Community Physiotherapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

To work as an autonomous practitioner, whilst upholding our standards of professional trustworthiness, integrity and personal responsibility.

To adapt treatment procedures to a domiciliary setting and in isolation of other health care professionals.

To plan, organise and prioritise own patient caseload.

To provide a quality physiotherapy service to patients in their own home, nursing/residential homes and day centres.

To participate in the delivery of regular in-service training, and support the service team lead, band 6 colleagues, band 5 physiotherapists and physiotherapy technical instructors.

To be responsible for the safety and welfare of patients, colleagues and self during the treatment period in accordance with professional standards and health and safety regulations.

Assess for, prescribe and issue a range of equipment including seating, splinting, mobility aids and aids to daily living.

To use therapeutic equipment, including electrical equipment, safely and be responsible for its safekeeping and maintenance.

To prioritise patients onto a waiting list in accordance with departmental procedures.

To maintain own competency to practice through CPD activities and maintain a CPD portfolio which reflects personal development.

To gain consent from patients, negotiate and agree person centred goals.

To communicate sensitively with patients and their families some of who have high levels of distress caused by pain, dementia, long-term disability and terminal illness.

To provide specialist advice on patient care to other health, social and voluntary sector services. This may involve challenging or negotiating changes to treatment programmes or care plans set by other professionals.

To advise and train members of other agencies, health care professionals, carers and families in physiotherapy issues.

To communicate effectively with all other health sector and outside agencies for information exchange/ gathering and problem solving.

Responsibility for Patient Care

To assist patients, carers and relatives during incidental contacts.

To provide specialist assessment, treatment and management of patients on the service caseload, many of whom have multiple, complex needs, including but not limited to patients within the following specialities; orthopaedic, rheumatology, musculoskeletal, neurology, respiratory, care of the elderly, falls and mobility problems, post-surgery, palliative care, motor neurone disease and pain management.

Provide ongoing reassessment and evaluation of response to treatment and adjust goals accordingly.

To case manage people with chronic diseases and have the ability to recognise the importance of social prescribing, and when necessary referring on to other agencies e.g. medical consultants, social services.

To work to standards set by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Health Professions Council and recognised national standards e.g. NICE Guidelines

Organise and plan own day to day workload or activities in order to meet the demands of the job role.

Be able to travel independently within the requirements of the post.

Organise and manage appropriate delegation of patient care/work to technical instructors and band five physiotherapists.

Ensure safe and efficient use of equipment, resources and consumables at all times.

To be aware of, comment on and actively participate in changes on policies, procedures or service developments.

To embrace and support line management and the department in making service improvements effective within the workplace.

Support new or less experienced work colleagues to adapt to the workplace.

Participate in training and development activities that are relevant to the job role.

To assist in the delivery of training to technical instructors, physiotherapy assistants and care staff (both formal and informal).

Actively contribute to in-service training by attendance at and participation in in-service training, e.g. journal club, peer group review and external courses.

Participate in the personal development review scheme as an attendee, and be responsible for complying with agreed personal development plan to meet set objectives.

To keep accurate records of assessments and treatments in accordance with Trust and professional standards. Write reports to other health disciplines, social services and other agencies e.g. General Practitioners, Consultants, Allied Health Professionals.

To provide activity statistics required by Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS FT.

To participate in audit as required by the department and Trust.

To use audit results, current research and government guidelines to recommend changes to service delivery and to demonstrate evidence- based practice.

Physical Skills and Effort

The post-holder will be expected to travel between different work locations frequently throughout the day. They will be expected to load, transport and unload necessary equipment between work locations.

The post-holder will be expected to kneel, sit on heels, move adult limbs during therapy, support patients while walking, safely assist patients to transfer, position limbs whilst patient is sitting and standing, give tactile feedback to exercise, push wheelchairs and use hoists on a frequent basis, all in compliance with manual handling standards and frameworks.

The post-holder will be expected to concentrate during treatment sessions and ensure good communication with patients who have impaired understanding and communication difficulties e.g. impaired speech and hearing. Some patients may not speak English as a first language, and use of an interpreter may be necessary.

The post-holder will have to switch concentration from patient interaction to driving and back to patient interaction frequently throughout the day. Treatment sessions can last up to 1.5hours.

The post-holder will be regularly treating people of all ages with a terminal illness or chronic degenerative conditions. They will be dealing with people in their own homes, some with poor family/social support. Patients may be depressed, withdrawn or aggressive.

The post-holder will be imparting bad news to patients and their families, eg. distressing prognosis, permanent loss of mobility and will be dealing with the response from patients and their families.

The post-holder will experience bereavement due to the death of long-term patients.

The post-holder will be working in many environments over which they have no control. These will include environments where exposure to body fluids (blood, faeces, urine, vomit, and sputum), infestations, smoke and animals will occur. Spaces to work in are often confined, with variable temperatures, noise levels, ventilation and less than ideal work surfaces. There is a risk of exposure to physical/verbal aggression from patients, their families and the general public.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc Physiotherapy
• HCPC registration
• Evidence of CPD, along with varied and relevant NHS clinical experience
• Access to a car insured for business use and a clean, UK (or equivalent) driving licence

Desirable

• CSP membership
• Experience working in a community setting

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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

Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dewsnap Lane Clinic

Dewsnap lane

Dukinfield

SK16 5AW

Employer's website

https://www.tamesidehospital.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)