Physiotherapy Assistant Practitioner - Prehabilitation

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Patient Care Responsibilities

1.              To work as a core member within the prehab and heart therapy team.

2.              To lead and participate in physical activity and exercise assessment and interventions, either face to face, by telephone or over virtual platforms with patients under the care of the adult heart team. Treatment may be inpatient or outpatient focused, and take place in the hospital, outpatient clinics or day-case.

3.              To provide technically specialised support to patients in hospital, carrying out tasks such as exercise testing, daily supervised patient exercise with direct and indirect supervision from the physiotherapy team.

4.              To work autonomously, performing given tasks independently, with responsibility for recognising and reporting any concerns to the physiotherapist or appropriate member of the clinical team, engaging in daily feedback.

5.              To demonstrate an awareness of safe practice and insight into the need for onward referral, particularly when carrying out exercise testing and exercise programs and when lone working. 

6.              To monitor and continually reassess patients requirements, using clinical judgement and knowledge, to progress or modify treatments effectively to meet patient goals within follow up reviews.

7.              To have the ability to motivate patients, promoting and encouraging engagement in physical activity.

Educational Duties

1.                   To work under the Clinical Assistant Competency program under the supervision of the therapists, both gaining and maintaining the required knowledge and skills in the relevant technical and clinical procedures relevant to the role.

2.                   To develop and maintain knowledge of lung pathology and thoracic surgery, exercise physiology and exercise training,  and symptom management. To continuously develop practical and professional knowledge that will support the delivery of care to this group of patients.

3.                   To be pro-active with regard to learning from physiotherapy staff, the wider MDT and other relevant staff within the Trust.

4.                   To be responsible for and actively record own personal and professional development, and to participate in the trust appraisal scheme annually.

5.                   To be willing to distill own knowledge and expertise to others, delivering teaching and education sessions to other staff when requested.

6.                   To actively participate in team projects, service development and in-house training.

Organisational and Professional Responsibilities

1.              To support the day-to-day running of the prehabilitation team.

2.              To participate fully as a team member, sharing knowledge and information and supporting colleagues, to promote a cohesive team.

3.              To undertake patient-related administration tasks such as scheduling patient appointments (both for own caseload and for the physiotherapists) and booking patient transport where needed.

4.              To flexibly plan and organise own time and caseload, proactively adjusting plans and schedules according to staffing and other pressures.

5.              To take responsibility for activity/ statistical data entry for own practice, supporting departmental activity monitoring.

6.              To assist in the development of information and resources for patients and their families, particularly around exercise.

7.              To maintain of accurate and efficient written records of clinical activity according to local and trust policy. 

8.              Adhere to departmental and directorate procedures for the use of supplies and equipment, in order to promote the effective and efficient use of resources.

9.              Assist in the restocking of supplies and maintenance of equipment as directed by a senior therapist.

10.          To maintain good and safe practise when handling specimens such as blood and sputum – ensuring accurate labelling, safe handling and recording, enabling accurate reporting.

11.          To manage clinical risk within own caseload at all times (including lone working and when supporting virtual clients) and adhere to local risk assessment guidance.

12.               To maintain safety in the gym, or rehabilitation space, through monitoring of equipment maintenance, stock levels, and the environment.

13.               To practise within the lone working policy, when visiting and assessing patients in their own homes if required to do so for service needs.

14.               Promote the corporate image of the Trust to all individuals, groups and organisations, both within the Trust and externally to the community at large.

Communication Expectations

1.                  The post holder will be involved in regular communication with patients both face to face, over virtual platforms and via telephone. It is expected within these contact that patients (and their families) will receive support, information, advice and motivation in a caring and emphatic manner.

2.                  Demonstrate a courteous and helpful approach to staff, patients and their families.

3.                  To evaluate and report all observations, patients responses and treatment outcomes to the specialist physiotherapists, monitoring and recording patient’s progress.

4.                  Take patient phone calls and seek advice from specialist physiotherapists when appropriate, and to use reassurance skills that require tact and persuasion on occasions.

5.                  To report untoward incidents and any other relevant information to a specialist physiotherapist or other appropriate staff member immediately.

6.                  To be able to communicate information where there may be barriers to communication and/or understanding (e.g. patients with cognitive impairment, non-English speaking patients, situations of excess noise or lack of privacy).

7.                  To pay attention to both verbal and non-verbal cues to enable more effective communication with patients.

8.                  To be aware of own limitations and inform a physiotherapist if asked to carry out a task without the appropriate training or capacity.

Information management

1.              To participate in research, audit, and quality improvement programmes for adults with chronic respiratory conditions working with the heart therapy.

2.              To be IT literate across a range of programmes and databases (and/or be willing to engage with training).

3.              To undertake relevant training for electronic information systems in place and under development.  

4.              To use relevant IT systems in the support of patient care, including activity and equipment provision records and patient notes.