Clinical Therapy Lead - Prehabilitation

Job summary
This is an exciting new post, leading our Prehabilitation service. Prehabilitation is a multimodal service designed to optimise patients both physically and mentally in preparation for elective colorectal cancer surgery. Patients are referred from the point of cancer suspicion--prior to histological confirmation--allowing for earlier intervention, a longer optimisation period, and enhanced outcomes.

The service provides education, screening and triaging to support the implementation of needs-based interventions. Those identified as needing further prehabilitation input will be offered tailored one-to-one therapy support throughout their surgical journey.

Established in 2024, the prehabilitation service has secured ongoing funding and is now entering an exciting phase of development. We are seeking enthusiastic and committed individuals to join our team and help shape the future of this growing service.

Main duties of the job
The Clinical Therapy Lead - Prehabilitation will work with the AHP Urgent Care Manager, Professional Leads and MDT colleagues across the speciality to provide clinical, strategic and operational management of the Prehabilitation service. The postholder will be responsible for the successful initiation, planning, design, execution, monitoring, control and expansion of the service, including change management and benefits realisation.

The Clinical Therapy Lead will provide expert clinical assessment, treatment and collaborative goal setting for patients with complex presentations and/or comorbidities prior to surgical interventions, to optimise outcomes, in line with scope of practice.

The Clinical Therapy Lead will be accountable for the efficient and effective operational management of the Prehabilitation workforce, guaranteeing provision of high-quality evidence-based practice which will be delivered within hospital, community and outreach settings.

About us
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) is at the heart of acute and specialist care for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We care for a population of around 470,000 people, a number that increases during visitor seasons. We employ around 6,700 staff, united by a shared commitment to deliver safe, high-quality care. We provide services across three main hospital sites, with around 780 inpatient beds:

• Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro
• St Michael's Hospital in Hayle
• West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance

As a teaching hospital, we're proud to work in partnership with the University of Exeter Medical School, the University of Plymouth School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Peninsula Dental School, supporting the next generation of health professionals. We're committed to staying at the forefront of medical advance; investing in our people, developing our facilities, and expanding the specialist care we can offer locally so more patients can receive the care they need closer to home. We have a growing reputation for research and innovation that helps shape better care for the future. The Knowledge Spa, located on our Truro site, is a vibrant hub for medical, nursing and professional education across clinical and non-clinical roles. It plays a vital role in attracting, developing and retaining highly skilled teams.

We are driven by one clear ambition, Outstanding Care for One and All, care that's safe, kind and high-quality. We are RCHT.

Job responsibilities
PLEASE NOTE: To view the full Job Description and Person Specification, please click the supporting document on the right-hand side.

To be an employee of the NHS you need to successfully complete the following:

• Identity Checks
• Professional registration and qualification checks
• Employment history and reference checks
• Occupational Health clearance
• Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check
• Right to work in the UK

For further information please visit:

We reserve the right to close this advert early.

We may be able to offer flexible working. Please discuss at interview.

We may be able to offer sponsorship but this is not guaranteed.

Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential

• HCPC registration
• Experience of working within a Prehabilitation service or setting
• MSc or further specialist training to equivalent level e.g. Postgraduate qualifications

Desirable

• Management qualification
• Membership of appropriate clinical interest groups e.g. : oBACPAR oACPRC oERAS association oPOGP association oACPOPC association

Experience
Essential

• Comprehensive experience in hospital setting, at Band 7 level as a Team Lead
• Extensive experience of working within cancer and prehabilitation
• Proven experience of managing a service or change process.
• Experience of writing a business case for investment
• Highly developed skills in managing staff, including managing challenging behaviours, emotive situations, (e.g. Attendance management, grief, illness, etc.).
• Highly developed communication and presentation skills

Desirable

• CPET Training
• Experience in budget management and business planning.
• Experience in writing policies and guidelines.
• Experience of cross-covering dietetic and occupational therapy colleagues, within appropriate scope of expertise and acknowledging limitations.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).