MSK Outpatient Physiotherapist

Job overview

To provide a highly skilled physiotherapy assessment, education, advice and treatment service to outpatients referred by G.Ps & FCPs. Patient conditions will include; musculoskeletal conditions (including post-operative orthopaedics) arthritic conditions, and patients presenting with acute, chronic and or complex spinal pain. To supervise clinical students on placement To work in an outpatient setting within the trust, either at GP surgeries /health centres or Community clinics

Main duties of the job

• To perform specialist physiotherapeutic assessment of patients with diverse presentations who may have complex physical and psychological conditions.
• To hold responsibility for own caseload ,working with indirect supervision. Supervision takes the form of regular formal training and clinical reasoning sessions and peer review. Access for advice and support from a senior physiotherapist is available if required, clinical work is not routinely evaluated by senior staff.
• To undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner.
• To supervise, mentor, and assess physiotherapy students to graduate standard and to ensure the standard of practice and teaching meets the standard set by the universities.
• To undertake evidence-based audit projects to develop and enhance personal and  team’s clinical practice across the service.
• To participate in formal research projects
• To participate in ongoing service developments in conjunction with more senior colleagues

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own clinical practice. 2. To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations or multiple pathologies, using specialist knowledge, clinical reasoning skills and specialist manual assessment techniques to provide a clinical diagnosis. 3. To formulate and deliver (from a variety of options) specialised individual or group physiotherapy treatment programmes based on a sound knowledge of treatment skills underpinned by theoretical knowledge and experience. These skills will include patient education, exercise classes, electrotherapy techniques, manual physiotherapy techniques, e.g. mobilisation and joint manipulation. Other alternative forms of therapy may also be used. e.g. acupuncture. 4. To evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment programmes as required. 5. To formulate soundly reasoned clinical diagnoses and prognoses and make recommendations for the best course of intervention, developing short and long-term goals (negotiated with patient) leading to a comprehensive discharge plan. 6. To work in the community setting which may include periods of lone working with telephone support from a senior physiotherapist if required. 7. To be responsible for the safe and competent use of all electrotherapy equipment, gym equipment and appliances to be used by patients.