Highly Specialist Physiotherapist Band 7 - FTC Nov26

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, execute and evaluate physiotherapy interventions for referred children, within a multidisciplinary team setting and using facilities available, both on and off site.
• Carry out highly specialist physiotherapy assessments and interventions, including support for the on-site Botox clinic; Casing; and Orthotics provision.
• Produce functional goals in collaboration with the child / young person, family and MDT.
• Devise suitable, individualised, 24hr physiotherapy/postural management programmes for each child, whether to be carried out by parents or members of the Multidisciplinary Team; these should be monitored, evaluated and adjusted appropriately according to the needs of the child. Work collaboratively with families to maximise engagement in therapy sessions; support the management of and promote confidence, in meeting their childs needs.
• Assess for and organise provision of necessary therapy equipment and/or orthotics. This may be loaned equipment for use at The Childrens Trust or recommendations for equipment for long-term use on return home.
• Teach, integrate and monitor physiotherapy interventions/ advice in the childs environment, whether it is carried out by parents, therapy staff, nursing or care staff.
• Work closely with all members of the Multidisciplinary Team, as well as the child and family, to provide a fully integrated approach to the overall management of the child. This will include any home/school visits, professional child related meetings and/ or appointments, as required.
• Implement and monitor chest management and physiotherapy programmes.
• Liaise with external services and follow respiratory guidelines set by tertiary centers. Support the implementation of child specific respiratory physiotherapy management plans and monitor how well they are working. Escalate issues around respiratory concerns to specialist providers outside of the organisation that support respiratory management.
• Support the implementation of specific respiratory physiotherapy management plans, including: basic manual techniques, appropriate use of oxygen in ventilator support, demonstrating an awareness of inadequate ventilation and when to escalate care accordingly, ensuring awareness of how other components of the childs care, impacts on their respiratory function.
• Use awareness of how other components of the childs care may impact on their respiratory function.
• Use awareness of how a 24hr postural management programme impacts on the respiratory system, sleep pattern and the compliance to rehabilitation, in order to inform physiotherapy interventions and the multidisciplinary care and therapy plans.
• Support the delivery of 24hr rehabilitation, through the provision of advice/ information, education and modeling, to the Multidisciplinary Team, tailoring the provision of information to the needs of the child, their family and the staff concerned.
• Liaise with all appropriate medical staff, whether employed by The Childrens Trust, visiting consultants or at off-site clinics and attend clinics with the child, as and when required.
• Contribute to the assessment and discussion of new referrals to The Childrens Trust, carrying out off-site referral assessments around the United Kingdom, as required.
• Work collaboratively with professional colleagues in other services, to facilitate the admission and discharge process.
• Take on the role of Coordinating Therapist, following team discussion or as requested by the Heads of Therapy, in accordance with the profile description.
• Keep appropriate and accurate intervention records, fulfilling legal, professional and all other requirements of The Childrens Trust.
• Contribute to child related reports and assist with the collation of these as required, in a timely manner and in line with organisational targets.
• Critically evaluate new intervention methods and implement where deemed appropriate/ necessary.
• Provide clinical cover across the service during episodes of staff shortage/heavy workload, in order to ensure effective service delivery.
• Work flexibility in terms of hours of work, including the ability to work an early evening (weekly) and one weekend day, per calendar month).
• Represent the Therapy Team and The Childrens Trust when appropriate, deputising for the Heads of Therapy as required.
• Actively participate in and support the running of relevant meetings.
• To undertake other or additional duties that are within your skills and abilities, as the organisation may reasonably require from time to time.

Communication

• Communicate effectively with children/young people (applying the principles of consistent communication).
• Facilitate effective communication with families and members of the Multidisciplinary Team.
• Recognise barriers to effective communication and be able to reduce these as appropriate.
• Maintain clear and concise documents and records, in accordance with The Childrens Trust Policy.
• Ensure documents are managed confidentially at all times.
• Attend and contribute to regular meetings with the Multidisciplinary Team, to discuss individual children/young people and service in general, as required e.g., reviews, case conferences, parents evenings, clinics.
• Manage informal complaints, in line with The Childrens Trust polices and contribute to the resolution of written complaints, and as they occur taking immediate action where necessary.

Governance

• Read and implement all policies, procedures, and risk assessments, pertinent to working practice and keep up to date with changes as and when they occur.
• Critically evaluate practice through clinical audits and by appraisal of the information gained, in combination with current knowledge of evidence-based practice; identify opportunities for service improvement and development, with support from Highly Specialist Therapists/ Heads of Therapy.
• Continue the audit cycle, by evaluating any changes implemented as a result. This should include the adoption of evidence informed practice, the trial of emerging interventions and the cessation of interventions, where evidence is insufficient and other approaches are indicated.
• Recognise and critically appraise situations where the effectiveness, efficiency and quality of the service are compromised and take appropriate action to resolve the situation, with support from Highly Specialist Therapists/ Head of Rehabilitation Therapies.
• Critically reflect on own performance and that of other staff; and use this evaluation to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of future practice.
• Undergo The Childrens Trust Risk Assessor training, in order that all activities are risk assessed and documented in the most appropriate format. Ensure that detailed risk assessments are completed, as required.
• Actively participate in local clinical governance activities.

Career Long Learning, Education and Research

• Undertake all mandatory training, in line with The Childrens Trust policy.
• Advance personal knowledge, understanding and skills in line with identified learning needs, by making appropriate use of a variety of learning and development resources and opportunities, e.g. by attending courses/ lectures, contact and involvement with relevant special interest groups and visiting other departments/ organisations and by conducting Literature Reviews.
• Prepare appropriately for Performance Development Reviews, identifying learning objectives and setting targets; identify opportunities for professional development in order to meet continuing professional development requirements.
• Participates in in-service competency training programmes and teaching sessions, as appropriate.

Limits of Authority and Problem Solving

• Make day-to-day decisions regarding physiotherapy requirements for children and young people, based on case load, including recommendations for specialist equipment.
• Responsible for day-to-day time management and prioritisation of workload, taking into account the needs of the whole service.
• Monthly formal supervision.
• Provide formal supervision monthly to junior Therapists and/or Multidisciplinary Technicians.
• Supporting the Physiotherapy Team and house based multi-disciplinary team in delivery of an effective service.
• Any other duties as required.

Professionalism

• Takes action and raises concerns.
• Adhere to the policies and procedures of The Childrens Trust.
• Maintain professional boundaries and professionalism at all times.
• Committed to demonstrating the organisations values and behaviours at all times.

Health and Safety

• Adheres to all Health and Safety guidelines, principles, and regulations to perform your role and comply with The Childrens Trust policies and procedures.
• Provide evidence of all vaccinations (or medical exemption) required for the post.
• Adhere to manual handling procedures and complete mandatory manual handling training.
• Promotes the health and safety of others.
• Uses the incident reporting and risk assessment system (IRAR), to identify and report risks and incidents/actions if directed.
• Responsible for identifying and mitigating risk within the work environment.

Wellbeing and Emotional Resilience

• Maintains a positive approach and outlook when dealing with change and overcoming challenges and problems.
• Recognises own limitations, develops realistic goals, and uses support network resource when or if necessary.
• Treats challenges and problems as a learning experience.
• Remains organised and focused when under pressure.
• Responds appropriately and effectively to all constructive feedback.
• Motivates self and other.

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree/Diploma in Physiotherapy
• HCPC Registration
• Continuous Professional Development, above the regulatory body standards

Desirable

• Member of Chartered Society of Physiotherapy or European Academy of Childhood Disability
• Postgraduate Diploma or Masters (or currently enrolled/ near to completion)

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of five years clinical experience post qualification
• Minimum of three years clinical experience working in Paediatrics, Neurology and/ or Neurosurgery
• Working within a multidisciplinary team
• Working with children and families
• Experience of undertaking a research study or audit

Desirable

• Experience of leading a team and change management

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Commitment to the vision and values of The Childrens Trust.
• Flexible and can do attitude to competing commitments in workload.
• Highly motivated and reliable.
• Ability to cope working in a demanding environment.

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of five years clinical experience post qualification
• Minimum of three years clinical experience working in Paediatrics, Neurology and/ or Neurosurgery
• Working within a multidisciplinary team
• Working with children and families
• Experience of undertaking a research study or audit

Desirable

• Experience of leading a team and change management

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of current research in acute brain injury in paediatrics
• Knowledge of relevant outcome measures relating to acute brain injury and/ or paediatric neurology
• Competent skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Desirable

• Podium and/or poster presentations at conferences

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Attention to detail
• Professional integrity, particularly in clinical governance
• Ability to work flexibly, in order to meet the needs of the service, including an early evening (weekly) and one weekend day, per calendar month (N.B. there is no On Call service required)
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills

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).