Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

Once competent, to be responsible, unsupervised, for implementing the standards and policies relevant to the outpatient / pelvic health department.

Within specific guidelines and following training to be solely responsible and accountable for a clinical case load working within codes of practice and professional guidelines.  This includes patient documentation in both professional and medical notes including an electronic patient record. .

·       Once competent teach, supervise and progress exercises for a specific caseload without direction.

·       This may include (but not exclusively):

o   Pelvic floor muscle exercises

o   Core stability exercises

o   Bladder retraining

o   Mobility

o   Soft tissue techniques

o   Balance and strengthening exercises

o   Lower and Upper limb rehabilitation

o   Electrotherapy

o   Classes

o   Hydrotherapy

o    

            Motivating patients to exercise and address barriers to compliance

·       To run classes, both virtual and face to face, for specific groups of patients, providing specific pre-set information as determined by the pelvic health physiotherapy service.

·       To independently assess and treat the following types of patient on the post natal ward in line with departmental guidelines.  

1.    Obstetric anal sphincter injuries(OASI)/3^{rd and}4^th degree tears

2.    Diastasis rectus abdominus (DRAM)

3.    Antenatal/postnatal pelvic girdle pain

4.    Incontinence issues

·       To support a woman in her pregnancy or post birth by:

a)    encouraging and providing advice on Health Promotions issues, including but not limited to smoking cessation, dietary advice and newborn care.

b)    Encouraging healthy maintenance of wounds and recognising deviations from normal.

c)    To be involved in the teaching of basic hygiene requirements to the mother with regards to the care of the newborn infant (baby bathing, nappy changing, top & tailing).

d)    Following breast feeding training be able to assist and advise a mother with breast feeding.

e)    Teach a mother the correct way to bottle feed an infant and how to sterilise feeding equipment.

f)      Document all care given and report any deviations from normal to the midwife.

·       To be responsible for performing given tasks and reporting any concerns to an appropriate member of the clinical team through daily feedback.

·       To be aware of and adhere to Trust and local policies and procedures.

·       To provide programmes (exercise prescription) of activity that have a therapeutic basis following evidenced based guidelines laid down by the Specialist Physiotherapists.

·       To be aware of safe practise and the need for onward referral, particularly when carrying out exercise testing and exercise programmes.

·       To demonstrate a physical ability to carry out physiotherapy interventions and therapeutic handling without direct supervision.  There is a frequent requirement to exert moderate physical effort for several short periods during the day.

·       To be responsible for the safe use of physiotherapy equipment, adhering to the service medical device policy.  This includes competency and accuracy to use equipment by you, other healthcare professionals, carers and patients.

Education

• To gain the required knowledge and skills in the relevant technical and clinical areas.
• To have or be working towards an NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification.
• To be responsible for maintaining these skills under the supervision and with support from the clinical specialist physiotherapist in that area.
• To attend external courses where appropriate giving feedback from any attended.
• To be responsible for and actively record your own personal development.
• To contribute to the induction and training of new physiotherapists, physiotherapy assistants to the perinatal pelvic health physiotherapy service.
• To participate in the Physiotherapy monthly notes audit programme.
• To take part in the pelvic health team IST rota through attendance and delivered presentations.

Management

• To prioritise a delegated caseload and balance other patient related and professional activities in accordance with the service requirements. This will require occasional concentration in an unpredictable environment and may include responding to urgent referrals and occasionally unpredictable work patterns.
• To be able to manage potentially upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner.
• To work within the Physiotherapy pelvic health team to provide an efficient and effective service and to be involved in the implementation of service policies and the yearly performance plan.
• To maintain and provide accurate and timely statistical information.
• To participate in the Service Appraisal Scheme as an appraisee.
• To ensure that all equipment defects accidents and complaints are reported to your line manager and the Physiotherapy Manager immediately to ensure that appropriate action may be taken.
• To be responsible for cleaning and checking the conditions of relevant equipment

Communication

• Demonstrate a courteous and helpful approach to patients and their families, ensuring patients feel reassured and supported.
• Take patient phone calls and seek advice from relevant specialist physiotherapists and midwives when appropriate, and to use reassurance skills that require tact and persuasion on occasions.

• To maintain accurate clinical records, ensuring compliance with Perinatal pelvic health (PPH) service and CSP standards and local guidelines.
• Report untoward incidents, accidents, complaints and any other relevant information to specialist physiotherapists immediately.
• Participate fully as a team member, sharing knowledge and information and supporting colleagues, to promote a cohesive team.
• To attend and be an active member in speciality and department staff meetings.
• To use interpreters when required to ensure effective communication occurs with patients who are hard of hearing or do not speak/understand enough English for the purposes of consent and cooperation for treatment. 

Research/Audit/Quality

• In line with  the pelvic physiotherapy service commitment to Clinical Governance to participate in the physiotherapy departments clinical audit programme
• To contribute to the Physiotherapy annual business plan