Static Physiotherapist - Luton Falls Team

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job responsibilities

Be responsible for gaining valid, informed consent for assessment, treatment interventions and sharing of information in compliance with legal and professional guidelines. To be able to interpret and follow these guidelines in circumstances where clients do not have capacity to provide informed consent.

Consistently communicate effectively with patients and carers/family via clear verbal, non-verbal and written means to maximise rehabilitation potential. To use communication skills of negotiation, motivation, explanation, and reassurance and to gain informed consent.

Work closely with other healthcare professionals e.g. Physiotherapists, falls support workers, Dieticians, GPs, Pharmacists, Care Managers and nursing teams to provide a comprehensive, seamless service, aiming to improve and maintain functional physical health for clients using the service and to communicate relevant medical information, assessment details, advice and recommendations across agencies and with clients, to provide a coordinated service to meet the clients care needs, in compliance with Trust Guidelines for sharing of information and informed consent. These agencies include Acute Trusts, General Practitioners, Community Rehabilitation Teams, Social Services, other healthcare professionals, voluntary agencies, and care homes.

Ensure a consistently high level of clinical care for the patients under your management and support your peers to do likewise.

To assess and treat patients according to Evidence Based Practice and National Guidelines in line with Clinical Governance.

Demonstrate compassion, empathy and sensitivity towards clients who may have complex emotional and physical conditions such as fear of falling, anxiety, pain and other physical psychological and social concerns or when delivering unwelcome news around their condition or rehabilitation prognosis.

To provide an equal level of care, and to ensure equal access for all patients which may include those with potential barriers to treatment.

To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients, using investigative and analytical skills.

To use assessment findings in conjunction with recognised clinical reasoning models to formulate a diagnosis of the patients condition.

To develop a treatment plan and set goals in agreement with the patient.

To prioritise appointment bookings according to patients needs.

Provide a variety of therapeutic interventions (which may include manual techniques, electrotherapy, etc), the selection of which is based on level of competence.

Provide advice regarding the patients condition and to employ strategies for self- management to the patient and/or carer/family. To aim towards preventing recurrence of symptoms through health promotion and information which is both accessible and easily understood by all patients (e.g., using interpreters, translated material).

Use objective markers/outcome measures to evaluate and refine clinical practice.

To support the running of community evidence-based strength and balance groups and deliver educational talks around falls prevention and falls risk management. After clients complete the strength and balance groups, be responsible for their follow up.

Comply with local risk assessments when dealing with complex clients with challenging behavioural needs and high-risk extreme environments.

Be responsible for accepting allocated clients, organising, and prioritising own caseload to meet service needs and to communicate with your supervisor if the service needs cannot be met.

Prescribe appropriate equipment, following the Community Equipment Services procedures, to clients to maximise their independence.

Travel to clients homes, community centres and hospitals taking necessary assessment and treatment equipment as required.

Be responsible for the safe storage and safe moving and handling of therapy equipment.

Work as a lone practitioner, within the guidelines of the Lone Working Policy, when performing home visits

Identify clients who need support from outside agencies, using clinical reasoning and analysis skills. To liaise with, and to refer clients to these services which include other Healthcare Services, Healthcare Professionals and Voluntary agencies as appropriate.

To be involved in the promotion of falls prevention and management strategies with the general public and other organisations e.g., National Falls Awareness Week.

Demonstrate skills to motivate clients and the general public across a range of situations through verbal and written means, both formally and informally, to take responsibility for their own rehabilitation and reduce their falls risk through continued exercise participation.

To demonstrate verbal and written skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations in a formal and informal manner.

Be responsible for gaining valid, informed consent for assessment, treatment interventions and sharing of information in compliance with legal and professional guidelines. To be able to interpret and follow these guidelines in circumstances where clients do not have capacity to provide informed consent.

Communication:

Effectively communicate highly complex and potentially sensitive information in an appropriate form and manner with patients, their family, and carers, and from other organisations. This may include dealing with complaints and giving and receiving information of a sensitive nature where there may be barriers to understanding. Seek advice and support appropriately when required.

Understand and support the principles agreed in the transfer of patient information between the primary and secondary sector and deal with it in a sensitive fashion.

Anticipate barriers to communication and use interpreters or tools as required.

Participate as part of the MDT team to facilitate partnership working across, health, social services, and voluntary organisations.

Use skills of negotiation and problem solving to facilitate positive outcomes.

Provide education to patients, students, and colleagues as required, providing feedback in a sensitive manner when required.

Produce accurate and complete records of communication consistent with legislation, policy, and procedure.

Participate in relevant meetings and events including relevant service development or research projects and conferences as required.

Build and develop relationships between all health care professionals involved in the patient pathway.

Provide understanding and support to patients coping with acute and/or long-term conditions.