Clinical Specialist Respiratory Physiotherapist

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 20 January 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Respiratory Physiotherapy Team as our clinical specialist, working across 7 days and participating in the on call rota.

The post holder will be responsible for providing advanced therapeutic skills to patients across critical care, medicine and surgery for often complex patients. You will have responsibility for ensuring high standards of care are met by the team and treatment techniques are evidence based and current, providing appropriate training as required. Together with other senior respiratory staff, the post holder will act as a resource to the rest of the Physiotherapy service and wider multi-disciplinary teams aiming to improve the profile and maintain the quality of the physiotherapy service on critical care and the wards.

The post holder will help to support service delivery across all the Acute therapy teams which includes rehabilitation, respiratory and front door teams, as well as assisting with the management of the on call rota.

Main duties of the job

1. To work alongside the other band 7's to provide effective leadership and direction to the ITU and respiratory therapy team.

2. To develop the role and scope of the clinical specialist post in collaboration with the team lead.

3. To be able to perform advanced physiotherapy techniques by undertaking regular continued professional development to develop knowledge, skills and scope of practice to improve individual and service performance.

4. To prioritise clinical work and balance other patient related and professional activities as the department requires.

5. Contribute to clinical governance and clinical effectiveness within the ITU therapy team, promoting a continued drive towards improvements in patient care and experience.

6. To co-ordinate and oversee service development projects within the respiratory/ITU team to ensure service meets current NICE and ICS guidance, working closely with ICU matron and consultants

7. To establish and maintain links with the South West Critical Care Network and national networks and attend meetings as required.

8. To provide training for respiratory/ITU team and wider physiotherapy team.

9. Make recommendations and lead the implementation for changes to practice, based on research and the latest evidence

About us

Our STAR values - Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect - are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives.

Date posted

06 January 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

249-6872170

Job locations

Great Western Hospital

Marlborough Road

Swindon

SN3 6BB

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. To provide specialist assessment, treatment and management of a complex clinical caseload. Evaluate patient progress through the use of outcome measures and adjust treatment required to ensure effective discharge

2. To facilitate and co-ordinate patient pathways in a timely manner, completing relevant referrals, liaising with the multidisciplinary team and handover discharge plans to ward therapists. Liaise with health care professions to ensure smooth discharge, including GPs and district nurses.

3. To formulate and develop individually tailored physiotherapy treatment programmes/goals based on knowledge of evidence-based practice, sound clinical reasoning and treatment skills.

4. To provide expert knowledge and leadership in ventilator weaning, tracheostomy care and critical care rehabilitation. Provide training and education for staff.

5. To work effectively with all members of the MDT to provide holistic, patient-centred care

6. To lead MDT discussions and case conferences, promoting multi-disciplinary communication and working to ensure patients are receiving highest quality care

7. To train members of patients families, carers and nursing staff in correct manual handling and treatment procedures in relation to specific patients in your care.

8. To be involved where necessary with the washing, dressing and cleaning of patients if in association with treatment/assessment.

9. Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and carers, discussing treatment and discharge plans and ensuring expectations are appropriate.

10. Involvement in the collection and analysis of stats.

Financial Responsibilities

11. You are expected to co-ordinate, monitor and review the use of financial resources within your budget and identify any savings that can be made.

Responsibilities for People or Training

12. To be responsible for the recruitment and retention of staff for the Acute physiotherapy team.

13. To meet regularly with the Physiotherapy team to cascade information, seek opinions and facilitate team support.

14. Identify training needs of the team and yourself and encourage a culture of evaluation, reflective practice and audit towards service improvement.

15. To encourage staff to attend relevant training as identified in PDPs

16. To be instrumental in the delivery of the appraisal scheme for the staff you supervise and to ensure all the staff in your team have had appraisal and personal development plans.

17. To support and facilitate student training establishments by providing suitable student clinical placements and support for staff who supervise students.

18. To manage all staff mandatory training, sickness levels and AL through e-roster with the assistance of HR and OH

19. Responsibility for the provision of a high standard of practice and patient management for all patients using the Great Western Hospital where own specialist knowledge and skills could enhance patient care.

20. To improve the profile of Physiotherapy in collaboration with other senior team members by providing teaching and training to the wider MDT

Other Factors

21. To be responsible for all equipment used by and supplied by the therapists, including the regular servicing of all equipment and the upkeep of log books.

22. The staff member will be required to work their contracted hours over 7 days a week participating in weekend working and overnight on calls according to service needs

23. To carry out on-going assessments and treatments for a wide variety of conditions with moderate physical effort repeatedly during the day.

24. The job requires concentration for most of the day often with frequent interruption especially by phone or bleep. It will be stressful at times aiming to have discharge plans in place in a timely manner especially during periods of escalation.

25. You may need to treat patients who have high levels of anxiety and aggression caused by pain, dementia or limited mobility.

26. You may need to treat patients in isolation, requiring you to wear full PPE often for prolonged periods of time.

27. You will be required to work alone in some environments and manage both the clinical and personal risk.

28. The job involves frequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions on a regular (daily basis), e.g. bodily fluids including sputum, vomit, urine, and occasional exposure to verbal and physical aggression.

29. You will frequently be exposed to distressing and emotional circumstances involving patients and relatives and occasionally have to deal with patients and relatives following a serious, traumatic or terminal incident.

Ensure Trust clinical and non-clinical policies, procedures and guidelines are strictly adhered to at all times.