Specialist Physiotherapist

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Organisational
The post holder will:
•    Undertake a major clinical role in assessment, review and treatment to the adult population living in the community within West Norfolk. The role is based within the Swaffham, Downham , Fens and Brecks Therapy Teams,  you will be based at Swaffham Community Hospital but you would be required to provide support to the teams across West Norfolk as required.
•    To plan, deliver and co-ordinate therapy interventions for patients of a higher complexity across West Norfolk 
•    To be responsible for Continued Professional Development (CPD) and Personal Development Plan (PDP) for members of the therapy team.
•    To have an input into service development, under the direction of the Clinical Leads/ Service Manager, across West Norfolk and in conjunction with the rest of the team in response to NICE guidance, local governance and government policy.

Clinical
The post holder will: 
1.    Undertake comprehensive therapy assessments of patients including those with a complex presentation, using investigative, analytical and clinical reasoning skills, and inform the development of a differential diagnosis. 
2.    Formulate and execute individualised therapy management and treatment plans of patients including those with a complex presentation, in collaboration with the integrated team, other agencies and the patient, utilising a range of treatment skills. 
3.    Be aware of Assistive Technology and make referrals for this as required.
4.    Assess patients’ holistic needs, communicating complex and sensitive information to patients and carers as to their assessment, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan.
5.    Where there are barriers to understanding, such as hearing impairment, mental capacity impairment and other difficulties in comprehension, explanations require adjustments in order to gain understanding, consent and concordance.
6.    Be required to use tact and persuasive skills in order to gain the patient’s cooperation in their treatment plan.
7.    Liaise with GPs, Social Services, inpatient teams, other allied health care professionals and the voluntary sector to ensure identified needs are met and care co-ordinated appropriately.
8.    To participate in multi-disciplinary/multi-agency meetings as appropriate, e.g. Gold Standard Framework.
9.    Be responsible for ensuring workload for self and others is planned and prioritised according to service targets and needs.
10.    Ensure patient held records are completed for each visit, and that SystmOne inputting is completed on a daily basis. 
11.    Plan and organise specialist services within the integrated team.
12.    Demonstrate dexterity, co-ordination and palpatory senses for assessment, and manual treatment of patients, including using specialist equipment and fine tools, manual and mobilising skills. 
13.    Contribute to the requisitioning of supplies and equipment through electronic ordering systems. 
14.    Be aware of budget and ensure all effort is made to work within this. 
15.    Ensure informed consent is obtained prior to initiating interventions.
16.    Be exposed to bodily fluids, infected material, blood products on a daily basis, therefore must utilise universal precautions and adhere to infection control policies.
17.    Demonstrate basic IT and standard keyboard skills.

Professional
The post holder will: 
1.    Be required to undertake risk assessments and act upon them appropriately.
2.    Contribute to the staff rota on a monthly basis. 
3.    Contribute to the supervision of workload within the integrated team. 
4.    Actively contribute to multidisciplinary team meetings and other meetings where appropriate.
5.    Support the Clinical leads and all team members within the integrated team, respecting them, their roles and contributions. 
6.    Attend in-house training as required to develop current role.
7.    Maintain own continual professional development.
8.    Be able to make own travel arrangements to patients’ homes, clinics, base and meetings etc., as required.
9.    Be responsible for safe use and maintenance of equipment and supplies.
10.    Remain accountable for own professional actions as determined by the professional bodies. 
11.    May be required to demonstrate own duties to students, new starters and other staff. 
12.    Provide mentorship for students undertaking pre/post registration courses.
13.    Mentor existing staff and provide training in specialist area as appropriate.
14.    Provide advice/training to other staff and supervise Occupational Therapists, support band 4 staff and students where appropriate, and contribute to the induction process for new staff/students.
15.    Demonstrate leadership skills within own competence. 
16.    Be accountable for work delegated to others.

Organisational
The post holder will:
1.    Undertake mandatory training as required.
2.    Participate in a Personal Development Review process. 
3.    Undertake Personal Development Plans for more junior staff members.
4.    Take part in clinical supervision as per Trust Policy.
5.    Follow Trust policies, and local procedures, and use discretion in interpreting them according to the setting and circumstances. 
6.    Comment on draft policies.
7.    Ensure absence reporting is undertaken as determined by Team Leader and Trust Policy. 
8.    Contribute to clinical audit as required.
9.    Complete the staff survey as required.

10. Complete risk assessments and incident forms as required