Physiotherapist

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To work as an autonomous practitioner, managing an appropriate complex caseload,  undertaking clinical reasoning, critical thinking, reflection and analysis to support their assessment and use a person-centered approach and current evidence base to assess, plan, implement, evaluate and document interventions.
• To undertake a comprehensive, highly specialist assessment of all people using services within the designated caseload using investigative and analytical skills as an advanced practitioner.
• To manage and organize a complex case load efficiently and effectively with regard to clinical priorities, use of time and clinical skills ensuring a high standard of clinical care for people who use our services. 
• To provide clinical leadership to develop highly specialized strategies and 
interventions to meet the needs of the working age population both in the community and inpatient services.
• To lead on the development of comprehensive, data-informed care plans and interventions that correspond to the principles of complex case management within the team.
• To liaise with other necessary agencies to establish robust communication networks with carers, hospitals, other health workers and agencies to facilitate an integral 
approach to patient care. This includes participation in multi-professional meetings, case conferences and other team meetings where they may be the sole representative of their professional group.
• To be responsible for maintaining accurate, contemporaneous, and legible patient documentation.
• To have knowledge of the safe use, maintenance, transportation and replacement of specialist equipment and materials.
• To supervise junior and student physiotherapists and technical instructors of Physiotherapy.
• To deputize for the Professional Lead of Physiotherapy as required.
• To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of their own work and management of service user care. To manage their own diary and prioritize competing demands.
• To provide detailed highly specialist written assessment and progress reports for the involved multi-disciplinary professionals and external agencies including health and social sector services, carers, relatives, commissioners, and solicitors.
• To be responsible for the development of evidence based effective and appropriate clinical service and to assist in the development of a robust framework to monitor and evaluate standards of care and clinical outcomes. To communicate effectively with service users using methods appropriate to their age, cognitive abilities and mood, consistent with their level of understanding and culture. 
• To assess the service user’s understanding of intervention proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with service users who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
• To use highly skilled negotiation/communication to develop therapeutic relationships and adapt interventions appropriately, to maximize the rehabilitation potential for patients with neuro-behavioral and mental health presentations, including those detained under sections of the Mental Health Act. This includes overcoming frequent barriers to communication for example: high impact non-compliance, cognitive 
impairments, fluctuating mood levels, altered perception, sensory deficits, pain, or fear.
• To be responsible for the safe and competent use of physiotherapy equipment such as walking aids and any other rehabilitative equipment or assistive device ensuring people who use our services, carers and relevant team members attain competency in the safe use of all equipment.
• To delegate appropriate interventions to nursing and/or assistant staff whilst maintaining supervision of the person who uses our service’s care.
• To provide direct clinical supervision and appraisal to junior colleagues ensuring feedback on performance is given at the following:
o Comprehensive specialist assessment
o Sound reasoning
o Good communication skills
o Appropriate application of techniques
o Appropriate use of equipment
o Appropriate documentation
• To provide clinical education and training to physiotherapy students to graduate level.
• To provide advice, support and training to non-qualified staff and volunteers.
• To communicate and liaise with members of the multi-disciplinary team, other agencies, carers and people who use services providing specialist advice and assessing training needs. Develop training programmes as appropriate.
• To participate in multidisciplinary case meetings, team meetings, CPA meetings, discharge meetings to discuss individuals and groups using inpatient services 
• Where there are significant barriers to change, to motivate people who use our services and carers to make changes to benefit their health. To demonstrate established negotiation skills, recognizing conflict and generating potential solutions.
• To research and evaluate evidence-based literature and present this in a format suitable for the client group.
• To undertake audits, evaluating the effectiveness of interventions in line with national and local guidelines and recommendations as directed by Senior Colleagues.
• To use audit results, current knowledge, research, evidence-based practice, and government guidelines to develop and improve clinical practice and service delivery.
• To advise line manager on issues of service delivery, including shortfalls, service pressures etc.
• To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of clinical work and care. To maintain high standards of care in all areas of practice in accordance with the HCPC Code of Conduct, professional guidelines and Trust  Policies and Procedures. To act within the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act (2005).
• To be aware of and implement Safeguarding Adult and Child Protection Policies,Procedures and legislation. To carry out professional responsibilities under the Mental Health Act 1983 and other relevant legislation.
• UK driving license and access to a car for work purposes (HTT element)
Professional:
• To maintain own Continuing Professional Development (CPD) by activities including: 
o Keeping up to date with new trends and development and incorporating them into clinical practice. 
o Ensuring that own practice and that of staff under their supervision is based upon best possible evidence. 
o Being an active member of the physiotherapy departmental in-service training programme by attendance at and presentation to staff. 
o Attending internal and external training sessions, workshops, seminars, 
courses, and conferences. 
o Liaising with fellow professionals and specialists working in older adult’s 
mental health services and falls services. 
o Using reflective practice. 
o Participating in clinical supervision. 
o Maintaining and updating a professional plan and portfolio. 
• To participate in the professional appraisal scheme both as an appraiser and an appraisee. 
• To participate in monthly clinical supervision
• To assist with the selection and recruitment of physiotherapy staff. 
• To provide advice and training for other members of the multi-disciplinary team including teaching on the induction and rolling training programme. 
• To represent the physiotherapy profession at ward, team and, as required, at 
divisional level clinical governance and service planning meetings. 
• To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance, Care Programme 
Approach (CPA), and Risk Management and apply these in the workplace. 
• To demonstrate a working knowledge of the Disability Discrimination Act Equal Opportunities and Human Rights legislation and apply these in the workplace. 
• To train, supervise and manage the performance of less experienced staff and students on placement. 
• To organize and manage appropriate delegation of service user care to 
physiotherapy assistant staff. 
• To deliver training to physiotherapy assistant staff. 
General
• All staff will have a sound awareness of Safeguarding issues and be clear about their 
respective roles and responsibilities to report, respond to and share information in relation to Safeguarding Adults, Safeguarding Children Domestic Abuse and Public Protection.
• All staff will have knowledge of and adhere to the Data Protection Act and will not disclose to any person or organization, any confidential information that comes into their possession in the course of their employment.
• To fully participate in the Trust’s performance review and personal development planning process on an annual basis.
• Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with line manager as part of the personal development planning process.
• To achieve and demonstrate the agreed standards of personal and professional development within the agreed timescales.
• To contribute positively to the effectiveness and efficiency of the teams in which he/she works.
• To undertake any other duties at the request of the line manager which are commensurate with the role, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.
• To contribute to a healthy and safe working environment by adhering to the health and safety regulations and Trust policies.
• To contribute to the prevention and control of health care associated infection by adhering to Trust policies and guidelines.
• Surrey & Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is committed to valuing and promoting diversity in employment, service delivery practices and its general environment. An expectation of all leadership posts within the Trust is that everyone will take responsibility for promoting open, inclusive, and accessible service provision,  staff development and a culture that values and respects difference.
• To undertake violence reduction training to develop skills to be able to respond to local alarms and emergency situations when raised, assisting with restraints to keep people on the wards safe.

Please refer to the JD for full information