Job responsibilities
Job Summary:
To undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner.
To perform physiotherapeutic assessment of patients with diverse presentations and complex physical and psychological conditions - to provide a provisional diagnosis, develop and deliver an individualised treatment programme.
To take responsibility for own caseload, being responsible for a defined area of the service, with access to a senior physiotherapist. 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. When working as part of the emergency duty rota no supervision is available.
With the team, to participate in evidence based audit / research activity to further the team's clinical practice within each rotation.
7-day working for Therapies is under development within the Trust and it is anticipated that the postholder will be required to work at weekends on a roster basis during some of the above rotations.
To provide a physiotherapy service - including assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of patients in the Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust.
To participate in the rotation scheme, which involves working across the Trust in a range of clinical areas including ward and outpatient settings.
Key Result Areas & Performance:
- 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 includingthose with complex presentations / multi-pathologies (e.g. acutely ill, paediatric, elderly, orthopaedic and neurological patients).
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 who lack the capacity to consent to treatment.
1.5 To use clinical assessment and reasoning skills combined with a knowledge of patho-physiology, evidence-based practice and treatment strategies (e.g. breathing exercises, suction, respiratory treatment modalities (NIV, IPPB and CPAP), positioning, manual and neurological techniques, exercise, patient education, care pathways, electrotherapy, hydrotherapy, group work etc.) to provide an appropriate and effective treatment plan and agreed goals.
1.6 To evaluate patients' progress, re-assess and alter treatment programmes asrequired.
1.7 To formulate accurate prognoses and liaise with the multi-disciplinary team as appropriate regarding discharge planning 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 andrespiratory equipment, as well as the use of other aids and appliances by patients in your working area, ensuring that any Assistants also attain competency prior to use.
1.9 To take responsibility from the Senior Physiotherapists for managing patientswith particular conditions, and be responsible for providing physiotherapyassessment and treatment plans for patients with these conditions within each rotation.
1.10 To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication skills to communicate effectively with patients during assessment and treatment. This will include patients who have difficulties in communicating e.g. patients who are depressed, deaf, blind, have cognitive and/or communication impairments, require interpreters or those who are unable to accept their diagnoses.
1.11 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 illness and those with newly acquired disabilities.
1.12 To communicate appropriately at all times with all individuals in a respectfulmanner, eg people who are confused, aggressive or who hold different cultural beliefs.
1.13 To be an active member of the on-call & weekend rota.
1.14 To be confident and competent to undertake the assessment and treatment ofacutely ill patients with respiratory problems who may have a complex presentation, and maintain associated records, when working on the emergency duty rota and inpatient rotations.
1.15 To provide advice to medical and nursing staff and other members of the multi-disciplinary team regarding patients' respiratory conditions, when working on the emergency duty rota and inpatient rotations.
1.16 To supervise and delegate to Assistants and provide training when appropriate.
1.18 To work within Trust, departmental and CSP guidelines, ensuring a good working knowledge of national and local standards.
1.19 To ensure your practice meets the required high professional standard ofphysiotherapy practice.
- 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 to meet service needs and patient priorities, adjusting plans as situations arise.
2.3 To identify and manage clinical risk within your own patient caseload and clinical area.
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 clinical incidents 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, and to respond as necessary, e.g. hydrotherapy, emergency resuscitation, infection control etc.
2.7 To ensure that all equipment defects are reported to the Senior Physiotherapist / Therapy Manager immediately, and that appropriate action is then taken.
2.8 To advise and demonstrate to carers, nursing and other staff safe manual handling, positioning and moving of patients.
2.9 To provide training on use of equipment and management of conditions for carers, nursing and other staff when necessary.
2.10 To participate in the induction programme for new Band 5 and Band 6 staff where appropriate.
2.11 To make appropriate referrals to other health professionals following assessment / identification of need.
2.12 To undertake additional duties as may be deemed necessary, as requested by the Senior Physiotherapist in the specific rotation (e.g. covering additional meetings, classes and clinics when necessary).
- EDUCATION AND TRAINING
- To comply with the requirements of the Band 5 Knowledge and Skills Framework outline.
3.2 To participate in the individual performance review (appraisal) scheme and to be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development plan to meet set goals.
3.3 To be responsible for maintaining your competence to practise and Health Professions Council Registration, through C.P.D. activities and maintaining a portfolio which reflects personal development.
3.4 To participate in and contribute to the in-service education programmes of thespecific rotation and of the department.
3.5 To participate in mandatory and statutory training, having an awareness of and complying with Trust and departmental procedures e.g. emergency resuscitation, hydrotherapy resuscitation, fire evacuation and manual handling procedures.
3.6 To attend Trust in-house training sessions / programmes and external courses as appropriate.
3.7 To contribute to the education of Therapy Assistants when necessary.
3.8 To contribute to the clinical education of physiotherapy students by participating in observational visits, and supporting senior physiotherapists in their role as clinical educators.
