Specialist Prosthetic Physiotherapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

To perform the advanced physiotherapeutic assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients within this specialist field who may have complex physical and psychological conditions and /or chronic presentation. He / She will play a key role in the development, implementation and evaluation of specialist physiotherapy and packages of care.

As an experienced physiotherapist the jobholder will assist in co-ordinating the activities of the team ensuring efficient and effective service provision. He / She will be required to ensure effective communication is maintained at all times, whilst providing training, supervision and clinical expertise to qualified and unqualified staff and students.

As a lead clinician in this speciality, the jobholder will act as a role model to the physiotherapy team, promoting quality evidence-based practice, developing the physiotherapy team and contributing to the effective management of the team.

The post holder will be responsible for managing their own individual caseload which will be varied and on occasions require prioritisation to best meet the service demands.

To undertake all aspects of work as an autonomous practitioner within this specialist field.

He / She will be required to support the Head of Service in the day to day management of this team of physiotherapists, support staff and students.

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 advanced investigative and analytical skills to formulate an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan from a range of options.

Using advanced investigative and analytical skills to formulate individualised management and treatment plans including the development of complex discharge plans.

To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients within this specialist field and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard of 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.

To be active member of the out of hours service.

The working pattern will require flexibility including seven day working to ensure safe and affective service provision.

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 communicating or have challenging behaviour.

Ability to work in a stressful environment imparting complex 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 developed communication skills e.g. the ability to negotiate motivates and reassure.

Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the 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 to do likewise.

Formulate and deliver specialised 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 e.g., manual physiotherapy, techniques, patient education, exercise classes, electrotherapy techniques and other alternative options.

To 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.

In the absence of the Head of Specialist Rehabilitation to represent the trust externally (locally, regionally and nationally) regarding physiotherapy services provided to this group of patients.

To provide spontaneous and planned specialist 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 patient care.

To effectively communicate complex clinical information with patients and carers to maximise rehabilitation potential and to ensure understanding of their condition.

To be an active member of the in-service training programme. You will be responsible for the provision of specialist teaching to peers and juniors on a range of subjects through the delivery of in-service training sessions, tutorials individual training sessions external courses and peer review.

To co-ordinate and deliver core training within the speciality to qualified and unqualified physiotherapy staff and students.

To train, supervise and performance manages more junior staff, technical instructors, assistants and students on a daily basis. This will include the use of formal appraisal documentation.

To provide daily support, guidance and training to more junior staff, support workers and students assessing evaluating and ensuring competence. To provide highly specialist advice, teaching and training to physiotherapy colleagues and other members of the MDT regarding the medical and physiotherapy management of this group of patients.

Maintain and develop current knowledge of evidence based practice in this specialist clinical field.

As a senior member of the clinical team you will be required to ensure that you implement policy and service development changes and ensure that others do likewise.

To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through Continued Professional Development activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects 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 appraisee and appraiser and be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development programmes to meet set knowledge and competencies.

To regularly undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of evidence based practice projects, audit and outcome measures either individually or with colleagues. Make recommendations for change as appropriate

To demonstrate an understanding of clinical governance and risk management and apply to work situation.

To maintain own continuing profession development (CPD) by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments, incorporating them as necessary into work.

To supervise and co-ordinate physiotherapy staff within your area on a day to day basis

In the absence of the Head of Specialist Rehabilitation you may be required to participate in working parties developing policy changes within clinical support services which will impact on service users.

To assist the Head of Specialist Rehabilitation and Head of Services in developing the strategic and operational management of the physiotherapy service provided to this specialist area.

To regularly undertake research into specific areas of clinical practice and service delivery using a range of research methodologies as part of MDT audit and departmental research initiatives making recommendations for change as appropriate.

Person Specification

Skills & behaviours

Essential

• Evidence of successful working and collaboration within a MDT
• Evidence of being able to communicate both verbally and non verbally
• Ability to be able to prioritise, organise and allocate workload
• Evidence of teaching, supervision and assessment of qualified and unqualified staff.
• Time management skills

Experience

Essential

• Significant post graduate prosthetic clinical experience at a Senior level
• Evidence of knowledge of audit and relevant outcome measures

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in physiotherapy
• HCPC registration

Desirable

• Relevant clinical courses and in-service training

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Ability to cope working in a stressful environment
• Ability to deal with emotional or aggressive patients and carers

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

Seacroft Hospital

York Road

Leeds

LS14 6UH

Employer's website

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