Community Physiotherapist

Job responsibilities

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will:

Undertake comprehensive physiotherapy assessments of patients, including those with a complex presentation, using investigative, analytical and clinical reasoning skills, and inform the development of a differential diagnosis.

Formulate and execute individualised physiotherapy management and treatment plans of patients including those with a complex presentation, in collaboration with the integrated team, other agencies and the patient, utilising a range of treatment skills.

Be aware of Assistive Technology and make referrals for this as required.

Assess patients holistic needs, communicating complex and sensitive information to patients and carers as to their assessment, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan.

Where there are barriers to understanding, such as hearing impairment, mental capacity impairment and other difficulties in comprehension, explanations require adjustments in order to gain understanding, consent and concordance.

-Be required to use tact and persuasive skills in order to gain the patients cooperation in their treatment plan.

Liaise with GPs, Social Services, inpatient teams, other allied health care professionals and the voluntary sector to ensure identified needs are met and care co-ordinated appropriately.

To participate in multi-disciplinary/multi-agency meetings as appropriate, e.g. Gold Standard Framework.

Be responsible for ensuring workload for self and others is planned and prioritised according to service targets and needs.

Ensure patient held records are completed for each visit, and that SystmOne inputting is completed on a daily basis.

Demonstrate dexterity, co-ordination and palpatory senses for assessment, and manual treatment of patients, including using specialist equipment and fine tools, manual and mobilising skills.

Contribute to the requisitioning of supplies and equipment through electronic ordering systems.

Be aware of budget and ensure all effort is made to work within this

Ensure informed consent is obtained prior to initiating interventions

Will be exposed to bodily fluids, infected material, blood products on a daily basis, therefore must utilise universal precautions and adhere to infection control policies.

Demonstrate basic IT and standard keyboard skills.

Professional

The post holder will:

Be required to undertake risk assessments and act upon them appropriately.

Contribute to the staff rota on a monthly basis.

Contribute to the supervision of workload within the integrated team.

Actively contribute to multidisciplinary team meetings and other meetings where appropriate.

Support all team members within the integrated team, respecting them, their roles and contributions.

Attend in-house training as required to develop current role.

Maintain own continual professional development.

Will be able to make own travel arrangements to patients homes, clinics, base and meetings etc, as required.

Be responsible for safe use and maintenance of equipment and supplies.

Remain accountable for own professional actions as determined by the professional bodies.

May be required to demonstrate own duties to students, new starters and/or less experienced staff.

Provide mentorship for students undertaking pre/post registration courses.

Mentor existing staff and provide training in specialist area as appropriate.

Provide advice/training to less experienced staff and supervise and support band 3 and 4 staff, and students where appropriate, and contribute to the induction process for new staff/students.

Demonstrate leadership skills within own competence.

Be accountable for work delegated to others.

Organisational

The post holder will:

Undertake mandatory training as required.

Participate in a Personal Development Review process.

Undertake Personal Development Plans for more junior staff members.

Take part in clinical supervision as per Trust Policy.

Follow Trust policies, and local procedures, and use discretion in interpreting them according to the setting and circumstances.

Comment on draft policies.

Ensure absence reporting is undertaken as determined by Team Leader and Trust Policy.

Contribute to clinical audit as required.

Complete the staff survey as required.

Complete risk assessments and incident forms as required.

Research & Development

May be required to undertake surveys or audits, as necessary to own work; may occasionally participate in R&D, clinical trials or equipment testing.

Safeguarding Clause

Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Rigorous recruitment checks are carried out and where applicable to the role successful applicants will be required to undertake a criminal records check via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Infection Control

Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust staff are responsible for protecting themselves and others against infection risks. All staff regardless of whether clinical or not are expected to comply with current infection control policies and procedures and to report any problems with regard to this to their managers. All staff undertaking patient care activities must attend infection control training and updates as required by Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust.

Health and Safety

Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed upon them under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), to ensure the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe environment for employees and visitors.

To ensure that the Trusts Health and Safety Policies are understood and observed and that procedures are followed.

To ensure the appropriate use of equipment and facilities and the environment is maintained in good order.

To take the necessary precautions to safeguard the welfare and safety of themselves, patients, staff and visitors, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act.

To undertake appropriate Health and Safety training to support safe working practice including, where appropriate, its management.

General

All staff are required to respect confidentiality of all matters that they learn as a result of the employment with the Trust, including matters relating to other members of the staff and members of the public/patients.

Maintain appropriate patient and clinical records in line with the Trusts policies and procedures, and in line with the agreed service specification.

The post holder will be expected to participate in an annual appraisal of their work where the job description will be reviewed and objectives set. In line with the annual personal development plan the post holder will be expected to undertake any training or development required to fulfil their role.

Ensure that all patients, clients and colleagues are treated at all times in an equitable manner, respecting diversity and showing an understanding of diversity in the workplace.

The post holder must carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the Trusts Equality and Diversity Policies, Procedures and Schemes and must ensure that equality is promoted at all times.

Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma or Degree in Physiotherapy
• Current HPC registration
• Clinical educators course

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of working at a relevant level
• Good observational and reporting skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Concentrate when undertaking patient care & concentrate when inputting data/patient recordswork flexibly to accommodate patient/service needs o
• Demonstrate good IT and standard keyboard skills
• work flexibly to accommodate patient/service need

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of additional specialist areas through in-house training & short courses
• Good communication skills
• Highly motivated

Communication

Essential

• Tact & diplomacy
• Empathy & sensitivity
• Ability to use own initiative

Personal and People Development

Essential

• Ability to manage stressful situations
• A team player

Personal Attributes / Behaviours

Essential

• oAble to identify with the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults

Other

Essential

• Professional appearance. Be able to:
• Kneel, bend & stoop, and work in cramped environments
• Manoeuvre limbs of around 5-6kg
• Manoeuvre patients using handling aids
• Be reliable
• Must have a full UK driving license and have access to a vehicle
• Able to communicate effectively in written and verbal English Language

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).