Job responsibilities
Job description for Band 4 Physiotherapy Assistant Practitioner - Full detail available in embedded document within Supporting Information
Key Working Relationships
Physiotherapists in given speciality across the three sites. Medical and nursing staff, other health care professionals and members of the MDT, support staff, community care co-ordinators, discharge co-ordinators, patients, carers, relatives, students, palliative care team.
Risk Assessment
This post involves frequent manual handling activities e.g. hoisting, positioning, assisting sitting/standing, transferring, giving physical support during walking practice/exercise and occasional pushing of large items of equipment. There is a frequent requirement for moderate physical effort, including repetitive techniques e.g. passive exercises, bed exercises and an occasional requirement for intensive physical effort for several short periods throughout the day. Close contact with patients frequently exposes the post holder to bodily fluids e.g. sputum, urine, blood, vomit and faeces.
There is frequent need for prolonged concentration and involvement in emotionally distressing situations, such as dealing with bad news, terminal illness, death and bereavement, where empathy and support for patients, carers and other team members will be needed. Work pattern is often unpredictable with frequent interruptions/changes.
Job Purpose
Working as part of the Physiotherapy team to provide high quality therapeutic care through the delivery of specified assessment and treatment techniques to a defined group of patients. This will involve working unsupervised at times as well as working with qualified and unqualified staff. To assess, treat and progress treatment of patients in line with competencies set and assessed by the Senior Physiotherapist and to use this knowledge to contribute to effective discharge planning as part of the Multi-disciplinary Team.
To co-ordinate, supervise and assist with the training and management of other Physiotherapy assistants, thus providing a quality and effective support service to the Physiotherapy Team.
To participate in the weekend service. The speciality dependant on experience. This service may include the treatment of children.
Working hours will be dependent upon the service provided within each speciality, this may include 7-day working or participation in a relevant weekend /bank holiday rota.
Key Duties
Clinical
To hold responsibility for own caseload within the defined area of work, at times working without direct supervision. Support available by bleep.
Following appropriate training and demonstration of competency to work unsupervised to assess patients with mobility and functional impairments.
To obtain an accurate and full social history to facilitate early discharge planning, liaising with family/care agencies as needed.
To accurately assess range of movement, muscle power, sensation, sitting and standing balance and transfer abilities.
To assess and progress patients mobility including issuing and training in the use of walking aids as appropriate.
To safely assess a patients ability on the stairs where needed and correct technique as appropriate.
To develop and safely deliver individualised treatment programmes.
To prepare patients for treatment including undressing/dressing and toileting.
Using own knowledge and reasoning to analyse the patients condition and needs and modify treatment accordingly.
To monitor the effectiveness of treatment and use clinical knowledge to progress the patient within defined protocols.
To identify the need for ongoing rehabilitation/support and liaise with the MDT and patient flow centre to recommend the appropriate level of care on discharge.
To assist and encourage patients with routine breathing exercises and chest clearance techniques after completion of appropriate competencies.
To maintain accurate and contemporaneous treatment records including valid consent to interventions.
To ensure that patient confidentiality is always maintained.
To be aware of limitations of own knowledge and refer to the supervising physiotherapist where appropriate.
Communications
To communicate effectively with patients, to maximise rehabilitation potential through verbal and nonverbal methods. This may require explanation, instruction, persuasion, motivation, negotiation and reassurance.
To manage barriers to effective communication eg hearing loss, altered perception, confusion, anxiety etc.
To take handover from relevant wards as designated by Senior Physiotherapist and pass on any relevant information.
To liaise with designated Physiotherapist regarding the workload of the area.
To liaise with Physiotherapists, other members of the MDT, relatives and carers regarding ongoing care and rehabilitation of individual patients.
To represent physiotherapy at ward rounds, board rounds and case conferences where required.
To communicate effectively with ward teams, community teams and Patient Flow Centre regarding patients requirements for discharge.
Education and Training
To be appraised by the Senior Physiotherapist, agree personal objectives and personal development plan.
To complete all required mandatory and compulsory training and maintaining 100% compliance as per trust requirements.
To be responsible, with guidance, for maintaining own competencies through a range of relevant CPD activities and maintenance of an appropriate portfolio.
To co-ordinate provision of clinical supervision/mentorship/training for Physiotherapy assistants.
Organisation and Management
To be responsible for prioritising and managing own clinical workload.
To manage workloads for short periods in the absence of a qualified Physiotherapist.
To be aware of and comply with Professional, Trust and Departmental policies.
To make an active contribution to service development.
To work with senior staff to supervise and coordinate Physiotherapy assistants daily.
To always maintain a safe environment for patients, visitors and staff.
To ensure safe use of all mechanical and electrical equipment or orthoses and appliances used in the care of patients.
To act immediately to rectify any unsafe practices or environments witnessed and report adverse incidents or near misses according to Trust policy.
To provide statistical information regarding own workload as required for managerial purposes.
To provide administrative support to the physiotherapy team e.g. appointment booking, stock control, ordering, monitoring the loan of equipment.
To be responsible for maintaining a tidy working environment and ensuring that there is a satisfactory level of cleanliness in the designated area.
To ensure appropriate quantities of mobility aids are maintained within the department and/or deputise for the Equipment Store Person if /when appropriate.
Professional
To maintain own Continuing Professional Development in line with Clinical Governance.
To work within the Assistant Rules of Professional Conduct of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
To share responsibility for maintaining own competence through reflective practice.
To be legally accountable for all aspects of own work.
To assist with research, audit and service development projects where appropriate.
Our Shared Values and Behaviours
We are committed to delivering outstanding care and creating a culture where everyone feels respected, valued and supported. We seek individuals who share our purpose of helping people live healthier, more fulfilling lives, and who are motivated by our mission to be the best team we can be. You will be expected to uphold our values by communicating openly, acting with kindness, showing respect for others and taking responsibility for your actions. These values guide how we work together and continually improve the care we provide.
Our values are
Being open and honest we all communicate clearly and honestly, asking for help when we need it, and making it easier for the people around us to share ideas and concerns.
Ensuring people feel cared for we all take responsibility for actively supporting and nurturing a kind and compassionate environment for ourselves and others.
Showing respect for everyone we all act with consideration and fairness, valuing each other as individuals and appreciating our different perspectives.
Standard Clauses
The purpose of this post should remain constant, but the duties and responsibilities may vary over time within the overall role and level of the post. The post holder may from time to time be asked to undertake other reasonable duties. Any such changes will be made in discussion with the post holder in the light of service needs.
Competence
The post holder is responsible for limiting his / her actions to those which s/he feels competent to undertake. If the post holder has any doubts as to his or her competence during his / her duties, then s/he should immediately speak to their line manager or supervisor.
Codes of conduct
All employees of the Trust who are required to be registered with a professional body, to enable them to practise within their profession, are required to comply with their code of conduct and requirements of their professional registration. Those staff that are not required to be registered with a professional body are required to comply with the Trusts codes of conduct.
Confidentiality
The post holder must maintain confidentiality, security and integrity of information relating to patients, staff and other Health Service business.
Records Management
All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records that they gather, create or use as part of their work within the Trust (including patient, financial, personnel and administrative), whether paper or computer based. All such records are considered public records, and all employees have a legal duty of confidence to service users.
