Job responsibilities
To take delegated responsibility from the senior physiotherapist/AHP Lead within a variety of settings for managing patients with conditions and be responsible for providing physiotherapy assessment and treatment plans for patients within the service.
To play an active role in the delivery of training programmes.
With appropriate training, the post holder will be able to lead on training sessions with delegated responsibility from the senior physiotherapist.
To manage own daily caseload and supervise physiotherapy/generic band 4 Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy Technicians and Health Care Support Workers.
Provide guidance/mentorship to Band 5 physiotherapists, newly appointed Band 6 physiotherapists and physiotherapy students.
To provide regular specialist physiotherapy input to the Intermediate Care Service providing patients with any physiotherapy advice/equipment, treatment programmes that may be necessary and refer on to other services where appropriate.
Liaise with relevant Occupational Therapy colleagues/managers for operational and professional duties linked to generic Band 4 Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy Technicians and Healthcare Support Workers.
To be an active member of the out of hours emergency respiratory on-call rota as required across the University Health Board. (Potential to come off rota following 2 years).
The post holder will be expected to assist in covering the work of absent colleagues as required by the Line Manager.
Ensure patient confidentiality, privacy, and dignity at all times, using a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools the post holder will communicate effectively with patients/parents/guardians/carers to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes. This will include patients/ parents/guardians/carers who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating e.g., patients may be dysphasic, depressed, have auditory/visual impairment, have learning difficulties, do not have English as a first language or may be unable to accept diagnosis/situation.
Having regular communication with other physiotherapy team colleagues to ensure clinical practice is appropriate and informed.
Representing the department at staff meetings, group meetings and patient case conferences to provide input regarding patients and to provide feedback to relevant staff.
When working on the emergency on-call rota, providing advice to medical and nursing staff and other allied health professionals and carers.
Maintaining and developing current knowledge of evidence-based practice in the areas of each rotation.
Possess Keyboard/IT skills to maintain personal and patient records, produce information sheets, take part in teaching/training sessions and access on-line information.
Have the ability to work within CTMUHB clinical guidelines and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy guidelines, and to have a good working knowledge of National and Local standards and monitor quality of practice as appropriate.
Under guidance and supervision, the post holder will be expected to maintain own clinical professional development (CPD) by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments and incorporating them as necessary into your practice.
Have an active role and be competent working alongside senior physiotherapists to collect, analyse and present data in terms of service drivers, performance, and future development goals.
On a daily basis the post holder will be required to use knowledge and experience to analyse and make judgements on facts and situations as they occur. This will include:
Undertaking a comprehensive assessment of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations/multi pathologies; using clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment techniques to assist in an accurate diagnosis of their condition.
Assessing patient/parent/guardian/carer
understanding of treatment proposals, gaining valid informed consent, and having the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
Evaluating patient progress, reassessing, and altering treatment programmes as required.
Demonstrating a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and applying it to work situations, managing clinical risk within own patient caseload.
Having an awareness of Health & Safety aspects of work in relation to location of treatment e.g., Treatment Room (hospital or surgery based), Gymnasium, Hydrotherapy Pool, Ward area, community settings, patients homes and implementing any policies which may be required to improve safety of your work area including your recording and reporting of incidents to Line Manager.
When working on the emergency on-call rota undertaking assessment and treatment of acutely ill patients with respiratory problems who may have a complex presentation and maintaining associated records as an autonomous practitioner.
Working within a variety of settings, the post holder will be expected to plan and organise own caseload, balancing other patient related and professional demands in order that the physiotherapy case load/waiting list meets with University Health Board objectives.
Formulating and delivering an individual physiotherapy treatment programme based on a sound knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options using clinical assessment, reasoning skills and knowledge of physiotherapy treatment skills e.g. manual physiotherapy techniques, patient education, exercise classes, hydrotherapy techniques and other alternative options, including advanced rehabilitation (this being an intensive course of specially developed individual treatment programmes undertaken in a group setting requiring a specialised knowledge of group exercise, hydrotherapy and the psychology of group dynamics) in agreement with patient/parent/guardian obtaining consent in line with University Health Board Policy.
Formulating and recommending best course of intervention.
Be expected to have the physical skills to carry out an array of physiotherapy treatment techniques to a high level of accuracy for treatment programmes to be effective (e.g. physical assessment skills, manual treatment skills (including chest auscultation and respiratory treatments), manual handling skills, the ability to demonstrate exercises and mobility techniques) and keyboard/IT skills to record patient notes, produce individualised treatment programmes for home use and produce teaching aids for junior staff and students.
Be responsible for the assessment and treatment of patients who may have complex and/or chronic presentation.
Determination of clinical diagnosis and physiotherapy treatment indicated.
Referral for further assessment/interventions to other health professionals.
Devising/prescribing individualised specialised exercise programmes.
Teaching and taking patients through the exercise programmes.
Monitoring progress (subjective and objective) adapting activities according to individual needs.
Teaching patient and relative/carer self-management of condition.
Delegating work and responsibilities appropriately to healthcare support workers and other colleagues.
Training other colleagues including health
care, social care, care home and third sector staff.
They will be required to be familiar with and to follow Department, University Health Board and statutory Policies and Procedures, and to liaise with the appropriate named individual in that Policy if at any time there are questions or suspicious circumstances arise.
The post holder will be responsible for the safe and competent use of all equipment (transcutaneous nerve stimulator), gym and hydrotherapy equipment (balls, weights, treadmill, static bicycle, floats), patient appliances and aids (walking frames, crutches, standing frames, sticks), balance and gait aids used by patients and comply with University Health Board Health & Safety Policies.
Work with and regularly teach, assess, and contribute to the performance assessment and appraisal of newly qualified physiotherapists (Band 5), rotational Band 6 and physiotherapy Health Care Support Workers as well as generic PT/OT health care support workers (Bands 3/4).
To be responsible for maintaining accurate, comprehensive, and up to date patient treatment records in line with the legal departments requirements and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Standards of Practice.
To communicate assessment and treatment results to the appropriate disciplines (allied health professionals, nurses, doctors, and others) in the form of letters, reports and verbal feedback use Word, PowerPoint, Excel ensuring patient confidentiality at all times.
To be actively involved in the collection of appropriate data and statistics (throughput, referrals, waiting list, outcomes) for the use of the Intermediate Care Service department as directed by the AHP Lead, Senior Physiotherapist or Head of Physiotherapy Services in collaboration with other directorates.
To participate in audit relevant to the Intermediate Care Service/Physiotherapy Service (clinical and administrative) as required.
To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of your own work, including the management of patients in your care.
