Senior Respiratory Physiotherapist

Job responsibilities

Key Duties:

Clinical:

To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of practice, including the management of patients receiving treatment.

To undertake clinical assessment, including risk analysis, of patients presenting with simple and complex/multi pathologies within defined area of speciality.

To be able to apply knowledge and highly developed skills from a wide range of specialties e.g. respiratory, neurology, musculoskeletal outpatients, care of the elderly dependant on given area of speciality underpinned by evidence.

To use advanced clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment techniques to establish accurate diagnosis.

To use judgemental skills and comprehensive knowledge of physiotherapy treatments to formulate individual treatment programmes based on evidence of best practice.

To demonstrate a high level of skill in dexterity, co-ordination and sensory skills to deliver appropriate treatments selected from a range of physiotherapeutic interventions e.g normal movement, motor relearning, manual therapy techniques, respiratory techniques, use of NIV, exercise therapy, hydrotherapy and electrotherapy dependant on area of speciality.

To regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment plan and adjust the treatment accordingly.

To use clinical knowledge to formulate a prognosis and recommend an appropriate course of action and discharge plan.

To maintain comprehensive, accurate and contemporaneous treatment records including valid consent appropriate to the intervention.

To ensure that patient confidentiality is maintained at all times.

To be an active participant on the evening and weekend On Call Service, which includes advanced respiratory techniques and non-invasive ventilatory aids. This may also include the treatment of children. Rota will depend on Speciality

To be responsible for leading patient classes, e.g. cardiac rehabilitation, knee group and rheumatology classes dependant on area of speciality.

Communications:

To assess capacity, gain valid consent and to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.

To communicate effectively, verbally and through touch, with patients to maximise rehabilitation potential.

To demonstrate communication skills of persuasion, motivation, reassurance, explanation and negotiation, with patients with barriers to effective communication may be evident, eg expressive and receptive dysphasia, altered perception, hearing loss, mental disabilities, pain and fear. Barriers to effective communication will regularly be evident.

To write clear and concise notes based on physiotherapy assessment and treatment of patients, in accordance with professional standards.

To use written information in assisting the patient to understand their condition and involvement in the treatment process.

To liaise with the designated Team Lead Physiotherapist regarding the workload of the area.

To liaise with senior physiotherapy staff regarding highly complex cases.

To liaise with medical, nursing staff and other health care professionals regarding patient care.

To liaise and where appropriate advise patients, carers and relatives regarding patient care.

To liaise with members of the multidisciplinary team and attend case conferences, MDT meetings and ward rounds as appropriate.

To produce written discharge summaries and/or progress reports to GPs, Consultants or other referring health professional regarding the patients condition within Speciality.

Education and Training:

To be appraised by the Team Lead Physiotherapist within area of speciality, agree personal objectives to be achieved within area of speciality and formulate a personal development plan.

To maintain own clinical professional development by a variety of means (internal/external courses, journal reviews, self-directed study) in order to maintain up to date clinical knowledge.

To keep abreast of new developments in clinical physiotherapy and evidence based practice.

To participate in all annual mandatory training.

To demonstrate an understanding of clinical governance in physiotherapy practice. To regularly evaluate physiotherapy practice through the use of outcome measures and audit.

To undertake, or assist with Research and Development activity.

To participate in training by the regular delivery of presentations to fellow physiotherapists, other staff and students.

To supervise and appraise more junior members of staff, assistants and students as delegated by senior staff, to promote a high standard of patient care.

To adhere to local department and trust policy.

Organisation and Management:

To prioritise and manage own patient workload and that of supervised staff.

In the absence of the Team Lead Physiotherapist in the specialty, to manage and allocate staff in order to provide an efficient service.

To ensure the Team Lead is fully informed of all matters affecting the speciality by regular reporting.

To be aware of and adhere to National, Professional, Trust and Departmental policies and recommend changes for own work area following audit or research.

To maintain a safe environment at all times 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, providing advice to other staff and carers as needed.

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.

Professional:

To maintain Health Professions Council (HPC) registration adhering to the Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics

To maintain own Continuing Professional Development in line with Clinical Governance and the HPC Standards.

To work within the Rules of Professional Conduct of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

To be responsible for maintaining own competence through self-directed learning and reflective practice.

To assist with research, audit and service development projects.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Effective and appropriate written communication skills
• Comprehensive clinical knowledge and skills in core areas and within speciality
• Effective team working skills
• Understanding of Professional, Legal and Clinical Governance responsibilities
• Understanding of current NHS issues

Desirable

• Teaching skills
• Leadership skills
• Presentation Skills

Experience

Essential

• Appropriate and broad experience in core rotations (can demonstrate a broad range of knowledge from different specialities) or within speciality if a static post
• Experience of working in an acute NHS environment
• Evidence of relevant and recent CPD
• Supervision and development of assistants and students

Desirable

• Training of other MDT members
• Active participation in audit or research
• Experience of working in speciality at a senior level

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Professional manner
• Team player
• Flexible, Assertive & Enthusiastic
• Able to show initiative
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Approachable and consistent

Other Job Requirements

Essential

• Able and willing to commute beween sites
• Able and willing to work across 7 days and take part in on call duties through a 24 hour period
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the role
• Commitment to working in Worcestershire

Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma or degree in physiotherapy
• Health Profession Council Registration
• Appropriate postgraduate qualifications / training

Desirable

• Member of CSP

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).