Pulmonary Rehabilitation Exercise Technician

Job description

Job responsibilities

Communications and Relationships

To communicate with people in an appropriate manner to ensure level of understanding incorporates preferred ways of communicating, culture and background e.g. people with learning difficulties

To receive and provide routine information concerning patients medical condition ensuring they have authority to do so.

To maintain confidentiality of information consistent with legislation and policy

Demonstrate the ability to act with empathy when dealing with the public

To manage incoming and outgoing calls in a polite and efficient manner

Provide direct patient education on inhaler technique, exercise prescription, management of breathlessness, management of chest infections, providing written information as needed.

Schedule and complete telephone consultations regarding Pulmonary Rehabilitation as needed

Analytical and Judgmental Skills

To carry out Maximal functional exercise testing with patients with chronic respiratory disease pre and post PR; monitoring and assessing oxygen levels, BP, heart rate, Pre and post PR.

To identify and interpret abnormal findings from assessments (hypoxemia, heart rate, blood pressure, etc.) and liaise with the multidisciplinary team in the primary, tertiary and secondary healthcare settings to assist with the provision of optimum management of patients with chronic respiratory disease.

Following assessment to assist senior clinician apply clinical decision making skills regarding the suitability, eligibility and adaptability of the individuals programme.

Regularly reassess patients and be able to modify exercise prescription

Instigate emergency procedure, as required.

Planning and Organisational Skills

Lead on maintaining clinical equipment (e.g spirometers, thermometers, oximeters, exercise equipement) and ensuring that infection control standards are kept. This would include working with the administrator to ensure equipment is serviced regularly and all documentation is completed.

To plan and prioritise the care requirements for identified patients

To assist in the management and organisation of work as required.

Have the ability to be flexible in approach to accommodate urgent reviews

Assist specialist practitioner in developing and implementing teaching programmes

Participate in the education and training of other members of MDT

Maintain client records and information and data systems in accordance with trust policies

Undertake general office duties, which may include- phone calls, mailing, photocopying, scanning and filing, dealing with post

Physical Skills

To carry out complex observations, monitor and use relevant equipment safely, ensuring accurate and dexterity

Driving skills needed for community visits

Responsibility for Patient Care

To support the assessment of patients whilst explaining clearing to people who or what is involved in the process

To interpret assessment information and plan patient care using judgement skills to decide upon and recommend best course of action

To refer patients to other practitioners when their needs are beyond their own role or scope of practice

To record information accurately and pass it to trained staff in team in a timely manner

To prepare and undertake interventions consistent with evidence based practice, transferring and applying knowledge and skills to meet patients needs

To evaluate and review the effect of any interventions and the patients agree plan of care

To provide support and care for the patients respecting need for privacy and dignity

To obtain agreement from patient/carers before commencing any care related tasks

To liaise with MDT, participating in case discussions as required

To support patients/carers encouraging them to promote their own health and wellbeing and to express their interest and concerns

To assist in, and undertake the application of technology to measure, monitor and treat patients

To communicate appropriately with patients and colleagues in a timely manner throughout the whole investigation/monitoring process

To ensure that essential information on the patients condition and progress is recorded appropriately in accordance with Trust guidelines.

To provide specialist telephone advice to patients

To provide discharge summaries to the referrer, GP and patient autonomously. Including patient outcomes, highlighting areas of concern requiring further investigation/ treatment, and providing detailed written exercise plan within 10 days of discharge.

Responsibility for Policy/Service Development

To adhere to trust policies and procedures relating to own workplace

To offer constructive views on how the existing service and team work can be evaluated and improved upon

To participate in mandatory training

To participate in clinical supervision

To actively engage in service development, evaluation and audit as appropriate to service

Responsibilities for Financial and Physical Resources

To ensure effective use of material resources/supplies within the area of work in consultation with senior staff

Take responsibility for maintaining all stocktaking on a weekly basis ensuring that stock can be replenished as and when needed via procurement.

To ensure all PR equipment is maintained and serviced as needed. Reporting faulty equipment to service lead and removing this from service.

Responsibilities for Human Resources

Be proactive in, and maintain their own professional development needs

To undertake mandatory training updates and other relevant courses in line with Trust and local policies

Provide peer support to other colleagues

Contribute to teaching / training of other staff or students within area

To report performance issues to their line manager

Responsibilities for Information Resources

To ensure maintenance of pulmonary rehab databases to enable on-going service review

Ensure the referral database is regularly kept up to date so the patients can be triaged appropriately and seen within the RTT time frame.

Maintain clear and concise records of the patient's management in accordance with Trust standards

Ensure clinic outcomes are submitted daily

Responsibilities for Research and Development

To keep up to date and act consistently with quality standard and guidelines

To participate in setting and maintaining optimal standards of care in the work area

To participate in NACAP PR audit/benchmarking within the clinical area supporting the introduction of a change in practice if needed

To contribute effectively to evaluation studies ( e.g. patient satisfaction surveys)

Freedom to Act

Works to standard protocols, practice and procedures

Works within their scope of practice and with the ability to refer non-routine matters to supervisory staff

Work may not always be supervised but support is always available

Physical and Mental Requirements

The post holder will be required to exert frequent moderate physical effort for several short period during a shift

The post holder will at times be exposed to distressing and occasional highly distressing and emotional circumstances, caring for patients with life limiting conditions

The post holder will have to exert frequent periods of concentration where the work pattern is unpredictable

The post holder may be required to use a VUD computer for up to 50% of working day

The post holder may have frequent exposure to unpleasant working condition/ hazards e.g. medical emergencies, violence/aggression and challenging behaviour.

Person Specification

Skills/ Knowledge

Essential

• Ability to work independently or within a team
• Demonstrates clarity and breadth of use of verbal and written communications
• Demonstrates good organisational skills
• Computer literacy
• Ability to deliver a good standard of basic nursing skills and quality patient care
• Willingness to develop clinical skills and competency relevant to role
• Able to use initiative
• Understanding of confidentiality
• Keep skills and knowledge up to date by attending outside study sessions and self-directed learning and completing necessary mandatory training

Desirable

• Able to mentor and supervise other students in the working environment
• Previous experience in patient education such as: smoking cessation and inhaler technique

Personal Qualities

Essential

• To be able to work as an active member of the multidisciplinary team
• Ability to work autonomously
• Reliable and punctual
• Self-awareness in terms of recognising the impact of their behaviour and others
• Self-awareness in terms of assessing own knowledge and competence and understanding own boundaries
• Able to present a professional image appropriate to the working environment
• Ability to work under pressure
• Empathetic, enthusiastic and positive
• Willingness to undertake further training
• Flexible
• Be able to take instructions or directions

Desirable

• Confidence to liaise with other professionals

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working as a gym instructor, with groups and individuals, screening, assessing and designing exercise programmes
• Experience of coaching. Leading sports activities with service users of differing abilities
• Previous experience of working in an acute health care or related setting
• Understanding of health and safety issues within healthcare
• Ability to plan, prioritise own and delegated work tasks and activities.
• Ability to carry out routine elements of assessment to enhance the patient / client journey, following an initial assessment by a registered practitioner.
• Experience of health promotion.

Desirable

• Previous experience working within Pulmonary Rehabilitation or Cardiac Rehabilitation
• Experience of working with service users with physical or mental health conditions

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE Maths & English grade C or above / Grade 4 - 9 or Numeracy skills and Literacy Skills at Level 2 or equivalent
• Level 3 apprenticeships in healthcare, NVQ 3 in care of equivalent
• Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification
• Level 3 GP Exercise Referral certificate
• Level 3/4 REPs registration

Desirable

• Level 4 Certificate in Exercise Training for Chronic Respiratory Disease
• Degree in sports or exercise science
• Evidence of continuous professional development

Other

Essential

• Flexible with hours to suit the service
• May be required to work in other departments as required
• Car owner/driver

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1DD

Employer's website

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