Community Physiotherapist

To assist the Matron in planning and organising the full range of the Community Physiotherapy Service activities inclusive of workload delegation and reallocation as required dependant on staff resources   

In conjunction with the Matron and Clinical Services Manager lead the development of Community physiotherapy services for the Care Home Support Team and Long-Term Conditions team following national and local guidance including NICE   

Identify problems which effect planning and delivery of patient care and actively work towards solving them empowering others to make decisions  

Maintain an area of clinical expertise, so providing a highly specialist clinical resource for the specialty or take a lead in a specific area of designated responsibility within the specialty  

To communicate with carers, patients, referrers and other professions to ensure the provision of excellent patient care. This may at times require staff to overcome barriers to understanding (impaired hearing, speech or cognition) and could include the transmission of sensitive information. This requires an empathetic approach to patient care  

Organise own time to enhance the well-being of patients  

Ensure the effective and efficient use of physical and financial resources and make decisions regarding supplies and equipment within specialist area in conjunction with Team Lead.  

In conjunction with the Matron and Clinical Service Manager, propose, develop and implement guidelines and policies for the specialty. 

In conjunction with the Matron and Clinical Service Manager, ensure patient/carer views are sought and incorporated into the development and improvement of practice.   

Monitor health, safety and security of self and others and promote best practice in the ward/department and area of speciality  

Evaluate service delivery, identify areas for improvement and initiate change in conjunction with Matron, Clinical Service Manager, and Care group Managers  

Take the lead when required to develop and influence the development of practice / services in the clinical area through the business planning process / service development and in conjunction with the Matron, Clinical Service Manager and Care Group Managers  

Delegate work to match capabilities and workload of team members, in discussion with the Matron.  

Occasionally responds to bleep and mobile for service   

Provide expert care for either a defined case load of patients or offer highly specialist service advice to patients within agreed protocols and clinical guidelines, but also has the ability to make  

Work autonomously, but within professional boundaries, to accurately examine and assess patients from a physical, physiological, psychological and social perspective, and plan therapeutic care accordingly   

Accept patient’s referrals, assess, diagnose, treat, refer on as appropriate, plan, and instigate discharge from care, working collaboratively with other professionals and agencies to ensure patient needs are met in relation to ongoing care needs and discharge arrangements  

Perform advanced clinical skills in the assessment of patients including taking a clinical history, performing a clinical examination and evaluating the clinical information, to produce an appropriate plan for the implementation of care delivery, whilst maintaining accurate patient records   

Perform therapeutic procedures and investigations related to specialty, that require dexterity, coordination and precision to perform appropriate assessment and interventions. Examples include therapeutic handling techniques manual techniques, balance and exercise prescription and falls prevention strategies such as getting up off the floor.  

Provide information and advice on prescribed or non-prescription medication, on medication regimens, side-effects and interactions   

Integrates appropriate non-drug based treatment methods into patient management plans.   

Responsible for ensuring complete and effective documentation of all patient care acts and omissions in all relevant records including patient care records, in accordance with national record keeping; ensuring that patients are assessed on an individual basis, that care is carried out and that care plans are reviewed, evaluated and updated in accordance with the patient’s clinical condition  

Evaluates results of interventions, revises plan accordingly and consults or refers when needed  

Ensure privacy, dignity and individual patient needs such as personal care and nutritional needs are met  

Act as mentor/assessor in supporting and developing staff e.g. students, registered and unregistered staff, through mentorship/preceptorship and induction  

Participate in the Trust Appraisal and Personal Development Review process; identify role and band specific training needs and agree the development/implementation plans for these needs with supervisor (Training identified within a PDR can only be related to this job description)  

The post holder will participate in the Trust Appraisal and Personal Development Review process by contributing to the appraisal of members of the team within the specialty   

Deliver education and specialist training programmes in clinical skills and knowledge. This will include booking training accommodation and preparing the teaching aids  

Participate in the provision of education and assessment support to staff (including students, temporary and members of the multidisciplinary clinical teams) to ensure they are supported and supervised in a way that promotes patient well-being and staff development  

Ensure personal training needs analysis for medical devices is completed  

Responsible for ensuring own mandatory training is up to date  

Responsible for ensuring all essential work-related training is relevant to role and band, and up to date for self and team  

Be prepared to undertake further education and training in order to effectively develop the service   

To have sufficient computer skills for the handling and management of computerised data   

Provides anticipatory guidance and advice to promote health, reduce risk factors and prevent disease and disability   

Initiates appropriate and timely consultation and referral when the problem exceeds the Physiotherapist’s scope of practice or expertise   

All Registered Physiotherapists of University Hospital Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust must adhere to all current Trust policies and procedures  

Ensure risk management systems are adhered to and that untoward incidents are reported according to Trust Policy  

In conjunction with the Matron, Clinical Service Manager and Care group Managers, identify and manage risks associated with the delivery of the specialty service  

Report untoward incidents and deal effectively with patients’ or relatives’ complaints  

Participate in the investigation of complaints/litigation/adverse incidents and ensure all documentation is completed.  

When required take the lead in investigation of incidents / complaints including providing detailed reports / letters to complainants.   

Effectively communicate lessons learned from any incidents or complaints to the multidisciplinary team  

Constructively challenge poor practice or behaviours and raise concerns, escalating as appropriate  

Be open and honest when a mistake is made and provide reflection to demonstrate learning  

In conjunction with the lead clinician, medical team and senior nurse specialists, participate in research, complex audit, benchmarking and equipment trials relevant to own specialty.  

Disseminate good practice and knowledge by pursuing opportunities to present work at national conferences or via publications, encourage team members likewise  

Participate in the production of an annual report circulating it widely and appropriately  

Ensure safe clinical practice is maintained  

To practice in accordance with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Rules of Professional Conduct and Health Professions Council regulations.