Virtual Reality AHP - Physiotherapist/Occupational Therapist
Job overview
Are you a skilled physiotherapist/occupational therapist with an interest in digital technology and virtual reality therapy? We are looking for a permanent Band 6 Physiotherapist/Occupational therapist to join the Pain Rehabilitation Team.
Our innovative Pain Rehabilitation Team work closely with the Digital Futures team and have been running a hybrid 60% telerehab and 40% face to face service over the last 4 years. We currently use CUREO 4.0 virtual reality enhanced therapy systems in the Chronic Pain Service and have more ideas to take this further as a business-as-usual therapy option both inside and outside the team.
Knowledge of virtual reality either professionally or personally is essential. Experience of different hardware/software applications is desirable - such as meta (oculus) quest, HTC Vive, FLOW goggles and Kat VR treadmill systems. We are looking for someone committed to exploring the value of virtual reality therapy in pain therapy and who is willing to contribute to service audit, evaluation and some research opportunities.
Main duties of the job- Deliver Virtual Reality Immersive Therapy (VriT) clinics: 1-2-1 and group therapy sessions across Pain Rehabilitation services.
- Foster an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) framework for all consultations and treatment interventions
- Utilise well established referral pathways across Pain Rehabilitation, MSK, Spinal, Orthopaedic, Women’s Health, ENT/Vestibular, Rheumatology, ME/CFS, Community ICT and neurology, Talkworks and mental health services
- Become a valued member of the MDT
- Pursue opportunities for training and development including Solution Focused Therapy sessions, 1-2-1 supervision, Clinical Interest Groups, and Fellowships.
- Participate in appropriate clinical audits, data collection and comply with professional standards and Clinical Governance.
Working for our organisation
Why Work With Us
The Trust is a leader in innovation-integrated health and social care across acute and community services. Our aim is to provide high quality, safe health and social care at the right time, in the right place to support the people of Torbay and South Devon to live their lives to the full.For staff this gives unequalled scope for joint working, skill sharing and learning in a supportive environment.
The Pain Rehab Team have successfully remodelled service delivery, maintaining reduced face-to-face activity from pre-Covid-19. Telerehabilitation thrives and is welcomed by our patient population and service delivery demonstrates proven adoption of NHS digital transformation values.In partnership with the Digital innovations Team, and IT teams we have become a stronger and more flexible service. Pain Rehabilitation is seen as a luxury good, and we are committed to finding scalable solutions that meet the needs of the local population.
The digital Innovations team have a track record in introducing innovations into digital healthcare.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Providing advanced therapeutic assessment of patients with diverse or complex physical, psychological, cognitive and behavioural conditions to provide an accurate diagnosis, prognosis and treatment rehabilitation intervention.Formulating and delivering individualised virtual reality immersive therapy treatment programmes, including psychologically informed therapeutic techniques, patient education, provision of activity and/or exercise (individual/group), and other alternative options.
This includes the appropriate selection of referrals for inclusion in a range of treatment programmes, short courses, one to one session using advanced treatment options, advanced communication, questioning and reasoning skills.
Act as a source of expertise on the assessment and management of chronic pain conditions and the delivery of Virtual Reality immersive Therapy using an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) framework to patients.
Educate and train AHP’s - Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists, Physical activity specialists, psychological wellbeing practitioners, CBT practitioners, social prescribers, students, and other healthcare professionals in the therapeutic management of chronic pain conditions using virtual reality immersive therapies.
Primary Duties and Areas of Responsibilities
Communication and Working RelationshipsCommunication with Patients
Assess patients understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid formal consent and jointly agreed goals. Communication will include imparting sensitive and comprehensive information relating to diagnosis, prognosis, physical and functional recovery and potential lifestyle adjustments to patients and their relatives.
To use communication skills of tact, empathy, persuasion, motivation, negotiation and explanation to provide reassurance and gain patients informed consent to treatment, to discuss complex information about underlying influences, prognosis, progression of rehabilitation and treatment programmes with patient or carer.This will include patients who may have difficulties due to complex emotional, psychological as well as physical conditions relating to the presenting complaint.
To communicate effectively, to inform and impart the multi-faceted strategies of lifestyle management issues which are complex, sensitive and where frequently there is resistance to change. All activity when encouraging change of behaviour and attitudes involves making changes to physical, psychological, emotional, cognitive, social/cultural and environmental aspects of oneself.To identify and devise ways of overcoming barriers to effective communication including cognitive impairment, expressive and receptive communication difficulties, embarrassment, anxiety, pain, fear or visual/hearing impairment.
Appraise the nature, context and basis of people’s beliefs, values and habits; challenge constructively attitudes and behaviours that do not promote health and well-being. Deal with moments of disclosure of mental health problems and histories of abuse.Be able to support and signpost appropriately to enable the recognition and action around these issues.
To maintain accurate comprehensive and up to date documentation, in line with legal, departmental and CSP standards of practice and to monitor that of less experienced staff.
To be responsible for accurate and timely data input into the (IHCS, PAS, Infoflex) data collection system for patient registration and contact information and discharge.To represent the pain service, and/or individual patient to ensure the delivery of a coordinated multidisciplinary service. This will involve advising the multidisciplinary team (Consultants, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Physical activity specialists) on management of physical recovery and discussion of patient care, patient progress and involvement of discharge planning.
Information will be provided in several formats including verbal feedback during Multidisciplinary case conferences, comprehensive written assessment and discharge summaries and via email.
Contributions will be shared with Line manager relating to service planning, changes of clinical practice, complaints and plaudits.
External communication may include discussion with employers and related agencies regarding return to work issues. Discussion with multidisciplinary team members regarding patient management such as: Other members of the Torbay and South Devon Pain Service, Reconnect2Life and MSK Physiotherapy teams
Other health and social care colleagues in the Trust, other Devon trusts, Devon Partnership Trust, Devon Social Services and housing servicesSecondary Care Consultants, and Speciality doctors
To be responsible for the day-to-day organisation of work and for implementing a virtual reality immersive therapy programme including assessment, planning, and treatment for those patients in order to provide the highest standards.To manage own clinical caseload and other competing demands of job role, prioritising your own work and that of those you supervise.
To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practise, through CPD activities and to maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development. Maintain and develop current knowledge of evidence-based practise, developing specialist knowledge of particular conditions and patient types.
Be an active member of the in-service training programme by attendance at, participation in and contribution to in-service training programmes, tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses and peer review.To have good working knowledge of and ensure compliance with National and Local guidelines, policies and procedures. To keep up to date with clinical developments by the use of clinical databases and electronic technology.
To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practise, through CPD activities and to maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development. Maintain and develop current knowledge of evidence-based practise in the areas of each rotation, developing specialist knowledge of particular conditions and patient types.
Person specification
qualifications and training
Essential criteria- • Degree or Diploma in Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy, recognised by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists/College of Occupational Therapists/AHP
- • Registration with the Health Professions Council.
- • Previous NHS experience as an AHP
- • Experience in a variety of clinical settings, community and acute
- • Experience in mental health and long-term conditions settings.
special experience
Essential criteria- • Use of virtual reality immersive technology for personal and/or professional use
- • Clinical experience including individual and group work
- • Ability to organize and prioritise workload for self and others.
- • Experience of using a range of extended virtual reality equipment including virtual reality, mixed reality, and augmented reality technology.
- • Experience of using meta (oculus quest), HTC vive, flow goggles, kat VR treadmill hardware/software
- • Experience of using of third-party streaming platforms eg sidequest and steam
- • Experience in collecting data for audit
- • Experience in presentations for workshops and conferences
Knowledge
Essential criteria- • Advanced working knowledge of a broad range of long-term pain conditions.
- • Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team (health / social care).
- • Clinical skills encompassing the core areas of exercise therapy, management of pain and fatigue, activity and sleep training and therapeutic behavioural change.
- • Proven ability of complex case management.
- • Experience in working with patients with persistent pain and/or Fibromyalgia Syndrome
- • Training in Staff Appraisal
You will be joining the organisation at an exciting time. As the first fully integrated care organisation in England, we are working to improve the way we deliver safe, high-quality health and social care. We have a positive and vibrant working atmosphere, we are proud of our investment in our staff both in terms of developing potential career skills and valuing people.
If you provide support to a family member or friend with health or care needs, we aim to be a Carer-friendly employer. We have a ‘Staff Carers’ policy which includes flexible working where possible and a Carer’s Passport scheme that links you into support and discounts.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION- We reserve the right to close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. Please apply promptly
- Please read the job description and tailor your application to reflect the role
- Correspondence will be via Trac, text and email. Please check your email and Trac account regularly.
- Applicants with no previous NHS experience will ordinarily be appointed to the minimum of the band
- If you have not received an invitation to interview within 28 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion
- It is your responsibility to assist us in the timely receipt of appropriate references
If you require support you can obtain this from our Equality Business Forum which has representatives from all protected groups.