Job responsibilities
JOB PURPOSE
To perform physiotherapeutic assessment of patient with diverse presentations and complex physical and psychological conditions, to provide a diagnosis and develop and deliver an individualised treatment programme.
The post-holder will participate in the senior rotational scheme which involves working across a range of settings.
To be responsible for their own continuing professional and personal development
3.JOB DIMENSIONS
To hold responsibility for own case load and be responsible for a defined area of the service or a particular patient type, working without direct supervision. Access to advice and support from a senior physiotherapist is available if required, clinical work is not routinely evaluated.
To undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner within this specialist field.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Qualifications
Degree or equivalent
Attendance on relevant post graduate courses
Experience
Significant experience working as a physiotherapist
Working with a wide range of professionals including medical, nursing and therapy colleagues
Skills
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
Ability to prioritise, organise and allocate workload
Time management skills
Knowledge
Insight into clinical speciality e.g. through academic study at post
Graduate level or equivalent
Insight into current professional issues and those influencing the NHS standards of professional practice
Personal Attributes
Professional and patient focused
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Flexible, adaptable capable of lateral thinking
Good interpersonal skills
8.CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS
Teaching skills with the ability to use various media
Communication skills
Time management skills
Team player
Professional
Research conscious
9.CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
An understanding of the organisational structure and working practices of this specialist area
To have a working knowledge of Professional Standards set by the Charted Society of Physiotherapy, Health Professions Council and National Standards e.g. NSFs
9.PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Clinical
To be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work relating to the assessment and treatment of patients in your care undertaking clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner.
To undertake the comprehensive assessment and treatment of patients including those with diverse / complex / multi pathological presentation. This will necessitate the use of investigative and analytical skills to formulate an accurate diagnosis and treatment from a range of options.
Using investigative and analytical skills to formulate individualised management and treatment plans including the development of comprehensive discharge plans.
To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.
To demonstrate dexterity, co-ordination and palpatory skills in the assessment and manual treatment of patients.
To develop and deliver the physiotherapy element of the rehabilitation programme and on occasion to deliver some elements normally undertaken by nursing or occupational therapy colleagues.
Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients to progress treatment and rehabilitation programmes. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating.
Ability to work in a stressful environment imparting information regarding poor rehabilitation prognosis on a daily basis.
Ability to deal effectively with emotional and / or aggressive patients and / or carers on a daily basis. This will necessitate the use of communication skills e.g. to motivate and reassure.
Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have knowledge to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management and support more junior staff/ students to do likewise.
Formulate and deliver physiotherapy treatment programmes based on a sound knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options using clinical assessment, reasoning skills and knowledge of treatment options using e.g., manual physiotherapy techniques, patient education, exercise classes, electrotherapy techniques and other alternative options.
Represent the physiotherapy service and / or individual patients at multi-disciplinary team meetings, to ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service, and integration of physiotherapy treatment. This will include discussion of patient care, patient progress and involvement in discharge planning.
Education and Training
To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals to promote understanding of the aims of physiotherapy and to ensure a consistent approach to patients care.
To communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise rehabilitation potential and to ensure understanding of their condition.
Be an active member of the in-service training programme by attendance at, and participation in tutorials individual training sessions external courses peer review and reflective practice.
To contribute to the teaching of student physiotherapists to graduate level on physiotherapeutic skills and knowledge within core clinical areas.
Teach, assess and contribute to the performance assessment and appraisal of junior physiotherapists and physiotherapy assistant staff.
To provide daily support, guidance and training to junior physiotherapist, support workers and students, assessing evaluating and ensuring competence.
Professional and Managerial
Maintain and develop current knowledge of evidence based practice in the areas of each rotation, developing knowledge of a variety of conditions and patient types.
As a senior member of the clinical team you may be required to ensure that you implement policy and service development changes and ensure other do likewise.
To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through continued Professional Development activities and maintain a portfolio which reflect your own personal development.
To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing and therapy colleagues to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service. This will include case conferences, ward rounds and discharge planning as appropriate.
To participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraise and appraiser and be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development programmes to meet set knowledge and competencies.
To undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of evidence based projects, audit and outcome measures, either individually or with others. Make recommendations for changes as appropriate.
To demonstrate an understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and apply to work situation.
To maintain own continuing professional development by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments, incorporating them as necessary into your work.
In the absence of a senior staff member to supervise more junior staff, technical instructors, assistants and students.
To allocate individual task to more junior staff and support workers as required.
Organisational
To be responsible for a designated area of work, as agreed with the Clinical Physiotherapy Manager and to plan and organise efficiently and effectively with regard to patients management and use of time.
To decide priorities for won workload, balancing other patient related demands.
To be responsible for the safe and competent use of individually prescribed equipment used by patient and general therapy equipment used by physiotherapy staff through teaching and supervision of practice.
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 in the form of verbal / written reports / letters.
To be actively involved in the collection of appropriate data and statistics for the use of the department.
To be aware of Health and Safety aspects of your work and implement any policies, which may be required to improve the safety of your work area, including your prompt recording and reporting of accidents to senior staff, and ensuring that equipment use is safe.
To comply with the organisational and departmental policies and procedures and to be involved in their reviewing as appropriate.
To undertake any other duties that might be considered appropriate by the Clinical Physiotherapy Manager or the Head of Physiotherapy.
COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Internal
Clinical Physiotherapy Manager
All grades of physiotherapy staff
Medical, nursing and AHP colleagues
Support staff
External
Physiotherapy students
University staff
Colleagues employed by other agencies
11.SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS
i) PHYSICAL EFFORT:
Frequently throughout the day there will be a requirement to undertake moderate physical activity lasting approximately 30-60 minutes e.g. treatment sessions involving transferring manoeuvring and mobilising patients.
