Specialist Children's physiotherapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Duties

To work within the childrens therapy service, developing effective clinical interventions within the speciality of paediatrics in order to contribute to clinical practice in the team in line with current evidence base.

To manage autonomously a clinical workload of patients / clients at a specialist level, assessing and treating patients and maintaining clinical records.

To have specialist assessment and treatment skills in the areas listed but not limited to:

v Triage and prioritization of patients referred to the team

v Assessment and treatment of children and young people with complex needs

v Assessment and provision of therapeutic equipment

v Training/ supporting others to manage the childs condition

v Joint goal setting and problem solving

v Use of appropriate outcome measures

v Transfer of care planning and discharge of patients from the team

To apply evidence based knowledge within the specialist clinical area acquired through experience and academic study to a specialist post graduate level.

To act, within the childrens therapy service, as a resource and provide advice for Physiotherapists, other professionals and colleagues within the MDT about the assessment, treatment, management and care of patients / clients who have a multi-pathological illness and/or complex psychosocial need.

To work collaboratively with education, health and social care community and acute colleagues.

To work with other members of the MDT to ensure effective care pathways and transfer of care / discharges.

To proactively and appropriately facilitate a seamless transfer of care and continuing therapeutic management of children/ young people.

To work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary manner within the MDT, being able to debate the blurring of boundaries across professions and where competent take on aspects of blurred boundary working, where appropriate.

To develop highly specialist programmes of assessment, treatment and intervention.

To manage and prioritise own clinical workload as appropriate, working efficiently to manage professional time and delegate according to the training and competency levels of other team members to ensure the effective delivery of the service.

To participate in the supervision process with staff on a daily basis and for students as required.

To ensure a high standard of patient care is provided including implementing and reviewing clinical standards relevant to the work undertaken.

To provide specialist assessment and advice for the multidisciplinary team and actively participate in MDT meetings as appropriate.

3.2 Professional Duties

To comply with and contribute to the development and implementation of protocols, procedures and guidelines both clinical and service specific. To give feedback on policies when required which may impact on the management and care of children/young people.

To participate in governance initiatives on a regular basis, measuring and evaluating individual and the teams clinical practice, e.g. CPD, clinical effectiveness, research and development, clinical audit and service activity data.

To ensure specialised treatments offered to patients / clients are based on the best available clinical evidence by keeping up to date with current literature, implementing research tools and liaising with other practitioners, both within and outside the service, in order to develop and maintain best practice.

To be responsible for the issue and safe use of equipment used in your area of work and to adhere to the appropriate service policies.

Along with the Clinical Lead/Team Leader generate and contribute to the collection, analysis and dissemination of data as required for the service, both manually and computerised.

To lead, develop and actively undertake clinical audit as requested.

To support members of the physiotherapy team and contribute to them successfully meeting their objectives and development needs.

To assist the Clinical Lead/Team Leader to manage the performance of the physiotherapy team and assistant staff by having a delegated role in supervision/PDR as appropriate.

To contribute to the delivery of the Childrens Therapy within the wider MDT.

To provide advice / information to the Clinical Lead/Team Leader to help in the planning and development of the service.

In conjunction with the Team Leader /Clinical Lead, ensure adequate cover within the team by agreeing annual leave, study leave, and report sickness absence to the Team Leader.

To assist the Team Leader in achieving the service objectives.

To actively participate in the professional development programme of the Childrens Therapy service.

To assist the Clinical Lead / Team Leader in the monitoring of professional, clinical and departmental standards and assist implementation of change as appropriate.

To comply with the national, professional, Trust and service policies and procedures and to be involved in the reviewing and updating process as appropriate.

To participate in the staff recruitment process as appropriate.

Maintain confidentiality of all patient identifiable information in line with Trust policies relating to the Data Protection Act.

Initiate discussions with the Team Leader about any circumstances that could prevent the post holder or other staff fulfilling the requirements of the job description.

To contribute to the identification, development and evaluation of a training programme to address the needs of the Physiotherapy service and the wider multi professional team as appropriate.

To organise and participate in in-service training programmes, under direction, ensuring appropriate training is delivered.

To undertake appropriate development opportunities as identified at yearly personal development reviews and through personal development plans. To incorporate acquired knowledge into working practice as appropriate, following discussion with Clinical Lead / Team Leader. To disseminate information from training effectively throughout the team, the service and MDT as appropriate.

To participate in the supervision process and peer review and maintain an up to date CPD portfolio including evidence of experiential learning, reflective practice and any relevant training or experience. This should demonstrate responsibility for maintaining own competency to practice.

To give specialist advice, teaching and training to patients / clients, carers, volunteers and other health, educational and social care professionals, as appropriate to ensure provision of good patient care.

To be responsible for the supervision and education of student Physiotherapists to graduate level in the role of clinical educator.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING

Essential

• Relevant Degree
• Registered with HPC
• Evidence of Postgraduate Training

Desirable

• Clinical Educator Training
• Member of Professional Body

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

Essential

• Knowledge of child development and a range of common paediatric conditions
• Recent experience demonstrating ability to assess, treat and evaluate care in paediatrics
• Good Clinical Reasoning skills
• Evidence of CPD, self-directed learning and Reflective Practice
• Understanding of Clinical Governance
• Critical Appraisal Skills
• Ability to carry out specialist assessments and treatments and evaluate intervention in terms of quality and outcomes for children and their families
• Knowledge and experience of the principles and practice of partnership working within a multi-disciplinary team
• Knowledge and understanding of national and local priorities pertaining to children
• Ability to maintain accurate records
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, NSF's and local/National initiatives

Desirable

• Experience of developing others
• Experience in contributing to service improvements e.g. Audit, patient information etc.
• Experience in dealing with complaints
• Experience in supervising and training others
• Teaching/Presentation skills
• Previous experience working at Band 6 level with children with complex needs

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)

Essential

• Ability to organise, prioritise and delegate appropriately using knowledge of blurred boundary / competency frameworks
• Excellent Time Management skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with people with complex difficulties and in difficult situations
• Recognises own limitations and have willingness to share and learn from others
• Ability to concentrate and work in conditions requiring emotional demands
• Ability to identify and articulate own training needs
• Self motivated with ability to work independently and influence others
• Excellent Team Player
• Ability to make decisions and problem solve when dealing with routine situations

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

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Address

children's therapy service

Broad Street Health Centre

Northgate Halifax

HX1 1UB

Employer's website

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