St. Columba’s Hospice

Vacancy Information Pack

Positions: Physiotherapist (Staff Bank)

* Please apply using a Hospice Application Form (included in this pack)

St. Columba’s Hospice

STAFF BANK VACANCIES

At St Columba’s Hospice we are committed to the highest standards of care for patients with active, progressive, far-advanced illness. Recruitment to the staff bank continues throughout the year. We currently have the following opportunities to join the Hospice staff bank:

Physiotherapist

£12.08 per hour – Staff Bank, variable shifts

This is an opportunity for an experienced physiotherapist to work within our multi-disciplinary team delivering specialist palliative care. You’ll be an innovative, highly motivated practitioner with excellent interpersonal & communication skills, who is able to work with patients on an individual basis and in group settings. Experience of working with patients who have palliative care needs is essential. Whilst requirements for bank staff vary, if a shift is available it will be: 09:00 – 12:30 weekdays

For further information, please contact Yvonne Whitehouse, Senior Physiotherapist, on 0131 551 1381 bleep 181 or email

Download an application pack online at www.stcolumbashospice.org.uk

or email or call 0131 551 7722

Closing date: Friday 21 October 2011

ST. COLUMBA’S HOSPICE
JOB DESCRIPTION

1.  JOB IDENTIFICATION

Job Title: Bank Physiotherapist
Responsible to (insert job title): Senior Physiotherapist
Department(s): Physiotherapy
Directorate: St. Columba’s Hospice
Job Reference: STC/AHP/012
No of Job Holders: 1
Last Update (insert date): 05/10/11

2. JOB PURPOSE

To provide a high standard of specialised physiotherapy service to patients with special palliative care needs, this involves assessing the appropriate, treatment and management of patients who are in-patients, out-patients, and attending Day-Hospice.
3. DIMENSIONS
·  Provide all aspects of specialised physiotherapy care
·  Carry the main responsibility for patients using the Day Hospice service.
·  Order wheelchairs and other physiotherapy equipment.

4. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION

5. ROLE OF DEPARTMENT

The Physiotherapy service is part of the MDT providing a specialist programme to any person under the care of St Columba’s Hospice providing a flexible service to meet the demands of all clinical areas. Patients are supported to remain as independent as possible with in their capabilities giving them the opportunity to maintain their Quality of Life.
Key areas of service are:-
1. Re -education of walking, balance and managing stairs.
2. Prevention of falls.
3. Discharge planning – Home Visiting
4. Pain management including the use of TENS, Heat, Massage and Positioning Skills.
5. Management of Breathlessness.
6. Exercise tolerance management.
7. Management of Lymphoedema.
8. Liaising with the Moving and Handling team
All staff adheres to the code of practice issued by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the policies governed by St Columba’s Hospice.

6. KEY RESULT AREAS

Clinical
·  to act independently (using advanced communication skills) to assess and analyse individual patients who are terminally ill with complex needs and to determine their need for physical therapy intervention
·  to act independently in prioritising patient needs to ensure individual patients on own caseload will receive appropriate and timely intervention
·  to act independently to plan, implement, evaluate, treat and progress patient care to maximise functional independence and quality of life using appropriate physiotherapy techniques
·  to work as a part of a multidisciplinary team to ensure effective communication and maximise patient care and to contribute to the delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service
·  to maintain accurate patient documentation, records and statistical information to reflect care provided and meet professional standards and legal requirements
·  to independently assess and order wheelchairs, walking aids and other physiotherapy equipment e.g. support stockings, soft shoes, collars
Management
·  to deputise as an autonomous practitioner to maintain continuation of service delivery in the absence of the clinical specialist
Educational
·  to contribute to the education of staff on Moving and Handling issues
·  to assist in maintaining and developing current knowledge of evidence practice in the clinical specialist area to ensure the provision of up to date effective and appropriate patient care
·  to contribute to any planned audit of the services and to any planned research within the unit
·  to maintain documented evidence of CPD
·  to educate patients, carers and relatives on the diagnoses and their role in maximising independence and quality of life

7a. EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY

Equipment / Frequency (dependent upon clinical area)
Walking aids / Mobilators, Zimmers, Elbow Crutches, Quadrpods, Sticks, Crutches, Specialist Walking Frames / Throughout
day
Manual Handling equipment / Mechanical Hoists, Sliding Boards, Samhall Turner, sliding sheets / As required
Electrical Equipment / Tens Units / As required
Respiratory Equipment / Portable Oxygen / As required
Supports / A variety of external support for all limbs and joints of the body e.g. foot drop splints, collars, slings, wrist supports, spinal supports
Compression garments / As required
Rehabilitation Equipment / Parallel Bars, Stairs, Steppers, Weights, Balance Boards, Balls, Blocks, Suspension Therapy, Theraband / Throughout day
Positioning Equipment / Wheelchair Cushions, T-Rolls, Matchet Bags(bean filled bags) / Throughout day
Thermal Equipment / Heat Pads, Ice / As required
IT Equipment / Personal Computer / Throughout day
7b. SYSTEMS
·  Maintain patient records/ medical notes
·  Maintain a diary of patients appointments and physiotherapy meetings
·  Email to communicate efficiently
·  Access Internet to up-date knowledge and study information
·  Use Microsoft to produce patient information
·  Liaise with local network group to produce information relating to physiotherapy on the SCAN website, and promote CPD and service provision

8. ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK

·  Caseload is generated by the Clinical Specialist and/or by written or verbal referral from other health professionals within the multidisciplinary team and is reviewed by the Clinical Specialist
·  Subsequent physiotherapy intervention is carried out as indicated by the physiotherapy assessment
·  Post holder is expected to independently manage own workload but access to advice and support from the Clinical Specialist is available as required
·  Liaise on non-clinical tasks with the Clinical Specialist e.g. attending courses, work groups and meetings
9. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
·  Demonstrates advanced clinical reasoning skills using a systematic approach to reach decisions relating to specific diagnosis to identify patient needs relating to treatment, rehabilitation and prioritisation, e.g. discharge planning, ability of inpatients to attend the Day Hospice
·  Decides when to refer to or seek advice from a more senior physiotherapist appropriately
·  Clinical advice and guidance to the Day Hospice staff and the Multi Disciplinary Team
·  Prioritise work between demands in the in-patient unit and the Day Hospice
·  Assist with guidance for professional visitors

10. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB

·  working with patients who are terminally ill and who have a limited lifespan
·  respond to the changing conditions and sensitivity of patients who vary from being ready for discharge home or nursing home, to deteriorating and terminally ill
·  assessing patients needs who have complex pathology e.g. physical, psychological and spiritual
·  plan aims for patients who have unrealistic aims and negotiate a realistic goal e.g. communicating effectively to the patient, family and friends treatment and prognosis using a range of verbal, non-verbal, written and presentation skills. Explaining complex terminology into lay terms
·  to adapt your professional skills to suit patients with advanced progressive disease and to respond to constantly changing conditions
·  member of a small team and at times working on your own with no support from the Clinical Specialist e.g. holidays
·  undertake a physically, mentally and emotionally demanding job whilst; at the same time, taking care of your own health and safety as well as colleagues and patients
·  ensuring that knowledge and skills are up dated along with CPD
11. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder communicates on an ongoing and daily bases, accurately and effectively, verbally and non-verbally as appropriate, face to face, by e-mail and by telephone, with:
Patients
·  providing and receiving information regarding assessment, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment
·  using effective persuasion and sensitive communication skills to facilitate patient compliance, both individually and in a group setting
·  utilising professional interpersonal skills to deal sensitively and empathically with patients who have complex needs
·  educate and negotiate with patients in relation to care needs
Relatives and carers
·  providing, receiving and evaluating information regarding complex and sensitive issues
·  advice, guide and educate relatives and carers in relation to patient care needs
·  teach a range of patient management strategies
Physiotherapy staff
·  liaising with the Clinical Specialist for the purpose of receiving guidance and advice and the exchange of accurate clinical and other relevant information
·  provide concise patient information to physiotherapy colleagues out with the service on the transfer of patient care
Other health professions
·  relaying patient information regarding assessment, treatment and progress
·  contribute effectively to multi-disciplinary team discussion and decision making
·  refer to other professional services when appropriate
·  explain, clarify and demonstrate physiotherapy management strategies to optimise individual patient care
Other agencies
·  liaise with appropriate agencies for ordering of equipment and for successful discharge planning e.g. Social Work and Occupational Therapy.
12. PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
Frequency
Physical Skills: / Expertly developed clinical skills within specialist area requiring highly developed manual dexterity to perform a wide range of physiotherapeutic techniques.
e.g. respiratory techniques, lifting large swollen limbs while applying support garments, passive movements
Highly specialist manual skills to determine physical status of muscles, joints, Respiratory conditions / Throughout day
Throughout day
Physical Demands: / Therapeutic Handling-the facilitation of movement during treatment sessions of highly dependent/physically impaired patients without mechanical aid. All other staff would be recommended to move these patients by mechanical aid
Patient stair assessment/Rehabilitation requiring therapist to walk backwards downstairs
Patient movement with use of mechanical aides Manoeuvre patients in wheelchairs
Assist Patient mobility with walking aids-therapist required to move aid
Prolonged periods of standing
Work in cramped awkward positions for sustained periods of time
Stand/walking/ Kneeling/ floor sitting / Daily
Daily up to 15 minutes/ patient
Daily up to 15 minutes/patient
As required
Throughout day
Throughout day
Throughout day
Mental Demands: / Concentration required when assessing and treating patients throughout day
Workload priorities vary to meet service requirements.
Pressure of /service delivery during periods of unplanned absence of staff
Clinical risk assessment sometimes within areas where reducing risks to a desired level is difficult
Dealing with patients who have communication difficulties and poor cognition e.g. Dementia, Confusion and Dysfunction, English not first language.
Unpredictable work patterns
Constant awareness of the patient’s changing health condition and the effect the quality of life issues have on the patient’s mental health
Dealing with emergencies, unpredictable events e.g. falls and interruptions / Throughout day
Throughout day
Frequently
Throughout day
Throughout day
Frequently
Frequently
Occasionally
Emotional Demands: / Communicating with distressed/anxious/worried patients and their families and/or friends.
Impart unwelcome news regarding patients rehabilitation prospects
Dealing with patient demands in a sensitive and supportive manner
Caring for patients with a deteriorating condition or those who are terminally ill, and their families. / Throughout day
Frequently
Occasionally
Occasionally
Working Conditions / Daily exposure to bodily fluids (sputum, sweat), odours, urine and faeces.
Exposure to bacterial and viral infections
Varied Temperatures
Dealing with patients who have wounds and/or disfigurement, some of which might be malodouress. / Frequently
Throughout day
Throughout day
Occasionally

13. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB

Minimum required to undertake the role.
·  Diploma/U.K. BSc in Physiotherapy or Health Professions Council recognised
·  Registration with U.K. Health Profession Council
·  Experience working with patients with palliative care needs
·  Evidence of CPD
Additional skills: -ability to work independently
-able to assess and analyse patient’s complex needs
-able to work as a team member
-advanced communication skills
-empathic, calm and flexible
-ability to organise and prioritise
-competent IT skills
-valid driving licence
ST. COLUMBA’S HOSPICE
PERSON SPECIFICATION
POST: / BANK PHYSIOTHERAPIST
CRITERIA / ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE
Education and Qualifications / ·  Diploma / B.Sc. (Hons) or equivalent in Physiotherapy
·  HPC registered
·  Evidence of maintaining professional competence through CPD. / ·  Registered Member of Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
·  Involvement in relevant Special Clinical Interest Groups
·  Evidence of attendance at relevant post-graduate courses
Knowledge and Experience / Working knowledge of:
·  Physiotherapy in rehabilitation
·  Community assessment and rehabilitation
Experience of:
·  Working with patients who have palliative care needs
·  Working in a multiprofessional team setting
·  Broad range of clinical experience which may include working in community, elderly care, and musculoskeletal physiotherapy / Knowledge of:
·  Management of breathlessness
·  Manual lymphatic drainage
·  Fatigue management
·  Anxiety and relaxation techniques
Experience in
·  Oncology & palliative care
·  Community physiotherapy
·  Working in a palliative care setting or working with people with life limiting disease
·  Lymphoedema management
·  Supervising the work of volunteers
·  Involvement in clinical governance, audit, research and understanding of quality assurance issues
·  Experience in physiotherapy assistant supervision.
Skills and abilities / ·  Good listening & communication skills & ability to communicate with patients and families in distress
·  Ability to communicate effectively with MDT staff
·  Effective inter-personal skills to work with patients and families
·  Able to work independently using evidence of clinical reasoning and legal responsibilities of the profession
·  Able to work, effectively under pressure, adapt to change/unpredictable circumstances and be flexible
·  Effective team worker; ability to contribute to team discussions and committee decision making.
·  Ability to establish & maintain effective relationships with professional colleagues as part of a multi-disciplinary team
·  Ability to assess, formulate and plan patient management, using clinical reasoning, a wide range of treatment options & a problem solving approach.
·  Advanced manual therapy skills
·  Basic keyboard skills. / ·  Working group experience (eg. Clinical effectiveness, course organisation, research and development)
Personal Qualities / ·  Self-starter with the ability to work unsupervised
·  Commitment to integrated & multi professional working
·  Warm, calm and empathetic
·  Ability to cope with personal emotions in distressing situations
·  Innovative, motivated and enthusiastic
·  Demonstrates insight into own stressors and coping mechanisms
·  Ability to safely handle and move patients when required to therapeutically.
Other requirements