JOB DESCRIPTION

Role: PHYSIOTHERAPIST Band 7 Reports To: Professional Lead Physiotherapist

Responsibilities Main Purpose of the job

The post holder will work as an integral member of the Physiotherapy Department within the Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT). He/she will work with the other Physiotherapists and Physiotherapy assistants to provide physiotherapy service to the Neurological Rehabilitation Unit as a whole. Within that role he/she will act as Team Leader for unit physiotherapy service.

The post holder will provide highly specialised physiotherapy management of both in-patients and out-patients with Neurological Conditions.

The post holder will be involved in conducting advanced physiotherapy assessments, treatment and diagnosis including identifying and discussing appropriate medical interventions such as administration of botulinum toxin, antispasmodics and analgesia.

The post holder will deputise for the unit therapy Lead when required and will assist in the development, promotion and co-ordination of the inter-disciplinary service.

Profile of the Clinical Area

A neuro Rehab Unit which offers an intensive and specialist rehabilitation to adults with Neurological Impairments and Respiratory Problems. There is a transitional ventilator unit offering tracheostomy care and the unit caters for patients with both physical and cognitive difficulties, which may include confusion, disorientation and agitation.

1. Clinical Responsibilities

To undertake physiotherapeutic management of in-patients and outpatients with Neurological Impairments using highly developed specialist knowledge. This includes assessment and analysis; goal planning; prioritisation; treatment on dry land and in hydrotherapy; objective measurement of progress; and post discharge advice and education.

To be responsible for the physiotherapy input in one clinical ward area, prioritising of workload and allocation of staff.

Supervise and delegate treatment programmes to physiotherapy assistants. To be an integral member of the inter-disciplinary team (IDT) setting IDT patient-

centred aims, goals and targets within comprehensive care packages. To act as Patient Co-ordinator which includes co-ordination and chairing of IDT

meetings (separate job description attached). Management of patients within the transitional Unit. This includes respiratory

assessment, treatment and planning and active contribution, as part of the team,

with the assessment and execution of the tracheostomy weaning and the decannulation process where appropriate.

To provide effective service delivery through the provision of professional leadership, supervision and guidance to physiotherapy staff and assistants within the unit.

Assessment and treatment of patients who are frequently highly dependent and require facilitation to achieve and progress their functional ability. To manage this safely involves ongoing risk assessment of difficult manual handling tasks.

Involvement, as required, in the IDT formulation of guidelines to assist in managing primary patients with challenging behaviour.

Provide, as an integral member of the inter-disciplinary team, ongoing support for the patient and their family / carers during the process of rehabilitation. This involves:

Ongoing education and assistance to both patients and carers in the understanding of the complex nature and effect of the injury sustained both short term and long term.Ongoing emotional support throughout the process of rehabilitation. This often includes assisting clients / carers through the grieving process.Involvement of family / carers in the rehabilitation process. This often includes the handing over of practical skills and care.

To undertake education and training of student physiotherapists as a trained clinical supervisor.

Assessment of home and discharge environments to establish their suitability and requirements for ongoing needs.

Referrals to other support/services as appropriate. To be responsible for keeping records according to departmental policy. To create patient reports e.g. discharge and progress reports. To develop and maintain a high quality physiotherapy service following the

principles of Clinical Governance, through recognised professional standards, evidence based practice, and effective clinical audit programmes.

To promote individual, professional and personal development of all physiotherapy staff members in the unit through supervision, IPR and training.

To maintain and be up to date with current practice and relevant professional issues and advice the Group physiotherapy lead on professional matters.

To liaise and work with other individual Heads of Discipline for all disciplines in the unit and the Unit Therapy Lead as appropriate.

Along with Unit Therapy Lead take responsibility for implementing appraisal, clinical supervision and performance management systems within the unit physiotherapy team according to Group company policies.

To participate in the clinical training programme. To drive forward outcome measurement according to organisational policy and

national targets and ensure that outcomes are continuously evaluated for the best practice.

To work with Unit Therapy Lead and the Group professional lead to recruit to and develop the provision of physiotherapy services within the unit.

To ensure a suitable supervision structure is in place and adhered to by the staff within this discipline and to provide such supervision to both qualified and unqualified staff within the discipline in liaison with the unit Therapy Lead as appropriate

To ensure that a relevant process is in place for unit physiotherapy staff to be meeting relevant training and supervisory standards

To ensure awareness of professional codes of conduct To ensure that all IPDRs are completed in accordance with Group policy To act in an advisory capacity to the professional Lead and group therapy Lead

with regard to new interventions and projects around the needs of the service users and to generally advice on relevant professional issues.

To actively promote the service throughout the Group and Unit by any means possible, including presentations and publications

To take an active role in the clinical governance strategy and provide representation at relevant service development and other meetings

This job description is not an exhaustive list of duties but is intended to reflect, and outline, the main responsibilities of the jobholder. Christchurch Group reserves the right to vary your duties from time to time or to require you to undertake additional duties in line with business needs.

Person Specification

The following criteria will be assessed from information provided on your completed application form (A), at interview (I) and/or by your referee (R)

Criteria Essential Desirable Assessedby

Education/Qualifications/Training

Diploma/Degree in physiotherapy.

State registration.

Evidence of a strong focus on continuing professional development.

A, I

Minimum of two years working as a band 6 physiotherapist.

A, R

Appropriate specialist postgraduate training in neurological rehabilitation.

Written evidence of Continuing Profession Development.

Appropriate specialist training in assessment and treatment of Neurological conditions.

A, I

Experience Knowledge or practical use of audit.

Experience in the assessment and treatment of complex neurological conditions and acquired brain injury.

Knowledge and experience of a range of approaches to the management of neuro-rehab patients demonstrated by advanced clinical reasoning.

Previous experience of work in an inter-disciplinary team (IDT).Experience of supervising other staff or students.

Experience in Neurological conditions

Experience of project work and identifying and implementing evidence-based practice.Experience of working in a Team Leader role.

Research experience.

A, I

Skills Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Innovative forward thinking approach.

The ability to prepare and deliver presentations to a group of people.

Computer literate including use of word, e-mail and internet services.

The ability to manage own workload and work independently.

The ability to write clear and concise patient reports.

The ability to communicate complex sensitive information about well being to anxious patients and relatives.

Committed to personal and team development.

Able to maintain judgement under pressure.

Audit and research experience.

A, I

A good standard of written and understood English is required to be able to undertake the relevant duties.

A, I

Other job related requirements

Valid Driving Licence A

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