Physiotherapy Assistant Practitioner - Acute Medicine

at  Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

KEY TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES: Clinical To work as a core member of the Trusts adult Acute Medical Physiotherapy Team, primarily in ED and AMU. To work effectively within the Trusts wider Adult Medical Multidisciplinary 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 in both professional and medical notes.
To perform complex aspects of patient care in the hospital with direct and indirect supervision such as carrying out assessments, supervised patient exercise sessions with progression of exercises, and formulating and carrying out discharge plans. To motivate patients to exercise and to address barriers to compliance. To be responsible for performing given tasks and reporting any concerns to the Specialist Physiotherapist or appropriate member of the clinical team through daily feedback. To be aware of and adhere to Trust and local policies and procedures.
To provide programmes (exercise prescription) of activity that have a therapeutic basis following evidenced based guidelines laid down by the Senior 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 frequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions e.g. blood, vomit, unpleasant smells and occasional exposure to hostility in the form of verbal and physical aggression. Education To gain the required knowledge and skills in the relevant technical and clinical procedures, and to maintain those skills working under the Acute Band 4 Competency booklet under the supervision of Senior Physiotherapists.
To attend internal and occasionally external courses where appropriate giving feedback from any attended. To develop and maintain knowledge of medical patient management, particularly with reference to falls / frailty / discharge planning and the role of members of the MDT To be responsible for and actively record your own personal development. To contribute to the induction of new physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and assistants to the medical team. Management To manage and prioritise a caseload and balance other patient related and professional activities in accordance with the departments requirements.
This will require occasions where there is an unpredictable environment and may include responding to urgent referrals and occasionally unpredictable work patterns. To undertake patient related administration tasks. To ensure accurate and timely input of notes and statistical information. To independently monitor physiotherapy disposable stock for use in the medical team, liaising with the wider department when required.
To participate in the Trusts appraisal scheme as an appraisee. To maintain good and safe practise when handling patients, this may involve occasional exposure to blood, urine and faeces. To be responsible for checking and cleaning exercise equipment, maintaining weekly records To ensure all equipment defects are reported to the specialist physiotherapist immediately to ensure appropriate action may be taken. To be able to manage potentially upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner.
To supervise a B2 therapy assistant. 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 senior physiotherapists when appropriate, and to use reassurance skills that require tact and persuasion on occasions. To maintain accurate clinical records, ensuring compliance with CSP standards and local guidelines.
Report untoward incidents, accidents, complaints and any other relevant information to 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/medical speciality audit programme/surveys. 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 the banding.
It will be reviewed and amended from time to time in consultation with the post holder to take account of changing organisational need. This job description should be read in conjunction with the non-supervisory JD addendum

Please refer the Job description for details