Job responsibilities
*To be an autonomous practitioner, professionally and legally responsible for all aspects of your work including the assessment, diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and discharge of a caseload
*To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the children under your management, adhering to agreed departmental standards, national protocols/policies and the CSP Professional Code of Conduct and support less experienced colleagues to do likewise
*To use clinical knowledge and experience to undertake the comprehensive assessment, and differential diagnosis of children with a range of physical difficulties/multiple pathologies requiring the ability to make sound and at times complex clinical decision.
*To formulate, evaluate and review individual specialised physiotherapy management and treatment plans using clinical reasoning skills and knowledge of diagnosis and a wide range of treatment skills appropriate to children and young people with physical difficulties, working at all times in partnership with parents, preschool/school staff, and if appropriate the children themselves
*To provide advice on specialised Physiotherapy interventions for a range of complex paediatric conditions based on theoretical knowledge and relevant practical experience
*To recognise when intervention from other professionals is indicated and make appropriate referrals
*To effectively manage own caseload including responding to urgent requests/referrals, prioritising clinical work and balancing other patient related and professional activities in accordance with service standards and patient needs
*To provide advice to the LA, school staff, parents and other agencies including the voluntary sector on the development of policies and practice to facilitate physical abilities, aiming for inclusion, socialisation and the maximisation of education for all children with physical difficulties
*To maintain accurate and comprehensive case notes and records which would stand up to legal scrutiny and provide a full account of the child's care
*To ensure that all those involved in a child's care i.e. preschool/school staff, other professionals, parents are kept fully informed of the service provided and the progress made through the provision of information, regular and timely reports and input to the LA Annual Review process
*To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with colleagues in health and education to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary service. This includes attending school development meetings, case conferences, annual reviews as appropriate
*To support the LA in fulfilling their statutory duty to meet the needs of each child in accordance with their Education, Health and Care plans. To provide professional advice on contentious cases, writing witness statements and attending Tribunals if required with the support and guidance of senior staff
*To demonstrate a working knowledge of legislation and guidelines pertaining to the field of physiotherapy including SEN procedures, Child Protection
*To manage conflict and potentially stressful, upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner, dealing appropriately with grieving and at times angry parents
*To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible, complying with the Trust Complaints Procedure at all times.
*To be able to work in a variety of environments including clinics, schools, playgroups and patients homes which will involve the necessity for on-site risk assessment and compliance with lone working guidelines
*To form productive relationships with others who may be under stress and/or having difficulty in accepting a diagnosis
*To employ appropriate strategies to manage children who may present with unpredictable and/or challenging behaviour
Communication
*To demonstrate the ability to communicate complex and sensitive information in an understandable form to children/young people, parents and other staff including imparting unwelcome news
*To enable others (e.g. parents, preschool/ school staff) to deliver effective therapy programmes by offering observation, explanation and demonstration, identifying barriers to understanding and using persuasion, negotiation and teaching skills to gain consent, cooperation and develop competence
*To advise preschools/schools and other agencies on staff training and development needs to ensure that all staff are competent to implement therapy treatment plans, understand the importance of posture and mobility in its widest context and therefore provide supportive environments
*To contribute to the production and delivery of core and specialist training to preschool/school staff, other agencies, the voluntary sector and health colleagues
*To maintain accurate and comprehensive case notes and records which would stand up to legal scrutiny and provide a full account of the child's care
*To ensure that all those involved in a child's care i.e. preschool/school staff, other professionals, parents are kept fully informed of the service provided and the progress made through the provision of information, regular and timely reports and input to the LA Annual Review process
*To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with colleagues in health and education to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary service. This includes attending school development meetings, case conferences, annual reviews as appropriate
*To support the LA in fulfilling their statutory duty to meet the needs of each child in accordance with their Education, Health and Care plans. To provide professional advice on contentious cases, writing witness statements and attending Tribunals if required with the support and guidance of senior staff
Administrative
*To share information with others, observing data protection guidelines
*To collect and provide accurate and timely activity data, information and statistics as required
Knowledge, Education and Training
*To develop competence as a recognised clinical specialist within an agreed designated area, providing advice and information to other Physiotherapists and professionals, including education staff and parents
*To provide clinical supervision and training to PT students on placement, up to and including their final year, supporting the Universities in determining fitness to practice
*To maintain own clinical professional development by keeping abreast of new trends and developments, incorporating them into working practice where possible, to ensure the continued development of professional competence/performance, and maintenance of HCPC and CSP registration. To be proactive in seeking learning opportunities both internally and externally to maintain and update knowledge and skills
*To participate in the Trust appraisal scheme, evaluating personal and service performance and agreeing on objectives which are in line with service and organisational goals
*To disseminate knowledge to physiotherapy staff through in-service training and be available for training other professionals as required
Management and Leadership
*To provide support and mentoring to less experience colleagues.
Quality and Service Improvement
*Identifies situations of clinical risk and takes appropriate action to ensure a safe environment for patients/clients/families and staff.
*Contributes to evidence-based practice in speciality areas.
*Demonstrates commitment to quality improvements, risk management and resource utilisation participating in monitoring and evaluation activities including audit and research activities
*Provides input into clinical standards/protocols and policies and undertakes clinical audits as required.
*Evaluates the effectiveness, efficiency and safety of clinical practice contributing to service improvement initiatives.
*Participates in the implementation of models of care appropriate to patient/client population needs.
*Contributes to and participates in Solent NHS policy development providing own expertise where relevant and feedback on proposed polices based on relevant experience and expertise where applicable.
*Participates in case review and debriefing activities as required.
*Participates in group/unit discussions that review current practice.
*Contributes to the development of programmes of care/care packages providing specialist advice where relevant.
*Promote patient and public involvement in activities designed to inform service improvement
*Actively participate in clinical audit and service improvement activity to improve patient care and patient outcomes (privacy, dignity and duty of candour).
*Fully adheres to the Solent NHS trust Integrated Clinical and Safeguarding Supervision policy along with Safeguarding Children and adult policies, and information sharing protocols to ensure the health and well-being of children and adults at risk.
*Familiarity with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act and maintains MCA mandatory training.
