Physiotherapy Technical Instructor

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.

Communication

To use basic communication skills to encourage patients to undertake their treatment programme.

To communicate effectively with patients especially those who have significant barriers to understanding such as cognitive, visual and hearing impairment.

To communicate effectively with all other disciplines / other parties involved in the patients care.

To ensure timely and effective communication with the physiotherapists on all professional matters.

To ensure notes are written to HCPC standards.

To communicate sensitively regarding information in an understandable form to patients, carers and other staff members.

To provide instruction to patients in a group setting i.e. Exercise classes.

Service Delivery and Improvement

Ensure stock of physio equipment is maintained at the designated level.

Photocopying, filing and scanning, as requested

Retrieve, as requested, patient notes other medical records from various sources.

Provide administrative support to the outpatient frailty and neurology physiotherapy team, as required.

Maintain updated and accurate records of patients treatment in line with the departments documentation policy.

Maintain and collate activity statistics.

Assist, as requested, with producing patient related information including discharge summaries. To be competent in basic word and excel skills and other IT systems.

Become familiar and use Trust IT systems including Careflow, Sharepoint Bamboo, Mediviewer.

As needed, work cohesively with other physiotherapy support staff and physiotherapy teams across the hospital.

To participate in service improvement projects, audit and team meetings/Huddles.

People Management and Development

Maintain professionalism in public/ ward areas.

Maintain patient confidentiality and dignity at all times.

Adhere to Trust and departmental policies and procedures, inc. The Health and Safety at Work Act.

Participate in the departments annual appraisal scheme.

Attend and participate in departmental/ specialty in-service training as directed by senior or superintendent staff.

To support the progress and learning of students and provide feedback to clinical educators.

Patient Care Delivery

To organise your delegated caseload on a day-to-day basis effectively and efficiently with regard to priorities, use of time and the needs of the rest of the team.

Assist the physiotherapist and/or other technical instructors in patient care, moving and handling and treatment programmes.

Undertake basic prescribed assessments, treatments or exercise programmes on a delegated caseload of patients that have previously been assessed by a physiotherapist. This can be on a one to one or group basis. Progress and modify treatment in light of patient performance independently and within competency framework. Progress and variances reported to the appropriate physiotherapist at the earliest opportunity and clearly documented.

To be able to interpret and gather relevant basic information regarding a patients past medical history and presenting condition from a patients medical notes, and to understand how this may impact upon their physiotherapy treatment.

To be able to assess or reassess patients using appropriate patient outcome measures (training can be given).

Prepare patients and treatment areas for activity i.e. the initial greeting of patients and carers, assisting with dressing, undressing etc.

Maintain a clean, safe and tidy working environment, including cleaning and maintenance of equipment.

To be responsible for the effective and safe operation of equipment during treatment sessions, the cleaning of equipment used and the reporting of any faults that would otherwise compromise patient care and safety.

Undertake basic mobility assessment on patients. Measure and instruct in the use of the appropriate walking aid, progress and modify mobility independently and within competency framework

Provide relevant advice to the patient/ carer regarding safety issues associated with the mobility aid being used and according to departmental policy and as per manufacture instructions.

To provide education to patients, relatives and carers with regards to their physiotherapy treatment and discharge planning

To reassess patients condition in all aspects of physical health report any relevant changes to physiotherapist / MDT / and or carer.

Complete as appropriate a mobility aid/ appliance loan form accurately upon issue of equipment if required by team.

To determine an appropriate physiotherapy discharge plan for non-complex patients and achieve this in a timely manner, within limits set by a protocol/guideline, and in discussion with the physiotherapist.

To liaise with, and make referrals to community and outpatient services, including the completion of relevant forms.

Learning and Development

Attend mandatory training updates as required.

Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.

Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.

Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager

Participate in the Trusts appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.

This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of previous experience working as therapy assistant

Desirable

• Previous experience working as a physiotherapy technical instructor
• Previous experience working with frail or neuro patients

Communication

Essential

• Demonstrates ability to present information clearly
• Evidence of communication with colleagues and patients/relatives

Desirable

• Experience of communicating with people with significant barriers to communication

Skills

Essential

• Evidence of excellent time management and organisational skills
• Experience of exercise instruction
• Evidence and examples of working within an effective team

Desirable

• Experience of leading group exercise sessions
• Evidence and examples of working under own initiative

Equality Diversity Inclusion

Essential

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issue

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.

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Princess Royal Hospital

Lewes Road

Haywards Heath

RH16 4EX

Employer's website

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