Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Senior Physiotherapist rebanding to Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist for the Pelvic Health Service will:

• Assist in the integration of services within a speciality and within Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy
• Facilitate a culture of quality, continuous innovation, improvement and productivity within the specialty
• Comply and be aware of all aspects of the Clinical Governance agenda e.g. risk, audit, EBP, patient involvement
• Facilitate patient involvement within practice development and audit
• Work collaboratively with others to develop a coordinated cross site and cross profession approach to the management of patients within the Therapy Service

Provide specialist clinical advice to inform the service planning process

• Instigate, monitor and evaluate systems to ensure that the quality and efficiency of the service is maintained, identifying opportunities for development and implementing them where appropriate in conjunction with the Therapy Speciality Lead, Therapy Clinical Team Leader and advanced clinical practitioners where applicable
• Have a sound and current theoretical knowledge base and keep up to date with all current developments associated with their specialty and profession and be responsible for promoting the application of evidence based practice at every opportunity
• Develop, identify, implement and evaluate clinical outcomes, both therapy and patient reported, that measure efficiency and effectiveness
• Collect Patient, carer and family feedback and develop appropriate action plans in order to drive responsive changes in care
• Assume a key role in projects and initiatives internal and external where appropriate, in conjunction with colleagues e.g. professional body specialist section groups, Tissue Viability Links, Lead for Infection Prevention
• Be aware of medical, political and therapeutic developments impacting on Therapy and healthcare delivery, reviewing the implications within the specialist area and change or develop practice accordingly in consultation with the Therapy Clinical Team Leader
• Contribute to the development, implementation and monitoring of professional standards within the team and to lead on clinical audit
• Assist in reviewing and updating policies and procedures
• Collaborate with the Therapy Leadership Team in identifying opportunities for service development
• Compare own practice with peers in other Trusts and participate in national, regional and professional networks to develop best practice

Clinical Practice and Patient Care as a Clinical Specialist

The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist for the Pelvic Health Service will:

• Be responsible for managing a complex clinical caseload from assessment, intervention /treatment to discharge/transfer of care, in order to facilitate a timely and safe discharge from hospital
• Provide appropriate education to patients and carers in order to encourage and support participation in the management and care of their child
• Have specialist knowledge and skills related to this clinical area in order to provide specialist teaching, clinical advice and recommendations to Therapy staff, the multi-disciplinary team and families in relation to patient care
• Use specialist techniques including therapeutic handling and rehabilitation techniques to maximise functional potential for each individual.
• Assist patient, family and other staff during Therapy by responding to medical emergencies and/or performing other activities including personal care
• Communicate complex, sensitive, distressing and contentious information effectively with individuals, carers and staff in the multi-disciplinary team and other agencies
• Delegate clinical duties to therapists and/or support staff ensuring that they have appropriate knowledge, understanding and competence and to provide training and supervision as required
• Negotiate, agree expectations and set appropriate, realistic and individualised Therapy goals in partnership with the patient, parents, carers and families and MDT colleagues
• Select and use appropriate assessment techniques in hospital, the patients own home and / or in community based settings
• Set up equipment for therapy and ensure it is used safely by parents, carers, staff and students
• Treat, monitor, and develop each individuals therapy programme using outcome measures and work towards a timely discharge in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team
• Have day-to-day management, coordination and organisation of the Therapy referral systems and clinical caseload for the specialty team, and ensure patients receive high standards of intervention at all times in accordance with the Code of Professional Conduct for Physiotherapists as appropriate
• Provide specialist clinical support, advice and teaching for physiotherapy staff, the wider therapy team and other professionals
• Use advanced clinical reasoning and highly specialist skills to assess, plan and implement treatment regimes for individuals referred, and taking particular responsibility for those with the most complex needs
• Adapt and utilise appropriate techniques or precautions when treating/handling individuals
• Use clinical reasoning skills to prescribe, plan, treat lead and facilitate discharge where appropriate.
• Liaise with individuals, carers and other relevant health care professionals and community services to establish individual needs and ensure all appropriate recommendations are actioned
• Ensure collection of statistical information and maintain a professional level of record keeping and report writing in accordance with the UHL Documentation Policy, HCPC and professional guidelines.
• Teach therapy techniques to family and carers including safe use of equipment, handling and management of their family members condition, ensuring all relevant appropriate documentation is completed
• Participate in multidisciplinary case review meetings to discuss progress and to plan treatment and safe discharge
• Explain therapy, gain consent and work with individuals and carers to achieve goals
• Gather, analyse and evaluate information to identify problems in partnership with the individuals, carers and colleagues
• To have shared responsibility for monitoring the safety of patients and team members whilst working in the community if appropriate (e.g. home assessments) and be responsible for actioning emergency procedures if their safety is compromised
• Advise the Therapy Clinical Team Leader of any concerns regarding clinical practice
• With the agreement of the Therapy Leadership team as appropriate develop competencies in roles outside the normal scope of practice within an approved training and ratification process with ongoing review

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Significant post graduate clinical experience within a relevant specialist area to the equivalent of Master degree level
• Previous employment as a senior therapist in a relevant specialist area
• Evidence of experience of managing and leading a team
• Demonstrates specialist skills and knowledge in relevant clinical area

Desirable

• Experience of audit/clinical evaluation/outcome measures/research

Analytical and Judgment Skills

Essential

• Demonstrates evidence of flexibility/initiative and risk management
• Evidence of ability to evaluate, analyse and resolve issues and problems.
• Evidence of ability to adapt to and manage change

Desirable

• Evidence of experience of performance management

Training and Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma/BSc (hons)/MSc in Physiotherapy
• HCPC Registration
• Evidence of recent CPD specific to the speciality clinical area

Desirable

• Evidence of undertaking relevant validated or accredited course at post graduate or masters level and or experience working to this level

Communication and relationship skills

Essential

• Demonstrates effective written, verbal and non-verbal communication
• Demonstrates knowledge of effective team working and evidence of multi-professional collaboration and joint working
• Demonstrates positive approach, ability to motivate self and others

Planning and organisation skills

Essential

• Demonstrates effective coping skills for dealing with pressurised and unexpected situations
• Demonstrates a flexible and innovative approach to meet service needs

Desirable

• Evidence of standard setting and service development
• Evidence of willingness to take on new responsibilities and projects

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential

• All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others

Other requirements specific to the role

Essential

• Express enthusiasm for post and desire to work in clinical area