and attributes of Advanced Practice Physiotherapists, Orthopaedic Physicians and Consultants in Sport and exercise Medicine. We also have close links with the Spinal Surgeons and many of the Advanced Practice Physiotherapists (APPs) work alongside a Surgeon in clinic.
We job plan our clinicians to create protected time for administration and education of self and others to ensure that we maintain a healthy and skilled workforce. We actively encourage APPs to include a Physiotherapy or primary care First Contact Practitioner session, which offers the opportunity to maintain or develop other areas of practice.
What pathway for progression do we have here?
We offer a trainee advanced practitioner programme in line with HEE guidelines, and all APPs will have the opportunity for mentorship and teaching of others.
Few centres in the UK will have the skill mix to offer such a breadth and depth of spinal expertise, hence the opportunities to advance learning is very real. There may be opportunities to develop skills in injection therapy, non-medical prescribing amongst other advanced practice training.
What is it like for a physio working in an orthopaedic centre of excellence?
We are a tight knit group. We value and insist upon a cohesive and supportive team. We have regular and easy access to clinical and non-clinical experts to support us and patient care.
There are always research projects going on within the MSK team and we have close links with University of Birmingham and Keele Universities and regularly support them with research activity.
Finally, as a research hospital, there are always research projects going on within the MSK team. We have close links with University of Birmingham and Keele Universities and regularly support them with research activity.
We are currently looking to extend our service and an opportunity has become available for Advanced Practice Physiotherapists (APP) to join our team. If this role sounds of interest to you, apply here: Job vacancy: Advanced Practice Physiotherapist, The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham | trac.jobs (nhsjobs.com)
