Job responsibilities
JOB TITLE:
Reseach Physiotherapist
LOCATION:
Odstock Medical Limited (OML), Laing Building, Salisbury District Hospital SP2 8BJ
HOURS:
Full time
(37.5) (part time or job share considered, split 2.5 days a week research 2.5
days clinical FES service)
SALARY:
Dependant on experience
ANNUAL LEAVE:
24 days per annum (plus Bank Holidays)
CONTRACT:
Permanent
Job Purpose
To act as
the blinded assessor on the STEPS II project.
This multi-site randomised controlled trial, funded by the National
Institute of Health Research, will investigate the effect of FES on
Bradykinesia on people with Parkinsons.
To assist with the development and assessments of new FES techniques and
bring them to clinical service. To
participate in ongoing research projects of OML and assist with the development
of new research. This will involve some
travel within the UK.
To assist with the development and assessments of new FES techniques and
bring them to clinical service. To
participate in ongoing research projects of OML and assist with the development
of new research. This will involve some
travel within the UK.
To provide physiotherapy input to patients attending the National
Clinical FES Centre. The service provides
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for clients with neurological
impairment and includes the application of FES for upper and lower limb
management as well as other specialist applications.
To deliver training and mentorship to internal and external FES
clinicians through OML FES accreditation courses, conferences and exhibitions.
To showcase OML products and services and advocate FES as a valuable adjunct in
the management of patients with neurological conditions to optimise wellbeing, independence and quality of life.
JOB STRUCTURE
Reporting to the Clinical Director and STEPS II Chief Investigator, Paul
Taylor, after training, you will be working as an autonomous Clinician as a part of both outpatient FES and the Research Team.
There is no on call requirement and only occasional weekend teaching
commitment. A limited amount of flexible
working can be accommodated once all clinical competencies and initial training
have been completed.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Within the
STEPS II project: Clinical Director/STEPS II Chief Investigator, Peninsula
Clinical Trials Unit, Researches at Universities and clinical sites who are
part of the STEPS II project.
Within OML: Managing
Director, Specialist Physiotherapists, Clinical Scientists and Biomedical
Engineers, Technical and Admin team.
Within
Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust; Department of Clinical Science and Engineering
and Research Department.
KEY TASKS
RESEARCH RESPONSIBILITIES
The post holder
will act as the blinded assessor on the EME / NIHR funded STEPS II project for
the Salisbury site. This study
investigates the clinical effectiveness of Functional Electrical Stimulation to
improve the mobility of people with Parkinsons disease. The post holder will
be responsible for recruiting and consenting participants, liaison with
participant identification centres, performing all blinded assessments and
recording of the resulting data. The research
will be conducted in accordance with the Research Governance Framework for
clinical trials and in accordance with the International Conference on
Harmonisation Good Clinical Practice (ICH GCP) guidelines. The postholder will assure that the rights,
safety and wellbeing of trial participants are protected.
The STEPS II will
be completed in mid 2026. After this time
the post holder will continue to work on FES related research within OML
The post holder
will:
Work with the Principal Investigator to set up the STEPS project.
Use relevant knowledge to perform all research procedures according to protocols
and extend this experience to support others in the research team and other
health care professionals where appropriate.
Be accountable for the assessment, planning, organisation and ongoing
care of research participants, whilst maximising compliance.
Set up and maintain a study trial file for the project, and ensure
responsibility for completion and/or maintenance of standards of documentation
in accordance with the legislation.
Participate in meetings with other centres involved in STEPS II Project
and attend national and local investigator meetings to update knowledge and
share data.
Provide information and support to patients and carers relating to the
research protocol, procedures and treatment, follow-up and ensure that informed
consent is obtained.
Conduct all research trial procedures, assessments and data collection in
strict compliance with the trial specific protocols and interpret these results
to assess care needs.
Maintain patient safety by reporting research adverse events in a timely
manner.
Contribute to developing and maintaining research Standard Operating
Procedures and communicating any changes to those affected by them (e.g. the
research team and supporting departments).
Abide by the post holders relevant Professional Code of Practice
CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITES
Following
extensive induction and training to attain FES competencies the post-holder
will assess and treat a caseload of FES patients and maintain associated
records, as an autonomous practitioner.
Assessment and treatment of neurotherapy patients
including planning and delivery of group exercise.
To be professionally and legally responsible for
all aspects of own work including managing clinical risk .
To carry out assessment and treatment of patients
as an autonomous practitioner using clinical reasoning skills .
To deliver clinical support to clinicians using FES
in external clinics/hospitals.
To complete Individual Funding Request forms which
assist in gaining funding for patients appropriate for FES.
Responsible for maintenance of accurate written
records using clinical pathways and use of computerised data collection and
records and comprehensive progress/discharge reports to GPs and CCGs.
To be able to manage potentially stressful,
upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner as they arise.
EDUCATION AND MENTORSHIP
To support the OML FES accreditation programme
which delivers courses to health professionals which mostly include Physiotherapists,
Occupational Therapists, Orthotists and Clinical Scientists.
Provide mentorship and support to FES clinicians
calling into the centre, visiting clinic or at other centres.
Provide advice and education to healthcare
professionals at exhibitions and conferences.
To support the development and promotion of OML
services and activities.
To ensure clinical competencies are met for
rotating Clinical Scientists on the NHS Scientist Training Programme.
Participate and contribute to clinical governance
sessions.
Through individual performance review (IPR) and
in-line with HCPC registration requirements maintain and develop CPD activities.
SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
In
conjunction with clinical team consider service development opportunities and
methods to ensure effectiveness of patient care for FES patients and therapy
patients.
NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH
Clinical input and user involvement in New Product
Development projects.
Involvement in research projects and initiatives
which explore novel applications of FES and increase the FES evidence-base.
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND
EXPERIENCE
The post-holder will be HCPC
registered and a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
A least 2 years experience
post-graduation.
Experience in FES is an advantage
but not essential as training will be provided.
Experience in treating
patients with neurological conditions.
Evidence of CPD in
neurological conditions.
Able to identify the role that
neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and FES can play in the management
of neurological conditions.
Able to motivate and inspire research
participants, patients, carers and FES practitioners as individuals and groups.
Computer skills.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Excellent communication and
interpersonal skills.
Able to adapt communication
strategies to the needs of individuals.
Able to identify and employ
effective presentation skills.
Able to plan and manage time
effectively in changing/developing environment.
Team player who works well
with other professional groups.
Able to work independently and
use professional autonomy effectively.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Able to employ frequent
moderate effort to assist neurologically impaired patients in undertaking 1:1
therapy and FES related activities.
To be willing to visit research
partners and FES services to provide clinical and research support when
required as directed by the Clinical Director.
To be willing and available to
attend conferences, exhibitions and training courses across the UK (with full
remuneration of any expenses).
Able to give sustained
concentration in both clinical and non-clinical activities and deal with
challenging emotional situations.
