Physiotherapist (Musculoskeletal)

Job overview

The post holder will be a clearly identifiable senior clinical staff member with significant clinical experience, working as an autonomous practitioner providing highly specialised musculoskeletal physiotherapy assessment and treatment to a caseload of complex musculoskeletal conditions.

In addition the post holder will provide sound clinical expertise to their team and more junior staff as well as the wider MDT.

The post holder will also demonstrate a high standard of skills and behaviours in line with the 4 pillars of practice: Clinical Practice; Facilitative Learning; Leadership and Research and Development. Therefore in addition to being a role model for highly specialised clinical care the post holder will also take a lead on specific projects, service development, and managerial responsibilities through their own initiative as well as those delegated by the Clinical Lead Therapist or Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioners.

They will role model the identified Trust values at all times.

The role also includes the opportunity to assess and treat patients in a variety of clinical settings including : Outpatient Physiotherapy Department and Consultant-led Clinics. Current frontline clinics with a band 7 are Shoulder Clinic, Acute Soft Tissue Knee Clinic, and Shockwave Clinic.

The post-holder will have relevant level 7 qualifications (achieved or currently working towards)

Main duties of the job

• To be responsible for the management of own designated caseload of patients and to maintain up to date physiotherapy records.
• To use evidence based principles and current best practise to assess, plan, implement and evaluate physiotherapy interventions and ensure that all members of the designated team do likewise.
• To provide day to day line management of a designated team.
• To provide supervision, teaching and support to more junior staff, therapy assistants and students on placement.
• To participate in CPD and other developmental activities and encourage all members of designated team to do likewise.
• To work with relevant multi-disciplinary team (MDT) colleagues, long integrated care pathways to deliver best practice and propose changes in practice in light of new evidence and maintain high service profile.

To ensure adherence to Trust policy and guidelines at all times

To role model Trust values at all times

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Clinical:

To be professionally and legally responsible for all aspects of work

To assess and treat patients from a variety of referral sources.

To undertake proficient physiotherapy assessments in line with department and professional standards to form diagnoses

To undertake specialised assessments of patients as an autonomous practitioners including those with highly complex presentations.

Using , a comprehensive understanding of MSK conditions, knowledge of evidence-based practice, advanced skills and a wide-ranging knowledge of treatment options to plan and implement an individualised treatment plan.

To interpret and analyse relevant clinical and non-clinical facts to formulate accurate prognoses and appropriate discharge plans.

To be able to prioritise and manage your own clinical caseload

To  evaluate treatment to measure progress to ensure effectiveness  interventions and to identify quickly when treatment requires modifying or when advice/assistance from supervisor is required.

To be make autonomous decisions regarding optimal patient management  including recognising if a patient has red flags or requires further management within secondary care and initiating referrals accordingly.

To have the opportunity depending on service need to participate in  clinics co-located with consultant teams for therapist–led follow up and commencement of rehabilitation post-surgery

Provide sound evidence based clinical advice as required to staff and patients

To determine the patients understanding of the physiotherapy intervention in order to gain valid, informed consent and to be able to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.

To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools when communicating with patients/carers to maximise the patient’s rehabilitation potential.

To use good communication skills to agree SMART physiotherapy goals. To involve members of the MDT in this process when appropriate.

To provide comprehensive written records of assessment and treatment according to departmental, professional and legal standards and ensure that all team members do likewise.

To take responsibility for certain patient conditions or clinical areas, as delegated by the APP Team or Clinical Lead and to develop specialised t skills in these areas with minimal support.

To lead in the organisation, implementation and overall management of clinics and classes for specific patient groups

To make effective use of treatment options such as advice, gait re-education, exercise prescription, manual techniques, electrotherapy and provision of appropriate aids and equipment.

To attend and/or organise MDT meetings as appropriate

To be responsible for the safe and competent use of all  equipment in line with department standards.

To be responsible for the safe and appropriate provision of physiotherapy aids and equipment in line with department standards

To communicate highly complex and sensitive information with other members of the MDT e.g. consultants, GPs, social workers and community services regarding optimal individual patient management and care.

To ensure timely communication of highly specialised reports, assessment and treatment findings to other involved disciplines e.g. social service reports, legal reports and discharge letters and ensure that all members of the designated team so accordingly.

To provide highly specialist advice to other physiotherapists within the trust, other health professionals and external services that we refer patients to.

Promote and maintain a safe therapeutic environment for patients, their families and staff, according to national and local Infection Control guidelines, Health & Safety legislation, safeguarding legislation and procedures and Trust policies and objectives

Understand the Trust clinical governance framework, and participate in the promoting and safeguarding of high standards of care, through effective risk management & governance, and adherence to the Trust values

Leadership and management:

To be responsible for providing an efficient and effective MSK physiotherapy service by demonstrating good leadership, organisational, time management and prioritisation skills.

To manage and prioritise own workload and assist in that of your team. In addition appropriately balance clinical and other demands to ensure all service needs are met.

To monitor the caseloads of more junior MSK physiotherapists in your designated team to ensure that an efficient and effective physiotherapy service is provided to all patients.

To support more junior staff in the development of their assessment, treatment and clinical reasoning skills

To be available as required as a clinical and management resource to more junior members of staff, including informal advice and teaching sessions including those outside your designated team.

To be available as required  as a management resource for administrative and clerical staff, answering queries and dealing with informal complaints, patient enquiries and potentially aggressive situations.

To work with  MDT colleagues, along integrated care pathways, to deliver best practice and propose changes in light of new evidence.

To take a lead role in the teaching, supervision and appraisal of MSK staff including the management of informal disputes and disciplinary or sickness absence.

To ensure that all equipment used by the musculoskeletal team complies with health and safety and department regulations and, through appropriate training and monitoring, ensure that all staff demonstrates competence in using the equipment.

To be responsible for complying with all mandatory training requirements and ensure your team do likewise.

To ensure that all members of the MSK team comply with departmental health and safety standards including the prompt recording of all accidents and incidents according to trust policy.

To demonstrate good time management and organisational skills during daily management of own workload and to be able to adapt flexibly to sudden changes in workload.

To ensure timely communication of assessment findings, treatment and outcomes to other involved disciplines through the provision of social services reports, discharge letters etc.

To make appropriate and timely referrals to others when required.

To keep accurate and up-to-date patient records and statistics at all times in line with departmental, professional and legal standards.

To be responsible for the safe use of all therapeutic equipment and aids (including gym equipment and electrotherapy) by patients.

To delegate specific tasks to therapy assistants, band 5’s in line with departmental and professional guidelines.

To understand and apply clinical governance principles to your own caseload and to be involved in departmental clinical governance sessions.

To be aware of, and implement, all organisational and departmental policies and propose policy or service changes as appropriate.

To lead on specific projects / service developments and management functions as delegated by the Clinical Lead Therapist or APPs.

To develop and maintain effective communication and working relationships with other staff  within the Division and the Trust

To act as a lead panel member in recruitment and selection and develop effective selection and interviewing skills.

To work with the team in developing and implementing strategic and operational improvements to the MSK service.

Education & research:

To assist in the planning and organisation of the MSK team in-service training and demonstrate excellent presentation skills in the delivery of teaching sessions and tutorials to large groups.

To take a lead role in practical demonstrations and teach highly specialised manual therapy techniques to other members of the team.

To provide highly specialised advice, teaching and training to other professionals regarding the managements of patients with MSK conditions.

To promote the use of evidence-based practice during the teaching and supervision of more junior staff.

To facilitate your team’s development of  evidence based practice, manual therapy techniques, therapeutic handling skills and specialised knowledge relating to MSK physiotherapy.

To be responsible for the teaching and assessment of graduate level therapeutic skills and knowledge to more junior staff, physiotherapy students and therapy assistants.

To provide clinical supervision to more junior staff, students and therapy assistants.

To initiate and carry our audit and evidence based practice projects, make recommendations and implement changes in conjunction with the Therapy Lead, Clinical lead and APPs

To have the opportunity to lead, or be involved in audit and research projects.

Professional development:

To comply with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the HCPC  codes of professional conduct at all times

To maintain professional registration with the HCPC.

To be responsible for personal continuous professional development by the use of self-education, reflective practice, active participation in the in-service training program including giving presentations and attendance at postgraduate courses as agreed in your personal development plan and to maintain an up to date CPD portfolio.

To ensure that all mandatory training is completed within the required timescales.

Have an awareness of current professional and clinical developments within your area of practice and promote this to others.

To further develop understanding and use of evidence-based practice, physiotherapy techniques, therapeutic handling skills and detailed knowledge of particular conditions.

To carry out projects related to physiotherapy provision, specific interventions, analysis of outcomes or aspects of service provision on an ongoing basis as agreed with your clinical lead.

To understand and apply clinical governance principles to your own caseload and to be involved in departmental clinical governance sessions