COPD/ LVR Exercise Practitioner - Royal Brompton Hospital

Job description

Job responsibilities

Educational Duties

1. To work under the Clinical Assistant Competency programme under the supervision of Physiotherapists, both gaining and maintaining the required knowledge and skills in the relevant technical and clinical procedures relevant to the role.
2. To develop and maintain knowledge of the speciality of COPD, particularly around exercise physiology and exercise training as well as the surgical pathways to continuously develop practical and professional knowledge that will support the delivery of care to this group of patients.
3. To be pro-active with regard to learning from physiotherapy staff, the wider MDT and other relevant staff within the Trust.
4. To be responsible for and actively record own personal and professional development, and to participate in the trust appraisal scheme annually.
5. To be willing to distil own knowledge and expertise to others, delivering teaching and education sessions to other staff when requested.
6. To actively participate in team projects, service development and in-house training.

Organisational and Professional Responsibilities

1. To support the day-to-day running of the Physiotherapy Team.
2. To participate fully as a team member, sharing knowledge and information and supporting colleagues, to promote a cohesive team.
3. To take responsibility for the organisation of the Physiotherapy home nebuliser scheme as required for patients, ensuring they have appropriate equipment and up to date guidance regarding cleaning and infection control.
4. To undertake patient-related administration tasks such as scheduling patient appointments (both for own caseload and for the wider specialist physiotherapists) and booking patient transport where needed.
5. To flexibly plan and organise own time and caseload, proactively adjusting plans and schedules according to staffing and other pressures.
6. To take responsibility for activity/ statistical data entry for own practice, supporting departmental activity monitoring.
7. To assist in the development of information and resources for patients and their families, particularly around exercise for COPD/ LVR patients.
8. To maintain of accurate and efficient written records of clinical activity according to local and trust policy.
9. Adhere to departmental and directorate procedures for the use of supplies and equipment, in order to promote the effective and efficient use of resources.
10. Assist in the restocking of supplies and maintenance of equipment as directed by a senior physiotherapist.
11. To maintain good and safe practise when handling specimens such as blood and sputum ensuring accurate labelling, safe handling and recording, enabling accurate reporting.
12. To manage clinical risk within own caseload at all times (including during lone working and when supporting virtual clients) and adhere to local risk assessment guidance.
13. To maintain safety in the gym, or rehabilitation space, through monitoring of equipment maintenance, stock levels, and the environment.
14. To practise within the lone working policy, when visiting and assessing patients in their own homes if required to do so for service needs.
15. Promote the corporate image of the Trust to all individuals, groups and organisations, both within the Trust and externally to the community at large.

Communication Expectations

1. The post holder will be involved in regular communication with patients both face to face, over virtual platforms and via telephone. It is expected within these contact that patients (and their families) will receive support, information, advice and motivation in a caring and emphatic manner.
2. Demonstrate a courteous and helpful approach to staff, patients and their families.
3. To evaluate and report all observations, patients responses and treatment outcomes to the specialist physiotherapists, monitoring and recording patients progress.
4. Take patient phone calls and seek advice from specialist physiotherapists when appropriate, and to use reassurance skills that require tact and persuasion on occasions.
5. To report untoward incidents and any other relevant information to a specialist physiotherapist or other appropriate staff member immediately.
6. To be able to communicate information where there may be barriers to communication and/or understanding (e.g. patients with cognitive impairment, non-English speaking patients, situations of excess noise or lack of privacy).
7. To pay attention to both verbal and non-verbal cues to enable more effective communication with patients.
8. To be aware of own limitations and inform a physiotherapist if asked to carry out a task without the appropriate training or capacity.

Information management

1. To participate in research, audit, and quality improvement programmes for adults within the LVR pathway working with the therapy team.
2. To be IT literate across a range of programmes and databases (and/or be willing to engage with training).
3. To undertake relevant training for electronic information systems in place and under development.
4. To use relevant IT systems in the support of patient care, including activity and equipment provision records and patient notes.

Other duties

• To be aware of and adhere to both Trust and local policies and procedures.
• To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade as requested.

Person Specification

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Good level of IT skills including MS office, spreadsheets / databases
• Time management and organisational skills
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• Motivational skills with ability to engage people around exercise

Experience & Knowledge

Essential

• Competence advising on exercise programmes
• Interest in chronic respiratory disease management
• Experience of working in a team
• Knowledge of exercise physiology and rehabilitation principle
• Experience of managing projects and / or carrying out audits

Desirable

• Previous experience working in healthcare
• Therapy or Health Care Assistant Experience
• Experience giving presentations to groups

Education

Essential

• Foundation degree in clinical assistant practice or Level III NVQ in care or formal exercise training qualification or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Clinical Assistant practitioner certificate/diploma

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Brompton Hospital

Sydney Street

London

SW3 6NP

Employer's website

https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx (Opens in a new tab)