Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
Once inducted, to work with minimal or no direct supervision of a physiotherapist.
To carry own caseload of patients, with straight-forward physiotherapy problems, as delegated by the physiotherapist.
To provide treatment to patients following a pre-prescribed treatment plan utilising a variety of basic physiotherapy techniques such as assisting a patient to walk with an appropriate aid or carrying out specific exercises
To be able to recognise change in the condition of a patient and document the patient response/reaction to any treatment undertaken.
To monitor patients joint range whilst undertaking range of movement exercises and report changes to the physiotherapist
To assist with removal and application of functional/supportive aids e.g. prostheses, splints, braces, once deemed competent.
To assist the physiotherapist with individual/group treatments/exercise classes progressing to independent routine treatment sessions and supervision of classes where immediate change or progression of exercise is not required.
To measure, adjust and supply walking aids. To teach the patient safe usage and develop clinical judgement skills and experience to progress the patient onto other aids following departmental protocol or instruction from the physiotherapist.
To assess the safety of patients ascending and descending stairs in line with agreed protocol, documenting safety in patients clinical notes.
To collect data from patients for recognised outcome measures and document for the physiotherapist to interpret.
To organise own delegated work tasks and activities being flexible to the needs of the service as indicated by the physiotherapist.
To provide and receive information from patients, carers and other professionals regarding a patients condition and treatment progress.
To develop skills to be able to represent the physiotherapy department at multi-disciplinary meetings and handovers, taking and receiving physiotherapy information about known patient group.
To be able to motivate and persuade patients through effective communication skills, utilising verbal and non-verbal skills. Communication will be tailored to the patients/carers level of comprehension or cognition e.g. using interpreters.
Administrative Responsibilities
To be responsible for competent use and maintenance of all equipment used, to report defects in equipment in a timely manner to the Clinical Lead in the area and locate missing items.
To understand the function and use of departmental equipment e.g. sling hoists, exercise equipment and be able to use safely jointly with physiotherapy staff or independently with own patients once deemed competent.
To undertake routine light cleaning/tidying tasks of clinical equipment e.g. wheelchairs, electrical equipment
To administer any equipment loan monitoring system and liaise with maintenance engineers where appropriate.
To undertake administrative tasks particularly related to photocopying, record keeping, filing, errands and making appointments
To be responsible for stock control within clinical areas ensuring consistent supply and request new orders from the departmental secretary, including using catalogues for new equipment.
Collect, unpack and store new supplies
To assist with emails, and management of the generic email inbox.
To undertake non-clinical induction of assistants and students as required.
To undertake any other duties commensurate with grade as requested by the Team Lead Physiotherapist, Physiotherapy Manager or Clinical Lead Physiotherapist.
To take and relay messages accurately on the telephone and face to face with patients, relatives, health care professionals and others e.g. company representatives
To provide and receive information from patients, carers and other professionals regarding a patients condition and treatment progress.
To liaise with health care professionals and physiotherapists on a day-to-day basis in clinical area of work, regarding patient care.
To liaise with managers, other administrative and support staff as necessary to ensure the smooth running of the department, both clinically and administratively.
To always maintain confidentiality of patient information in line with Trust and departmental policies
Systems and Data Management
To maintain accurate and timely patient notes and activity records in accordance with departmental policy and to ensure the safekeeping and confidentiality of these records.
To use departmental/Trust software e.g. EPIC.
Research and Service Development
To follow physiotherapy department and Trust policies
To comment on changes to departmental policies, procedures and service development as required
To participate and assist the clinical lead with audits running in the service.
Education and Training
- To demonstrate capability in physiotherapy assistant skills, by completing the tasks listed in the Assistant Induction Checklist, within the first 3 months of employment.
- To participate in the Kings College Hospital Employee Performance Appraisal system and to fulfil its requirements and maintain compliance with mandatory training requirements
- To undertake in-service training to improve patient care and for personal development and take an active role in organising the assistant in-service training programme
- To be responsible for personal Lifelong Learning, and ensure that LLL is reflective in clinical and non-clinical practice.
- To undertake Therapy Handling training and comply with the guidelines
Management and Leadership
Will have no management or budge responsibilities
Will have regular formal supervision and appraisal.
Is not always directly supervised on a day to day basis, but has access to a registered clinician at all times- in person or via Phone.
General The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
- To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
- We want to be an organisation where everyone shares a commitment to delivering the very best care and feels like their contribution is valuable and valued.
- At Kings we are a kind, respectful team:
Kind. We show compassion and understanding and bring a positive attitude to our work
Respectful. We promote equality, are inclusive and honest, speaking up when needed
Team. We support each other, communicate openly, and are reassuringly professional
- To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.
- To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
- This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.
- All employees must hold an 'nhs.net' email account which will be the Trust's formal route for email communication.
- Everyone is responsible for promoting inclusion no matter their role or team. At Kings, we want to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and welcomed
- Staff may be required to work across multiple sites dependent upon the needs of the service.
Safe Guarding
The Trust takes the issues of Safeguarding Children, Adults and addressing Domestic Abuse very seriously. All employees have a responsibility to support the organisation in our duties by;
- attending mandatory training on safeguarding children and adults
- familiarising themselves with the Trust's processes for reporting concerns
- reporting any safeguarding child or adult concerns appropriately
Infection Control Statement
The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene procedures and requirements when in clinical areas.
The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role.
These requirements are set out in the National Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures which will be made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training. These standards must be strictly complied with at all times.
