Specialist Physiotherapist Pain Management Review

I am a specialist physio working within the pain service. I support patients with: new patient assessments; face to face objective assessments; pain management programmes; one-to-one education support and post-intervention follow up. At present these appointments take place in person, via video call or telephone appointments. I am part of an MDT supporting people to live with long term pain. I also mentor colleagues within the service, enabling CPD is continued.

Since starting my apprenticeship I have more of an understanding on overall body systems, and how to assess these within my patient group. I feel my existing skills have also significantly developed. I feel more confident to teach these new skills to colleagues within the service and feel more confident completing these objective assessments on patients.

I really love attending the apprenticeship. I already work as part of an MDT, however, I am interacting with specialities that I would never have interacted with before. The support from all the teaching staff has been fantastic, it has been a difficult transition back into study and also incorporating an apprenticeship as well.

I feel the programme is very well structured, there is a lot of content to go through, however, the staff have informed us well in advance of any changes, and the variety of teaching content makes this very accessible. Due to covid-19, we have not been able to attend face to face as much, however, I do not think this has deterred from the course.

My employer is very supportive, right from the start my team leader and service manager have fully supported me. I have weekly supervision sessions with both my mentor and my team lead. My service manager is very approachable. At present, I have a number of assignments due around the same time, and they have been very supportive with being flexible allowing me the time to study at this busy time.

I feel MMU have been fantastic, I disclosed early on that I have dyslexia, and they were very quick in organising an assessment to determine the most suitable support for me. My tutor has also been very supportive, and the overall support I feel everyone gets is above and beyond. We have the opportunity for regular well-being meetings.

I feel once I am qualified, this will significantly enhance my skills and in turn, the service my patients will receive. I will have more advanced skills enabling the pathway for the patient to be smoother. This will also give me more opportunity to support colleagues within the service with regular in-service training.

Due to covid-19, these have been limited. The service is spread over a large geographical area, however, we do keep in regular contact via Teams, and have been involved in a virtual escape room, and laughter yoga. Once restrictions have lifted further with covid-19, we will have the opportunity to be able to socialise face to face. The company is very supportive with regard to CPD and put on a virtual conference for the entire clinical team.

Yes

They are very supportive, they really do want to support their employees to be able to achieve at the best of their ability. There is a real sense of carer progression within the company if required, however, there is also a massive push on well being. Ensuring all colleagues well being is a top priority.

Please apply. I feel they are a fantastic company to work for. They really do want to look after and retain their staff, and enable the best outcome for the patients, using the services. I found right from the start they contacted me very quickly with regard to interviews and were very flexible with interview times.