Physiotherapist - Stroke and Neurology

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1.     To be responsible for the clinical and administrative delivery of work from a team of Physiotherapists working across Beech Ward and the Early Supported Discharge Team. This will include monitoring caseloads and supporting with complex cases.

2.     To undertake a comprehensive assessment and  management of patients who may have had a stroke, neurological and/or complex conditions including multi pathology. Use well developed clinical reasoning to select appropriate assessment techniques, which leads to determining a clinical diagnosis of the patient’s needs. This will involve seeking and sharing personal and potentially sensitive information with the patient.

3.     To analyse the information gained from the assessment, both clinical and non-clinical,  to formulate an accurate problem list and treatment plan for the patient and then discuss and agree SMART goals and outcomes with them

4. To give a full explanation of the patient’s condition and proposed treatment to the patient and discuss the expected outcome with them. To ensure the patient understands and agrees to treatment giving consent to it. If the patient does not have the capacity to give consent, to be able to work within the legal framework as appropriate.

5.     To select appropriate treatment techniques from a wide range of specialist skills available. The selection of techniques will be based on both theoretical and practical knowledge and evaluated past experience.

6.     To be personally responsible for all aspects of safety relating to equipment used when treating the patient or issued to the patient for their own use. To be responsible for checking and/or teaching competency of non-qualified staff in using equipment e.g. walking aids, appliances etc.

7.     To produce clear written information and home/independent exercise programmes for patients to follow. This may include teaching health care assistants, carers and caregivers.

8.     To use developed clinical reasoning skills to review and evaluate patient progress and their current condition at each appointment and to amend the treatment programme as appropriate to achieve agreed goals.

9.     To plan and undertake discharge of patients from the Rehabilitation Ward or the ESD service when agreed goals have been reached or treatment is no longer appropriate.

10.  To be able to review referrals received from the acute hospitals and assess for appropriateness against criteria.  Correctly identify inappropriate referrals to and confidently refer on or back as required.

11.  To carry out 6 month reviews for patients post stroke living in the West Essex area.

12.  To provide specialist evidence based advice to more junior physiotherapists and other professionals working within the field on clinical issues.

13.  To produce timely and accurate electronic patient’s records and reports in accordance with Health Professions Council and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy regulations.

14.  To maintain knowledge of the current, and any future development of, Stroke Guidelines, Pathways and Models

Communication Skills

15.  Using verbal, non-verbal and written communication tools to ensure that patients and carers have an understanding of their condition and the role and aims of Physiotherapy. The Physiotherapist must effectively amend their communication techniques according to individual needs of the patient The Physiotherapist must be able to persuade, motivate and negotiate, as well as demonstrate empathy and reassurance.

16.  In the best interests of the patient, to objectively present clinical information regarding patients to the Multi-disciplinary Team in order to contribute to a high standard of care  To ensure the delivery of a coordinated inter-disciplinary service.

17.  To be confident in their own working problem lists, assessment and treatment plans and be able to communicate that effectively to others

18.  To advise the Service Lead(s) and any relevant parties on any issues relating to safe and effective service delivery.

19.  To represent the West Essex Stroke and Neuro Physiotherapy service in meetings with other professionals and reporting back relevant information to their line manager.

20.  To promote and develop links with key personnel in other organisations, including in the voluntary sector, involved in providing services to the same patient population in order to facilitate the delivery of appropriate care in a seamless fashion.

21.  To maintain confidentiality at all times.

22.   To confidently lead meetings and provide specialist advice, education and training delivery to a variety of staff, patients and visitors.

Professional Skills

23.  The Physiotherapist must be able to adapt their communication, treatment, information and advice to meet the needs of individual patients with a range of neurological presentations.

24.  To demonstrate understanding, and implementation of, complex patient management concerns such as Mental Capacity Assessment, DOLS and safeguarding. To be able to support more junior staff to understand and implement these legal frameworks.

25.  The Physiotherapist must show awareness and be sensitive to patients’ individual  cultures, beliefs and emotions,

26.  The Physiotherapist must take a holistic view of the patient and their well being considering all clinical and non-clinical contributing factors

27.  To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work including the management of patients in your care and oversight of the entirety of the Physiotherapy Service.

28.  To support and guide non-qualified staff in both clinical and organisational skills including attainment and signing off/overview of signing off of relevant competencies.

29.  To deputise for Service Leads and delegate duties in a competent and safe way to other members of staff.

30.  To take a lead for specific projects within your own area of work to enhance patient care and service delivery

31.  To exhibit and maintain a high personal standard of professional expertise, attitude and behaviour at all times in accordance with Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and HCPC . To be an advocate for the Physiotherapy profession and  EPUT.

32.  To delegate tasks appropriately to, Therapy Assistants, carers and other professionals considering the complexity of the task and the skills and competence of that person.

33.  To fully understand systems and procedures in place in your area of work to be able to implement them to contribute to the continuity and smooth running of the service. This may be in the absence of a more senior member of staff.

34.  To effectively manage and prioritise your own workload, both clinical and non-clinical within the time available including the prioritising of patients To be able to delegate or arrange cover when required. To assist other staff to prioritise their workload and adjust own/team’s plans to accommodate changes in demand.

35.  To efficiently manage a challenging caseload, demonstrating flexibility with varying levels of staff, varying complexity of patients and fluctuating numbers of patients on the caseload.

Information Management:

36.  Input data and information accurately and completely using the latest versions of policies and procedures in manual and electronic systems

37.  Ensure the necessary precautions are adhered when transferring information, only disclosing patient identifiable information in line with Caldicott and the Data Protection Act

Education and Research

38.  To be an active participant in the Appraisal process. This includes prior preparation and undertaking the appraisal process for more Junior staff assisting them to identify their continuing professional development needs and objectives.

39.  To take responsibility for booking and attending mandatory training as specified in Trust policies ands take action as required in the work place.

40. To continue to develop specialist Physiotherapy skills in a  neurological field

41.  To actively review the service you provide with an aim of promoting better patient care using audit, research, case studies and reflective practice.

42.  To be responsible for own competence to practice by ongoing continuing professional development (CPD) and the recording of it in a reflective diary/portfolio. To maximise the learning opportunities available in order to support evidence based practice and influence clinical practice. Such CPD should include:

·       Active participation by attending and presenting at departmental in service training. Participating in supervision sessions with more Senior Physiotherapist or peers. 

·        Active engagement and interest in external learning opportunities and sharing those with therapists within the Service after completion.

43. To identify the training needs of staff in the areas relating to Physiotherapy.

41. To plan, implement and evaluate training for other professionals and carers working with the same client population.