Specialist Physiotherapist

at  Devon Partnership NHS Trust

As a physiotherapist in the Adult Intensive Assessment and Treatment Team, the post holder will: Provide specialist physiotherapy for adults with a learning disability where access to generic physiotherapy treatment is not appropriate for them. Use Physiotherapy skills to treat complex muscular-skeletal physical problems which often occur in combination with other cognitive and/or sensory disabilities Improve mobility for people with physical disabilities through the assessment and provision of specialist equipment e.g. wheelchairs, postural support systems and other assistive technologies Work closely with other multi-disciplinary team members, carers and services to enable community inclusion and promote independence through reducing reliance on paid support Be an active member of the multi-disciplinary and physiotherapy team and contribute appropriately to all service requirements and developments Ensure safe practice and adherence to Safeguarding policies and procedures Duties and Responsibilities Communication and Working Relationship Skills Relay complex, sensitive information to people with learning disabilities and their carers with empathy and in a way that they can understand Assess clients understanding of treatment proposals and their capacity to give informed consent and working within the legal framework when the client lacks capacity Contribute to and lead (as agreed) team and Physiotherapy meetings and represent physiotherapy or IATT team at other relevant meetings when required Build and maintain effective working relationships with team colleagues and with relevant community partners. Keep electronic records according to Trust policy Provide professional advice and consultancy to the team manager, multidisciplinary team members, carers and other services.
Use Total Communication practices to promote best possible communication with people with learning disabilities Analytical and Judgemental Skills Assess effectively clients with complex needs, analyse and interpret the assessment to plan appropriate treatment from a range of options Show clinical reasoning in documentation To contribute to the evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of audit and outcome measures. Identify risk issues, which potentially could affect the patients/clients health or social care and report adverse signs to registered professionals To provide support for student physiotherapists and less experienced physiotherapy staff, social, health and education staff as delegated by the physiotherapist. Planning and Organisational Skills Plan, prioritise and organise own workload as well as the workload of any staff supervised by the post holder, monitoring and adjusting activities and programmes as necessary. Participate in the planning, leading and organisation of service development projects Use effective time management skills to maximise productivity Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy Assess, develop, implement, monitor and evaluate specialist physiotherapy programmes as part of an overall care plan Apply specialist knowledge and skills to meet the needs of those with profound and complex needs Contribute/lead relevant service user planning and review meetings Plan and lead groups when this is deemed a suitable method of service delivery Ensure all treatment records are completed according to Trust policy Practice according to the standards set out by the Health Professions Council Respond and contribute effectively and flexibly to occasional team emergencies and other urgent requests as directed by the Team Manager/Lead Physiotherapist Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation Contribute/lead service improvement and development in community team, Physiotherapy service and wider LD Partnership, extending knowledge and skills of own practice.
Ensure own continuing professional development is on-going and relevant to the post and is recorded according to professional and local protocols Keep up to date with essential training, supervision and annual appraisals in accordance with Trust policy Participate/coordinate research and audit activity as a means of contributing to the advancement of practice Contribute to the planning, organisation and maintenance and leadership of professional networks and interest groups to maintain and develop professional practice Keep up to date on relevant government and local policy and guidance in relation to best practice for learning disability Ensure all work is done in accordance with person-centred principles which promotes choice and empowerment To avoid any behaviour which discriminates against your fellow employees or patients on the grounds of sex, marital status, race, age, colour, nationality, ethnic, or national origins, religion or disability. Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources Be responsible for ordering and maintaining equipment and consumables, as an accredited prescriber Ensure cost-effective management of any delegated finance duties Report any health and safety issues to the Lead Physiotherapist Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management Participate in supervision of own practice completing any agreed actions Provide supervision and support to designated assistant staff Ensure efficient management of time and resources Participate in training of self and others as relevant to post Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties Ensure all records are up to date and compliant with the data protection act and Trust recording standards Use all available IT applications to enhance the communication of treatment plans to users, care providers and carers Responsibility for Research and Development Assist in development of Team research initiatives Be involved in a professional clinical group Undertake audit and/or research projects for service and professional development on an annual basis Freedom to Act Work autonomously following protocols and codes of conduct and professional guidelines Manages specialist caseload Undertake one hour clinical supervision each mont

Please refer the Job description for details