Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical
• Carry a clinical caseload, planning and prioritising own work and seeking assistance and guidance when needed
• Delegate clinical duties to assistants ensuring they have appropriate knowledge, understanding and competence. Provide training and supervision for the task if required.
• Gather, analyse and evaluate information to identify problems in partnership with the patient, carer and colleagues, working as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team.
• Select and use appropriate assessment techniques in, the clients own home and/or in the community. Make clinical diagnosis and apply clinical reasoning.
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Negotiate and set appropriate, realistic and individualised therapy goals in partnership with the patient, carer and colleagues
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Set up equipment for therapy and ensure it is used safely by clients, carers, staff and/or students
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Teach, guide and supervise clients as individuals or in groups
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Teach therapy techniques to carers including safe use of equipment, manual handling and management of the patient’s condition
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Treat, monitor, develop each patient’s therapy programme, measure outcomes and discharge appropriately
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Refer to other agencies
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Undertake risk assessment and ensure the health and safety of clients, carers and staff during therapy
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To demonstrate dexterity, co-ordination and palpatory senses for assessment and manual treatment of clients.
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To receive and communicate sensitive or contentious information to clients and carers, who regularly have barriers to understanding, e.g. dysphasic, complex mental health problems, to maximise rehabilitation potential and to ensure understanding of conditions.
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To have good verbal and non verbal communication skills of motivation, explanation and reassurance to agree and gain co-operation of clients and carers in their treatment programmes
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Maintain confidentiality
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Communicate complex, sensitive and contentious information effectively with clients, carers, and staff in the multi-disciplinary team and other agencies
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Explain therapy, gain consent and motivate the patient to achieve goals
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Participate in multidisciplinary case review meetings to discuss progress and to plan treatment and safe discharge
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Complete assessment forms, write comprehensive patient treatment records and produce written transfer and discharge reports
Operational Management
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Provide competent cover for absent colleagues
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Complete work within agreed timescales
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Demonstrate behaviour which is sensitive to the needs and values of others seeking mutual understanding, respect and consideration
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Respond calmly and positively in times of conflict or uncertainty, seeking appropriate assistance to achieve a resolution
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Participate in staff meetings, team meetings and professional groups to remain informed and to contribute ideas
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Record statistics and provide information as requested
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Assist with induction and basic training for new staff and students
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Communicate using e-mail
Service Development and Modernisation
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Adapt professional practice under the direction of the lead clinician to ensure the evidence-base is integrated into the team
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Promote an understanding of the profession and contribute to the sharing of learning across professional and organisational boundaries
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Contribute to audit and service evaluation to produce therapy which is efficient, effective and responsive to user feedback
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Contribute to the modernisation of Physiotherapy services to improve care pathways and processes
Personal Development
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Develop knowledge, understanding and competency in therapy practice in all core professional areas
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Develop knowledge and understanding of health service practice
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Continue personal and professional development as agreed with the Senior Therapist during appraisal and supervision.
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To be an active member of the in-service training programme by the attendance and delivery of training sessions at staff meetings
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To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with health and social care colleagues to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary service to clients within the complexities of a community environment.
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To participate in the staff appraisal scheme and Personal Development Review as appraisee.
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To undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of clinical audit, outcome measures and reflective practice. Make recommendations for change.
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To demonstrate an understanding of Clinical Governance, Risk Management and equal opportunities policies and apply to work situation.
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To be aware of Health and Safety aspects of your work in all community settings and implement any policies, which may be required to improve the safety of your work area, including your prompt recording and reporting of incidents and accidents to senior staff, completing risk assessments and ensuring that equipment use is safe.
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To comply with the organisational and departmental policies and procedures and to be involved in the reviewing and updating as appropriate.
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To undertake any other duties, after negotiation, that might be considered appropriate by the Director of Therapy Services.