Band 7 Highly Specialist Physiotherapist/Occupational Therapist

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

·        Delivers specialist assessments of the clients individual  requirements and provides prescriptions and recommendations  for appropriate wheelchair and accessories

·        Undertakes assessments which take into account a clients physical, functional, cognitive/perceptual, behavioural, psychological/emotional and social needs.

·        Assesses clients within the Regional Rehabilitation Centre and a range of community settings, such as schools, clients’ homes and nursing homes, hospitals and day centres.

·        Facilitates clients in being able to verbalise / communicate their own goals at the start of the assessment, in order that the assessment is holistic and remains client centred at all times.

·        Understands and applies the wide variety of diagnoses and complex medical conditions and how this is related to the clients’ specific wheelchair needs.

·        Displays knowledge and understanding of medication and basic surgical interventions with regards to spasticity management, prevention of postural deformities and function.

·        Takes the clinical lead within the team on specific areas of client treatment/care, such as children’s provision , pressure area management, functional ability and environmental aspects of a clients daily life.

·        Communicates with, and supports other inter-disciplinary team colleagues (including Medical Consultants and Clinical / Rehabilitation Engineers) to ensure optimum care and treatment of the client.

·        Communicates effectively and appropriately with clients and carers who may have differing communication needs and understanding, either through different cultures / languages or a variety of verbal / non-verbal, alternative and augmentative methods of communication.

·        Understands a wide range of assistive technology equipment solutions and their application for clients, ensuring this knowledge is kept up to date.

·        Ensures knowledge is up to date regarding rehabilitation approaches, methods of assessment and postural management philosophies.

·        Demonstrates clear understanding of treatment concepts such as Normal Movement and Child Development in order to optimise function and reduce deformity through postural management techniques.

·        Problem solves and clinically reasons, both independently and within the team, specific and complex issues that each client presents during an assessment appointment, and establishes clear treatment actions and future plans.

·        Works within an interdisciplinary team to provide Special Controls assessments to facilitate a client’s ability to drive a powered wheelchair and achieve an increased level of independence.

·        Interprets and analyses both clinical and non-clinical details, regarding acute, chronic and rapidly deteriorating conditions in order to make recommendations.

·        Prescribes specialist mobility and pressure care equipment on a daily basis for clients who have complex postural and medical diagnoses.

·        Identifies appropriate times for client review appointments, in order to evaluate equipment and whether client, carer/family and team agreed goals have been met and formulating an action plan if goals have not been achieved.

·        Trains clients and carers in the use of specialist wheelchair  equipment and other appropriate therapeutic equipment and treatment approaches, whilst remaining aware of risk assessment and health and safety issues.

·        Maintain an understanding / knowledge of the Medical Devices directive (eg. to include planned preventative maintenance) and clinical governance issues, (eg. to include user focus, education and training, development and audit) ensuring best practices are promoted and developed.

·        Keeps up to date with regional, local and community service issues in order to refer the client appropriately onto alternative services.

·        Practices as an autonomous therapist on a daily basis, without direct support / supervision from therapist colleagues, prioritising workload as required.

·        Participates in reflective practice and peer review sessions. Ensures that clinical practice is evidence based at all times.

·        Practices with an awareness of associated physical effort, such as manual handling and positioning of client during assessment together with regular handling of Posture and Mobility equipment.

·        Practices with an awareness of associated mental effort, such being involved in long complex assessments, writing reports and being involved in lengthy meetings.

·        Practices with an awareness of associated emotional effort, such as working with clients who are experiencing a loss of role and functional ability or a quickly deteriorating condition.