Job responsibilities
This
post holder will be outpatient based and will assist in exercise prescription
and planning of rehabilitation programmes for patients who have been referred
to the physiotherapy department at by the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Consultants
and also self-referring staff members at LTHT.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES
& AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
To provide highly skilled support
work with people requiring rehabilitation.
To deliver onsite and virtual
training programmes tailored to the patients needs and if applicable their
post-op instructions and restrictions.
The successful candidate will play a
key role in the monitoring, implementation and evaluation of physiotherapy
rehabilitation programmes and packages of care.
May involve ordering of equipment and
or orthotics to assist the patient.
May involve leading and assisting
with group exercise and advice sessions.
Assist in the formulation and
updating of evidence based protocols and guidelines.
The successful candidate will be
required to ensure effective communication is maintained at all times as there
may be sensitive and complex communication needs for certain patients.
Assisting the team in developing and
promoting quality evidence based practice and contributing to the effective
treatment of patients in accordance with the Leeds Way.
The post holder will be responsible
for managing their own individual caseload which will be varied and on
occasions require prioritisation to best meet the service demands.
To work to competencies and local
protocols and understand local communication networks. This includes making
judgments around what may or may not be significant changes in a patients
condition, involving observation and engagement skills and whether or not to
report to the MDT. This may involve recognition and appropriate response to
emergency situations. Follow standard operating procedures (competencies).
To undertake aspects of work as an
autonomous practitioner within this specialist field with patients who have
diverse/complex/multi pathological/ varying abilities and presentations.
Contribute to discharge of an
individual and advise them as to their
future rehab needs. This will include the provision of advice and
information on how to
self-manage their condition
Carry out and provide feedback on
specific plans of care activities i.e. act on own initiative when delivering
patient care, with mechanisms in place for supervision.
Promote effective communication with,
for and about individuals i.e. patients, other team members and other
services/agencies in a manner appropriate to the setting and the individuals
needs. This may involve adapting methods to overcome barriers to understanding.
Communication may be verbal, written or electronic.
Complete records for individuals i.e.
Maintain contemporaneous medical records (written & electronic) in line
with Trust policy. This includes the ability to take accurate referral
information.
Relate to & interact with
individuals using encouragement, sensitivity, support and interventions as
necessary. Maintain effective communication with your team and others you come
into contact with. Able to give appropriate feedback to referrers as to the
relevance of and response to the referral.
Comply with legal requirements for
patient/client confidentiality.
Prepare for and participate in
quality audits. Contribute to and carry out quality audits as necessary.
Contribute to the development of
organisational policy and practice i.e. make recommendations to implement
practice development plans and raise the standards of practice delivery.
Ensure your own actions, support the
equality, diversity, rights and responsibilities of individuals; Staff should
ensure that their actions support the aim of the Trust in ensuring that all
patients are protected from significant harm, abuse and neglect, within the
framework of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
Maintain professional conduct
including appearance at all times.
Manage and organise your own time and
activities i.e. organise and plan your own day to day work , including
allocated caseload, whilst coping with occasional last minute changes.
Prioritise your own workload and assist other members of team when workloads
vary.
Carry out your responsibilities at
work including taking responsibility for daily running of a specific aspect of
the service, which is appropriate to experience and level of expertise.
Reflect on & develop your
practice i.e. participate in clinical supervision and maintain your reflective
portfolio to Directorate standards.
EDUCATION
AND TRAINING
To
provide advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other
professionals, to promote understanding of the aims of treatment, and to ensure
a consistent approach to patient care.
To
be an active member of the in-service training programme. You will be responsible for the provision of
teaching to peers on a range of subjects through the delivery of in-service
training sessions, tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses
and peer review.
Maintain
and develop current knowledge of evidence based practice in this specialist
clinical field.
To
be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through Continued
Professional Development activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects
your own personal development.
To
regularly undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current
practices through the use of evidence based practice projects, audit and
outcome measures, either individually or with colleagues. Make recommendations for change as
appropriate.
To
demonstrate an understanding of clinical governance and risk management and
apply to work situation.
To
maintain own continuing professional development (CPD) by keeping abreast of
any new trends and developments, incorporating them as necessary into your
work.
Participate
in regular supervision.
Once
the probation period is passed, participate annually developing and agreeing
your own development plan with your Line Manager using the Trust Appraisal.
Comply
with all Trust policies, procedures and protocols.
Seek
advice and support from Line Manager whenever necessary.
SPECIAL WORKING
CONDITIONS
PHYSICAL EFFORT:
Frequently
throughout the day there will be a requirement to undertake moderate physical
activity lasting approximately 30 60 minutes e.g. demonstration and treatment
sessions involving executing exercises, transferring, manoeuvring, mobilising
patients.
Treatment
sessions may require this post holder to undertake moving and handling tasks
with patients where mechanical aids are not practical or appropriate
PHYSICAL SKILLS
The post requires highly developed physical
skills to be able to perform and demonstrate the intricate movements required
by patients within their rehabilitation programme and to then link this to
evidence based practice and recognised best care policies with targeted
individualised patient specific and patient centred rehabilitation
programmes. Physiotherapy is moving away
from manual therapy due to a lack of clear evidence and is favouring an
exercise based approach. The Strength
and Conditioning practitioner should be able to use their physical and
co-coordination skills to educate patients, and also apply hands on corrections
to lifting and exercise techniques combined with effective teaching and
communication skills. Use of equipment
within the gym such as, squatting racks, exercise machines, resistance bands,
hand held electronic dynamometers and other equipment will allow the Strength
and Conditioning practitioner to collect data on each patients performance,
analyse this data and modify individualised evidence informed rehabilitation
programmes.
MENTAL EFFORT:
Patient
clinical interventions will last up to 1hr per session including detailed
clinical documentation and liaising with other agencies. On occasion this will be in conjunction with
another therapist, but frequently this will be as a lone worker.
EMOTIONAL EFFORT:
Occasional
exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances,
Dealing
with patients who have had complex multiple traumas with multiple surgeries, or
chronic conditions can be distressing at times. These patient may present once
a week or once a month or not for a long period. So its difficult to say
exactly when they will arise, but are certainly prevalent in physio and
therefore this Strength and Conditioning role.
WORKING CONDITION
Exposure
to unpleasant working conditions or hazards is rare.
The
post will be completed mainly at SJUH gym, with some work and car use in the
community at Leisure Centre. Emergency use of a vehicle is not required.
