Front Door Therapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

To independently manage a caseload of patients with complex and variable needs.

To plan and implement effective individualised assessment and treatment programmes using confident decision-making skills to rapidly determine suitable discharge destination or admission.

• To undertake comprehensive and timely assessments of a variety of patients utilising advanced clinical reasoning, theoretical knowledge and analytical skills, responding rapidly to changes in patients clinical needs, functional needs and mental health status.
• To interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts to inform accurate diagnoses and prognoses in a wide range of clinical conditions, to recommend the best course of intervention and to develop comprehensive goals and discharge plans.

To carry out a wide range of interventions and treatment approaches in A&E, the Emergency Floor and urgent treatment areas.

To take the lead in recommending and carrying out best course of action to develop goals and discharge plans, taking the A&E 4-hour wait target into consideration

To undertake assessments and interventions such as mobility assessments, prescription of mobility aids, stair assessments and identify any barriers to discharge.

To determine potential equipment needs (e.g. bed rails/raised toilet seats) that will aid patients to be independent and safe in their home environment

To use persuasive skills to empower patients to engage rapidly in self-management through advice, education, coping strategies and therapy in order to facilitate discharge from the hospital.

To use advanced analytical skills to monitor, evaluate and modify treatment in order to identify changes in patients medical status which is liable to change /deteriorate rapidly in both hospital and community settings.

To develop effective therapeutic relationships with patients who may have complex cognitive, perceptual and behavioural needs demonstrating empathy and sensitivity to issues which may arise in hostile and emotive situations.

To apply a robust understanding of the effect of disability and provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to patient environments to prevent recurrent admissions

On very rare occasion to conduct access visits or same day follow-up home visits to facilitate safe discharge and prevent readmissions, this may include lone working.

To provide advice and demonstration to patients and carers in the use of equipment and other techniques to optimise patients functional ability, independence and safety.

To identify and justify when a patient does not require Therapy intervention but needs other multi-disciplinary input or referrals to other services.

To refer to the Falls Service, Adult Social Care, Community services and other out of area schemes as appropriate, to provide short-term inpatient and community rehabilitation/carer input to address ongoing needs on discharge and manage risks at home.

Communication

To assess capacity to give consent, gain informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment such as patients who have dementia, learning difficulties or who are acutely confused

To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date documentation, in line with legal and departmental requirements, and communicate assessment and treatment results to the appropriate disciplines.

To communicate effectively with patients, relatives, carers and colleagues, demonstrating highly developed verbal and non-verbal skills to communicate often complex information, managing barriers to communication such as dysphasia, learning difficulties, cognitive or sensory difficulties, different languages, etc.

To persuade, motivate, reassure, empathise, explain and encourage patients in undertaking their treatment programme, ensure understanding of their condition and communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise rehabilitation potential.

To clearly communicate sensitive information to staff, patients and carers. This may include explaining prognoses about long-term disabilities, where an educational and counselling role is required.

To be able to diffuse potentially hostile and antagonistic situations with staff, patients, and relatives using negotiation and interpersonal skills.

To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing and other colleagues to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service. This may include attending case conferences, ward rounds and multidisciplinary meetings.

Ensure timely communication with the team leader on all professional matters.

Service Delivery and Improvement

To identify and implement opportunities for service development within the team in conjunction with other FDTT colleagues/ Team Leads

To maintain appropriate patient/service records and statistics adhering to Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)/ Royal College of Occupational Therapist (RCOT) and departmental standards

To be familiar with project developments/initiatives and cascade to team members if appropriate

To participate in quality assurance service audit and outcome measures.

To be responsible for the equipment used in carrying out duties, and to adhere to departmental equipment policy and Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards.

To ensure the safe use of equipment and reporting of faults by self and others including patients, carers and other health professionals.

To demonstrate effective time management skills, including planning and prioritising tasks/responsibilities for example training, supervision, patient care and meetings daily.

To attend formal meetings supporting Clinical Governance relating to the Service and professional role of the post.

To report and record any complaint, accident or untoward incident to Team Lead in line with the Trust Policy

Up-to-date knowledge of any Medical Devise Alerts and the necessary actions required.

To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management, apply this to work situations and attend formal meetings where appropriate.

People Management and Development

To support the Team Leads by providing leadership in the FDTT and to be responsible for the operational management of the clinical team in the absence of the Team Leads.

To participate in departmental meetings including staff, team and grade meetings as required.

To maintain professional competence to practice, develop professional skills and carry out Standards of Practice as set out by the CSP/RCOT.

To take part in the educational and training activities to develop individual expertise through ongoing continuing professional development (CPD).

To attend study days, external training and in-service education as agreed with the Professional Lead and FDTT Team Lead.

To review and reflect upon own practice and performance through effective use of professional supervision in line with the department supervision policy.

To seek informal and formal support from experienced senior colleagues to alleviate distressing or emotional situations, e.g. palliative care, complex physical and environmental issues and chronic conditions.

To contribute to an effective supervision framework for staff and participate in the Trusts appraisal process.

To assist with the allocation and co-ordination of work to other team members as appropriate.

To supervise junior staff and assistants formulating PDPs

To supervise undergraduate students on clinical placements as required.

To participate in the induction, training and education of students, new staff and members of the MDT and other external agencies, including formal presentations when appropriate.

Person Specification

Professional Registration

Essential

• Valid Health Care Profession Council registration

Experience/ Qualification

Essential

• Clinical experience in front door acute setting specifically including rapid assessments and discharge planning

Desirable

• To have experience as a band 6 in an acute setting

Skills

Essential

• Be able to problem solve and accept responsibility for implementing solutions as a team member and to make rapid decisions.
• To demonstrate good organisational skills to plan, manage and prioritise rapidly changing case load, and to respond to unpredictable work patterns in the acute hospital setting.
• Be able to provide leadership and deputise in absence of Team Lead.

Desirable

• Ability to influence and effect change using a range of skills including negotiation, teaching and assertiveness

People Management and Development

Essential

• To have provided formal supervision for students or junior staff +/- relevant training

Freedom to Act

Essential

• Ability to work autonomously, liaise and coordinate with the Management Team on a day-to-day basis and to take appropriate action as necessary

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

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Worthing Hospital

Lyndhurst Road

Worthing

BN11 2DH

Employer's website

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