Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist: Neurosurgical Spinal Service

at  Beaumont Hospital

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in Spinal Care will work as part of the musculoskeletal physiotherapy team and the consultant led MDT service in Beaumont Hospital, treating patients with complex and routine spinal pathologies. The post will include attendance at consultant led clinics which involves assessment of new and return patients from the consultant waiting list and onward referral to appropriate services. The successful candidate will also carry a physiotherapy caseload with reference to the MSK capacity modelling system and provide specialist care to complex spinal patients referred to the physiotherapy department.

The purpose of the post is:

• To reduce the wait time for patients referred to Beaumont Hospital Neurosurgical service by assessing patients directly from the waiting list at consultant led clinics.
• To work with the neurosurgery consultants and the extended multidisciplinary team to enhance the pathways of care for patients referred to the neurosurgical service.
• To develop a specialist physiotherapy spinal service and to act as an educational resource within the physiotherapy department.
• To manage the Physiotherapy waiting list for neurosurgical spinal patients and carry a caseload as deemed appropriate based on service needs.

Responsibilities:

The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist will:

• Be a lead clinician in the Physiotherapy profession and carry a clinical caseload appropriate to the post
• Be responsible for client assessment, development and implementation of individualised treatment plans that are client centred and in line with best practice
• Be responsible for goal setting in partnership with client, family and other team members as appropriate
• Be responsible for standards of practice of self and staff appointed to clinical / designated area(s)
• Be a clinical resource for other Physiotherapists
• Communicate and work in co-operation with the Physiotherapy Manager and other team members in providing an integrated quality service, taking the lead role as required
• Communicate effectively with and provide instruction, guidance and support to, staff, clients, family, carers etc.
• Document client records in accordance with professional standards and departmental policies
• Observe confidentiality requirements. Unless acting on instruction of an authorised officer, on no account must information concerning patients, staff or health service business be divulged or discussed except in performance of normal duty. In addition, records must never be left in such a manner that unauthorised persons can obtain them.
• Provide a service in varied locations in line with local policy / guidelines and within appropriate time allocation (e.g. clinic, home visits)
• Share expertise on referrals received to other services within physiotherapy department when required.
• Be a resource within the department for clinical expertise in their relevant area.
• Participate and be a lead clinician as appropriate in review meetings, case conferences etc.
• Develop and promote professional standards of practice
• Work within own scope of professional competence in line with principles of best practice, professional conduct and clinical governance
• Seek advice of relevant personnel when appropriate / as required
• Communicate with other clinical specialists throughout the country and internationally to further develop clinical excellence and research.
• Provide weekend and on call service where it is a requirement of the post
• Develop advanced skills as relevant to clinical area.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist will:

• Participate in mandatory training programmes
• Take responsibility for, and keep up to date with Physiotherapy practice by participating in continuing professional development such as reflective practice, in service, self-directed learning, post graduate courses, research, clinical audit etc.
• The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist will have responsibility for service provision, education and training, service development and quality improvement.
• Be responsible for the induction and clinical supervision of staff in the designated area(s)
• Co-ordinate and deliver clinical placements in partnership with universities and clinical educators
• Manage, participate and play a key role in the practice education of student therapists. Take part in teaching / training / supervision / evaluation of staff / students and attend practice educator courses as relevant to role and needs
• The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist should have abilities in management and be capable of assuming lead responsibilities in the future.
• Engage in personal development planning and performance review for self and others as required
• Model of Care for the Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease Implemen Quality, Safety & Risk

The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist will:

• Be responsible for the co-ordination and delivery of a quality service in line with best practice
• Develop and monitor implementation of agreed policies, procedures and safe professional practice by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards
• Ensure the safety of self and others, and the maintenance of safe environments and equipment used in Physiotherapy in accordance with legislation
• Assess and manage risk in their assigned area(s) of responsibility
• Take the appropriate timely action to manage any incidents or near misses within their assigned area(s)
• Report any deficiency/danger in any aspect of the service to the team or Physiotherapy Manager as appropriate
• Be responsible for the safe and competent use of all equipment, aids and appliances both by clients and staff under their supervision
• Develop and promote quality standards of work and co-operate with quality assurance programmes
• Oversee and monitor the standards of best practice within their Physiotherapy team
• Have a working knowledge of HIQA Standards as they apply to the role, for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist will:

• Participate in mandatory training programmes
• Take responsibility for, and keep up to date with Physiotherapy practice by participating in continuing professional development such as reflective practice, in service, self-directed learning, post graduate courses, research, clinical audit etc.
• The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist will have responsibility for service provision, education and training, service development and quality improvement.
• Be responsible for the induction and clinical supervision of staff in the designated area(s)
• Co-ordinate and deliver clinical placements in partnership with universities and clinical educators
• Manage, participate and play a key role in the practice education of student therapists. Take part in teaching / training / supervision / evaluation of staff / students and attend practice educator courses as relevant to role and needs
• The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist should have abilities in management and be capable of assuming lead responsibilities in the future.
• Engage in personal development planning and performance review for self and others as required
• Integrated Model of Care for the Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease Implementation Guide

ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist will report to:
• Physiotherapy Manager for physiotherapy clinical governance, attendance and service performance management.
• Neurosurgery consultants for clinical governance in triage, advanced practice remit and service performance management.
  Qualifications:

The purpose of the post is:

• To reduce the wait time for patients referred to Beaumont Hospital Neurosurgical service by assessing patients directly from the waiting list at consultant led clinics.
• To work with the neurosurgery consultants and the extended multidisciplinary team to enhance the pathways of care for patients referred to the neurosurgical service.
• To develop a specialist physiotherapy spinal service and to act as an educational resource within the physiotherapy department.
• To manage the Physiotherapy waiting list for neurosurgical spinal patients and carry a caseload as deemed appropriate based on service needs