Job responsibilities
Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached.
We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process.
Job Summary
Undertakes a musculoskeletal assessment of patients including those with highly complex presentations and from this formulates a diagnosis and treatment plan which is carried out as an autonomous practitioner.
Takes a role in the supervision, teaching and appraisal of rehabilitation assistants, students and other members of the multi disciplinary team.
Participates in evidence based projects, assists in implementing changes within designated team/area and setting and monitoring standards of practice.
There may be a requirement to work in other areas of the trust if the service requires it.
Key Responsibilities:
Clinical
To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of the practitioner's professional activities
To take responsibility for the assessment, treatment and advice of patients referred by senior medical staff, General Practitioners or other health professionals including extended scope practitioners.
To interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts to form accurate diagnoses, prognoses and recommend best course of intervention in a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions.
To be responsible for own case load and maybe consulted for advice and guidance by junior team members and other health care professionals.
To continually reassess patients in order to progress treatments effectively and advise patients, employers and occupational health departments on the appropriate time to return to work, sports and other activities
To co-ordinate intervention which may include other disciplines; advises and educates patient/carers/relatives/other health professionals
To manage clinical risk within own caseload at all times
To be responsible for maintenance of accurate electronic records using the Rio system, to include progress and discharge reports to medical referrers as required.
To use knowledge to refer to other health disciplines as appropriate
To demonstrate physical ability to carry out assessment and interventions including manual therapy techniques and therapeutic handling
To be competent in assessing a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions based on theoretical knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology, often in situations where conflicting evidence is present.
To be able to competently design, deliver and modify exercise prescription as a key component of MSK care.
Management/Leadership
To be responsible with other team members for competent use, repair and maintenance reporting of all equipment and patient appliances in the clinical area.
To ensure that all accidents and complaints are reported to the Team Lead immediately and that appropriate action is taken by those concerned.
To comply with all Trust policies and procedures and the Health and Safety at Work Act, including adherence with Infection Control measures.
To be responsible for the daily supervision of designated staff including staff appraisal and performance management.
To assist the Team Lead in the efficient day to day management of the musculoskeletal outpatient department.
To supervise the professional development of designated staff.
To supervise undergraduate physiotherapy students as required.
To participate in the Trust Appraisal Scheme, both as appraisee and as an appraiser.
To attend and, when requested lead in departmental staff and peer group meetings.
Research and audit roles
To participate in audits in the department's ongoing audit and appropriate work related research/ evaluation projects in areas relevant to the clinical field
To ensure good working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor quality as appropriate
To participate in appropriate work related research projects and in clinical trials as required.
Education, experience and workforce development
To maintain a CPD portfolio reflecting personal professional development.
To be responsible for own personal professional development and keep abreast of new clinical practices in the musculoskeletal field.
To maintain compliance with statutory and mandatory training in line with trust guidance.
Training responsibilities
To be involved in and at times lead the provision of teaching to peers, students and other multi-disciplinary teams on wide range of subjects within the musculoskeletal field.
To keep abreast of evidenced based practice in the musculoskeletal area by use of relevant reading, attendance at in-service training, external courses etc.
Planning and organisation
To flexibly plan and organise own time to include patient care, training, supervision and meetings. This should be reflected in individual job plan.
To provide an efficient and effective MSK service within the clinical area by appropriate management of the caseload.
To monitor on-going treatments to ensure that appropriate decisions are made regarding patient care.
To ensure that the agreed quality standards of service, based on professional guidelines and standards are maintained and to work with the Team Lead in this area.
Communication requirement
To be able to motivate and persuade others through advanced communication skills, with the benefit of verbal and non-verbal skills, using written and electronic information where needed
To demonstrate the ability to communicate complex and sensitive information to patient, carers and other staff, where there may be barriers to communication i.e. non-English speaking patients; patients with learning difficulties.
To maintain close links, communication and liaison between all staff and people involved in patient care, student education, research or policy development as appropriate and promote good working relationships at all times
To impart complex information to small groups of people, for example in class and training sessions, using a variety of methods of communication
To be able to manage potentially stressful, upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner
To actively participate in meetings as appropriate.
To demonstrate the ability to share and disseminate knowledge with colleagues.
To liaise with and advise other members of the MSK pathway as appropriate
Key Working Relationships
To develop and maintain close working relationships with colleagues, referring clinicians and other disciplines within Southern Health FT and the wider ICS.
General
To work in other areas of the Trust as required.
To undertake such duties as may be required from time to time as are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade and the needs of the service.
Confidentiality:
In the discharge of their duties, the post holder may often be in possession of confidential/personal information and must not disclose or discuss such information outside their place of work, or within their place of work except in the proper discharge of their duties. Failure to observe confidentiality may result in disciplinary action.
Policies and procedures:
Employees will be made aware of trust/Department policies and procedures and ensure that they are adhered to at all times, e.g. Standing Financial Instructions, Guidelines, Standing Orders.
Health and Safety:
The Trust draws to the attention of its employees their responsibility to take care of their own safety. The health and Safety at Work Act states that each employee must:
Take reasonable care of the health and safety of themselves and of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.
To co-operate with the employer as regards any duty or requirement imposed on them, so far as is necessary to enable that duty or requirement to be performed or complied with.
Ensure that they do not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interest of health, safety or welfare.
Attend health and safety training on a regular basis.
The Trust has a No Smoking Policy that prohibits any smoking whilst at work.
Risk Management:
All members of staff have a responsibility to ensure the effectiveness of risk management within the Trust.
Equality and Diversity:
The post holder is expected to contribute to the creation of a working environment where everyone feels respected, valued and treated with dignity.
Improving Working Lives:
The post holder is expected to support the Improving Working Lives initiatives being undertaken by the Trust, which are aimed at improving the work/life balance for all staff.
Review:
The duties of the post, which may not be totally exhaustive, will be reviewed regularly in conjunction with the post holder, especially in the light of;
changing service needs
the setting of objectives at the beginning of each financial year
the requirements of the Trust's Business Plan and associated documents
Identified individual development needs
