Rotational Band 6 Respiratory Physiotherapist

Job overview

The Physiotherapy department at Kings College Hospital is looking for a motivated and enthusiastic physiotherapist to join the rotation of Band 6 physiotherapists, specialising in respiratory care across inpatient settings. The in-patient respiratory team is split into 3 teams, each with their own Clinical Leads Physiotherapists. The teams are Critical Care, Respiratory Medicine and Cystic Fibrosis.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will ensure a high standard, efficient and effective physiotherapy assessment treatment and intervention for all patients designated to them. They will prioritise, assess, treat and manage their own caseload of patients as an autonomous practitioner, including the maintenance of comprehensive records.

They will work as an effective team member, communicating appropriately with patients, carers and other team members as require, as well as teaching and developing Band 5 physiotherapists, students, and physiotherapy assistants within the respiratory teams.

The post holder will also take part in the on call, weekend and Twilight rotas. Staff are expected to work across multi-sites as required by the service.

Rotations: Currently 9 monthly in the following areas:

• Critical Care (organized over 6 separate units) each with its own specialty bias including, Liver, Major Trauma and Neurosurgery
• Medicine and Non-Invasive Ventilation
• Adult Cystic Fibrosis

(Duties within each rotation are delegated by the Clinical Lead Physiotherapist for the area)

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical and Professional

Patient Care

• To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work including management of clinical risk, knowledge of indications and precautions of chosen techniques in line with national and trust clinical guidelines, protocols and pathways where they exist.
• To receive referrals, undertake full assessment and independently plan individual specialized treatment programmes for patients appropriately, depending on the physiotherapist’s diagnosis; using clinical reasoning and specialist skills such as use of respiratory adjuncts, patient education, exercise and advanced airway clearance techniques.
• To use recognized outcome measures to evaluate the effect of the physiotherapy interventions and ensure the treatment programmes are progressing appropriately.
• To carry a designated clinical caseload including complex patients and prioritise that work efficiently taking into account clinical and service priorities using specialist knowledge to underpin decisions.
• To provide individual patient equipment as required, walking aids, splints and supports. To issue such equipment with due regard to safety of the equipment, and in line with legal, national and local guidelines.
• To be responsible for the standard of physiotherapy carried out by physiotherapy assistants or technical instructors working with you.
• To undertake home visits when appropriate, to ensure planned discharge from hospital.
• To advise, guide and teach junior staff and students in the assessment and management of patients and other aspects of clinical practice.
• On the appropriate rotation, independently run the out-patient respiratory service and pulmonary rehabilitation programme working without direct supervision including management of the waiting list.
• To be an active member of the on-call, weekend duty rotas, and extended hours as required, and cover of statutory and public holidays including working as lone physiotherapy practitioner at night.
• Undertake other clinical duties as requested by the Clinical Lead Physiotherapist or Physiotherapy Manager.

Communication

• To consult appropriately with senior specialist staff regarding patients with particular problems.
• Provide patients, families and other carers with specialist advice or instruction to promote the understanding of the aims of physiotherapy and to ensure consistent patient management.

To communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximize rehabilitation potential and to improve understanding of the condition which will require the appropriate response to the patients’ level of communication, facilitating the best possible communication outcome e.g. use of interpreters.

To be able to persuade and motivate patients through effective communication skills.

To provide and receive information from patients, carers and other professionals regarding a patient’s condition and treatment progress. This may include the sharing and receiving of complex and/or sensitive information.

• Develop and maintain close working relationships with physiotherapy colleagues, referring clinicians, other members of the multidisciplinary team and other appropriate persons or agencies involved in the provision of care to these groups of patients in the community and hospital settings to provide a coordinated service.
• To attend case conferences and ward rounds to ensure that the physiotherapeutic management of patients is integrated into the individual patient treatment plan and that other members of the MDT know the progress of the patient.
• Provide education using specialist knowledge to relevant patient groups.

Management and Administration

Information Management

• To maintain comprehensive, accurate and timely patient notes and records in accordance with departmental policy and to ensure the safekeeping and confidentiality of these records.
• To keep comprehensive records of activity in accordance with local and national requirements, using departmental software systems as required.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.