Job overview

This is a trainee Advanced Practitioner post and will be paid at Band 7 fixed term for two years until completion of the Advanced Clinical Practice MSc core modules. Upon successful completion of those credits the contract will be extended for completion of the dissertation, where the candidate will be further supported. 

Main duties of the job

The Pain Service is an award-winning therapy led interdisciplinary team embedded within the Locomotor Service, which provides management of acute and persistent musculoskeletal and non-musculoskeletal pain in the community. We have expanded our remit to work with patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/ CFS) in the last three years, and more recently, a COVID-19 Rehabilitation service (C&H CoRe).

The Pain Service consists of highly specialist professionals including Psychologists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, a non-medical prescriber, clinical nurse specialist, and Extended Scope practitioner and four Pain Specialist Consultants. There are opportunities to work jointly with a variety of members within the team including MDT assessments, consultant clinics and group work.

There will be opportunities for close interdisciplinary working, research & service development. The service places a strong emphasis on supporting post graduate training with a more recent example of some in house Acceptance and Commitment Therapy training by an outside provider and an 8-week mindfulness course which can be used as a stepping-stone to becoming a mindfulness practitioner.

Working for our organisation

Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a high performing and flourishing organisation serving the population of Hackney, East London, The City and beyond.

We are extremely proud of the fact that Homerton Hospital has recently attained the highest possible rating of “Outstanding” from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Our integrated Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community health services for its local population and a range of specialist services for a wider group of patients. In addition, the Trust manages services out of St Leonard’s Hospital and the Mary Seacole Nursing Home.

Homerton aims to ensure equality and value diversity, and we are committed to inclusion for all of our staff. This is reflected in our policies, procedures and People Plan. All of our staff are expected to embody our Trust values at all times.

We are also committed, through our Fair Recruitment Standards, to ensuring all applicants are treated fairly.

Homerton has a proud tradition of supporting and developing its staff, including its well regarded and valued nursing community, and all staff are able to take advantage of a great range of benefits.

Homerton is proud to have been included on the HSJ & Nursing Times Best Places to Work list.

Person specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential criteria

  • HCPC registered Physiotherapist
  • Degree in Physiotherapy
  • Post-graduate courses in the clinical field of pain
  • Skills/ Abilities

    Essential criteria

  • Specialist clinical skills e.g. Pain management, ability to apply pain science concepts, musculoskeletal examination, exercise therapy
  • Ability to manage a case load of patients independently with complex chronic pain
  • Ability to communicate effectively with patients individually and in groups, referrers and colleagues
  • Ability to demonstratable team leadership skills, being able to lead, motivate and manage staff
  • Ability to work autonomously and provide specialist leadership to more junior staff
  • Understanding and application of psychologically informed physiotherapy through frameworks such as Acceptance and Commitment therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy, motivational interviewing etc.
  • Ability to manage small projectsning and organisation skills
  • Ability to manage small projects
  • Ability to respond to pressure appropriately
  • Ability to work in a team
  • The ability to work with a multicultural community
  • Familiar with windows-based packages
  • Presentation skills
  • Experience

    Essential criteria

  • Experience at a Band 6 or Band 7 level in musculoskeletal outpatient care
  • Experience managing a caseload of complex, persistent pain
  • Audit/ research/ quality improvement project experience
  • Knowledge

    Essential criteria

  • Current in-depth knowledge of musculoskeletal dysfunction and pain concepts
  • Demonstrate an in depth understanding of pain mechanisms and the responses of people to pain
  • Knowledge of treatment approaches / philosophies in pain.
  • Awareness of current professional and health service issues
  • Other Requirements

    Essential criteria

  • Understanding and demonstration of the Trust Values
  • General Guidance for Applicants

    The Trust is committed to supporting flexible working wherever possible. The Trust also welcomes applications from candidates wishing to job share with or without job share partners.

    We are committed to equal opportunities, and have been approved as a Disability Confident Employer.

    The Trust offers a number of benefits, including a relocation loan for new starters moving to the area. More details on our range of benefits can be found on the Homerton website.

    Employer certification / accreditation badges