ACCOUNTABILITY       

To the Directors of Therapies and IMPReS

Staff will cover the Band 5 rotations across ELHT. This will involve travel across all sites and peripheral clinic settings. To work hours as required over 7 days on each rotation.

JOB SUMMARY

To be responsible for the assessment, treatment and management of patients within an assigned area of the physiotherapy service across ELHT.

DUTIES

• Work as an autonomous practitioner in the assessment and management of patients.

• Maintain adequate records of assessment, treatment and progress of their patients.

• Organise their clinical caseload in an effective and efficient manner within defined area of the service or a particular patient type with available and ongoing support from a Senior Physiotherapist.

• Communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing, therapy, social services staff, and others to ensure the delivery of a coordinated multi-disciplinary and multi-agency approach and facilitate and maintain good working relationships.

• Contribute towards the physiotherapy service objectives in providing  quality patient care and maintaining physiotherapy standards. 

• Maintain and develop clinical and professional knowledge and skills in line with HCPC standards and in line with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
  
  
• Take an active part in the in-service training programme, keep up to date with core mandatory training, maintain a portfolio of CPD and to participate in the preceptorship programme and facilitate physiotherapy teaching commitments where appropriate.

•  Facilitate the education of Physiotherapy students. 

• Participate in research activities e.g. journal clubs, evidence based practice and clinical audit as required.  

• Ensure that up to date written and electronic records, activity data are maintained in accordance with professional standards and organisational guidance. 

• Supervise assistants and technical instructors working with the team. 

•  Assist with the induction of new staff. 

• Participate as an autonomous practitioner in the emergency ‘On Call’   rota/Weekend Working across services where required.  

• Participate in the staff appraisal scheme and personal development plans.
  
  
  
• Pro-actively participate in the development of the Clinical Governance  
  
  
  
•  framework within physiotherapy linking National and Trust guidelines to team objectives and personal practice. 

         EFFORT

• Carry out assessments and treatments of medical and neurological conditions with frequent moderate physical effort.

•  Deal sensitively with patients who have high levels of anxiety and      aggression caused by pain, dementia or limited mobility and with patients who are having difficulty accepting their disabilities resulting in extremely low motivation and compliance.

• The job involves frequent daily exposure to unpleasant working conditions  on a regular (daily) basis e.g. bodily fluids including sputum, vomit, urine, fleas and lice and occasional exposure to verbal and physical aggression.

          COMMUNICATION

•  With guidance and support from Senior Physiotherapists, communicate complex or sensitive information, in an appropriate manner to clients, relatives, carers and multi-agency professionals in a language understandable to them. 
  
  
• Use of a range of techniques to overcome barriers to communication. 
  
  
• Deal with challenging situations including verbal aggression/distress from patients, carers and relatives.  Able to deal sensitively with complaints following procedures, directing them to an appropriate person within the team, if required. 
  
  
• Promote and educate others regarding the role of Physiotherapy and the importance of health and well-being.   
  
  
• Have basic IT skills including use of Internet, E-mail and any special   programmes used within the service.   

        PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES  

•  Aware of and fulfil your responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work  Act, and organisational policies and procedures relevant to health and safety. 

• Responsible for own workload management with guidance from senior team members. 

• Understand the need to act in the best interest of patients at all times. 

•  Understand the need to respect, and so far as possible uphold the rights, dignity, values and autonomy of every patient. 

• Understand your role in the diagnostic and therapeutic process, and in maintaining health and well-being. 

• Assess the capacity of the patient/service user in order to gain valid informed consent for intervention and work within the organisation’s policy with those who lack capacity. 

• Practice in a non-discriminatory manner. 

• Exercise a professional duty of care. 

• Work within the limits of your competency seeking advice from senior staff  when necessary. 

• Work to standards of professional practice and evidence based care pathways as appropriate