Job responsibilities
The post holders key responsibility is to work autonomously as an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner (APP) and Physiotherapist on behalf of LGT.
The APP is a highly experienced clinician who independently manages a significant and highly specialised clinical caseload. Areas of work might include the Musculoskeletal Community Assessment, Triage and Treat Service (MCATS) based at UHL, the MSK physiotherapy departments based at Queen Elizabeth or Lewisham hospital, or other areas as required. APP staff provide clinical leadership to physiotherapy staff working in the musculoskeletal outpatient team. To achieve this, the post holder works in close collaboration with the Physiotherapy Outpatient Team Lead (as applicable), and APP colleagues.
The post holder assists in leading a rolling programme of education, clinical evaluation, audit and research across the speciality.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
CLINICAL
1 To be responsible for the delivery of advanced physiotherapy clinics, working autonomously.
2 To use advanced clinical reasoning skills and skills beyond the scope of Physiotherapy ie requesting x-rays, MRI, US scans and blood tests, to aid diagnosis and plan management of patients.
3 To act as a source of expertise in the management of musculoskeletal conditions and provide an advisory service to patients, other ESPs, senior Physiotherapists, other healthcare professionals, GPs and consultants.
4 To be involved in triaging of referrals as required.
5 To be an autonomous practitioner and an expert clinician in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of patients.
6 To develop and maintain skills required to work at a level beyond the scope of practice of Physiotherapy. This includes referring patients for x-rays, blood tests, MRI scans, ultrasound scans blood tests etc. Where applicable, to be skilled and competent in injection therapy and independent prescribing.
7 To be aware of the boundaries of own extended scope of practice and to manage the associated clinical risk effectively at all times.
8 To follow up the results of clinical investigations, discuss these with the Consultants and communicate results to the patient when appropriate, arranging further management as necessary.
9 To work with medical staff and the service manager in developing the strategic and operational management of the MSK physiotherapy service.
10 To use a highly advanced theoretical and evidence based knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology and clinical reasoning to assess and diagnose patients, often in situations where conflicting evidence is present.
11 To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients, in the MSK outpatient Physiotherapy service, and to organise this efficiently and effectively with regard to clinical priorities and use of time, ensuring a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management and under the management of the staff for whom you are clinically responsible.
12 To demonstrate physical ability to carry out highly skilled physiotherapy assessments and interventions including a wide range of therapy techniques and therapeutic handling.
13 To co-ordinate intervention which may include other disciplines, including advising and educating patients, carers and relatives.
14 To provide specialist advice and guidance regarding MSK conditions to other health care professionals, both within and outside the Trust.
15 To be responsible for ensuring that quality standards and effectiveness of patient care are continually improved by self and designated team through formal and informal facilitation / staff development.
16 To propose policy changes concerning the management of patients with MSK conditions in conjunction with the Outpatient physiotherapy team leads and hospital Consultants.
17 To work with the Lead Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist in developing the strategic and operational management of the musculoskeletal physiotherapy service.
18 To assess patients capacity, gain valid informed consent to treatment and where such capacity is lacking/absent to work within a legal framework in the management of the patient.
19 To ensure accurate, comprehensive and up to date clinical records are maintained in accordance with Trust guidance and professionally agreed criteria.
20 To use recognised outcome measures to evaluate the effect of physiotherapy interventions and ensure that treatment programmes are progressing appropriately.
21 To ensure that individual practice and that of the team is user focused and patient views are incorporated into treatment planning.
22 To produce comprehensive patient related reports for other disciplines or agencies relating to assessment findings and/or treatment outcomes.
23 To undertake the measurement and evaluation of own work through audit, outcome measurement, the application of evidence based practice and research where appropriate. To identify and initiate audit projects to review current clinical practice within the pathway.
WORKFORCE
1 To provide expert advice, guidance and support, both spontaneous and planned, to other physiotherapists in the physiotherapeutic management of patients with more complex musculoskeletal problems.
2 To be responsible for the daily management, supervision and co-ordination of designated team, including staff appraisal, performance management, informal grievance management.
3 To assist with shortlisting and act as a panel member in staff recruitment.
4 To assist the Lead Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, in conjunction with other senior staff, in the efficient day to day management of the physiotherapy service.
5 To use prioritising and time management skills to meet the unpredictable and conflicting needs of the service.
6 To ensure clear and open channels of communication exist within the physiotherapy pathway team. To ensure the cascade of ideas and information to all pathway staff.
7 To initiate and maintain communication links, collaborative working patterns with other nationally recognised experts and networks in the speciality.
8 In the absence of the physiotherapy lead to organise, plan and lead physiotherapy pathway meetings and to attend staff and managerial meetings as requested.
9 To contribute to the clinical induction of physiotherapy staff.
10 To maintain and provide accurate and timely activity information both as an individual and for the designated pathway. To do this in accordance with local and national requirements to help inform service delivery and evaluation.
11 To adhere to the policies and procedures of the Trust and Physiotherapy service.
12 To ensure that staff are aware of and comply with Trust policies and procedures undertaking action as necessary.
13 To be responsible for the clinical standards of the physiotherapy staff reporting to the post holder within the designated pathway.
14 To facilitate effective team working within the pathway, leading, assisting and supporting other team members.
15 To ensure all incidents, accidents and complaints within the pathway are reported and documented in the appropriate timeframe and in line with Trust policy. To ensure senior physiotherapy managers are made aware of all incidents, accidents and complaints.
16 To participate in the Trust individual performance review processes as both appraiser and appraise. To be responsible for the appraisal and professional development of physiotherapists within the designated pathway, ensuring all pathway members have a comprehensive development plan.
17 If requested to represent the physiotherapy service at Trust service development meetings to ensure specialist physiotherapy advice and guidance is included in new service proposals.
18 To undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as requested by senior physiotherapy managers.
