Therapist (PT)
Job Description
Brief Description of the Post
The Therapist is directly responsible for the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents and adults who attend the centre to provide an integrated service with existing therapy services in the client’s community setting. The therapist will also be expected to deliver outreach therapy across Scotland.
Line Relationships: Reports directly to the CEO
- Professional
a)To assess, analyse, set treatment goals and implement the treatment of children, adolescents and adults who have cerebral palsy and allied neurological conditionsusing the Bobath concept, as part of a multi-disciplinary team, with particular focus on the interaction between postural tone and patterns and the person’s functional skills.
b)To assess and implement PT specific treatment goalsrelated to the client’s functional abilities and associated impairments. This will include:
- Perception
- Sensation
- Vision
- Knowledge of equipment in terms of ADL
c)To assess using standardised assessments.
d)To initiate new ideas and techniques for the development of the PT service and that of the Bobath Scotland Team.
e)To initiate and continue liaison with parents/carers, main therapists and other relevant personnel to ensure an integrated approach to the clients’ needs. This will include discussion of person’s abilities and inabilities as related to diagnosis and prognosis.
f)To suggest activities which can be carried out in any setting, eg the home/work place and nursery/school to further enhance/maintain level of functional skills.
g)To assist in ensuring that the approach, progress and frequency of treatment are appropriate to needs of the client and those who support them.
h)To maintain and develop professional knowledge and clinical competence in accordance with professional body Code of Ethics by:
- attending regular tutorials
- participating in relevant Special Interest Groups, andcourses/conferences
- reading relevant professional publications
- attending study days held jointly with all Bobath Centres in the UK.
i)To participate in audit in relation to outcome indicators and the use of evidence based practice.
j)To assist in the delivery of Bobath Scotland short courses under guidance of the Senior Therapists.
Therapists may pursue Tutor Training as a Bobath Tutor if desired and recommended by the Head of Therapy and Director at the Bobath Centre, London.
k)To participate in and assist with research projects as part of the ongoing work of Bobath Scotland.
- Administration
a)To keep clinical records and case notes in accordance with the standards of Bobath Scotland and professional body’s guidelines.
b)To ensure that comprehensive reports and recommendations made are disseminated to parents/carers and relevant personnel.
- Personnel
a)To ensure the safety of clients and staff at all times. This includes regular participation in Bobath Scotland’s ongoing training in emergency procedures.
b)To participate in Bobath Scotland’s programme of 6 monthly progress review and appraisal, including setting of goals for individual professional development.
c)To participate in Bobath Scotland’s aim to encourage free exchange of knowledge about Cerebral Palsy in order to further our understanding of the subject.
d)Performance of other general duties as required to facilitate the smooth operation of Bobath Scotland.
- Hours of Work and Holidays
a)09.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday
b)Lunch break 45 minutes
c)In addition to public holidays, paid annual leave will be 25 working days. This includes 3 days to be taken at Christmas as an extended recess. These days are to be decided by Bobath Scotland.
Bobath Therapist:Person Specification
Essential Qualities
• Professionally recognised qualification to practicePhysiotherapy in the UK
• Registration with the Health Profession Council.
• Membership of British professional body
• A minimum of two years post graduate experience working with children with physical disabilities and their families.
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Good communication skills both with other professionals, children and families.
• Self-motivation to seek out new developments in the field of occupational therapy, neurology and cerebral palsy, and working within an evidence-based practice framework.
• Good report writing skills
• Ability to be proactive and use initiative
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Sensitive to gender, race, class and disability
Desirable Qualities
• Successful completion of an eight week Bobath Course
• Some knowledge of word processing
• Some experience of teaching
• Some knowledge of IT programmes in relation to children with cerebral palsy.