Band 4 MSK Outpatients Assistant Practitioner

at  Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

This exciting band 4 MSK Outpatient Physiotherapy Assistant Practitioner role is based at Heatherwood Hospital.
As well as working as part of the Outpatient Physiotherapy team Monday to Friday you will also work on the Elective Orthopaedic Ward Weekend Rota, working 1 Saturday or Sunday every 4 weeks.
You will be responsible for delivering group exercise classes for specific patient groups, such as Total Knee Replacements.
You will hold a 1:1 patient caseload which will be a combination of delegated patients from Musculoskeletal and Neuro Physiotherapists, walking aid provisions, and new patient assessments for patients such as Total Knee Replacements and Total Hip Replacements.
Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
To work under the indirect supervision of a physiotherapist to provide a high standard physiotherapy service to orthopaedic, rheumatology and neurology patients.
This role involves leading exercise classes, carrying out one to one assessments and treatments for specific patient groups and supporting the physiotherapy team with departmental duties such as stock management, maintenance of medical devices and the upkeep of the physiotherapy gym standards.
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability confident employer and has been awarded the Gold for the Armed Forces Employment Recognition Scheme. We provide first class development opportunities for all staff and have a wide range of professional, management and leadership, and clinical skills training available.
Here at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, we know how important it is to have a healthy work life balance; this benefits not only individuals but the patients we care for too.
We encourage applications from people who wish to work on a flexible basis, recognising that flexibility may mean a range of different working patterns and hours, we do our utmost to work with our staff to meet their needs and the needs of our service and its users.
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Education

• To gain the required knowledge and skills in relevant technical and clinical procedures and to maintain those skills under departmental competencies and under the supervision of qualified staff.
• To attend external courses where appropriate giving feedback from any attended.
• To be responsible for and actively record your own personal development.
• To be involved in the supervision of Band 2 and 3 members of staff. (As applicable

PURPOSE OF JOB:

To work under indirect supervision of a physiotherapist in providing a high standard service to patients attending physiotherapy outpatients both for musculoskeletal injuries and neurological problems.

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical

• To work as a core and effective member of the physiotherapy outpatient team.
• Within specific guidelines and following training, to be responsible for a clinical caseload working within codes of practice and professional guidelines. This includes patient documentation both in written and electronic format.
• To perform complex aspects of assessment and treatment in the outpatient environment, with direct and indirect supervision such as carrying out post-op assessments, exercise classes, individual gym sessions and progression of exercise.
• To motivate patients to exercise and to address barriers to compliance.
• To play an active role in promoting healthy lifestyle choices with patients.
• To be responsible for performing given tasks and reporting any concerns to the physiotherapists.
• To demonstrate a physical ability to carry out physiotherapy interventions and therapeutic handling without direct supervision. There is a frequent requirement to exert moderate physical effort for several short periods during the day.
• To be responsible for the safe use of physiotherapy equipment, adhering to the Trust medical device policy. This includes competency and accuracy to use equipment by you, other healthcare professionals, carers and patients.

This job will involve exposure to unpleasant working conditions and occasional exposure to hostility in the form of verbal and physical aggression.

Education

• To gain the required knowledge and skills in relevant technical and clinical procedures and to maintain those skills under departmental competencies and under the supervision of qualified staff.
• To attend external courses where appropriate giving feedback from any attended.
• To be responsible for and actively record your own personal development.
• To be involved in the supervision of Band 2 and 3 members of staff. (As applicable)

Management

• To prioritise a delegated caseload and balance other patient related and professional activities in accordance with the departments requirements. This will require occasional concentration in an unpredictable environment and may include responding to urgent referrals and occasionally unpredictable work patterns.
• To be able to manage potentially upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner including but not limited to multiple trauma, amputation, cancer patients, neurological events and palliative care.
• To work within the physiotherapy outpatient team to provide an efficient and effective service and to be involved in the implementation of department policies and the yearly performance plan.
• To maintain and provide accurate and timely statistical information.
• To participate in the Trust Appraisal Scheme as an appraisee.
• To ensure that all equipment defects accidents and complaints are reported to your line manager and the physiotherapy manager immediately to ensure that appropriate action may be taken.
• To be responsible for cleaning and checking the conditions of relevant equipment.
• Undertake associated admin for the role.

Communication

• Demonstrate a courteous and helpful approach to patients and their families, ensuring patients feel reassured and supported.
• Take patient phone calls and seek advice from relevant specialist physiotherapists when appropriate, and to use reassurance skills that require tact and persuasion on occasions.
• To maintain accurate clinical records, ensuring compliance with Frimley Health, CSP standards and local guidelines.
• Report untoward incidents, accidents, complaints and any other relevant information to specialist physiotherapists immediately.
• Participate fully as a team member, sharing knowledge and information and supporting colleagues, to promote a cohesive team.
• To attend and be an active member in speciality and department staff meetings.
• To use interpreters when required to ensure effective communication occurs with patients who are hard of hearing or do not speak/understand enough English for the purposes of consent and cooperation for treatment.

Research/Audit/Quality

• In line with Trusts commitment to Clinical Governance to participate in the physiotherapy departments clinical audit programme.
• To contribute to the Physiotherapy annual business plan.

This job description is an indication of the type and range of tasks that are expected of the post holder, and other duties may be required, in line with the role and banding. It will be reviewed and amended from time to time in consultation with the post holder to take account of changing organisational need