Virtual Reality AHP - Physiotherapist/Occupational Therapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Providing advanced therapeutic assessment of patients with diverse or complex physical, psychological, cognitive and behavioural conditions to provide an accurate diagnosis, prognosis and treatment rehabilitation intervention.Formulating and delivering individualised virtual reality immersive therapy treatment programmes, including psychologically informed therapeutic techniques, patient education, provision of activity and/or exercise (individual/group), and other alternative options. This includes the appropriate selection of referrals for inclusion in a range of treatment programmes, short courses, one to one session using advanced treatment options, advanced communication, questioning and reasoning skills.

Act as a source of expertise on the assessment and management of chronic pain conditions and the delivery of Virtual Reality immersive Therapy using an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) framework to patients.

Educate and train AHPs - Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists, Physical activity specialists, psychological wellbeing practitioners, CBT practitioners, social prescribers, students, and other healthcare professionals in the therapeutic management of chronic pain conditions using virtual reality immersive therapies.

Primary Duties and Areas of Responsibilities

Communication and Working RelationshipsCommunication with PatientsAssess patients understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid formal consent and jointly agreed goals. Communication will include imparting sensitive and comprehensive information relating to diagnosis, prognosis, physical and functional recovery and potential lifestyle adjustments to patients and their relatives.To use communication skills of tact, empathy, persuasion, motivation, negotiation and explanation to provide reassurance and gain patients informed consent to treatment, to discuss complex information about underlying influences, prognosis, progression of rehabilitation and treatment programmes with patient or carer. This will include patients who may have difficulties due to complex emotional, psychological as well as physical conditions relating to the presenting complaint.To communicate effectively, to inform and impart the multi-faceted strategies of lifestyle management issues which are complex, sensitive and where frequently there is resistance to change. All activity when encouraging change of behaviour and attitudes involves making changes to physical, psychological, emotional, cognitive, social/cultural and environmental aspects of oneself. To identify and devise ways of overcoming barriers to effective communication including cognitive impairment, expressive and receptive communication difficulties, embarrassment, anxiety, pain, fear or visual/hearing impairment.Appraise the nature, context and basis of peoples beliefs, values and habits; challenge constructively attitudes and behaviours that do not promote health and well-being. Deal with moments of disclosure of mental health problems and histories of abuse. Be able to support and signpost appropriately to enable the recognition and action around these issues.

To maintain accurate comprehensive and up to date documentation, in line with legal, departmental and CSP standards of practice and to monitor that of less experienced staff.

To be responsible for accurate and timely data input into the (IHCS, PAS, Infoflex) data collection system for patient registration and contact information and discharge.To represent the pain service, and/or individual patient to ensure the delivery of a coordinated multidisciplinary service. This will involve advising the multidisciplinary team (Consultants, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Physical activity specialists) on management of physical recovery and discussion of patient care, patient progress and involvement of discharge planning. Information will be provided in several formats including verbal feedback during Multidisciplinary case conferences, comprehensive written assessment and discharge summaries and via email.Contributions will be shared with Line manager relating to service planning, changes of clinical practice, complaints and plaudits.

External communication may include discussion with employers and related agencies regarding return to work issues. Discussion with multidisciplinary team members regarding patient management such as:Other members of the Torbay and South Devon Pain Service, Reconnect2Life and MSK Physiotherapy teamsOther health and social care colleagues in the Trust, other Devon trusts, Devon Partnership Trust, Devon Social Services and housing servicesSecondary Care Consultants, and Speciality doctors

To be responsible for the day-to-day organisation of work and for implementing a virtual reality immersive therapy programme including assessment, planning, and treatment for those patients in order to provide the highest standards.To manage own clinical caseload and other competing demands of job role, prioritising your own work and that of those you supervise.

To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practise, through CPD activities and to maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development. Maintain and develop current knowledge of evidence-based practise, developing specialist knowledge of particular conditions and patient types.Be an active member of the in-service training programme by attendance at, participation in and contribution to in-service training programmes, tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses and peer review.To have good working knowledge of and ensure compliance with National and Local guidelines, policies and procedures. To keep up to date with clinical developments by the use of clinical databases and electronic technology.

To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practise, through CPD activities and to maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development. Maintain and develop current knowledge of evidence-based practise in the areas of each rotation, developing specialist knowledge of particular conditions and patient types.

Person Specification

qualifications and training

Essential

• oDegree or Diploma in Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy, recognised by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists/College of Occupational Therapists/AHP
• oRegistration with the Health Professions Council.
• oPrevious NHS experience as an AHP

Desirable

• oExperience in a variety of clinical settings, community and acute
• oExperience in mental health and long-term conditions settings.

special experience

Essential

• oUse of virtual reality immersive technology for personal and/or professional use
• oClinical experience including individual and group work
• oAbility to organize and prioritise workload for self and others.

Desirable

• oExperience of using a range of extended virtual reality equipment including virtual reality, mixed reality, and augmented reality technology.
• oExperience of using meta (oculus quest), HTC vive, flow goggles, kat VR treadmill hardware/software
• oExperience of using of third-party streaming platforms eg sidequest and steam
• oExperience in collecting data for audit
• oExperience in presentations for workshops and conferences

Knowledge

Essential

• oAdvanced working knowledge of a broad range of long-term pain conditions.
• oExperience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team (health / social care).
• oClinical skills encompassing the core areas of exercise therapy, management of pain and fatigue, activity and sleep training and therapeutic behavioural change.
• oProven ability of complex case management.

Desirable

• oExperience in working with patients with persistent pain and/or Fibromyalgia Syndrome
• oTraining in Staff Appraisal

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Address

teignmouth

Mill Ln, Teignmouth

teignmouth

TQ14 9BQ

Employer's website

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