Respiratory Physiotherapy Technician

at  Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

General: The post holder will: Under the direction of a registered physiotherapist with or without direct supervision supervise, guide and progress patients independently during Pulmonary Rehabilitation sessions working safely and within scope of practice at all times. Be responsible for the organisation of Pulmonary Rehabilitation sessions with administrative support; including waiting list management, booking appointments, filling classes, setting up the session, assisting with assessment, completing documentation, issuing letters, maintaining the database, and any other organisational tasks required by the service. Under supervision initially the postholder will be expected to setup and then independently run maintenance classes for Pulmonary Rehabilitation patients at a variety of venues. To conduct telephone and online assessment and reviews with patients progressing exercise programmes, reviewing progress and liaising with senior staff as needed.
To perform home visits to known patients to perform exercise programmes, progress appropriately and review progress. Under the direction of a registered physiotherapist with or without direct supervision to supervise, guide and progress patients independently during ambulatory oxygen assessment, working safely and within scope of practice at all times. Training will be provided for this. To provide leadership and training as agreed with supervisor to students, patients and carers.
Clinical Carry out clinical tasks, when competencies have been completed, requiring a wide range of technical ability, as well as an excellent level of interpersonal skills. These include assessment of Blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturations as well as spirometry and clinical exercise testing. Posessing interpretative skills resulting in safely exercising patients or referring to other clinicains as appropriate will be essential. To be aware of safe practise and the need for onward referral, particularly when carrying out exercise testing and exercise programmes.
The postholder will need to to have a good, basic awareness of common Respiratory conditions (and their related symptoms) and have excellent feedback and communication skills with the wider MDT regarding these. Have a good basic awareness of the implications of patients on oxygen (Ambulatory and Long Term) and how the equipment works. This will include being aware of symptoms that may indicate the treatment is not suitable for the patient. Be an essential part of Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Ambulatory Oxygen clinics to assist the specialist Physiotherapists in core clinical assessments such as spirometry and exercise testing.
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 nursing and physiotherapy notes. 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.
To deliver patient education sessions at Pulmonary Rehabilitation to both patients and relatives. To motivate patients to exercise and address barriers to compliance. To promote smoking cessation and refer on as needed

Please refer the Job description for details