Job responsibilities
The Paediatric Physiotherapy team comprises of Clinical Specialists, Specialised physiotherapists and Assistants who provide an integrated acute and community service for inpatients, outpatients and within the community. The team work closely with parents, GPs, Consultants, teachers, health visitors, paediatric consultants providing an MDT approach in assessing the individual needs of the child.
Children receive physiotherapy within a variety of settings including hospital wards, a range of physiotherapy-led outpatient clinics, nurseries, childrens centers, specialist and mainstream schools.
In the acute setting the Physiotherapy team work in a variety of areas, including the special care baby unit, post-natal and childrens wards and physiotherapy outpatients.
In the community
In the community, the Physiotherapy team visit the patients homes, schools, nurseries and health care centres, providing specialist advice treatment and support to children and their families and carers. These children tend to have long term and sometimes, complex physical needs and the aim is to maximise the childs potential in all areas of life. Treatment may include hands-on therapy, positions for play, postural and 24-hour management plans, specialised equipment provision, and rehabilitation/management programmes.
Clinical
Main responsibilities will include:-
Organising and prioritising own workload within a defined area.
Supervision will take the form of regular formal training, clinical reasoning sessions, peer review and case conferences. Access to advice and support from Senior Physiotherapists is available if required, clinical work not routinely evaluated.
To undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner.
Supervise, educate and assess the performance of Physiotherapy students as and when required.
To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of patients in your care.
To undertake a comprehensive assessment of children including those with diverse or complex presentations. To utilise clinical reasoning skills and handling techniques to provide an accurate diagnosis of their condition.
Formulate and deliver an individual physiotherapy treatment programme based on evidence based practice, and treatment option using clinical assessment, reasoning skills and knowledge of treatment methods and develop comprehensive discharge plans.
To take delegated responsibility from the Senior Physiotherapist to managing children with particular conditions and be responsible for providing a comprehensive physiotherapy assessment and treatment for children with these conditions in each rotation.
To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals
Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals and gain valid informed consent and have the capacity to work within the legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with children to progress their rehabilitation. This will include children who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating. To communicate effectively with children, parents and carers to maximise rehabilitation potential and to ensure understanding of condition.
Evaluate patient progress, re-assess and alter treatment programmes if required.
When working in the community setting, work as a lone practitioner with telephone support from a Senior Physiotherapist if required.
To be an active member of the evening and weekend on-call service if competent and required to do so.
To be responsible for maintaining accurate up to date comprehensive treatment records in line with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) Standard of Practice and Trust Guidelines.
To manage clinical risk within own patient case load.
Maintenance of Statistics
To liaise and communicate with all members of the multidisciplinary team and outside agencies when appropriate. To represent physiotherapy service and or individual patients at the multidisciplinary team meeting. To include discussion of patient care, progress and involvement in discharge planning.
To be responsible for the safe and competent use of all medical devices, patient equipment and aids used by patients.
The job involves frequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions on a regular basis egg bodily fluids including sputum, vomit, urine, fleas and lice and occupational exposure to verbal and physical aggression.
Carry out assessment and treatment of patients with moderate physical effort on a daily basis.
Be aware of, and comply with, all Trust infection prevention and control policies, to include hand hygiene, personal hygiene, environmental and food hygiene. To undertake annual training/updates in infection prevention and control.
Professional
To be responsible for teaching student physiotherapists to graduate level on physiotherapeutic skills and knowledge within core clinical areas.
To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities, and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development.
Supervise other Physiotherapists, students and assistants/technicians as and when required.
To delegate tasks appropriately to other Physiotherapists, assistants and technicians.
Maintain and develop current knowledge of Evidence Based Practice in the areas of each rotation, developing specialist knowledge of specific conditions and patient types.
Teach, assess and contribute to the performance assessment and appraisal of therapy assistants.
Make recommendations for change to the Clinical Team Leader within each area.
Participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraisee and be responsible for complying with agreed personal development programme to meet set knowledge skills and competencies.
To evaluate own work and current practices together with Senior Physiotherapists.
Be an active member of in service training programme by attendance at or participation in, inservice training programmes, tutorials, individual training sessions, staff meetings extended courses and peer reviews.
To undertake as directed the collection of data for use in service audit or research projects.
Be actively involved in professional clinical groups such as Trust Journal Clubs, Clinical Interest Groups, Peer Review Groups and other professional development activities
Organisational
Deputise for the Senior physiotherapist in their absence, taking responsibility for operational management of the team, allocating and organising the work of other Physiotherapists and assistant staff.
To be responsible for organising and planning own caseload to meet service and patient priorities, readjusting plans as situations change/arise.
To comply with the Trust Manual Handling Policy and local therapeutic handling guidance at all times.
Demonstrate commitment to IWL principles and flexible working patterns, to meet the needs of the service and staff
Tackle discrimination and harassment, and promote equality and diversity in the workplace
Reduce sickness absence; work place accidents; and promote zero tolerance on violence against staff
Take responsibility for personal development and education and the development of a Personal Development Plan.
To observe and adhere to the Code of Practice and Rules of Professional Conduct laid down by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
Ensure that Trust and NHS Policies and Procedures are adhered to.
Control of Infection
Be aware of, and comply with, all Trust infection prevention and control policies, to include hand hygiene, personal hygiene, environmental and food hygiene. To undertake annual training/updates in infection prevention and control.
Prepare for and undertake the protective interventions that he/she is responsible for in a manner that is consistent with evidence based practice and maintaining patient safety.
Communication and Working Relationships
The post holder will be required to develop effective communication and good working relationships with all members of the multi-disciplinary team, outside agencies, families and carers.
The job description is intended as a guideline to the duties and responsibilities of the post and should not be regarded as a complete list of those required to be fulfilled under the written statement of the main Terms and Conditions of Employment. The contents may be amended from time to time subject to developing service needs although such amendment would occur following appropriate consultation with the post holder.
The most challenging part of the job
Provision of a high quality standard of care for children requiring physiotherapy.
To provide a high standard of care in a physically, emotionally and psychologically demanding post.
To work in collaboration with colleagues in health, education and social services.
Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure Check
This post is deemed to require a Disclosure Check Enhanced Level with the Criminal Records Bureau. This is due to the fact the post has access to children or vulnerable adults. Further information on the Disclosure Service is available from www.disclosure.gov.uk
