Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job Summary: 

This role exists to support excellent clinical patient care and to support the Physiotherapy Service across the 4 pillars of practice, being clinical, research, leadership and education, while developing personal abilities and supporting service improvement. The role provides direct patient care, with support from registered members of staff and also offers guidance to the non-registered workforce within the clinical areas where working. The role reports to designated registered Physiotherapy Supervisors and works across a variety of Therapy areas within Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust and in conjunction with our partners. 

Key areas of practice:

• Patients with problems related to Orthopaedics, General surgery and Rehabilitation
• Patients with problems related to musculoskeletal function and sporting activities
• Patients with problems related to neurological function
• Patients with problems related to respiratory function
• Patients requiring rehabilitation in Care of the Elderly
• Paediatric patients with rehabilitation/functional requirements
• Patients with Mental Health Conditions
• Patients in the Community and Acute settings requiring Therapy

Training Summary:

The Physiotherapy Apprenticeship Programme combines and integrates academic and work-based learning through close collaboration between employers and education providers. You can expect to spend 80% of your time learning on the job and 20% of your time learning off the job. As a Physiotherapy Apprentice you will be based as an employee of Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust working in a variety of settings.  This will enable you to gain a wide appreciation of many health and care contexts, which will enable you to fulfil all the requirements of the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy Programme. 

On successful completion of the Programme you will be equipped with the appropriate knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours to ensure competence at the point of qualification. You will have the capability to continue to meet Health and Care Professions Council regulatory standards and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) professional standards throughout your professional career.

The academic part of the training will be provided by an approved University where you will undertake a variety of modules.

Key Responsibilities: 

• To organise and manage a clinical caseload, mapped against evolving capability, which will include gaining knowledge and experience of providing Physiotherapy care for patients with a variety of conditions including Respiratory, orthopaedic rheumatological, musculoskeletal, neurological and biomechanical problems to name a few.
• To gain knowledge and skills (analytical and reasoning) to assess diagnose, develop and implement individualised treatment programmes for patients with a wide variety of clinical needs, to include musculoskeletal, neurological and respiratory pathologies, encompassing both acute & long-term conditions
• To empower the patient and others to participate in the patients’ self-care and aim to enhance person centred care.
• To gain experience in a wide range of clinical areas for example Musculoskeletal outpatients, Neurology, Care of the Elderly, Falls Clinic, Learning disability, community Rehabilitation etc.

• To successfully complete the required training and education specific to the role, as agreed with line manager and supervisor. This includes related assignments, tasks and sessions.
• To provide clinical care within your scope of practice, using a variety of safe assessment and treatment methods, accessing support when required
• To rotate into a variety of areas within the Physiotherapy service to provide expertise and patient care
• To support with the development of support workers within the clinical setting
• To undertake administration tasks related to Physiotherapy.
• To work as a highly motivated team member within the MDT setting to achieve best outcomes.
• To commit to a Philosophy of a patient centred approach to care, with emphasis on patient and service user empowerment.
• To be responsible for a case load of patients with support, applying learning to practice, demonstrating knowledge and skills to ensure the provision of high quality care, whilst observing and implementing policies, guidelines and procedures.

Clinical 

• To provide care to patients within agreed competencies and training as delegated by the Physiotherapist within set clinical protocols and frameworks.
• To use clinical reasoning and knowledge of evidence based practice to formulate an appropriate care plan either for individual patients or within a group setting  such as exercise classes.
• To carry out treatments using equipment for which adequate training has been given.
• To contribute to the clinical team by discussing own and other’s input around patients and ensuring a co-ordinated care plan.
• To be actively involved in the provision of Health Education and management advice to patients, relatives and carers based on what matters to the service users.
• Deliver health education training to other health professionals as directed by the Physiotherapist.
• To assist in joint visit sessions within the scope of instructions laid down by the Physiotherapist.

• To assist and support clients before and during treatment for example, MSK and respiratory patients.

• To monitor the changing needs of the patient and where necessary within scope, refer the patient back to the Physiotherapist if their Physiotherapeutic or medical condition needs to be reviewed.
• To understand the implications of medication and medical conditions on care and treatment planning and relate this to the patient, family or carer as appropriate.
• Assessing the condition and risk status of an individual and discussing the results of the examination with the individual and/or carer and explain any specific problems(s), which may require further tests or treatment and implement these referrals.

• Recognise signs of infection and post operatively, understand the implications, advise accordingly.
• To be able to cope and work in stressful atmospheres at times including managing time and seek support where necessary from your work based mentor, your team leader and / or other training providers.
• To promote the value of Physiotherapy to patients, carers and fellow health professionals, seeking support from senior colleagues as appropriate.
• To carry out risk assessments including manual handling and ensure actions are taken for safe intervention as appropriate to comply at all times with requirements of health and safety regulations
• To ensure all mandatory learning and other required learning is always up to date.
• Manage a group of patients, prioritising their needs in conjunction with those of the ward/department, to ensure safe and effective care.

• Manage the ward in the absence of Registered staff, ensuring safe and effective patient care.

• Manage an area of responsibility as required within allocated resources.

Administration 

• To maintain accurate records of activity and contribute input into trust information systems as directed, in line with CSP Standards
• To contribute to overall service development of the team relating to their specific objective
• To contribute to the development of service standards
• To maintain accurate records of all patient consultations and related work carried out at each clinical session, including computerised data collection.

• Have an understanding of ward/department budgets and how the division may become more cost-effective. Work within budgetary requirements whilst maintaining standards of care.

• Participate in the management of skill mix issues, stock control, and available Resources.

Performance & Quality 

• To take part in trust and service audit activity as may relate to own work and caseload
• Contribute to wider audit, surveys and trials within the trust as indicated by line manager or senior colleagues
• To contribute to, adhere to and comment upon Departmental and Trust polices when requested or desirable
• To be up to date with evidence based knowledge and advancement in Physiotherapy practice.
• To follow procedures and guidelines but have the discretion to make own judgements with robust evidence for them
• To prioritise clinical time to best manage clinical caseload, ensuring time is appropriately booked in order to maximize delivery of appropriate and effective care, liaising closely with clinical and support staff to achieve this
• To plan own workload around such activities as domiciliary visits
• To build on core skills and improve understanding, skill set using learning contracts
• To be flexible and provide cover for other members of the team at short notice or during periods of absence

• To be responsible for the assessment and diagnosis of new and existing patients in line with departmental protocols using judgements involving complex facts requiring the comparison of a range of options.
• To provide appropriate and effective care plans based on analysis of information gained from assessments
• To be aware of professional issues pertaining to Physiotherapy.
• To deliver care based on selection of appropriate treatments and clinical aids available, monitoring and adapting accordingly
• To follow Departmental and Organisation policies, procedures and guidelines but have the discretion to make own justified diagnosis and decisions within professional guidelines as may be beneficial to the patient
• Take an active role in developing and maintaining effective communication with members of the interprofessional team, patients, and relatives about difficult matters in difficult situations.