Specialist Physiotherapist - Learning Disabilities

Job description

Job responsibilities

Responsible For:

Providing specialist assessment, initial intervention, treatment and management of adults with a learning disability whose needs cannot be met by mainstream services.

Job Purpose:

You will work in collaboration with the individual, their network of care, mainstream health services and The Meaths multi-disciplinary team to enhance, optimise and maintain the individuals physical presentation, function and quality of life, in conjunction with a physiotherapy assistant.

You will also provide support and training to colleagues with regard to physiotherapy intervention.

Principal Accountabilities (Responsibilities):

Clinical

To manage a varied caseload of adults with severe/profound and complex learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and to organise this efficiently and effectively with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.

To provide clinical assessment and intervention to Meath residents.

To plan, implement and review person-centred individual and/or group interventions which aim at improving functional abilities and participation in everyday life.

To liaise with all team members and families in order to provide a co-ordinated approach and ensure physiotherapy treatment is integrated into residents skills for daily living.

To monitor, evaluate and modify intervention to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.

To independently assess, clinically reason, advise and order specialist equipment for mobility/postural control both static and dynamic, being aware of financial implications and restrictions. Liaise with social services/external agencies/families regarding the provision and use of such equipment. To monitor new developments in specialised equipment and communicate with manufacturers.

To educate and support those working with the residents how to correctly use the equipment, the purpose of the equipment and set guidelines for its use.

To guide and support staff in physiotherapy and manual handling programmes in the classroom. To keep up to date with current and new manual handling techniques thus ensuring safe practice.

To attend and contribute to review meetings where appropriate ensuring person centred approach.

To attend Meath arranged on-site events and open days.

To design appropriate moving and handling guidelines for students who have significant physical disabilities in addition to their learning disability, using a range of techniques and equipment.

To conduct risk assessments and risk management plans, including moving and handling. To keep up to date with current and new manual handling and therapeutic handling techniques.

To comply with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and Health and Care Professions Councils Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.

To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and apply to the work situation and ensure others do likewise.

Administration & Management

To manage own clinical caseload and time effectively, prioritising work as required.

To complete and maintain accurate treatment records in accordance with CSP Standards of Practice.

To jointly create and use files with others in the health & wellbeing team.

To prepare and submit written reports including contributions to the multidisciplinary team.

To address issues of confidentiality, consent and sharing of information throughout assessment and intervention and clearly record in resident files.

To be responsible for equipment used in performing duties. To adhere to departmental equipment policy, including competence to use equipment and to ensure the safe use of equipment by others through teaching, training and supervision of practice.

To be responsible for maintaining stock, advising on resources to conduct the job.

To be responsible for accessing regular formal clinical supervision and ensuring supervision sessions are recorded.

Contribute to policies and procedures in conjunction with the health & wellbeing team.

To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate.

To comply with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists and Health Professions Councils Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.

To represent The Meath Epilepsy Charity as appropriate

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Multidisciplinary team working.
• Knowledge of a range of therapeutic interventions appropriate to the client groups.
• An understanding of common disabilities and arrange of treatment approaches.
• Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise.
• Excellent verbal communication, both written and spoken.
• Excellent people skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills.
• Ability to conduct detailed assessments, differential diagnosis and development of care plans for adults with complex needs.
• Be flexible and adaptable to change/meeting service user and service needs.

Desirable

• Experience of working with adults with epilepsy, a learning disability and/or autism.
• Experience and knowledge in positioning and 24hr posture management, including specialist seating.
• Mentorship skills.

Qualifications

Essential

• HCPC Registered Physiotherapist

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

The Meath Epilepsy Charity

Address

The Meath Epilepsy Charity

Westbrook Road

Godalming

Surrey

GU7 2QH

Employer's website

https://www.meath.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)