Advanced Practice Physiotherapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide a highly specialised musculoskeletal assessment service for patients who have been referred directly by local GP’s for all MSK related conditions. The clinician will work autonomously ensuring patients are managed in accordance with national and local guidelines. They will operate as a senior clinician and team member within the Musculoskeletal Service Interface Service.

Relationships

The post holder is expected to establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with other staff members characterised by the organisation with mutual respect and open and honest communication.

Clinics

The post holder will demonstrate expert clinical skills in the assessment, diagnosis and initial treatment of all musculoskeletal conditions including:

· Working at an expert level in the assessment of musculoskeletal conditions with high level of autonomy.

· Making a comprehensive assessment and high-level clinical decisions on the most appropriate care pathway for patients referred to the service through use of expert knowledge and liaison with other key professionals.

· Demonstrate advanced understanding of the Biopsychosocial Model of patient care and implement this model in the early intervention phase for the patients.

· To work as a lone practitioner when required and be comfortable with own skills and knowledge

· Develop a support system with other professionals in similar fields.

· Use outcome measures as part of your clinical approach.

· Demonstrate understanding of the most recent approaches to spinal pain.

· Act as an expert available to other professions seeking guidance on the treatment of MSK conditions.

· To provide patient education on such topics as body mechanics, anatomy and physiology and specific information on clinical conditions in both one-to-one and group situations.

· To maintain accurate records.

· To communicate effectively, using a variety of methods, with all service users, members of the team and those outside the service.

· To convey unwelcome news of a highly distressing nature regarding a patient’s poor diagnosis. Provide support to other staff with such matters. Although not acceptable, these patients and their carers may use verbal or physical aggression and subject the therapist to varying levels of physical or verbal abuse. All such incidents must be reported to the appropriate person, in line with organisational Policies.

· To communicate effectively with all stakeholders (including patients, clinical colleagues, administrative colleagues, receptionists, and external healthcare professionals etc.) on challenging matters and in challenging situations in line with current procedures. Ensuring effective patient management and working in collaboration with and/or referring to NHS colleagues in hospital and community settings.

· Prescribe diagnostic tests e.g.: x-ray, blood tests and MRI Scan following period of training.

· Triage individuals as required by telephone/paper triage and complete appropriate paperwork and make accurate recommendations based on the findings of the triage and in line with the MSK clinical pathways.

· Referral directly to acute & other provider services.

· Other advanced practice agreed locally by general practitioners and Trust consultants.

Professional Responsibilities

The post holder will demonstrate advanced organisational skills that will allow them to manage a challenging agenda and meet agreed deadlines, including:

· Contribute to the overall design of the service and responsible for the implementation of the pathways associated with the service.

· To initiate and undertake evidence-based departmental audit and research projects, to further own and MSK service clinical practice.

· Responsible for the reporting of the activity and outcomes of the service.

· The post holder will demonstrate essential communication and interpersonal skills that will allow them to influence an extensive agenda and develop effective relationships with multidisciplinary colleagues.

· The post holder will demonstrate skills in reporting and presenting which will allow them to convey essential information from the service.

· The job involves infrequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions, e.g. heat and humidity, bodily fluids including sputum, faeces, vomit, urine, blood and contagious conditions.

· Work with the Management to continue to develop the Service, including the identification and development of local policies, procedures and guidelines, e.g. for injection therapy.

· Be responsible for the safe and competent use of all equipment utilised in accordance with the medical devises SOP.

· Be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work including the management of patients in your care, in accordance with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) Core Standards 2000 and Trust clinical guidelines.

· Manage a clinical caseload of patients requiring advanced clinical reasoning and management.

· To demonstrate excellence in report writing, and evidence an ability to complete reports

· autonomously without the need for further support.

Patient Focussed

· Patients are treated with dignity and respect at all times

· Patients are at the centre of and actively involved with their care

· You describe to the patient in such a way that they understand their condition and options. e.g. using jargon-free and commonly used terms with printed or online materials provided (where needed)

· Operate clinics on time or ensure patients are advised (by reception) of any delays including delegated actions

· Ensure any safeguarding or vulnerable adult concerns are raised in accordance with our policies and procedures

Triage

· Form a part of the triage function on various clinic days ensuring referrals are triaged appropriately within the agreed timescales

· Ensure referrals are reviewed and make decisions as to the most appropriate provider of care (within or outside of MICAS) in accordance with agreed guidelines

· Ensure all decisions are clearly documented with any urgent referrals promptly flagged to the administration team

Professional Development and CPD

· Maintain a broad and high standard of practice working to the CSP ‘Codes of Practice’

· To have a knowledge of and compliance with relevant legal frameworks

· Work within own extended scope of practice and seek appropriate support where required

· To keep abreast of national clinical and professional agendas and published frameworks, guidance, standards, policies and protocols relevant to the service

· To maintain and develop own Continuous Professional Development and appraisals

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Working at specialist physio/APP level
• Working in the community setting
• Requesting diagnostics within an MSK setting
• Working within a MDT

Qualifications

Essential

• 5 years post graduate experience with minimum 3 years within a MSK setting
• Member of HPC and CSP
• Degree/diploma in physiotherapy
• Evidence of relevant post grad qualifications/study at Masters level
• Working towards APP/FCP competency framework

Desirable

• Post Grad qualification in Injection Therapy
• MSc/post graduate diploma in relevant field

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Ability to remain calm when working under pressure and work without close supervision
• Excellent keyboard and accuracy skills with regard to data entry
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Entering information on to electronic patient record accurately
• Multi-tasking skills

Desirable

• EMIS user
• Evidence of achieving personal goals

Other

Essential

• Committed to the provision of quality services
• Enjoy working as part of team
• A flexible, positive attitude to performing a wide range of duties
• Willing to develop/learn in the role.
• Fit to undertake the duties of the post.
• Ability to be flexible with regard to working hours.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Battersea Healthcare CIC

Address

Bolingbroke Medical Centre

Wakehurst Road

Battersea

London

SW11 6BF

Employer's website

https://wandsgpfed.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)