Job responsibilities
To effectively communicate and liaise within the Trust and with external agencies, to achieve a coordinated and integrated approach to the care of the individual patient.
To hold responsibility for own caseload and to be responsible for the therapy input to the specialist service/specialty.
To undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner. Professional autonomy is the term describing the therapists ability to make decisions independent of other health care professionals. To hold responsibility for own caseload and be responsible for the therapy input to the service.
To act independently and use highly advanced clinical reasoning skills to assess and diagnose patients referred to the service. To facilitate optimal management of the patient using investigations, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based practice including discharge from the service.
To determine clinical indication and independently request specific medical procedures that are outside the recognised scope of therapy practice e.g. specialist x-rays, MRI imaging and blood pathology results, interpret results for patients.
To be responsible for appropriate referral of patients to other health professionals including consultants, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists, orthotists and other health and social service teams.
Provide and receive complex information relating to patients diagnosis, treatment and long term rehabilitation outcomes to patients carers and the multidisciplinary team (MDT).
To undertake a comprehensive highly specialist assessment of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations, multi-pathologies and co-existing psychological conditions; use advanced clinical reasoning skills, interpretation of available test results and manual assessment techniques to provide an accurate clinical diagnosis and develop and deliver an individualised treatment programme i.e. working independently to determine appropriate pathway of care for each patient.
Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients.
Formulate and deliver a highly specialist individual treatment programme based on advanced knowledge of evidence-based practice and treatment options using clinical assessment, reasoning skills and knowledge of treatment skills e.g. manual techniques, patient education, exercise classes, splinting, electrotherapy techniques, equipment and other alternative options.
To perform treatment techniques with a high degree of dexterity, precision and co-ordination.
Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment programmes if required. Formulate accurate prognosis and recommend best course of intervention, developing comprehensive discharge plans.
To use specialist counselling skills with patients, carers, partners and advocates. Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively and motivate patients, to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating. For example, patients may be dysphasic, depressed, deaf, blind or who may be unable to accept diagnosis or who are suffering psychological distress.
Use appropriate resources (e.g. interpreters) to communicate effectively with patients who have a different first language and provide an equitable treatment programme to patients of differing cultural and social backgrounds.
Analyse and understand the impact on the patient and their therapy treatment of various treatment plans/diagnosis from other disciplines. This includes interpreting medical and psychological assessment & understanding the effects of complex interventions. To manage clinical risk within own patient caseload and that of more junior staff.
Undertake evidence-based audit and research projects to further own and teams clinicalpractice. Make recommendations to operational manager of service for changes to practiceby the team, lead the implementation of specific changes to practice or contribute to service protocols.
To be responsible for initiating the updating of clinical guidelines and protocols within area of speciality in line with evidence based practice and national guidelines.
To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of patients in your care.
To work within Trust guidelines and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) guidelines, COT (College of Occupational Therapists) and HCPC (Health & Care Professions Council) and have a good working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor own and others quality ofpractice as appropriate.
To set a high standard in maintaining accurate and comprehensive patient treatment records in line with the professional standards of practice, Trust and Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST) requirements.
To train, supervise and manage the performance of more junior staff as applicable.
To ensure the appropriate delegation ofcaseloads to assistants following the trusts and professional guidance on delegation of tasks, ensuring levels of competence as identified by Therapy Services.
Represent individual patients at the multi-disciplinary team meetings, to ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated multi- disciplinary service, and integrate therapy treatment into the treatment programme. This will include discussion of patient care, patient progress and involvement in discharge planning.
To provide highly specialist advice on patient care to other health and social care professionals.
This may involve challenging or requesting changes to treatment programmes /care plans set by other professionals. To be a source of clinical expertise and advice for other therapycolleagues.
To be an active member of the out of hours services, where appropriate.
To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities, and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development.
To be responsible for identifying clinical training needs in area of speciality and designing a programme to address them.
Provide support, guidance and training to therapists and assistants, assessing and evaluating competence.
Maintain and develop current knowledge of evidence-based practice in the areas of speciality.
Participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraiser and appraisee and be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development programmes to meet set knowledge and competencies.
Undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of evidence-based practice projects, audit and outcome measures, from this be able to make recommendations for and implement change
Undertake and promote research into specific areas of clinical practice and service delivery using a range of research methodologies as part of MDT audit and departmental research initiatives.
To be responsible for teams contribution to the Therapy Services annual audit plan.
Be actively involved in professional clinical groups, such as Clinical Interest Groups, Peer Review Groups and other professional development activities.
To prioritise own area of work, balancing other patient related and professional demands and ensure that these remain in accordance with those of the area of responsibility.
To supervise and co-ordinate more junior staff on a daily basis.
To monitor and approve annual leave in area of responsibility, maintaining appropriate clinical cover.
To contribute to Therapy Services management of sickness absence in line with Trust policy.
Ensure that you own practice and that of staff under your supervision meet the required professional standards of therapy practice.
Be responsible for the safe and competent use of equipment by patients and staff, through teaching, training and supervision of practice.
To undertake routine electrotherapy checks as appropriate.
Be responsible for the effective selection and use of all treatment resources available in area of work. To advise on alteration in resource requirements in line with best practice.
To be responsible for organising and planning priorities for own work areas, re-adjusting plans as situations change/arise.
To treat the patients within specified departmental response times.
The post-holder may be required to undertake other duties not specified within the Job Description but within the general scope of the post as determined by the Group Manager Therapy Services.
To produce in accordance with professional guidelines appropriate legal and medical reports and support more junior staff with report writing.Ability to carry out assessments with moderate to intense physical effort for several long periods on a daily basis.
To comply with the Trust Manual Handling Policy and local therapeutic handling guidance at all times.
To deal sensitively with patients who have high levels of anxiety and aggression caused by pain, dementia, limited mobility or alteration in functional ability or life expectancy.
Frequent requirement for prolonged concentration during patient assessment and treatment.
The job involves frequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions on a daily basis, e.g. bodily fluids, including sputum, vomit, urine, fleas and lice and occasional exposure to verbal and physical aggression.
