Community Physiotherapist

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We are particularly keen to hear from protected groups – including BAME, LGBT+ and people with a disability.

Job overview

We have a exciting new position for an experienced physiotherapist to join the Long term conditions services in the North Lancashire area. The role will be rotational between the care home support team, Long term conditions team and Community therapy team.

The Care Home Support Team support staff in registered care homes with Nursing in the North Lancashire footprint to deliver safe, high quality care for their residents.

The Long Term Conditions (LTC)Team play a significant part in caring for people, who have been assessed as having a long term condition or who are frail and whose care is more appropriately delivered at home.

All these teams work towards admission avoids and early discharge from hospital, following the Government plan to prevent, delay or divert the need for acute hospital or long-term bed-based care.

Main duties of the job

To be professionally and clinically responsible for highly specialist community physiotherapy assessment and treatment, working as an autonomous practitioner managing patients with a wide range of highly complex conditions.

Provide highly specialist advice, training and leadership to Physiotherapy staff, GP’s and wider community MDT.

The post holder will assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate individualised programmes of evidence-based care providing highly specialist advice to patients, carers/relatives, and the multidisciplinary team.

Working for our organisation

We operate from three main hospitals-Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), and Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal, as well as a number of community healthcare premises including Millom Hospital and GP Practice, Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, and Ulverston Community Health Centre.

FGH and the RLI have a range of General Hospital services, with full Emergency Departments, Critical/Coronary Care units and various Consultant-led services.

WGH provides a range of General Hospital services, together with an Urgent Treatment Centre, that can help with a range of non-life threatening conditions such as broken bones and minor illnesses.

All three main hospitals provide a range of planned care including outpatients, diagnostics, therapies, day case and inpatient surgery. In addition, a range of local outreach services and diagnostics are provided from community facilities across Morecambe Bay.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To assist the Matron in planning and organising the full range of the Community Physiotherapy Service activities inclusive of workload delegation and reallocation as required dependant on staff resources
• In conjunction with the Matron and Clinical Services Manager lead the development of Community physiotherapy services for the Care Home Support Team and Long-Term Conditions team following national and local guidance including NICE
• Identify problems which effect planning and delivery of patient care and actively work towards solving them empowering others to make decisions
• Maintain an area of clinical expertise, so providing a highly specialist clinical resource for the specialty or take a lead in a specific area of designated responsibility within the specialty
• To communicate with carers, patients, referrers and other professions to ensure the provision of excellent patient care. This may at times require staff to overcome barriers to understanding (impaired hearing, speech or cognition) and could include the transmission of sensitive information. This requires an empathetic approach to patient care
• Organise own time to enhance the well-being of patients
• Ensure the effective and efficient use of physical and financial resources and make decisions regarding supplies and equipment within specialist area in conjunction with Team Lead.
• In conjunction with the Matron and Clinical Service Manager, propose, develop and implement guidelines and policies for the specialty.
• In conjunction with the Matron and Clinical Service Manager, ensure patient/carer views are sought and incorporated into the development and improvement of practice.
• Monitor health, safety and security of self and others and promote best practice in the ward/department and area of speciality
• Evaluate service delivery, identify areas for improvement and initiate change in conjunction with Matron, Clinical Service Manager, and Care group Managers
• Take the lead when required to develop and influence the development of practice / services in the clinical area through the business planning process / service development and in conjunction with the Matron, Clinical Service Manager and Care Group Managers
• Delegate work to match capabilities and workload of team members, in discussion with the Matron.
• Occasionally responds to bleep and mobile for service

• Provide expert care for either a defined case load of patients or offer highly specialist service advice to patients within agreed protocols and clinical guidelines, but also has the ability to make

• Work autonomously, but within professional boundaries, to accurately examine and assess patients from a physical, physiological, psychological and social perspective, and plan therapeutic care accordingly
• Accept patient’s referrals, assess, diagnose, treat, refer on as appropriate, plan, and instigate discharge from care, working collaboratively with other professionals and agencies to ensure patient needs are met in relation to ongoing care needs and discharge arrangements
• Perform advanced clinical skills in the assessment of patients including taking a clinical history, performing a clinical examination and evaluating the clinical information, to produce an appropriate plan for the implementation of care delivery, whilst maintaining accurate patient records
• Perform therapeutic procedures and investigations related to specialty, that require dexterity, coordination and precision to perform appropriate assessment and interventions. Examples include therapeutic handling techniques manual techniques, balance and exercise prescription and falls prevention strategies such as getting up off the floor.
• Provide information and advice on prescribed or non-prescription medication, on medication regimens, side-effects and interactions
• Integrates appropriate non-drug based treatment methods into patient management plans.
• Responsible for ensuring complete and effective documentation of all patient care acts and omissions in all relevant records including patient care records, in accordance with national record keeping; ensuring that patients are assessed on an individual basis, that care is carried out and that care plans are reviewed, evaluated and updated in accordance with the patient’s clinical condition
• Evaluates results of interventions, revises plan accordingly and consults or refers when needed
• Ensure privacy, dignity and individual patient needs such as personal care and nutritional needs are met

• Act as mentor/assessor in supporting and developing staff e.g. students, registered and unregistered staff, through mentorship/preceptorship and induction
• Participate in the Trust Appraisal and Personal Development Review process; identify role and band specific training needs and agree the development/implementation plans for these needs with supervisor (Training identified within a PDR can only be related to this job description)
• The post holder will participate in the Trust Appraisal and Personal Development Review process by contributing to the appraisal of members of the team within the specialty
• Deliver education and specialist training programmes in clinical skills and knowledge. This will include booking training accommodation and preparing the teaching aids
• Participate in the provision of education and assessment support to staff (including students, temporary and members of the multidisciplinary clinical teams) to ensure they are supported and supervised in a way that promotes patient well-being and staff development
• Ensure personal training needs analysis for medical devices is completed
• Responsible for ensuring own mandatory training is up to date
• Responsible for ensuring all essential work-related training is relevant to role and band, and up to date for self and team
• Be prepared to undertake further education and training in order to effectively develop the service
• To have sufficient computer skills for the handling and management of computerised data
• Provides anticipatory guidance and advice to promote health, reduce risk factors and prevent disease and disability
• Initiates appropriate and timely consultation and referral when the problem exceeds the Physiotherapist’s scope of practice or expertise

• All Registered Physiotherapists of University Hospital Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust must adhere to all current Trust policies and procedures
• Ensure risk management systems are adhered to and that untoward incidents are reported according to Trust Policy
• In conjunction with the Matron, Clinical Service Manager and Care group Managers, identify and manage risks associated with the delivery of the specialty service
• Report untoward incidents and deal effectively with patients’ or relatives’ complaints
• Participate in the investigation of complaints/litigation/adverse incidents and ensure all documentation is completed.
• When required take the lead in investigation of incidents / complaints including providing detailed reports / letters to complainants.
• Effectively communicate lessons learned from any incidents or complaints to the multidisciplinary team
• Constructively challenge poor practice or behaviours and raise concerns, escalating as appropriate
• Be open and honest when a mistake is made and provide reflection to demonstrate learning
• In conjunction with the lead clinician, medical team and senior nurse specialists, participate in research, complex audit, benchmarking and equipment trials relevant to own specialty.
• Disseminate good practice and knowledge by pursuing opportunities to present work at national conferences or via publications, encourage team members likewise
• Participate in the production of an annual report circulating it widely and appropriately
• Ensure safe clinical practice is maintained
• To practice in accordance with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Rules of Professional Conduct and Health Professions Council regulations.

This job description is not exhaustive and will be reviewed and amended, with the post holder, when necessary.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

• Health Professions Council Registered Physiotherapist. Honours Degree or equivalent in Physiotherapy approved by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy/Health Professions Council Evidence of relevant post graduate specialist courses/training to Masters module level or equivalent in speciality

• Membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Membership of a relevant Clinical Interest group. Eg - give relevant example

Experience

• Comprehensive experience as specialist physiotherapist in areas of practice relevant to the speciality or team. Evidence of effective written and oral communication skills in English in a variety of settings. Experience of working within a team

Skills, ability and Knowledge

• Evidence of commitment motivation and adaptability. Ability to think quickly, assess clinical situations and take decisions upon that information. Must demonstrate knowledge of team / group dynamics and understand the role of an Advanced Physiotherapist within a team. Understanding of legal responsibilities within the profession. Ability to maintain high levels of concentration. Must be able to demonstrate the confidence to take independent action within expected capabilities. Good communication skills and interpersonal skills are essential. Ability to liaise effectively within the multi-disciplinary team. Ability to motivate patients and other staff. To have a clear understanding of the role of an Advanced Physiotherapist in the approach of their professional duties in an acute hospital. Good IT skills To have a knowledge of audit tools and of organisational and clinical standards in Physiotherapy. Must be able to demonstrate awareness of current NHS issues.

personal qualities

• Ability to travel as required Ability to meet the physical/ psychological requirements of the post. Ability to perform moderate to intense physical effort for short periods throughout the working dayTo take part in on-call duties given appropriate notice. Must be able to comply with the Trust’s policies. Must be able to maintain patient confidentiality

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The Trust promotes flexible working opportunities where ever possible to enable staff to balance their work and home life. We are committed to Equal Opportunities and aim to be Effortlessly Inclusive .

The trust operates a No Smoking Policy.

Only those applicants who demonstrate clearly how they meet our Person Specification will be shortlisted for Interview.

We reserve the right to close a job advert early where sufficient applications have been received.

The Trust does not offer interview expenses to shortlisted candidates unless indicated in the advert

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Anyone newly appointed to the trust under the Agenda For Change contract, will be subject to the completion of a satisfactory 6 month probationary period. This will give the new staff member an opportunity to become familiar with the role and working environment.

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