Detailed job description and main responsibilities

- The post holder assumes responsibility for the day-to-day management of the clinical area, in the absence of the team leader.

- The post holder is supervised by a named therapist, who may not be present at all times. Clinical and professional supervision is in the form of regular clinical reasoning sessions, observed practice, peer review and formal training.

- The post holder will link with the Band 7 clinical lead physiotherapist to support the use of resources within budget. The level of managerial responsibility involves the supervision and appraisal of junior therapists, support workers and undergraduates, with the support of the Band 7.

- To deliver therapeutic interventions, acting as a specialist clinician in Pelvic Health Physiotherapy using the principles of Physiotherapy in an integrated and client-centred way supported by the POGP Competency Framework and adhering to local competencies.

- To assume responsibility for personal development and supporting the development and supervision of others by CPD (continuing professional development), linked to appraisal.

- To support evaluation and service development in the clinical area in line with national and local drivers

- To consolidate and learn new skills and competencies to provide holistic care using the POGP Competency Framework.  To develop clinical reasoning and treatment techniques through the active participation in training and development. To consolidate knowledge and skills learned through this process with the direction of senior staff, and deliver research-based presentations as part of in-service training. This will involve facilitating own learning opportunities, reflecting on practice and learning through this process

- To participate in the supervision, caseload monitoring and clinical education of junior physiotherapist, support workers, students and apprentices. Providing support, guidance, training, and assessing and evaluating competence, in order to fulfil clinical governance requirements and retain a skilled workforce. To participate in the undergraduate education process, as a clinical educator for university students. This involves the assessment of student’s competency to practice and contributes to their qualification in the defined profession.

- To support leadership and work within the Pelvic Health Physiotherapy service, providing an effective and evidence-based service through assessing, planning and implementing treatment programmes.

- To be responsible for the organisation of own caseload and appropriately delegate to junior physiotherapists and support workers.  To ensure the team is effective in the day to day running of the clinical area.

- To communicate with the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) to aid effective patient care, which will include taking an active role in team meetings, joint treatment sessions, case conferences and specialist interest group meetings. Either working alone or as part of the multi-disciplinary team to make recommendations for ongoing management, timely discharge from physiotherapy or signposting to other relevant services.

- To work as a specialist practitioner in the clinical area utilising theoretical knowledge, clinical experience and clinical reasoning skills and techniques to assess, diagnose, plan and offer a range of treatment options; deliver, evaluate and amend the treatment plan. This will include patients with diverse or complex presentations/multi-pathologies in individual or group therapy sessions. Working as an autonomous practitioner with access to guidance from the clinical lead therapist when necessary, including working as a lone practitioner in the community.
To maintain clear, accurate and concise patient records in line with departmental and professional standards and include relevant outcome measures. This will include writing patient reports for e.g. medical practitioners and solicitor’s requests.

- To support audit and research projects, to further own and team’s clinical practice. To be involved in making recommendations for changes to practice and procedures for the relevant clinical area, and the implementation of these changes.

- To contribute to the Clinical Governance and Quality agenda by active participation in service initiatives, health and safety and risk management

- To communicate effectively with patients and carers potentially complex, sensitive or distressing information; in order to provide patient centred care, to encourage self-management, maximise rehabilitation potential and to ensure understanding of the condition.  Patients may have communication, perceptual or cognitive/understanding difficulties.

- To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing, other allied health professions and other colleagues to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service.

Additional Contact Details

Rosie Hunter-Rosser [email protected]