Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To undertake the advanced and comprehensive assessment of patients including those with complex presentations/multiple pathology, using investigative, analytical and advanced clinical reasoning skills to formulate individual physiotherapy management and treatment plans.

To use a wide range of specialist treatment skills in line with evidence based practice and maintain records as an autonomous practitioner in line with required standards.

To accept responsibility for patients presenting with pelvic health conditions and organise management effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time, when there are conflicting pressures at short notice.

To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work including management of patient’s caseload.

To provide leadership to and development of staff within the Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Team at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

To recognise and monitor any performance issues of staff adhering to the Trust’s informal and formal HR policies.

To participate in the investigation of informal complaints within own area with support from the Professional Lead, providing evidence as required to formulate a trust response.

Provide specialist advice, teaching and training to other members of the multidisciplinary team regarding physiotherapeutic management of patients within the specialist area.

Actively participate in development of policy or process changes within Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the district wide multidisciplinary service, and as team leader, ensure staff implement policy and service development changes. This will include developing an integrated service across external organisations.

To ensure high standard of clinical care to all patients with a pelvic health diagnosis and support less experienced staff to do likewise.

To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients and carers to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes, including with patients and carers who may have communication difficulties, sensory impairments or who may be unable to accept diagnosis.

To be responsible for the management of staff rotas and leave for staff in the team.

To ensure efficient time management of team to meet performance targets.

To make recommendations for relevant skill mix of staff to meet service needs.

To monitor and support with controlling outpatient waiting lists in conjunction with the senior team as well as supporting reporting outcomes on a monthly basis.

To contribute to collection and collation of data to produce relevant statistical information on service delivery. Evaluate where improvement is required, initiating and reviewing change where appropriate.

To write and review patient information and resources in line with changing evidence based professional consensus and in consultation with the relevant MDTs for use with a range of conditions.

To demonstrate a sound understanding of clinical governance and risk management and apply to work situation.

To deputise for other senior professionals within the interdisciplinary team and offer advice and assistance as appropriate.

Decide priorities for work area, balancing other patient related and professional demands and ensure that those remain in accordance with those of the Physiotherapy Service.

To work within Trust and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) Guidelines, have a good working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor own and other qualities of practice in liaison with senior physiotherapists.  

To maintain own continuing professional development [CPD] by keeping abreast with new developments and research and incorporate them as necessary into own work as well as the whole team.

To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with physiotherapy, medical, nursing and other Multidisciplinary Team colleagues to ensure a co-ordinated service. 

To be responsible for maintaining accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date documentation, in line with both HCPC and CSP Standards of practice as well as local standard requirements.

To communicate assessment of treatment results to appropriate disciplines in the form of reports and letters. 

Be actively involved in the collection of appropriate data and statistics for audit and for departmental and Trust use.

Be aware of Health and Safety aspects of own work including prompt recording, reporting and investigation of accidents.

Be responsible for the safe and competent use of equipment by patients, relatives and staff through teaching, training and supervision of practice.    

Participate in staff appraisal scheme and be responsible for complying with agreed personal development plan to meet knowledge and competencies. 

To ensure that other members of the team have regular appraisals and assist them to work towards their PDP and career development.

To be an active member of the in-service training programme to develop other team members both clinically and managerially by the attendance and delivering presentations and training sessions at tutorials, training sessions in-house, and by attending external courses and practicing reflective practice.

To be an active member of an out of hours’ emergency on-call / weekend service.