Physiotherapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

To organise and prioritise and delegate workload within the specialism.

To use sound clinical judgement to prioritise patients ensuring effective use of resources.

You will assist staff under your supervision to prioritise their caseloads and advise them on appropriate interventions in response to complex and routine cases on a daily basis.

To demonstrate physical skills inclusive of dexterity, co-ordination and sensory skills to carry out physiotherapy assessment and interventions.

To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of your own work, including the management of patients in your care.

To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations / multi pathologies that change across the caseload.

To utilise clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment techniques to provide an accurate diagnosis of their condition, these skills may be advanced.

To formulate and deliver an individual physiotherapy treatment programme based on evidence-based practice and treatment options using clinical assessment, reasoning skills and knowledge of treatment methods and develop comprehensive discharge plans, these skills may be advanced.

To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively and empathetically with patients to progress their rehabilitation. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating.

To evaluate patient progress, re-assess and alter treatment programs if required.

To provide advice to medical and nursing staff and other members of the MDT, regarding patients within the specialism.

To contribute towards the provision of flexible and timely services this will include working across a seven-day week, work across a variety of shift patterns, bank holidays and overnight on call.

To be responsible for the timely and accurate recording of patient care in accordance with service policy, professional standards and legal requirements.

To contribute to and ensure adequate data is collated regarding service activity.

To liaise and communicate with all members of the multidisciplinary team and outside agencies when appropriate.

To represent physiotherapy service and/ or individual patients at the multidisciplinary team meeting.

To carry out assessment and treatment of patients with moderate physical effort on a daily basis.

To maintain own clinical professional development (CPD) by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments, and incorporate them as necessary into your work.

To be an active member involved in the delivery and attendance of the in-service training programme, presentations and training sessions.

Actively participate in staff meetings, tutorials and training sessions in house and by attending external courses and practising reflective practice.

To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing and therapy colleagues to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary service.

To participate in the staff appraisal scheme and Personal Development Plan (PDP) as both appraiser and appraise.

To undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of Evidence Based Practice projects, audit, research and outcome measures, either individually or with colleagues or with clinical specialist or manager.

To make recommendations for change in service provision.

To liaise with senior colleagues in relation to physiotherapy services within the speciality area and to take an advisory role in the development of service within the speciality area.

To disseminate guidelines to staff across the Trust in order to influence and improve standards of care. To observe and adhere to the Code of Practice and Rules of Professional Conduct laid down by the HCPC.

To adhere to all trust and service policies and procedures.

To deputise for the Clinical Team Leader/ Operational leads in terms of operational issues when asked to do so.

To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date documentation, in line with legal, professional and departmental requirements, and to communicate assessment and treatment results of the appropriate disciplines in the form of reports and letters.

See Job description for full details.

Person Specification

Statutory Registration

Essential

• HCPC registration

Desirable

• Member of CSP

Special Requirements

Essential

• Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and to carry out concurrent activities. A proactive ability to represent the profession and the Trust with enthusiasm, flexibility, empathy and reliability.
• Must be able to participate in 7 day working, including bank holidays and overnight on call.
• Ability to independently travel across the Trust area to meet the requirements of the post.

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc in Physiotherapy or equivalent.
• HCPC Registration.
• Evidence of CPD.
• An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust values and how you adhere to them.

Desirable

• Recognised relevant academic qualification.
• Membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).
• Involvement in specific interest groups

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Up-to-date knowledge of professional practice and new research relating to underpin best practice.
• Ability to cope working in a stressful environment and with emotional or aggressive patients and carers. Understand the legal responsibilities of the profession.
• Able to present information, written and orally, in a clear and logical manner. Demonstrate organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Consolidated respiratory learning for respiratory on call.

Desirable

• Innovative approach to working life.
• Able to use own initiative appropriately to enhance service delivery and patient care.
• Presentation skills.
• Competent IT skills.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of MDT working.
• Evidence of excellent communication skills within a wide variety of settings. Undergraduate experience including core placements and competencies within musculoskeletal, orthopaedics, neurology and respiratory care.

Desirable

• Previous band 5 or NHS experience relevant to role.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

DURHAM

DH1 5TW

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)