Physiotherapist

The post holder will primarily work in the community setting. The post is part of the Livewell South West Community Rehab teams so the post holder may be required to work across the Livewell area. Undertakes all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner, including professional and legal accountability, and managing clinical risks for all aspects of own work. Most aspects of work will involve delivery of the care as part of the multidisciplinary team. To undertake physiotherapeutic assessment of patients with diverse or complex physical, psychological, cognitive and behavioural conditions in order to provide an accurate diagnosis and prognosis. To formulate and deliver an individualised physiotherapy treatment programme, including manual therapy techniques, therapeutic handling, patient education, provision of exercise (individual/group), and other alternative options. This includes the appropriate selection of referrals for inclusion in a range of treatment programmes, one
to one sessions using advanced treatment options, advanced communication, questioning and reasoning skills. Undertake evidence-based audit and research projects to further own and teams clinical practice. Make recommendations to the Team Lead for potential changes in practice and service. May lead on the implementation of specific changes to practice within the team or contribute to service protocols. Supervise, educate and assess the performance of Physiotherapy students. Working with Universities to ensure the standard of practice and teaching meets the standards by the degree level qualification. Clinical To be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients in your care. To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management, and support more junior staff to do likewise. To interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts to form accurate diagnosis and prognoses in a wide range
of highly complex conditions, to recommend the best course of intervention, and to develop comprehensive management plans under intermediate care. To represent LWSW externally (locally, regionally and nationally) regarding physiotherapy services provided to patients in the hospital and community. To undertake the comprehensive assessment of patients, including those with a complex presentation, using investigative and analytical skills, and to formulate individualised management and treatment plans, using clinical reasoning, and utilising a wide range or treatment skills and options to formulate a specialised programme of care and to support junior staff in this work. (Treatment modalities include manual physiotherapy techniques, patient education, exercise classes, chest physiotherapy and other alternative options). To demonstrate highly developed dexterity, co-ordination and palpatory senses for assessment and manual treatment of patients. Use an extensive range of
verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients/carers; to motivate, gain co-operation, to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating, e.g.: patients may be dysphasic, depressed, deaf, visually impaired or who may be unable to accept diagnosis, or realistic expectations of Physiotherapy intervention. To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients, and to organise this effectively and efficiently regarding clinical priorities and use of time. To participate in working parties developing policy changes within the community, which will impact on all service users. To ensure that designated staff implement policy and service development changes. To work with the Team Leader in developing the strategic and operational management of the ward Physiotherapy service. To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and
instruction to patients, relatives, carers and other professionals, to promote understanding of the aims of physiotherapy, and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care. To provide specialist and highly specialist advice to physiotherapy colleagues working within other clinical areas. To provide specialist advice, teaching and training to other members of the MDT regarding the management of patients. To work jointly with other health and social care colleagues and services (for example medical, nursing, Social Services, private sector and therapy colleagues) to ensure patients identified rehabilitation and care needs are met through delivery of a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary service. To advise on and prescribe as appropriate, and in line with Organisational and departmental policies and procedures, both general and specialist rehabilitation aids, equipment and recommend low-level adaptations for patients referred to Community Therapy. To initiate, organise
and attend multi-disciplinary/multi-agency case conferences, liaison meetings and patient reviews as necessary and appropriate. To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent, which must be documented and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment. To comply with local confidentiality policies, child protection and vulnerable adult procedures. Please see the attached job description for the full specification. We would consider full time applicants, please contact for anymore information.