Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist: Burns and Plastics, Dublin

Role Title:Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist: Burns and Plastics Job Reference Number:002406 Closing Date:Sunday, 21st June 2026 Purpose of the Role: The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist will provide advanced clinical knowledge and expertise to lead, develop and deliver a specialist physiotherapy service to patients with burn injuries in the National Burns Unit, including those with complex acute and rehabilitative needs. The post holder will also contribute to service delivery within the wider Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery Department, in line with service needs. This is a new post that will complement the existing resource and will join an expanded dedicated multidisciplinary team in the National Burns Unit. The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist will possess skills and expertise greater than that expected of a Senior Physiotherapist, in particular related to clinical leadership, service development, clinical audit, education and research. The National Burns Unit provides specialist care for patients with burn injuries of all severities, including thermal, chemical, electrical and inhalation injuries. The Burns Physiotherapy service works as part of a specialist inter-disciplinary team comprising Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Medical Social Work, Speech and Language Therapy, Clinical Nutrition, Nursing and Plastic Surgery. The post holder will provide expert assessment and intervention across the acute and rehabilitation phases of burn care. The post holder will provide specialist clinical decision-making throughout the patient journey, from the acute phase of admission through to long-term outpatient follow-up and community discharge planning. The Burns and Plastics Physiotherapy service consists of 1 Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, 1.8 Senior Physiotherapists, and 1 Staff Grade and provides a Physiotherapy service to the National Burns Unit and the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department. The burns unit has 10 beds and the capacity to ventilate 2 patients. The Physiotherapy service aims to provide: Acute treatment Rehabilitation Assessment and management of scar injury St Jamess Hospital is also the National Site for Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery including the following specialist areas: Hand surgery Facial surgery Burns Skin cancer Head and neck reconstruction Breast surgery and reconstruction Key responsibilities: Provide an expert Clinical Physiotherapy service to the National Burns Unit and the Plastic and Reconstructive Department. To be the clinical lead for Burns and Plastics physiotherapy team. To lead and co-ordinate the Physiotherapy services to the National Burns Service: Acute care (including ICU) Inpatient rehabilitation Outpatient follow up treatment including rehabilitation, advanced scar management, outreach Attendance and clinical lead at Burn Consultant clinics Referral and liaison with local services Contribution to wider plastics service including Hand Therapy-Led clinics. To act as a regional education and quality resource for burns and plastics physiotherapy, as required. To develop SJH Burns Physiotherapy service to meet the needs of a National Centre of Excellence and in line with National Clinical Care Programmes. To promote and ensure clinical effectiveness of SJH Burns and Plastics Physiotherapists through performance management, education, audit and research. The core skills of a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist: Demonstrates advanced knowledge and skills within Burns and Plastics Physiotherapy. Demonstrates evidence-based practice through the process of clinical reasoning and decision making, allowing knowledge to be applied to complex/different situations. Demonstrates an educational role. Participates in research. Generates new knowledge and skills. Disseminates advanced ethical awareness and responsibilities in specific areas. Demonstrates leadership. Demonstrates a critical understanding of the context in which practice occurs for example social, political and inter-professional collaboration. Supporting seniors in the development, leadership and evaluation of the Burns and Plastics service. The development and maintenance of high standards of clinical practice within that specialist area. The contribution to a structured process for education of colleagues undergraduates and other disciplines in that specialist area. The undertaking of research relevant to their speciality. The provision of an information resource for junior colleagues. Professional / Clinical The Physiotherapist will: Demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning skills in the area of burns and plastics. Carry a clinical caseload appropriate to the post. Be responsible for client assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of individualised treatment plans that are client centred and in line with best practice according to British and European burns standards. Be responsible for goal setting in partnership with client, family and other team members as appropriate. Communicate and work in co-operation with other team members. Develop effective communication with and provide instruction, guidance and support to service users, family, carers etc. Document client records in accordance with professional standards and departmental policies and in line British and European burn standards. Provide a service in varied locations in line with local policy/guidelines and within appropriate time allocation (e.g., clinic, home visits). Participate in review meetings, case conferences, ward rounds etc. as appropriate. Maintain professional standards of practice. Maintain quality standards of work and co-operate with quality assurance programmes. Work within own scope of professional competence in line with principles of best practice, professional conduct and clinical governance. Seek the advice of relevant personnel when appropriate/as required. Adapt and develop services in response to demand and current clinical evidence. Supervise, initiate and participate in evidence-based projects and be responsible for implementing change within the area and setting and monitoring standards of practice. Operate within the scope of practice of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists. Education&Training The Physiotherapist will: Act in an advanced clinical advisory role to colleagues. Act as a clinical resource within the department sharing knowledge and expertise to develop clinical skills and enhance the quality of the physiotherapy therapy service provided. Represent the profession, HSCPs and organisation at local, national and international level regarding speciality. Maintain and develop specialist expertise and knowledge by actively engaging in continuing professional development. Participate in postgraduate education in specialist field as appropriate. Be responsible for maintenance of standards of practice of self and designated staff. Remain up to date with current developments and emerging practices and the implications that they may have for clinical practice. Provide expert advice and training to national and international colleagues in the field. Participate in mandatory training programmes. Ensure own mandatory learning and training is kept up to date. Health&Safety The Physiotherapist will: Implement agreed policies, procedures and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards. Work in a safe manner with due care and attention to the safety of self and others. Be aware of risk management issues, identify risks and take appropriate action. Report any adverse incidents or near misses. Adhere to department policies in relation to the care and safety of any equipment supplied for the fulfilment of duty. Report any malfunctions or defects in equipment or any such suspicions immediately to the Physiotherapy Manager. Participate and cooperate with legislative and regulatory requirements in relation to Health and Safety as outlined in the Safety, Health and Welfare Act 2005 and the Hospital Safety Statement. Administrative The Physiotherapist will: Provide clinical leadership in the day-to-day running of the service by supporting and supervising staff, prioritising and allocating work. Contribute to the development and implementation of procedures, policies and guidelines while adhering to existing standards and protocols. Actively participate in the improvement and development of Physiotherapy services by liaising with the Physiotherapy Manager. Gather and analyse statistics and participate in audits as directed by the Physiotherapy Manager. Represent the department at meetings and conferences as designated. Assist in ensuring that the Physiotherapy service makes the most efficient and effective use of developments in I.T. Keep up to date with organisational developments within the Irish Health Service. Carry out other duties appropriate to the post as required from time to time by the Physiotherapy Manager. Required: Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc Candidates for appointment must: Be registered as a Physiotherapist by the Physiotherapists Registration Board at CORU. And Have a proven record of clinical expertise in burns and plastics and must hold a minimum of five full-time or equivalent years post qualification experience of which four full-time or equivalent years must be consecutive in the required area of specialism, burns and plastics. And Candidates must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office. And Demonstrate a proven record of clinical/academic achievement including continuing development in the specialist field. And Provide proof of Statutory Registration on the Physiotherapist Register maintained by the Physiotherapists Registration Board at CORU before a contract of employment can be issued. Annual Registration On appointment, practitioners must maintain …