Physiotherapy Technical Instructor

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Physiotherapy Technical Instructor to come and work with the therapy team at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro. This post is full time, permanent, and will be based on the surgical wards.

Weekend working is required as part of this role.

This is an exciting opportunity to expand skills and knowledge within surgery. The post will involve covering a variety of areas including General surgery, Vascular, Ear Nose and Throat, Urology and Gynae, Planned care unit and Enhanced Perioperative Unit.

To accept patients referred by a Physiotherapist, holding own patient caseload. To treat patients according to set treatment protocols, monitoring patient progression, making alterations (within protocols and scope of practice) to patient treatment programmes as required.

To work unsupervised regularly, reporting back patient progress and informing the therapist of any problems.

For a defined and delegated group of patients - to undertake the assessments, using investigative and analytical skills. To use clinical reasoning a range of assessment and treatment skills and options to formulate treatment programmes.

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) is the main provider of acute and specialist care services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We serve a population of around 500,000 people - a figure that can increase significantly with

visitors during the busiest times of the year. We employ approximately 6,700 staff and have a budget of approximately £580 million.

We are a teaching hospital in partnership with the University of Exeter Medical School, University of Plymouth School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Peninsula Dental School.

The Knowledge Spa on the Royal Cornwall Hospital site is the base for medical and nursing as well as ongoing education for health professions in clinical and non-clinical roles.

Keeping at the forefront of medical advances, we are continually developing our clinical services as well as our facilities and are committed to maximising the range of specialist care that can be offered locally. Allied to this is a growing reputation for research and innovation.

To liaise with the therapist as necessary regarding patient care. In particular highlighting any variations to expected outcomes from treatment programmes you deliver.

To work unsupervised on the wards, providing patients and their carers with pre-operative advice/teaching exercise programs. To assess patient’s environmental circumstances, and consider provision of appropriate equipment and support.

To support patients, carers, staff and relatives by providing education and advice as appropriate under the instruction of therapists.

To participate in & support the provision of assessment and clinical treatment programmes following professional assessment and guidance. These may relate to all areas of mobility, transfers, personal & daily living, upper limb, cognitive, visual, perceptual, and sensory rehabilitation.

To fully participate in the inter-professional evaluation of the assessment and treatment programme to ensure patients meet their ongoing health & wellbeing needs.

To have a full understanding of the treatments and discharge pathways available, such that you are able to explain to the patient, carers etc the care and discharge options available.

Within remit to demonstrate an understanding of the physiological concepts underpinning the prescribed treatment programmes to enable you to instruct, advise and guide patients. To make the appropriate adjustments independently and be able to communicate any changes to patients and prescribing staff. This may include areas of work requiring physical effort or intense concentration, with regard to risk, health & safety.

To support qualified therapists in coordinating team reviews or family meetings, liaising with community rehabilitation services, adult and community services, the voluntary sector and other organisations as necessary.

To work in a variety of settings including wards, patient’s home and clinics as required.

To maintain timely and accurate signed records and statistical information as required, this includes using paper records and entering information on to electronic databases.

Support Lead Therapist and contribute to development of patient care by attending relevant team, departmental or clinical / Multi-disciplinary team meetings and comment on recommended changes to clinical care or service provision.

Working within department protocols, as guided by qualified staff.

To be responsible for ordering loan equipment and assist in the ordering of non-standard equipment.

To keep the department tidy, ensure that used / returned equipment is stored and collected in line with equipment loan store procedures.

Be responsible for the administrative arrangements in the area they work eg booking out of equipment in conjunction with other members.

To encourage patients and their carer’s in an active appr