Job responsibilities
Job Purpose
1 To lead a varied and mixed neurological outliers physiotherapy service of assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of patients in the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. The caseload will comprise of inpatient neurological outlier patients throughout the trust.
Job Summary
1 To undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner.
2 To perform highly specialist physiotherapeutic assessment of patients with diverse presentations and complex physical and psychological conditions; to provide a provisional diagnosis and develop and deliver an individualised treatment programme.
3 To take responsibility for own caseload, being responsible for a defined area ofthe service, providing support to more junior members of your team. Formal supervision is comprised of regular in-service training, appraisal, clinical reasoning sessions, documentation and caseload reviews and observation of clinical assessment / treatment or related discussion.
4 To lead the team and participate in evidence based audit/research activity to further the teams clinical practice within each rotation. To make recommendations to the lead in-patient therapist for any changes to practice by the team.
5 To supervise senior and junior physiotherapists, physiotherapy assistants and physiotherapy students in the clinical setting.
- To work closely with highly specialist neuro outpatient physiotherapist
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1 CLINICAL
1.1 To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of your own work, including the management of patients in your care.
1.2 To undertake a comprehensive, and holistic, assessment of patients including those with complex presentations / multi-pathologies.
1.3 To use manual and other assessment techniques and clinical reasoning skills to provide an accurate diagnosis of patients' conditions and identify their problems.
1.4 To assess patients' understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informedconsent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients wholack the capacity to consent to treatment.
1.5 To use clinical assessment and reasoning skills combined with a specialist knowledge and clinical experience of patho-physiology, evidence-based practiceand treatment strategies to provide an effective treatment plan and goals incollaboration with the patient.
1.6 To evaluate patients' progress, re-assess and alter treatment programmes as required.
1.7 To formulate accurate prognoses and liaise with the multi-disciplinary teamregarding discharge planning, where necessary, to ensure safe, timely and effective discharge from hospital, or following an outpatient episode of care.
1.8 To be responsible for the safe and competent use of gym, electrotherapy, manualhandling and respiratory equipment, as well as the use of other aids and appliancesby patients in your working area, ensuring that any Band 5&6 Physiotherapists andassistant staff attain competency prior to use.
1.9 To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication skills to communicateeffectively with patients during assessment and treatment. To communicateappropriately at all times with all individuals in a respectful manner.
1.10 To use active listening and optimum communication skills to discuss patientsconcerns, worries and prognoses with them and their families, for example patients who have progressive, degenerative or terminal illnesses and those with newlyacquired disabilities.
1.11 To be an active member of the respiratory on-call & weekend rota.
1.12 To provide advice to medical and nursing staff and other members of the multi-disciplinary team regarding patients' respiratory conditions, when working on the acute wards.
1.13 To supervise and delegate to assistant staff and Band 5&6 Physiotherapists.
1.14 To work within Trust, departmental and CSP guidelines, ensuring a good working knowledge of national and local standards.
2 MANAGEMENT
2.1 To maintain an accurate and evaluative record keeping system in accordance with the Trust and departmental policies, and which can be used for audit and legal purposes.
2.2 To be responsible for organising, prioritising and planning your own caseload tomeet service needs and patient priorities, adjusting plans as situations arise.
2.3 To identify and manage clinical risk within your own patient caseload and clinicalarea.
2.4 To comply with all Trust policies and procedures, and the Health & Safety at Work Act, and the Data Protection Act. To report on complaints, accidents and clinicalincidents to the immediate senior as soon as possible.
2.5 To be familiar with and comply with local fire procedures.
2.6 To be familiar with all Trust and Therapy emergency and precautionary procedures, on site, and to respond as necessary eg. hydrotherapy, emergency resuscitation, infection control etc.
2.7 To ensure that all equipment defects are reported to the Therapy Manager immediately, and that appropriate action is then taken.
2.8 To advise and demonstrate to carers, nursing and other staff on the safe manual handling, positioning and moving of patients.
2.9 To provide training on the use of equipment and management of conditions forcarers, nursing and other staff when necessary.
2.10 To be responsible for the supervision and co-ordination of students, junior staff and assistants on a day to day basis.
2.11 To make appropriate referrals to other health professionals following assessment / identification of need.
2.12 To participate in the managerial matters of the unit and department as required, and to attend staff meetings.
2.13 To participate in the induction programme for all new staff where appropriate.
2.14 To undertake additional duties as may be deemed necessary, as requested by theIn-patient team lead PT.
3 EDUCATION AND TRAINING
3.1 To participate in the individual performance review (appraisal) and KSF schemeand be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development plan tomeet set goals.
3.2 To be responsible for maintaining your competence to practice and StateRegistration through C.P.D. activities and maintaining a portfolio which reflectspersonal development.
3.3 To supervise junior & senior physiotherapists and assistants, being actively involved in their supervision and appraisal, reporting performance issues to the in-patient lead PT.
3.4 To participate in and contribute to the in-service education programmes of the specific rotation and of the department.
3.5 To participate in mandatory and statutory training, having an awareness of andcomplying with Trust and departmental procedures.
3.6 To attend Trust in-house training sessions / programmes and external courses asappropriate.
3.7 To contribute to the education of Therapy Assistants when necessary.
3.8 To be responsible for the clinical education of student physiotherapists, teachingthem to graduate level on physiotherapeutic skills and knowledge within the coreclinical areas, reporting performance issues to a relevant person.
4 COMMUNICATION
4.1 To participate in staff meetings, ward rounds, seminars/case conferences, multi-disciplinary team meetings and other meetings of the specific unit and Therapydepartment as required, providing a clinical opinion about specific patients.
4.2 To maintain close links with the Therapy Manager and In-Patient Lead Physiotherapist, as well as maintaining close working relationships with other disciplines within the hospital to ensure optimal patient care and management.
4.3 To ensure close links of communication / liaison with the Therapy Manager, senior staff, schools of physiotherapy and all other disciplines involved in patient care, both in the hospital and in the community, and to promote good working relationships.
4.4 To provide comprehensive discharge summaries and patient reports whenrequested by Doctors and outside bodies.
4.5 To participate in IT training and be able to use therapy computer software.
4.6 To encourage health promotion within the Hospital and Community by example andadvice to individual patients.
4.7 To deal with any verbal and telephone complaints from patients, relatives or carers,ensuring necessary documentation. To report on any such complaints to thein-patient lead PT as soon as possible.
5 RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND AUDIT
5.1 To supervise senior and junior members of staff to undertake a relevant evidence based project within your rotation, where possible developing improvements to clinical practice
5.2 To be involved, with the clinical team, in clinical / organisational audits, ensuringquality standards of service are maintained.
5.3 To be aware of current research and best evidence relevant to the clinical speciality, and incorporate it into your treatment.
5.4 To participate in appropriate work related research / evaluation projects based onevidence, to assist with the development of the service within the clinical team.
5.5 To work with members of the team to identify needs and develop the service andpolicies.
