Physiotherapist

Job responsibilities

Aims

To work as an integral part of the Specialist Palliative Care multi-disciplinary team to provide a high-quality physiotherapy service to patients with life-limiting conditions and advice to other health care professionals.

The focus of the post is to provide symptom control, rehabilitation within the limitation of their condition, provide strategies to promote independence to optimise individuals quality of life.

Professional

1. Provide a patient centred specialist physiotherapy service to palliative care patients in the community, Inpatient unit or attending the Outreach sessions.

2. Lead, contribute to and participate in the development of the physiotherapy service over all clinical departments.

3. Undertake complex holistic assessments, and work with patients to agree the best management plan and evaluate the effect of physiotherapy interventions for patients living with a life limiting condition.

4. Proactively manage patients using palliative based assessments and interventions, offering support to patients and their carers to improve and optimise the patients quality of life dependent upon their need.

5. Utilise assessment skills such as history taking and chest auscultation to make clinical decisions utilising expert knowledge, clinical reasoning and where the implications of these have to be considered.

6. Assess complex care needs and co-ordinate a team approach to try and address these needs more effectively to support patients.

7. Identify and evaluate the patients long term and short-term goals in liaison with the patient, carers and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.

8. Produce specialised action plans for each individual patient, communicated and agreed with the patient, family and multi-disciplinary team.

9. Introduce the concept of Advanced Care Planning for each patient and family, and assist with the completion of patient-retained documentation, where appropriate.

10. Be involved in daily management of complex palliative patients and planning own workload/visit allocation to meet organisational requirements.

11. Provide pharmacological and non-pharmacological breathlessness management intervention, within own limitations and scope of practice.

12. To have individual responsibility and be professionally accountable for all aspects of clinical work for patient, delegating as necessary and referring onwards as needed to other Health / Social Care Professionals, care workers and / or departmental specialists by following agreed pathways.

13. Working collaboratively with the nursing team, to assess moving and handling requirements for patients.

14. To be aware of the need to treat patients as individuals and maintain patients confidentiality at all times.

15. Work sensitively with each patient aiming to achieve their optimum level of independence.

16. Effectively use communication skills of explanation, persuasion, motivation, empathy, reassurance and empowerment with patients to convey highly sensitive and complex information.

17. Effectively communicate any changes in the patients condition to other members of the Hospice clinical team, as appropriate.

18. Ensure close communication, liaison and joint working with the members of the clinical team within the Hospice.

19. In liaison with the patients named nurse, and wider MDT co-ordinate the provision of specialised interventions in order to rehabilitate and maintain vulnerable clients being discharged from the Hospice back into the community to maximise their personal independence and quality of life.

20. Contribute to the work of the multi-disciplinary clinical team, ensuring safe and effective care and discharge arrangements for the patient and their family.

21. In liaison with the patients named nurse, assist in the completion of appropriate documentation in relation to Community Healthcare funding for identified patients.

22. To attend and participate in weekly Hospice multi-disciplinary team meetings as a core member.

23. To attend and participate, where appropriate, in case conferences relating to patient discharge planning.

24. To attend Gold Standard Framework meetings as required to network with the wider multi-disciplinary team and educate other health care professionals about the service.

25. Liaise with interdisciplinary teams across the region, for patients with other specialist needs.

26. To be aware of evidence-based practice, local and national guidelines and to support the development and implementation as local policy and practice to demonstrate the knowledge in the management of complex cases.

27. Act as an expert resource and adviser promoting evidence-based practice and best management of palliative physiotherapy care across the organisation, providing a community wide service. Provide specialist advice for GPs, Practice Nurses, Nurse Practitioners and other community health workers across the borough.

28. Complete all required documentation in line with Hospice policy, evaluating action plans, where appropriate and maintaining a comprehensive record of assessment and interventions in relation to provision of treatment and outcomes.

29. To ensure that patient records are maintained in accordance with both statutory and Hospice requirements.

30. To prepare or support the Community Services Manager with high quality clinical reports demonstrating objective assessment and measured outcomes.

31. To be involved in audit, policy and protocol review and evaluation of patient outcomes in relation to role.

32. Uphold the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists and Health and Care Professions Council Code of Conduct at all times to ensure the safety of clients and staff ensuring that professional registration is up to date in a timely manner.

33. Report any incidents, complaints, near misses and untoward incidents, following Hospice policy.

34. To ensure that equipment is maintained in a safe and presentable manner and report deficiencies immediately.

35. To support the service in its responsibility for the maintenance, security, rotation and ordering of stock in liaison with the Community Services Manager.

36. To actively contribute to the development of the service and to the identification and implementation of quality improvements and initiatives.

Education

1. Ensure attendance at all mandatory training and professional development sessions required by Springhill hospice.

2. Attend courses/workshops/study days etc in relation to area of practice.

3. Contribute to the training and development of other staff within the Hospice and to provide supervision and support for all learner grades of staff including external students on placement.

4. Provide specialist advice, teaching and training to others (both in the hospice and externally) about the role of the physiotherapist and physiotherapy in Palliative Care through talks, presentations, lectures, demonstrations etc.

5. Take responsibility for identifying own personal and professional development requirements and communicating these to the line manager.

6. Maintain own competency to practice through CPD activities and maintain a working professional portfolio, providing evidence of self-development.

7. Participate in individual performance review and the use of personal development plan.

8. Keep up to date with research and developments within own field of practice, disseminate information and ensure evidence-based practice.

9. Develop effective working relationships with Allied health professionals in the Trust, other community teams and Hospices.

Personal

1. Ensure compliance with Springhill Hospice policies and procedures at all times.

2. To be aware of individual specific responsibilities in respect of the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults, in relation to role.

3. Attend and participate in all relevant meetings, both within the Hospice and externally, as appropriate and as agreed with line manager.

4. Ensure continued support and encouragement to colleagues within the clinical team and the wider Hospice team at all times.

5. Assume an active role in maintaining competency and self-development by ensuring current knowledge of trends and developments in working practice, attending meetings/courses as required.

6. Be responsible for the day-to-day planning and organisation of own workload including making decisions about which areas to prioritise

General:

1. Read, understand and comply with all Hospice policies and procedures, applying the principles appropriate to the role.

2. To be aware of individual specific responsibilities in respect of the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults, in relation to the role.

THIS POST IS SUBJECT TO FLEXIBLE ROSTERING (ANNUALISED HOURS)

This Job Description may be reviewed in conjunction with the post-holder in conjunction with the development of the organisation.

Springhill Hospice is a registered charity. All staff members are expected to contribute to fundraising activities for the benefit of the Hospice.

Springhill Hospice is an equal opportunities employer and has a No Smoking Policy.

Some posts are subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service/POVA check. If you require more information on this please refer to www.homeoffice.gov.uk/dbs

Experience

Essential

• Experience of managing palliative care/cancer patients.
• Experience in respiratory physiotherapy including experience of treating patients in chronic and acute settings.
• Experience across a range of clinical areas; oncology, neurology, elderly care, rehabilitation and respiratory.
• Experience in delivering Breathlessness management support.
• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Experience of lone working.
• Experience of organising equipment for patient enablement .

Desirable

• Previous Hospice experience.
• Experience of leadership and developing care pathways .
• Experience of working in the community.

Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised Diploma/Degree in Physiotherapy.
• Registered with Health & Care Professions Council as a physiotherapist.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development and willingness to undertake further training in Palliative and end of life care.

Desirable

• Registered with Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
• Specialist qualification in cancer/palliative care.
• Evidence of caring for people with palliative care needs
• Enhanced communication skills training.

Other

Essential

• Good attendance and punctuality record.
• Enthusiastic and motivated.
• Self-awareness and mature outlook.
• Flexible approach to workload.
• Good team player.
• Car owner/driver.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Independently assess patients and interpret findings.
• Knowledge of pacing, energy conservation and Fatigue management.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to present information, both verbally and within required documentation.
• Ability to work under own initiative within the boundaries of the role.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to develop a therapeutic relationship with patients.
• Empathetic and caring nature.
• Ability to effectively manage unpredictable workload and own time and prioritise clinical workload.
• Desire to increase knowledge and skills within the role.
• Confident to interact with people who have a variety of disabilities/needs and their families.
• Ability to supervise junior staff and nursing staff / students in relation to the role.

Desirable

• Evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Ability to negotiate with members of MDT to achieve realistic outcomes for palliative care patients.
• Understanding of advanced care planning.
• Experience of using computerised patients records.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

UK Registration

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