Specialist Neurological Physiotherapist

Job summary

TherapyMatters are recruiting again as the demand for quality rehabilitation is really high Are you ready for an exciting change in your career? Are you an enthusiastic and skilled physiotherapist, who is passionate about working with neurological patients, helping them to reach their rehab goals? 

We are a friendly and effective team of specialists in complex rehabilitation, we enjoy learning and working together, and we have a busy and varied caseload of patients with neurological conditions.

We are an independent provider and an NHS provider of specialist neurological physiotherapy, seeing independent, individual patients sourcing private physiotherapy services, together with our Catastrophic Injury Solicitors caseload, and our NHS patients. 

This is a full time (would consider part time), employed, permanent contract with a commitment to your continuing professional development, regular in-service training, and clinical supervision. Our team leader is a Bobath Tutor with the British Bobath Tutors Association. 

We are a happy, strong, dynamic team and we would love to work with you - Are you the physio we are looking for to join us? Get in touch if you want to find out more, and come and meet us at the clinic, to feel the positive vibes This could be the neurological rehabilitation job you have been looking for 

Main duties of the job

To provide specialist neurological and complex rehabilitation assessment, treatment and management of patients using the service.

To work as part of the TherapyMatters Team, both within the clinic environment, and also in community environments, such as patients homes, gyms, care facilities. 

To contribute to the learning environment within the team, developing yourself and your team colleagues learning and development through joint sessions, reflection and peer discussions, IST, clinical supervision, courses and personal reading. 

About us

TherapyMatters is a long-established, independent provider, and an NHS provider, of quality specialist neurological and complex rehabilitation physiotherapy services, with an excellent reputation.

We are a friendly and dynamic team, always taking opportunities to work together when possible, always creating a learning environment within the clinic and enjoying the day. 

We have a positive and caring atmosphere, that the patients say they can feel as soon as they walk into the building. We get under the skin of our patients and understand their rehabilitation needs, hopes and goals for better function and day to day management of their conditions, as possible. 

We enjoy providing quality rehabilitation for all our patients, some of whom travel a distance to access our specialist team (eg Cumbria, Republic of Ireland, Nottinghamshire, USA). 

We work hard, in a very rewarding role, and enjoy our patients achieving their potential. 

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:

Specialist Neurological Physiotherapist (band 5 & band 6 equivalent)

Team:

Directors, Specialist Neurological Physiotherapists, Administration/Therapy Assistant within the TherapyMatters team

Location:

TherapyMatters Clinic – Aldford House, Bell Meadow Business Park, Cuckoos Nest, Pulford, Chester CH4 9EP

Accountable/Responsible to:

Clinical Director and Team Lead – Clare Fraser

Working closely to support:

Other team members, any therapy staff who may have less experience than yourself, Rehabilitation Assistants, administration staff, visiting work experience or clinical students

ORGANISATION CHART:

- Supported by Human Resources dept

- Supported by Accountancy dept

Job Purpose:

To perform Neurological physiotherapeutic assessment of patients with diverse and complex conditions, to provide clinical hypothesis and develop and deliver an individualised treatment/rehabilitation programme, with the support and clinical supervision of more experienced staff within the team.

Provide specialist advice and referring patients to other agencies when necessary, following communication with clinical support within the team.

To liaise with GPs, District Nurses, Social Care professionals, next of kin and carer / PA teams, and case managers, to ensure safety and best clinical practice.

To identify and prioritise key tasks and manage your own, often busy caseload with support and supervision as required.

To offer a marketing and business supportive role within the context of the business needs, under direction from the Directors and Administrator staff as required.

Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical

As a less experienced neurological physiotherapist within the team you will have access to clinical supervision, support and communication with a named mentor and supervisor, as well as other available team members as and when needed. This will happen through an organised clinical supervision process, which will support your professional and clinical development as you move towards more specialist skills within this clinical area. The following components of this job description are descriptive of the tasks that will be included in your role within this clinical supervision framework.

To undertake comprehensive assessment of patients with complex problems, using clinical reasoning skills and using assessment techniques, in order to provide an accurate analysis of the patient’s problems. To have knowledge of any significant warning signs (red flags) for a variety of conditions and be able to identify those patients who need referral for medical/specialist care.

To plan and deliver an individual physiotherapy treatment programme using sound knowledge of evidence-supported practice and treatment options. The treatment plan to be based on patient agreed goals, taking into account the individual’s psychosocial needs.

To obtain patient consent by reviewing and reflecting with the patient their understanding of their problems and treatment options.

To provide specialist advice and education on patient care to other health, social, educational and voluntary sector services. This will involve discussing, sharing and working closely together with other professionals about treatment/care programmes.

Continual evaluation of progression of patients problems and goal achievement with respect to the treatment plan and adjustment of treatment techniques accordingly.

To comply with TherapyMatters Manual Handling Policy at all times.

To regularly work as a lone practitioner within treatment sessions, on home visits or within clinic rooms in the clinic – but knowing that the support of the other team members and Clinical Director are always available on request through organisation of the diary and through the clinical supervision programme, or, if needed at the time, through contact with the clinic via telephone or messaging services.

Attend case conferences and use professional judgment/clinical reasoning skills to inform decision making regarding future direction and care planning where complex patient needs exist.

Provide clinical and professional support to the team and ensure that the work of the team is promoted and understood within the wider communities that we come into contact with.

To take part in multi-disciplinary case meetings to discuss individual patient’s needs and liaise with the teams of staff involved in these.

Management:

Ensure that your own practice and that of staff requiring your supervision meet the required professional standards of practice.

To be responsible for organising and planning own caseload to meet service and patient priorities, readjusting plans as situations change / arise.

Promote the learning atmosphere of the team and clinic in the In Service Training Programme and be prepared to teach new techniques and share experiences with colleagues following attendance on external courses.

Be responsible for the production of reports for outside agencies, when required – which will always be reviewed by another member of the team before sending out.

Professional Development

To be responsible for monitoring accurate and comprehensive patient records in line with CSP’s standards and practice.

Maintain and update theoretical knowledge and clinical skills in line with research developments and evidence-supported practice, via CPD and the maintenance of a reflective portfolio.

Adhere to HCPC standards and Professional Code of Conduct.

Participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraisee and be responsible for complying with a personal development programme to meet set knowledge and competencies.

To identify own training needs related to personal development plan and attend, where possible, relevant courses, workshops etc. in consultation with Team Leader and retain portfolio of evidence.

To actively contribute to In-service training and peer review, and showing evidence of Continuous Professional Development.

To take an active part in the Clinical Supervision process both when receiving and delivering clinical supervision within the team structure.

Maintain and develop current knowledge of evidence-supported practice, developing specialist knowledge of particular conditions and patient types,

Teach, assess and contribute to the performance assessment and appraisal of assistants and newly qualified physiotherapists when required.

Communication:

To use communication skills effectively and sensitively with a flexible approach.

To give patients details of their condition, its management and plans of treatment. This may involve explaining the nature of, chronic or disabling conditions and possible poor outcome and response to treatment, and will need to take into consideration emotional, physical and psychological conditions.

To gain consent from patients, including those who may have communication problems receptive aphasia, hearing loss, other medical conditions which affect communication.

To motivate and encourage patients to ensure active participation in home management programmes, in particular when there may be some levels of pain and anxiety, and /or depression.

To demonstrate a high level of listening and counselling skills and deal sensitively and confidentially with an individuals concerns, particularly at times of high levels of anxiety or distress.

To ensure highly effective communication between all those involved in treatment, including other agencies, as appropriate, to deliver patient focused care. Communicate complex condition related information to patients/carers/relatives and other clinical/social care staff.

To use communication, reasoning and negotiation skills to establish a therapeutic relationship in complex cases

To produce clear, comprehensive, concise reports for other members of the multidisciplinary team and other associated Agencies outlining results of assessment and treatment. ( home assessment reports, progress and discharge reports).

Other Factors

May work alone in environments such as community settings, and occasionally within the clinic setting, assessing and managing risk.

Information Governance - please see full job description document for more details about information governance, health and safety, safeguarding, data protection, infection prevention and control, equality, diversity and human rights etc.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Degree / Graduate diploma in Physiotherapy full HCPC registration and permitted to practice in the UK CSP Membership (or equivalent professional body membership from another country) Evidence of Continuing Professional Development through up to date portfolio

Experience

Essential

(Band 5 equivalent) - 1 year experience post-graduate physiotherapy seeing a variety of patients for a good clinical background. - experience with the acutely ill / medical / respiratory patient to allow you to assess an emergency situation - a passion about working with neurological patients (Band 6 equivalent) - as above, plus - experience working with neurological conditions, and in rehabilitation settings - experience in community settings if possible

Desirable

- experience working with long term and deteriorating conditions if possible - experience creating home exercise programmes and advising / guiding patients and relatives on these

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

- Good organisational / prioritisation skills - Ability to work as part of a professional team - Excellent communication skills with members of the public, and other professionals. Able to communicate with a variety of different people, about often complex and difficult topics. - Ability to teach and educate patients and other professionals - Ability to abide by professional and corporate confidentiality - Ability to maintain accurate and concise patient records - General good health and fitness to manage a busy day of physical activity - Enthusiastic and hard working - Passionate about neurological physiotherapy and developing own learning and skills - Ability to travel freely across Cheshire, Wirral, North Wales, for home visits, driving own car

Desirable

- Ability to contribute to service development ideas and implementation - IT skills - managing electronic diary, electronic clinical notes, emails etc - training during induction period given

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