Specialist Physiotherapist

Job responsibilities

Clinical

To accept clinical responsibility for clients with varied challenges requiring advanced clinical reasoning and specialist therapeutic intervention and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.

To independently manage and accept clinical responsibility for a designated specialist caseload of adult clients with complex presentation, prioritising need and working in conjunction with other members of the team and seeking support as require

To demonstrate a high level of clinical expertise in approach to assessment, treatment planning, intervention, clinical reasoning

To undertake comprehensive and specialist assessments of clients using investigative and analytical skills in order to make a differential diagnosis and to formulate individualised treatment plans

To contribute to the decision making about the treatment, planning and long term management of individual clients as an integral member of the Long Term Neurological Conditions Inter/Multi-Disciplinary Team as well as highlighting ongoing risk and recommendations for future care across statutory and non-statutory services.

To plan, organise and deliver group therapeutic activities where appropriate, co-ordinated with other members of the team, taking into account clients physical cognitive and psychological capabilities

To monitor, modify and evaluate treatment in order to measure outcomes and ensure effectiveness of intervention.

To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date clinical and non-clinical documentation e.g. written and electronic records and activity data in line with legal and departmental requirements.

To provide specialist reports and care plans to the client, relatives, statutory and non-statutory services which reflect detailed specialist knowledge and accurate communication of complex condition-related information in multi-agency settings relevant to the practice area.

To complete risk assessments and plans in order to identify and manage risk and respond appropriately, such that the risk is reduced e.g. suicide, criminal proceedings and substance misuse issues.

To undertake appropriate therapeutic handling and moving within clinical and non-clinical settings. This may involve bending, kneeling or frequent repetitive activities often in confined and restrictive spaces. And to provide education for safe usage of equipment to clients, families, carers and other service providers as appropriate

To work with clients, carers and relatives who may have distressing social/clinical circumstances, often imparting complex or difficult information.

To provide therapy services in working conditions which may be hazardous e.g. exposure to body fluids, aggressive persons, visits to high risk areas, visits to situations of conflict and other associated risks.

To be aware of Health and Safety aspects of the post holders work in all community settings and implement any policies, which may be required to improve the safety of the work area, including prompt recording and reporting of incidents and accidents to senior staff, completing risk assessments and ensuring that equipment use is safe

To be responsible for equipment used in clinical duties and to adhere to departmental policy, including competent use of equipment, safe use of equipment and teaching, training or supervision of practice with clients, carers or other service

To assess capacity with support as required, gain valid informed consent and work within a legal framework with clients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.

To demonstrate skills in receiving and communicating complex, sensitive or contentious information to clients and carers, who may have barriers to understanding in order to maximise rehabilitation potential and to ensure understanding of conditions.

To provide spontaneous and planned advice, education and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals and external agencies to promote understanding of the aims of the rehabilitation package to ensure a consistent approach to client care and treatment e.g. moving and handling and management of risks. To deal with initial verbal complaints sensitively avoiding escalation where possible

To demonstrate highly developed dexterity, co-ordination and palpatory senses for assessment and manual treatment of clients.

Leadership:

To be responsible for the overall planning, co-ordination and allocation of work for the post holders discipline. To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the clients on the caseload and support more junior staff to do likewise.

To provide effective leadership, performance management, supervision guidance and appraisal for junior staff.

To delegate and monitor clinical duties to therapists and or assistants ensuring that they have appropriate knowledge, understanding and are competent to work autonomously within the community

Service Development

To lead and manage designated projects in relation to operational planning and implementation of policy and service development within LTNC services.

To undertake research and audit projects relevant to LTNC services.To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date data and statistics for the use of the department

To comply with the requirements of SHSC in relation to policy, governance and legislation and to review and update policy and procedure as appropriate e.g. infection control, information governance etc.

Person Specification

knowledge and skills

Essential

• Knowledge of LTNC in a relevant clinical specialty (e.g. traumatic brain injury, degenerative diseases, mental health, social care) and an ability to apply this in community setting
• Knowledge of a broad range of conditions both acute and deteriorating, affecting client group in the recovery, re-enablement and future care planning pathway
• Detailed knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and its application
• To demonstrate organisational skills to manage workload and that of other supervised staff to achieve service priorities
• Computer Literate with excellent written and oral presentation skills
• Effective presentation and training skills to deliver and communicate complex information in a variety of settings
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance
• Ability to work as part of a team building effective working relationships
• Ability to understand and respect ...