POST TITLE:Communityphysiotherapist- Respiratory

JOB DESCRIPTION

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POST TITLE:CommunityPhysiotherapist- Respiratory

BASE:Community

GRADE:Band 6

LINE MANAGERSpecialistRespiratory Nurse Team Leader

PROFESSIONALACCOUNTABILITY: Physiotherapy Professional Lead

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JOB SUMMARY:

To accept autonomous clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients with Respiratory Diseases/Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)[1]within in the Berkshire West PCT, providing high quality, responsive, specialist respiratory community physiotherapy services inpatient’s homes or other appropriate locations, working with other senior community physiotherapists, primary care teams and social services to help reduce hospital admissions; readmissions and aid the facilitation of early discharge from hospitalpatient’s homes and other settings.
To work with the Band 7 to help with thecomponent of the Community Based Rehabilitation Programme (CBPR) running inthe localities of Berkshire West PCT.
To be responsible for transferring individual patient’s ongoing care to other senior community physiotherapists within the service, as appropriate, to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of care for this group of patients by providing comprehensive assessment; treatment plans and undertaking joint treatment sessions as indicated.
To work in a high degree of professional isolation in a community setting, communicating with the GP’s, respiratory nurse, practice respiratory team(s) and other senior physiotherapists, mainly by phone and at planned meetings.
To be a resource for adult services in Berkshire West localities, assisting in the promotion of improved care for people with COPD within the community setting by participation in the collaborative working with other professional and charitable organisations as appropriate, and taking a lead on educating/raising awareness within the wider Primary and Secondary Care Teams in COPD management and the role of the community team.
To share responsibility for training, supervising, clinical development and performance management of more junior physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and other staff to ensure cascading of specialist respiratory knowledge and skills.
To be responsible for the development of the domiciliary physiotherapy respiratory service for patients within Berkshire West localities, using expert clinical reasoning skills; clinical research; audit and data collection to provide support and advice for physiotherapy and other staff within and outside the organisation, working with the Community Based Respiratory Team (CBRT), other respiratory specialists, primary care teams and social services in conjunction with physiotherapy managers.
To ensure CBRT is provided with agreed statistics at timely intervals.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical

To be professionally 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 accept autonomous clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) within Berkshire West localities, providing high quality, responsive, specialist respiratory community physiotherapy services in patient’s homes or other appropriate locations. To organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.
To work with other senior community physiotherapists, primary care teams and social services to help reduce hospital admissions; readmissions and aid the facilitation of early discharge from hospital patient’s homes and other settings.
To be responsible for prioritising and monitoring referrals to the physiotherapy service for patients with COPD and relaying this information to the CBRT at agreed intervals.
To be responsible for the physiotherapy component of the Community Based Rehabilitation Programme (CBPR) running at Berkshire West localities.
To gain valid, informed consent from patients using the standards and guidelines provided by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP professional body for Chartered Physiotherapists). To work within the legal framework, seeking appropriate professional assistance when the capacity to consent is in doubt.
To undertake the comprehensive physical and functional assessment of patients, including those with complex and highly complex presentation, using investigative and analytical skills and to formulate individualised management and treatment plans, using expert clinical reasoning, utilising a wide range of treatment skills and options to formulate a specialised programme of care in agreement with the patient and/or carer.
To use highly specialised physiotherapy manual skills, including dexterity, co-ordination and sensory skills in the assessment and treatment of patients. To continually reassess and re-evaluate patient presentation and adjust care plan and treatment programme accordingly.
To provide highly comprehensive immediate and planned advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers, homecare and agency support staff and other professionals to promote understanding of the aims of respiratory physiotherapy and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.
To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date documentation, in line with legal and departmental requirements, and communicate assessment and treatment results to the appropriate disciplines in the form of reports and letters.
To be responsible for transferring individual patient’s ongoing care to other senior community physiotherapists within the service, as appropriate, to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of care for this group of patients by providing comprehensive assessment; treatment plans and undertaking joint treatment sessions as indicated.
To manage clinical risk within own caseload at all times and ensure clinical risk is effectively managed across the designated services, whilst also considering tasks given to support staff and home care assistants.
To communicate effectively, highly complex, complex and sensitive information with patients, carers, general medical practitioners (GPs), consultants and other agencies across health/social services in order to maximise rehabilitation potential and to ensure understanding of condition within individual treatment sessions and class settings. Communication skills of persuasion, motivation, explanation and gaining informed consent will be necessary with a variety of patients. Barriers to effective communication will regularly be evident e.g. loss of hearing, altered perception, expressive and receptive dysphasia pain and fear. Some patients will lack the capacity to consent. To ensure that patient information is managed professionally with consideration for patient confidentiality and in line with data protection guidelines.
To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out physiotherapy duties, and to adhere to departmental policy, including competence to use equipment and to ensure the safe use of equipment by others through teaching, training and supervision of practice.
To ensure clinical governance and risk management are integral to the service and to find effective and efficient ways to solve problems and report findings to relevant departments.
To report all clinical and non-clinical accidents or near misses promptly and when required.

Supervision, Education and Training

To be a resource for adult services in Berkshire West localities, assisting in the promotion of improved care for people with COPD within the community setting by participation in the collaborative working with other professional and charitable organisations as appropriate, and taking a lead on educating/raising awareness within the wider Primary and Secondary Care Teams in COPD management and the role of the community team.
To share responsibility for training, supervising, clinical development and performance management of more junior physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and other staff to ensure cascading of specialist respiratory knowledge and skills. To assist in the provision of high quality learning placements for physiotherapy students within the community physiotherapy service. To provide specialist advice to physiotherapy colleagues working both within the area and other clinical areas.
To attend any mandatory training and induction as designated by management.

Professional

To abide by the CSP Rules of Professional Conduct and Core Standards.
To maintain own clinical Continuing Professional Development (CPD) by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments, and incorporate them as necessary into your work, recording evidence and reflective practice in your CPD portfolio.
To be responsible for the development of the domiciliary physiotherapy respiratory service for patients within Berkshire West localities, using expert clinical reasoning skills; clinical research; audit and data collection to provide support and advice for physiotherapy and other staff within and outside the organisation, working with the CBRT, other respiratory specialists, primary care teams and social services in conjunction with physiotherapy managers.
To be an active member of physiotherapy service development and training initiatives by the attendance and presentation at staff meetings,tutorials, training sessions, external courses and reflective practice. To share ideas and good practice across the service, with the objective of continually looking at ways to improve the physiotherapy and intermediate care services.
To participate in collaborative service developmental groups which directly influence changes in Trust and Social Services policies and procedures relevant to CBRT.
To participate in the staff appraisal scheme and Personal Development Plan (PDP), as both appraiser and appraisee.

Organisational

To be responsible for a designated area of work, as agreed with the CBRT and the Intermediate Care Services Manager and to plan and organise efficiently and effectively with regard to patients management and use of time.
To decide priorities for own work area, balancing other patient related and professional demands, and ensure that these remain in accordance with those of the physiotherapy and intermediate care service as a whole.
To be actively involved in the collection of appropriate data and statistics for the use of the department and for the CBRT at agreed intervals.
To comply with organisational and departmental policies and procedures and to be involved in the reviewing and updating of processes as appropriate.
To undertake any other duties that might be considered appropriate by the Physiotherapy Team Manager.

GENERAL

This job description is not exhaustive and can be altered in consultation with the post holder.
Any other duties which may be requested by the line manager in order to facilitate the smooth running of the hospital.
The Trust is an equal opportunities employer. The post – holder is at all times expected to carry out their duties in accordance with the Trusts Equal Opportunities Policy.
The Trust operates a non-smoking policy. Staff are not permitted to smoke on Trust premises.
The post – holder is required to take reasonable care of the health and safety of him/her acts or omissions at work, and to co-operate with the Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust to ensure that statutory and departmental safety regulations are adhered to.

LOCATION/MOBILITY

You may be required to work at or from any additional location as may be determined by the Trust from time to time. The Trust also reserves the right from time to time to change your base on a permanent basis to a location determined by it at the time that the change is made.

You may also be required to travel between Trust premises as may be required for the performance of your duties.

FLEXIBILITY

The Trust reserves the right to amend your job description and/or your duties from time to time. You also agree that you will work with the Trust to deliver the Trust’s services, including without limitation, by complying with lawful and reasonable instructions from the Trust by adapting to new ways of working and attending training courses determined by the Trust from time to time.

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

To attend and contribute to staff meetings and Forums, supervision sessions, training courses, seminars and workshops, to ensure the development and enhancement of current working practices.

To participate in all personal review meetings, and take responsibility for personal and professional development. Responsibility for developing the role and the services provided.

DATA PROTECTION ACT

You should be aware of the Data Protection Act and follow the local Codes of Practice to ensure appropriate action is taken to safeguard confidential information.

HEALTH & SAFETY

You are required to take responsibility for Health and Safety Risk Assessment and Workplace Inspections, and to take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of other persons who may be affected by his/her acts of omissions.

You are also required to co-operate with all staff to ensure that all statutory regulations, policies, Codes of Practice and departmental safety procedures are adhered to, and to attend relevant training programmes.

INFECTION CONTROL

Managers at all levels have a responsibility to act as role models to ensure that Infection Control is on the corporate and service agenda and remains a priority in terms of attention and resources.

All staff providing direct patient care must ensure that they follow procedures aimed at reducing the risk of passing on the organisms that can cause infections.

All staff, collectively and individually,have a duty of care in following best practice in adherence to guidelines which is a fundamental requirement in underpinning the management of Infection Control.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Your attention is drawn to the confidential aspects of this post. You must not disclose any information of a confidential nature relating to the Trust or the service that it provides, or in respect of which the Trust owes an obligation of confidence to any service user, client or third party during of after your employment except in the proper course of your employment or as required by law.

You must not remove or copy any documents or tangible items including software which belongs to the Trust or which contain any confidential information from the Trust’s premises at any time without proper advanced authorisation. You must return to the Trust upon request and in any event upon the termination of your employment, all documents and tangible items which belong to the Trust or which contain or refer to any confidential information and which are in your possession or under your control.

A breach of confidence could result in dismissal.

You should be aware that regardless of any disciplinary action taken, a breach of confidence could also result in civil action for damages.

CLINICAL GOVERNANCE

The Trust aims to provide the highest standards of care. To further this aim you are expected to adhere to acceptable working practice as defined in Trust policies and guidelines. You also have a personal responsibility to your team and service to keep up to date and, if you encounter unacceptable practice, to raise though accepted channels.

ASYLUM & IMMIGRATION ACT 1996 AND AMENDMENTS

In order to comply with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, it is Trust policy to check documentation of all applicants in respect of proper immigration status to work in the UK. Employment will not be offered to any applicant or employee who does not have valid leave to remain in the UK or is subject to conditions, which prevent the individual from taking up employment.

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS

Safeguarding of individuals who come into contact with our services, whether a child or young person, person with Learning Disabilities or an older or vulnerable adult, is the responsibility of all employees of Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in whatever capacity they are employed.

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN

The Trust adheres to the Berkshire Local Safeguarding Children Boards Child Protection Procedures, and all employees have a duty of care and a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

CATEGORY /

ESSENTIAL

DESIRABLE

Education/Qualifications
Diploma/Degree in Physiotherapy / 
State Registration / 
CSP membership / 
Formal post graduate qualification in a relevant area / 
Membership of relevant Special Interest Group / 
Training
Evidence of CPD in a portfolio including attendance at recent post-graduate courses relevant to the clinical field/reflective practice in relevant clinical field / 

Previous Experience

Relevant post graduate NHS experience / √
Ability to demonstrate substantial relevant experience as a senior physiotherapist in the community/ward setting / √
Post graduate experience in respiratory physiotherapy/pulmonary rehabilitation / 
Post-graduate experience of working as part of a physiotherapy team and multidisciplinary team / 
Post graduate experience indomiciliary physiotherapy / 
Experience of lone working / 
Experience of service development/leading service development / 
Supervision of juniors/assistants/students / 
Experience of delegating tasks / 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Sound knowledge of Physiotherapy in the relevant area / 
Knowledge of this post and PCT / 
Presentation Skills / 
Evidence of self-directed learning / 
Ability to undertake lone working / 
Ability to pass on skills/knowledge to others within both formal and informal environments / 
Able to maintain judgement under pressure / 
Understand the legal responsibilities of the profession / 
Sound awareness of relevant National and local policies and guidelines relevant to the area / 
Knowledge and understanding of Social Services and mental health services and willingness to work closely with them. / 
Able to present information, written and orally, in a clear and logical manner / 
Excellent inter-personal skills / 
Good time management / 
Competent IT skills / 
Ability to supervise other staff e.g. assistants, technical instructors / 
Understanding of clinical governance and its implications for services / 
Good knowledge of factors that contribute to good team working / 
Drive and enthusiasm for clinical excellence and service development / 
Flexible and Adaptable / 
Effective written and verbal communication skills / 
Ability to problem solve/good clinical reasoning skills / 
Demonstrate appropriate use of initiative / 
Ability to contribute positively to team working/team morale / 
Willingness to take directions/receive constructive criticism / 
Willingness to learn – especially learning relevant to specialist field of physiotherapy in mental health / 
Evidence of participation in Audit and Research / 
Ability to organise, prioritise and delegate / 

Additional Requirements

Criminal Records Bureau clearance / 
Occupational Health clearance / 
Ability to travel between multiple sites efficiently / 

DATE OF ISSUE: 18th July 2014

Page 1 of 9

[1]From this point on ‘COPD’refers to respiratory diseases and COPD