Job summary
- Are you someone looking for a career in one of the UK's most respected mental health and learning disability trusts?
- Would you like to be part of a dedicated team committed to making a difference to peoples lives to enjoy a better future?
- Would you like to play a role in developing a new physiotherapy service from the start?
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the team at the new Regional Learning Disability and Autism Unit in Dawlish (The Brook).
The job offers a challenging yet rewarding environment with opportunities to consistently learn.
The Brook is a new regional service which will provide high quality care and treatment for people who have learning disabilities and complex mental health needs. You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to support the assessment and treatment of adults with a learning disability or autism on the unit.
These are the first NHS inpatient physiotherapy roles in Learning Disabilities and Autism in Devon so a rare and exciting opportunity to develop a service from the start.
We are committed to the ongoing training and development of all our staff and offer a range of opportunities for career progression.
The building and environment will be state of the art and the service aims to become a centre of excellence.
Main duties of the job
As a Specialist Physiotherapist in The Brook,
LDAU the post holder will:
- Provide
specialist inpatient physiotherapy for adults with a learning disability and/or
Autism as well as outreach into the community when access to generic
physiotherapy treatment is not appropriate for them.
- Use Specialist
Physiotherapy skills for assessment , advice and treatment of physical problems
which often occur in combination with other cognitive and/or sensory impairment
- Improve
mobility for people with physical disabilities through the assessment and
provision of specialist equipment e.g.
wheelchairs, postural support systems and other assistive technologies
- Work
closely with other multi-disciplinary team members, carers, other services and agencies
to promote physical health and wellbeing, enable community inclusion and
promote independence via assessment, care planning, individual interventions
and training
- Be an
active member of the multi-disciplinary and physiotherapy team and contribute
appropriately to all service requirements and developments
- Ensure
safe practice and adherence to Safeguarding policies and procedures
- Aid ward staff to work proactively to
reduce the incidence of falls
- Engage in clinical supervision from a
Specialist Physiotherapist in Learning Disabilities Services.
- Oversee an exercise professional in
delivering personalised exercise plans to maintain and improve physical health
About us
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication and Working Relationship Skills
- Relay complex, sensitive information to people with learning disabilities and their carers with empathy and in a way that they can understand
- Assess clients understanding of treatment proposals and their capacity to give informed consent and working within the legal framework when the client lacks capacity
- Contribute to and lead (as agreed) team and Physiotherapy meetings and represent physiotherapy at other relevant meetings when required
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with team colleagues and with relevant community partners.
- To maintain professional boundaries at all times with patients.
- Keep electronic records according to Trust policy
- Provide professional advice and consultancy to the manager, multidisciplinary team members, carers and other services.
- Use Total Communication practices to promote best possible communication with people with learning disabilities
- Maintain professional links and share skills with other Physiotherapists in Devon Partnership NHS Trust by participating in physiotherapy meetings, discussions and planning.
- To use own discretion as to when to liaise with other Physiotherapists in the locality for up to date advice on treatments and to work collaboratively for the needs of the patients
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
- Assess effectively clients with complex needs, analyse and interpret the assessment to plan appropriate treatment from a range of options
- Show clinical reasoning in documentation
- To contribute to the evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of audit and outcome measures.
- Identify and report risk issues, which potentially could affect the patients/clients health or social care needs or discharge options.
- To provide support for student physiotherapists and less experienced physiotherapy staff, social, health and education staff as delegated by the physiotherapist.
Planning and Organisational Skills
- Plan, prioritise and organise own workload and training sessions, with no direct supervision. As well as the workload of any staff supervised by the post holder, monitoring and adjusting activities and programmes as necessary.
- Participate in the planning, leading and organisation of service development projects
- Use effective time management skills to maximise productivity
- Planning and organising a broad range of Physiotherapy treatment interventions to meet patients individual needs for inpatient staff to follow, followed by reassessment of needs/monitoring efficacy of intervention plan with appropriate modifications made to the plan
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy
- Assess, develop, implement, monitor and evaluate specialist physiotherapy programmes as part of an overall care plan
- Apply specialist knowledge and skills to meet the needs of those with profound and complex needs including physical and sensory impairments.
- Contribute/lead relevant service user planning and review meetings
- Plan, adapt and lead groups when this is deemed a suitable method of service delivery
- Joint work with colleagues in and out of the team, as well as other relevant partner agencies, in a flexible, co-operative way as part of an overall treatment/care plan.
- Clearly and succinctly represent the role of Physiotherapy and share skills and knowledge with a range of other agencies (e.g. multi-disciplinary team members of Specialist Health Community Learning Disabilities Teams, Mainstream physiotherapy colleagues in Community Services, hospital teams and mental health services) to enable access to mainstream services wherever relevant.
- To contribute to discharge planning when patients are leaving hospital.
- Ensure all treatment records are completed according to Trust policy
- Practice according to the standards set out by the Health Professions Council
- Respond and contribute effectively and flexibly to occasional team emergencies and other urgent requests as directed by the Team LDAU Manager/Lead Physiotherapist
Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation
- Contribute to service improvement and development in The LDAU, community team, Physiotherapy service and wider LD Partnership, extending knowledge and skills of own practice.
- Ensure own continuing professional development is on-going and relevant to the post and is recorded according to professional and local protocols
- Keep up to date with essential training, supervision and annual appraisals in accordance with Trust policy
- Participate/coordinate research and audit activity as a means of contributing to the advancement of practice
- Contribute to the planning, organisation and maintenance and leadership of professional networks and interest groups to maintain and develop professional practice
- Keep up to date on relevant government and local policy and guidance in relation to best practice for learning disability and Autism
- Ensure all work is done in accordance with person-centred principles which promotes choice and empowerment
- To avoid any behaviour which discriminates against your fellow employees or patients on the grounds of sex, marital status, race, age, colour, nationality, ethnic, or national origins, religion or disability.
Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources
- Be responsible for ordering and maintaining equipment and consumables, as an accredited prescriber
- Ensure an up to date inventory is kept of all specialist Physiotherapy equipment held in the team.
- To ensure the safe and appropriate use of physiotherapy equipment by assessing safety before recommendation and use.
- Ensure cost-effective management of any delegated finance duties
- Report any health and safety issues to the LDAU Manager and Lead Physiotherapist
Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management
- Participate in regular management and clinical supervision to monitor and reflect on own practice and performance, completing any agreed actions.
- Ensure own continuing professional development, extending knowledge and skills of own Physiotherapy practice in learning disability and Autism. Record continuing professional development according to professional and local policies.
- Provide supervision and support to designated assistant staff
- Ensure efficient management of time and resources
- Contribute to the appraisals of staff the post holder supervises
- Participate in training of self and others as relevant to post
- To delegate work to train other health care professionals or less experienced staff, in the form of supervising exercise programmes, walking regimes, falls prevention
Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties
- Ensure all records are up to date and compliant with the data protection act and professional and organisational record keeping standards
- Use all available IT applications to enhance the communication of treatment plans to service users, MDT and carers
- Ensure care plans are up to date for patients and progress notes completed following interventions
Responsibility for Research and Development
- Assist in development of Team research initiatives
- Participate/ lead in core clinical governance activities by contributing to the planning, evaluation and audit of practice, clinical pathways and protocols within designated area.
- Maintain up to date knowledge of current trends, techniques and approaches in Physiotherapy
- Be involved in a professional clinical group
- Undertake audit and/or research projects for service and professional development on an annual basis
- Contribute to service improvement and development, extending knowledge and skills of own practice
Freedom to Act
- Work autonomously following protocols and codes of conduct and professional guidelines
- Manages specialist caseload
- Undertake one hour clinical supervision each month
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication and Working Relationship Skills
- Relay complex, sensitive information to people with learning disabilities and their carers with empathy and in a way that they can understand
- Assess clients understanding of treatment proposals and their capacity to give informed consent and working within the legal framework when the client lacks capacity
- Contribute to and lead (as agreed) team and Physiotherapy meetings and represent physiotherapy at other relevant meetings when required
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with team colleagues and with relevant community partners.
- To maintain professional boundaries at all times with patients.
- Keep electronic records according to Trust policy
- Provide professional advice and consultancy to the manager, multidisciplinary team members, carers and other services.
- Use Total Communication practices to promote best possible communication with people with learning disabilities
- Maintain professional links and share skills with other Physiotherapists in Devon Partnership NHS Trust by participating in physiotherapy meetings, discussions and planning.
- To use own discretion as to when to liaise with other Physiotherapists in the locality for up to date advice on treatments and to work collaboratively for the needs of the patients
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
- Assess effectively clients with complex needs, analyse and interpret the assessment to plan appropriate treatment from a range of options
- Show clinical reasoning in documentation
- To contribute to the evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of audit and outcome measures.
- Identify and report risk issues, which potentially could affect the patients/clients health or social care needs or discharge options.
- To provide support for student physiotherapists and less experienced physiotherapy staff, social, health and education staff as delegated by the physiotherapist.
Planning and Organisational Skills
- Plan, prioritise and organise own workload and training sessions, with no direct supervision. As well as the workload of any staff supervised by the post holder, monitoring and adjusting activities and programmes as necessary.
- Participate in the planning, leading and organisation of service development projects
- Use effective time management skills to maximise productivity
- Planning and organising a broad range of Physiotherapy treatment interventions to meet patients individual needs for inpatient staff to follow, followed by reassessment of needs/monitoring efficacy of intervention plan with appropriate modifications made to the plan
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy
- Assess, develop, implement, monitor and evaluate specialist physiotherapy programmes as part of an overall care plan
- Apply specialist knowledge and skills to meet the needs of those with profound and complex needs including physical and sensory impairments.
- Contribute/lead relevant service user planning and review meetings
- Plan, adapt and lead groups when this is deemed a suitable method of service delivery
- Joint work with colleagues in and out of the team, as well as other relevant partner agencies, in a flexible, co-operative way as part of an overall treatment/care plan.
- Clearly and succinctly represent the role of Physiotherapy and share skills and knowledge with a range of other agencies (e.g. multi-disciplinary team members of Specialist Health Community Learning Disabilities Teams, Mainstream physiotherapy colleagues in Community Services, hospital teams and mental health services) to enable access to mainstream services wherever relevant.
- To contribute to discharge planning when patients are leaving hospital.
- Ensure all treatment records are completed according to Trust policy
- Practice according to the standards set out by the Health Professions Council
- Respond and contribute effectively and flexibly to occasional team emergencies and other urgent requests as directed by the Team LDAU Manager/Lead Physiotherapist
Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation
- Contribute to service improvement and development in The LDAU, community team, Physiotherapy service and wider LD Partnership, extending knowledge and skills of own practice.
- Ensure own continuing professional development is on-going and relevant to the post and is recorded according to professional and local protocols
- Keep up to date with essential training, supervision and annual appraisals in accordance with Trust policy
- Participate/coordinate research and audit activity as a means of contributing to the advancement of practice
- Contribute to the planning, organisation and maintenance and leadership of professional networks and interest groups to maintain and develop professional practice
- Keep up to date on relevant government and local policy and guidance in relation to best practice for learning disability and Autism
- Ensure all work is done in accordance with person-centred principles which promotes choice and empowerment
- To avoid any behaviour which discriminates against your fellow employees or patients on the grounds of sex, marital status, race, age, colour, nationality, ethnic, or national origins, religion or disability.
Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources
- Be responsible for ordering and maintaining equipment and consumables, as an accredited prescriber
- Ensure an up to date inventory is kept of all specialist Physiotherapy equipment held in the team.
- To ensure the safe and appropriate use of physiotherapy equipment by assessing safety before recommendation and use.
- Ensure cost-effective management of any delegated finance duties
- Report any health and safety issues to the LDAU Manager and Lead Physiotherapist
Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management
- Participate in regular management and clinical supervision to monitor and reflect on own practice and performance, completing any agreed actions.
- Ensure own continuing professional development, extending knowledge and skills of own Physiotherapy practice in learning disability and Autism. Record continuing professional development according to professional and local policies.
- Provide supervision and support to designated assistant staff
- Ensure efficient management of time and resources
- Contribute to the appraisals of staff the post holder supervises
- Participate in training of self and others as relevant to post
- To delegate work to train other health care professionals or less experienced staff, in the form of supervising exercise programmes, walking regimes, falls prevention
Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties
- Ensure all records are up to date and compliant with the data protection act and professional and organisational record keeping standards
- Use all available IT applications to enhance the communication of treatment plans to service users, MDT and carers
- Ensure care plans are up to date for patients and progress notes completed following interventions
Responsibility for Research and Development
- Assist in development of Team research initiatives
- Participate/ lead in core clinical governance activities by contributing to the planning, evaluation and audit of practice, clinical pathways and protocols within designated area.
- Maintain up to date knowledge of current trends, techniques and approaches in Physiotherapy
- Be involved in a professional clinical group
- Undertake audit and/or research projects for service and professional development on an annual basis
- Contribute to service improvement and development, extending knowledge and skills of own practice
Freedom to Act
- Work autonomously following protocols and codes of conduct and professional guidelines
- Manages specialist caseload
- Undertake one hour clinical supervision each month
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Post qualification experience
- Experience of working with people with communication difficulties
- Experience in managing a diverse workload
Desirable
- Previous inpatient experience
- Student supervision
- Administration of standardised assessments
- Experience of working with people with learning disabilities and/or autism
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma/degree in Physiotherapy
- Good standard of literacy and numeracy
- Valid State registration with the Health Professions Council
- Evidence of on-going training and development in the theory and practice of Physiotherapy
- Evidence of relevant post graduate courses/CPD
Desirable
- European Computer Driving Licence/similar qualification or equivalent experience
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Post qualification experience
- Experience of working with people with communication difficulties
- Experience in managing a diverse workload
Desirable
- Previous inpatient experience
- Student supervision
- Administration of standardised assessments
- Experience of working with people with learning disabilities and/or autism
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma/degree in Physiotherapy
- Good standard of literacy and numeracy
- Valid State registration with the Health Professions Council
- Evidence of on-going training and development in the theory and practice of Physiotherapy
- Evidence of relevant post graduate courses/CPD
Desirable
- European Computer Driving Licence/similar qualification or equivalent experience
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
