Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities:
To be responsible for the efficient, effective and safe management of all patients referred to their section.
To receive referrals, undertake full assessment and independently plan individual, specialized, evidence-based, treatment programmes for patients appropriately depending on the Physiotherapists diagnosis, using clinical reasoning and a variety of highly specialist skills such as use of respiratory adjuncts, posture and seating management.
To carry a significant clinical caseload including highly complex and diverse patient groups such as patients with SMA, DMD, LGMDs, and FSHD.
To prioritise work efficiently taking into account clinical and service priorities using highly specialist knowledge to underpin decisions.
T to provide individual patient equipment as required, such as, walking aids, splints and supports. To issue such equipment with due regard to safety of the equipment, and in line with legal, national and local guidelines
To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work, and of the team, including management of clinical risk, knowledge of indications and precautions of chosen techniques in line with national and trust clinical guidelines, protocols and pathways where they exist.
To use recognized outcome measures to evaluate the effect of the Physiotherapy interventions and ensure the treatment programs are progressing appropriately.
Advise, guide and teach assistant, junior and band 6 staff, assessment and management of patients with a wide range of neurological conditions and related problems.
To develop new working practices and local guidelines and keep abreast of new techniques in relation to the management of the patients in this specialty particularly in line with any national guidance e.g NICE guidelines.
To lead on production of clinical guidelines and local policies ensuring evidence-based, implemented and audited.
To provide guidance and advice to other professions and bodies involved in the provision of neurological services and to the patients and their carers.
To be an active member of the on-call, weekend duty rotas, and cover of statutory and public holidays including working as lone Physiotherapy practitioner at night.
Communication:
To be able to persuade and motivate patients through effective communication skills.
Provide patients, families and other carers with specialist advice or instruction to promote the understanding of the aims of Physiotherapy and to ensure consistent patient management.
To provide and receive information from patients, carers and other professionals regarding a patients condition and treatment progress. This will include the sharing and receiving of some complex and/or sensitive information.
To communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise rehabilitation potential and to improve understanding of the condition which will require the appropriate response to the patients level of communication, facilitating the best possible communication outcome e.g. use of interpreters.
To develop and maintain close working relationships with other members of the team, ensuring appropriate attendance at ward rounds, multi-disciplinary meetings and case conferences including occasional organisation of the latter.
To provide recommendations of clinical management and highly specialist advice to the MDT and external organisations.
To develop and maintain close working relationships with Physiotherapy colleagues (particularly other neurological and respiratory Physiotherapist in Kings), referring clinicians and other appropriate professions and agencies in the provision of neuromuscular services.
To ensure open lines of communication within own team and guide junior staff in effective communication skills.
To be responsible for local management of informal conflicts, disagreements and complaints.
To represent the department and profession at trust-based working groups e.g. KHP Muscle and Nerve Group and provide highly specialist knowledge to those groups.
To represent the Trust at regional events or meetings e.g Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Neurology and develop best practice at Kings through liaison with other regional specialists/colleagues and other relevant forums such as: the annual KCH/ KCL Neuromuscular Symposium and the SE Network for MD UK including Northstar and SMA reach meetings
Administrative Responsibilities:
To ensure staff are aware of appropriate outreach services, available for patients, by investigating and documenting services e.g. community services
To maintain comprehensive and accurate patient notes and records in accordance with departmental policy and to ensure the safe keeping and confidentiality of these records.
To keep comprehensive records of activity in accordance with local and national requirements.
To book appointments for patients in the absence of reception support.
To manage waiting lists, timely booking of annual follow up appointments, and monitoring when this has not been completed.
To write legal reports if required.
To be aware of the cost/benefit implications in the selection of appropriate equipment to be provided for patient long-term use.
All employees must hold an 'nhs.net' email account which will be the Trust's formal route for email communication. You are therefore required to check this regularly and to deal with such communication promptly.
Leadership:
To represent the Trust at regional events or meetings e.g Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Neurology and develop best practice at Kings through liaison with other regional specialists/colleagues and other relevant forums such as: neuro critical care, MS forum
To deputise for the Clinical Lead Physiotherapist.
To have an active role in effective team working in the Physiotherapy department, leading, assisting and supporting other team members
To take an active part in departmental meetings e.g. contribute to discussion, take on the role of Chair, contribute to the development of departmental policies and procedures
To manage workload and assist other members of the team to make appropriate priorities so that staff are not under undue pressure, particularly in times of annual, sick or study leave.
To be involved in the recruitment process, particularly interviews and skills assessment.
To undertake any other duties commensurate with grade as requested by the Physiotherapy Manager or Clinical Lead Physiotherapist.
Research and Service Development:
To contribute to the formulation of departmental policies and procedures and participate in agreed developments in the Physiotherapy service or its organisation.
To initiate and implement changes to working practices related to research findings or service initiatives e.g. following demand and capacity work including evaluation of such changes and data collection as mandated for new SMA medications.
To undertake clinical audit, report on findings and after discussion with the clinical lead, implement changes and re-audit.
To have a sound knowledge of Clinical Governance and have an active role in clinical effectiveness and audit within the department, taking a lead role as required.
To identify and advise the Physiotherapy Manager and Clinical Lead Physiotherapist of actual or potential changes in service requirements or delivery.
Education and Training:
Be a clinical educator by being responsible for the training and professional development of under-graduate students seconded to the Department as requested by the Physiotherapy Manager and provide written reports on their progress and competence.
Prepare and participate in lectures, seminars and demonstrations to other Physiotherapists, student
Roster, encourage and facilitate the development of evidence-based projects.
To train and assess competence of any new Physiotherapy assistant
To assess competence of nursing staff in some clinical techniques
To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities, using reflective practice and maintain a portfolio that indicates personal development.
Governance/ Quality Control:
To develop new working practices and local guidelines and keep abreast of new techniques in relation to the management of the patients in this specialty particularly in line with any national guidance
To lead on production of clinical guidelines and local policies ensuring evidence-based, implemented and audited.
To undertake clinical audit, report on findings and after discussion with the clinical lead, implement changes and re-audit.
To have a sound knowledge of Clinical Governance and have an active role in clinical effectiveness and audit within the department, taking a lead role as required.
