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.
