Senior Physiotherapist- Community

Senior Physiotherapist- Community rehabilitation (

Band 6) Responsible to

Physiotherapy

Clinical Team Leader Accountable to

Neighbourhood Operational Lead Purpose To work as a member of the multi-disciplinary Community Rehabilitation teams. To undertake advanced assessments, clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients within the speciality who are requiring rehabilitation. These patients often have complex and / or chronic presentations. To work as an autonomous practitioner to undertake a significant specialist clinical caseload, working without direct supervision. Access to a senior Physiotherapist is available if required and clinical work is not routinely evaluated. To take a role in supervision and teaching of physiotherapists within clinical speciality. To demonstrate leadership skills and contribute to service development, monitoring of standards of practice and developing multidisciplinary management of patients.

Principal duties to include

To communicate effectively with all disciplines involved in a patients care both those from within the organisation and those outside to ensure effective multidisciplinary working. This will include discussion of patient care, patient progress and involvement in discharge planning. To communicate effectively with all disciplines involved in a patients care both those from within the organisation and those outside to ensure effective multidisciplinary working. This will include discussion of patient care, patient progress and involvement in discharge planning. To be able to communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, carers and other staff including imparting unwelcome news relating to their rehabilitation potential and gaining consent for treatment. To communicate any changes in care plan or treatment approach to physiotherapists and other disciplines as necessary. To ensure timely and effective communication with the Community rehabilitation team manager and senior staff on all professional matters. To maintain accurate records in line with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy standards and organisation and service standards and policies. To attend relevant meetings as appropriate in order to ensure appropriate management and effective and timely discharge of patients. To attend staff meetings and actively participate ensuring understanding of information imparted. Assess patients understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment. To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients in order to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes. This may include patients who will have difficulties in understanding or communicating, e.g. patients who may be deaf, blind, or be unable to accept diagnosis or presenting condition or who have cognitive and behavioural problems. To appreciate cultural differences and take these into account when agreeing treatment plans with patients. To manage frequently highly stressful conditions, i.e. critically ill patients, those who have had major trauma and patient deaths. To manage patients who may be occasionally aggressive or confused. To be able to manage potentially stressful, upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner. Analytical / Judgmental Skills To undertake comprehensive assessments of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations / multipathologies. To use investigative and analytical skills to assess complex patients and support other more junior Physiotherapy staff with their patients as required. To devise individualized physiotherapy management and / or treatment plans, using clinical reasoning skills. Responsibilities for human resources including personal and people development To work as part of the community rehabilitation team to provide an efficient and effective service. To supervise junior physiotherapy staff where appropriate, physiotherapy or therapy assistants. To evaluate own and others practice and identify own and others development needs. To participate in the appraisal scheme as an appraisee and appraiser. Participate in the supervision of students. Deputise for the team leader when required. To provide training of junior staff, students, or assistants / technicians, other therapists, nursing staff and care workers within the clinical area. To be responsible for and actively record your own personal development. To ensure professional competence is maintained by participating in all CPD opportunities and maintaining a portfolio. To participate in any training sessions as a recipient and facilitator. To disseminate any training received to other staff and health care professionals. Health, safety and security To monitor and maintain health, safety and security of self and others. Responsible for identifying and assessing potential risks involved in work activities and processes for self and others. To ensure completion of relevant risk assessments and associated documentation. To take appropriate action, reporting actual or potential problems that may put health and safety and security at risk. To be responsible for the safe use of equipment used in carrying out physiotherapy duties adhering to organisational and department policies and procedures. To be aware of risks involved as part of delivering clinical care and manage this within own patients case load. To demonstrate a good understanding of clinical governance and clinical risk, actively participating in clinical governance groups. Responsibility for Policy and Service Improvement / Development To implement, within your clinical practice, standards and policies in each specialty and where applicable propose changes to working practice. To assist the Community rehabilitation team manager in the monitoring of standards and policies of clinical practice for the team and evaluate outcomes. Responsibility for Audit / Research & Development To participate in appropriate work related evaluation projects and to be aware of current research relevant to the specialty. To undertake and present relevant evidence based projects. To participate in any relevant clinical governance projects and audits. To evaluate your own clinical effectiveness. Quality To maintain the high standards of the service by contributing towards individual, team and service objectives. To maintain a high standard of clinical care using evidence-based practice by keeping up to date with clinical developments, analyzing current research and discussing and implementing changes in your clinical practice. Freedom to Act To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your professional activities working within the codes of practice and professional guidelines. To work as an autonomous practitioner to undertake a significant clinical caseload, working without direct supervision. Access to a senior Physiotherapist is available if required and clinical work is not routinely evaluated. Equality, diversity and rights Responsible for supporting a culture which promotes equality and diversity. Planning and organisational tasks / duties To plan effectively the daily management of a caseload of patients by prioritising clinical work, responding to urgent referrals and occasionally unpredictable work patterns. To be able to prioritise clinical work and managerial work and balance other patient related and professional activities as the department requires. Patient Care Responsibilities To undertake specialist assessments of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations / multiple pathologies and to assess patients jointly with other members of the multidisciplinary team. To use sound clinical reasoning skills, manual assessment techniques and diagnostic procedures to assess and develop treatment programmes. To devise individualized physiotherapy management and / or treatment plans, using a range of treatment / management options, to include patient education and exercise and use of groupwork / classes if required. To formulate accurate prognoses and recommend best course of intervention, developing comprehensive treatment and physical management plans, liaising with community teams. To evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment programmes if required. To evaluate the outcomes of your interventions. To demonstrate the physical ability to carry out physiotherapy assessments and interventions, including manual physiotherapy techniques and therapeutic handling. This includes frequent light to moderate physical effort. Responsibility for financial and other physical resources Responsible for the safe and effective use of equipment and resources that are used in the course of work. Responsibilities for information resources To maintain accurate and timely statistical information as required by senior staff and managers. To be responsible for the accurate input of clinical information onto the organisation IT system.