Physiotherapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached. It is important to us that we ensure our recruitment processes are accessible and inclusive to everyone - if as a potential candidate you are concerned a person specification may prevent or restrict your application for employment as a result of unintentional barriers on the grounds of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religion/belief or disability please initially contact the Trust's Recruitment team - detailed in the advert. The Trust will seek to resolve this issue wherever possible.

Clinical and Professional

- Responsible for a designated caseload of patients requiring physiotherapy intervention and with guidance undertake to organise and prioritise the required programmes of intervention.

- Carry out planned home visits (occasional) with hospital patients with support from other therapists or follow up visits as a lone worker with telephone support as required.

- Obtain informed consent from client to treatment & follow agreed guidelines for patients unable to give informed consent. Obtain consent to the sharing of information and document all consent issues in accordance with relevant Trust procedures.

- Seek support and advice with cases from more experienced colleagues when faced with matters outside of sphere of responsibility, knowledge or skill.

- Undertake specific physiotherapy assessments, including: Functional Assessments, musculo-skeletal and postural assessments, neurological and respiratory assessment and assessment of appropriate mobility aid and equipment. Use appropriate assessment tools and equipment to assist with accurate assessment and decision-making. Appropriately risk assess and document key risk areas.

-Use assessment tools and equipment to assist with accurate assessment and decision-making and seek advice from more experienced staff when required. e.g. Berg balance test, Falls assessment, pressure relieving equipment, musculoskeletal tools.

- Undertake clinical & environmental risk assessments on a day-to-day basis and document key risk areas, seeking guidance from a more senior member of staff when dealing with cases indicating a high level of risk.

- Plan, implement and develop care / rehabilitation programmes (seeking guidance from more senior clinicians as required) with clients, carers and ward staff through education and teaching which encourage and empower clients and their carers to reach an optimum level of self-care and independence e.g. exercise programmes.

- Communicate information to patients and carers e.g. about their condition, rehabilitation prospects and long term care needs, with support as necessary. This will include clients who have difficulties in understanding or communicating e.g. speech & language difficulties, mental health problems, depression, cognitive/sensory problems, cultural/language barriers.

- Provide advice and information to clients and carers on improving their health and wellbeing and of any resources/services available to them.

- Carry out safe moving and handling practice, for moderately dependent patients within a hospital & community environment on a daily basis, in accordance with planned programmes of care and Trust policies.

- Undertake therapeutic handling of patients during treatment sessions including transfer practice. This may involve dealing with continence and body fluids.

- Fit and operate standard equipment where competencies met. Instruct and/or demonstrate techniques / equipment to patients, carers and other staff on a day to day basis for standard equipment and procedures in hospital & community settings, seeking guidance from senior member of staff for more specialist items/techniques.

- Evaluate patient progress at every session & modify programmes, accordingly, seeking guidance from more experienced staff.

- Participate in reviews of rehabilitation / care programmes and be involved in multi-professional team discharges / transfers of care in liaison with the patient and carers (where appropriate).

- Ensure self and others comply with Trust clinical governance requirements.

- Plan discharge for patients using the better care pathway with supervision and support from the senior members of the team.

Communication

- To ensure all patients are given the appropriate information and are actively encouraged to engage in their own health needs.

-To discuss care with patients/carers, where some information may be complex, where there may be barriers to understanding.

Administrative

- Work positively with colleagues to maintain effective working relationships.

- Act as a role model and be accountable for own professional decisions and actions at all times and demonstrate appropriate use of guidance and support.

- To act as a departmental representative and undertake routine tasks to support the department e.g. act as a representative at meetings as requested

- Follow Trust policies and local guidance and contribute comments on required changes e.g. infection control procedures, equipment provision, protection of vulnerable adults.

- Work within Code of Professional Conduct and Scope of Professional Practice.

- On a daily basis organise own time.

- Utilise resources appropriately and equipment as per Equipment Store procedures e.g. walking aids.

- Accurately record and maintain patient records daily, using paper and/or electronic systems in place.

- Collect statistical information about client contacts daily e.g. response times and interventions, recording it onto relevant data collection systems in accordance with Trust requirements.

- Compose routine letters / reports / discharge summaries on a daily basis in accordance with patient needs, seeking guidance as required.

- Participate in audit and research programmes when required.

- Ensure that new, replacement equipment is not used by self or others until it has been commissioned.

- Ensure defective equipment is reported and made safe without delay in accordance with Trust procedures.

Knowledge, Education and Training

- Undertake formal & informal training and mentoring of staff and other groups as prescribed, averaging 3 times a year.

- To be an active member of the in-service training programme by attending presentations, contributing to teaching and practising reflective practice.

- Participate in the supervision and assessment of students on a day-to-day basis, as agreed with a more senior Physiotherapist overseeing the placement.

- Participate in supervision on a regular basis to reflect on practice, discuss more complex cases and seek support / development on more general issues.

Management and Leadership

- Staff are managed and standards of work are maintained and Trust policies for the management of staff performance are adhered to.

- Appraisals of staff directly managed are undertaken and that the appraisal process is maintained.

- Informed consent is obtained where appropriate and documented in accordance with Trust procedures.

- New and replacement equipment is not used until it has been commissioned in accordance with Trust policy.

- Appropriate risk and other assessments are completed and documented in a timely manner in accordance with Trust Policy.

- Defective equipment is reported and made safe without delay in accordance with Trust procedures

- Equipment is maintained in accordance with Trust policy.

- Infection prevention and control procedures are followed by all staff within their area of responsibility.

Quality and Service Improvement

- Identifies situations of clinical risk and takes appropriate action to ensure a safe environment for patients/clients/families and staff.

- Contributes to evidence-based practice in speciality areas.

- Demonstrates commitment to quality improvements, risk management and resource utilisation participating in monitoring and evaluation activities including audit and research activities

- Provides input into clinical standards/protocols and policies and undertakes clinical audits as required.

- Evaluates the effectiveness, efficiency and safety of clinical practice contributing to service improvement initiatives.

- Participates in the implementation of models of care appropriate to patient/client population needs.

- Participates in case review and debriefing activities as required.

- Participates in group/unit discussions that review current practice.

- Contributes to the development of programmes of care/care packages providing specialist advice where relevant.

- Promote patient and public involvement in activities designed to inform service improvement.

- Actively participate in clinical audit and service improvement activity to improve patient care and patient outcomes (privacy, dignity and duty of candour).

- Fully adheres to the Clinical and Safeguarding Supervision policy along with Safeguarding Children and adult policies, and information sharing protocols to ensure the health and well-being of children and adults at risk.

- Familiarity with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act and maintains MCA mandatory training.

Health and Safety, Security and Equality

- Works in accordance with the relevant Health and Safety Trust policies, procedures, and guidelines.

- Ensures self and colleagues are trained and competent to use equipment safely.

- Ensures incident reporting is expedited promptly and appropriate action plans completed. Identifies potential health, safety and security issues and collaborates with others to promote and maintain an environment that supports infection prevention and control policies and procedures.

- Supports and promotes a positive approach to diversity and equality of opportunity, to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage in service delivery and employment.

- Ensures care within areas of practice and adheres to the 5 principles of the Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice (2005).

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Criteria 1: Qualifications
• -Able to demonstrate a good command of the English Language, both written and verbal.
• - Professional UK registration eg: Registered HCPC Physiotherapist.
• - Degree level education in physiotherapy or equivalent knowledge and skills gained through any combination of alternative study or employment experience.
• - Evidence or portfolio of post graduate continued development.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Western Community Hospital

Walnut Grove

Southampton

Hampshire

SO16 4XE

Employer's website

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