WESTERN ISLES NHS BOARD
PHYSIOTHERAPY DEPARTMENT
OSPADAL UIBHIST AGUS BHARRAIGH
Job Title: Senior Physiotherapist
Grade:
Accountable to:Physiotherapy Service Manager
Responsible to:Physiotherapy Manager
Superintendent III Physiotherapist
Job Holder reference:
Number of Job Holders:1
Job Purpose
To provide a high standard of advanced Physiotherapy assessment and treatment of patients with predominantly musculoskeletal conditions, as an autonomous practitioner.
To determine clinical diagnosis and physiotherapy treatment indicated and to maintain records, as an autonomous practitioner.
To provide a high standard of Physiotherapy assessment and treatment of neurological, respiratory and general immobility conditions in Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh, St Brendan’s Hospital, Barra, Lochboisdale Clinic and in remote and rural domiciliary settings, working daily for long periods as a lone practitioner.
To be the sole Physiotherapist responsible for providing the Physiotherapy service, and its development, on the Isle of Barra.
To deputise for the Superintendent III.
Principle Duties and Responsibilities
To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of you’re own work including the management of patients in your care.
To work without clinical supervision
To be responsible for the clinical supervision of less senior members of the Physiotherapy staff.
To work without agreed protocols for treatment using advanced clinical reasoning skills and following best evidence based practice.
Receive referrals from GP’s, consultants and other health professionals and to be responsible for prioritising waiting lists.
Organise own case load in 3 clinics (booking patients appointments by phone and post] and ensure time is effectively and efficiently balanced between patient related and other professional demands.
To be responsible for own administrative duties.
Obtain a thorough history from the patient and perform advanced assessments using investigative and analytical skills in order to formulate an accurate diagnosis, using advanced observational and manual skills.
To be highly skilled in communicating with patients, presenting with numerous medical conditions, communicating highly complex information regarding their diagnosis, prognosis and Physiotherapy treatment, where information may be of a sensitive or emotive nature.
To be highly skilled in communicating with patients whilst providing clinical care including motivating, persuading, negotiating and reassuring distressed patients where there may be significant barriers to understanding e.g. Dementia, deafness, confusion, Gaelic speaking only, working towards shared treatment goals.
To be highly skilled in explaining all interventions to the patient to gain informed consent for treatment, and to motivate them to undertake a treatment Programme, which may involve radical changes in the way they view their condition and lifestyle.
To be highly skilled in communicating with patient’s relatives, carers and other Health Professionals, where there may be significant barriers to understanding and acceptance of this information, which may be of a highly distressing, sensitive or emotive nature.
To use expert analytical skills gained from past experience and post- graduate study, analysing physiological and psychological conditions, to decide on appropriate Physiotherapy treatments and/or referral on to other specialists.
To be highly skilled in providing written and oral communication to GP’s, Consultants and other professionals concerning progress and outcomes of physiotherapy intervention and requesting investigations or interventions by other bodies.
To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date documentation, in line with legal and departmental requirements.
To be responsible for maintaining own statistics, and providing these to the Physiotherapy Manager as required.
To represent the Physiotherapy Department at Multi Disciplinary Team meetings.
To be responsible for organising twice weekly travel by car and ferry to the Isle of Barra, including booking tickets and a place on the ferry in advance.
To be responsible for the re-organisation of own workload, should inclement weather conditions lead to cancellation of ferry.
To be responsible for organising home visits to remote areas to fit in with hospital and clinic demands.
To carry out frequent home visits, working alone as a sole practitioner.
To be responsible for equipment used for physiotherapy treatment and duties, and to adhere to departmental policy, including competence to use equipment.
To be responsible for the safe use of Physiotherapy equipment by others, through teaching, training and supervision of practice.
To be responsible for ensuring adequate levels of Physiotherapy Department stock is maintained in outlying clinics, including on the Isle of Barra, and re-ordering equipment as necessary.
To frequently provide highly specialist advice, both spontaneous and planned, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals to promote understanding of the aims of physiotherapy and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.
To maintain own clinical professional development by keeping up to date with new developments and trends and incorporating them into current practice.
To participate in the staff appraisal scheme of personal professional development plan.
To undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of Evidence Based Practice projects, audit and outcome measures, making recommendations for change.
To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and apply to the work situation.
To be aware of health and safety aspects of your work and implement any policies which may be required to improve the safety of your work area including the prompt recording and reporting of accidents and ensuring equipment is safe to use.
To comply with organisational and departmental policies and procedures and to be involved in the reviewing and updating as appropriate.
To write legal reports when requested by patients through their solicitor.
Any other appropriate duties as requested by the Physiotherapy Manager.
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
Physical Effort
Carry out assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions with moderate physical effort on a daily basis.
To provide Physiotherapy treatment using highly skilled physical techniques, e.g. mobilisations, manipulations, stretches, which require a high level of sensitivity, dexterity and manual control.
Frequently move and handle heavy patients, both in the Community and in Hospitals.
Occasional exposure to unpleasant working conditions e.g. bodily fluids- sputum, urine, blood, wounds.
Occasionally be required to use intense physical effort while moving heavy patients to and from wards.
Daily moving and handling of walking aids, such as crutches and frames, within the Hospitals, in the Community and in and out of cars, frequently in very bad weather conditions.
Frequently asses and treat patients at home, without proper clinical facilities and where the conditions are not conducive to treatment.
Assessment and treatment on a daily basis, frequently involving kneeling, bending, crouching and stretching.
Regularly transporting patients in wheelchairs.
Twice weekly travel to the Isle of Barra, frequently enduring a rough ferry crossing due to inclement weather conditions.
Mental Effort
Daily long periods of concentration while assessing and treating patients as a lone practitioner, often interrupted by phone calls or staff, and then returning to the task.
Daily dealing with patients who may have complex problems, which require highly specialised clinical reasoning skills to asses and treat.
Teach clinical and manual skills to other members of staff and carers.
Daily deal with unpredictable working patterns, as a lone practitioner in a remote and rural area.
Emotional Effort
Frequently provide unwelcome news to patients, carers or other professionals, informing them of limited expectation from rehabilitation, major changes needing in lifestyle including hobbies and employment, frequently in a highly emotive atmosphere.
Daily, assess and treat patients in considerable pain and distress.
Dealing regularly with difficult social situations where relatives are not coping with patients at home.
Frequently deal with patients and cares who may be upset, angry, depressed, or, on occasion, aggressive.
Occasionally imparting news of a highly distressing nature, e.g. poor prognosis, poor rehabilitation outcome.
Occasionally care for patients who are terminally ill or who suffer from chronic degenerative illness.
Working Conditions
On a daily basis, work alone as a sole practitioner.
Daily drive to remote and rural locations, daily drive on single lane roads, tracks and frequently travel enduring inclement weather conditions.
Twice weekly travel by ferry to the Isle of Barra, frequently during inclement weather conditions.
Occasionally being unable to travel home, necessitating an overnight stay away from home.
Occasionally treat people with alcohol problems in isolated situations.
STANDARD ELEMENTS
Confidentiality
Comply with Western Isles NHS Board’s policy on confidentiality
Respect the confidentiality and privacy of patients and staff at all times
Health and Safety
To comply with all aspects of the Western Isles NHS Board’s health and safety policies and to participate in mandatory training as required
Maintain at all times a safe working environment and report any issues of concern as appropriate
NHS Western Isles attaches the greatest importance to the health and safety of its employees. It is the Board policy to do all that is reasonable to prevent personal injury and hazard to health by protecting staff and others, including the public from foreseeable hazards compatible with the provision of proper services to patients. The Board expects its entire staff to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work. More detailed information is given in Departmental safety policies where appropriate.
Ensure own actions support equality, diversity and rights
This involves:
a)Acting in ways consistent with the Boards policies and procedures
b)Treating those you come in contact with equitably and respect
c)Recognising the needs for aids and adaptations.
JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
I,……………………………………………………………………………. Confirm that the Job Description(s)/Person Specification(s) attached have been discussed with me and are an accurate and up to date account of the duties and responsibilities and skills/qualifications required to undertake the post.
Job Holders signature:…………………………………………Date:…………….
Head of Department’s signature:……………………………..Date:…………
NHS Western Isles
Physiotherapy Department
Person Specification – Senior Physiotherapist
Essential
/Desirable
Qualifications/attainments
/ Diploma/Degree in Physiotherapy / Post graduate qualification eg MACPState Registration / Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Involvement in CSP Clinical interest group
Experience / Minimum of 4 years post graduate experience, including work at a senior level in a variety of specialties / Experience of working as a lone practitioner
Skills/knowledge/aptitude
/ Specialist knowledge of musculoskeletal physiotherapy / Highly specialist knowledge of musculoskeletal physiotherapyGood knowledge of neurological and respiratory physiotherapy / Specialist knowledge of neurological and respiratory physiotherapy
Excellent interpersonal skills Understanding of clinical governance and its implications for services / Experience of audit and research
Ability to work as a lone practitioner / Competent IT skills
Ability to pass on skills/knowledge to others within both formal and informal environments
Flexibility
Adaptability
Able to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and carry out concurrent activities
Ability to cope working with emotional or aggressive patients and carers
Personal Qualities
/ Able to work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary teamand as a lone practitioner
Committed to personal and team development
Able to work well with others and pass on skills and knowledge
Able to maintain judgement under pressure
Motivation/ Drive/Enthusiasm/Confident
Special circumstances / Realistic view of working in a remote and rural area
Car owner
Clean driving license / Previous experience of working in a remote and rural location