Community Specialist Physiotherapist

Job summary

The specialist physiotherapist will work in SMASH Care Community Team to assess, manage and provide treatment to a caseload of service users with complex and/or multiple needs. They will be working closely with the MDT and provide supervision to the less experienced therapy staff and assistants. There may be an expectation to work between multiple sites in the organisation.

The physiotherapist will be expected to join the 7-day, 8am - 5pm, service and may be lone working within lone working policy. This is a permanent post.

Previous recent applicants need not apply.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and flexible Physiotherapist to join our friendly, supportive, dynamic and forward thinking team in SMASH Care Community/ CCICP.

As part of this approach we provide a rapid, unplanned and planned response, we facilitate early discharge from hospital and aim to reduce hospital admissions.

There is a varied and interesting caseload and you will need to demonstrate knowledge, experience and relevant clinical skills with patients with complex / long term conditions, falls, orthopaedics, general mobility problems and neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke and Motor Neurone Disease.

The successful candidate will work as a member of our integrated multidisciplinary team alongside District Nurses, Advance Nurse Practitioners, Complex Case Practitioners, MacMillan Nurses and will be responsible for supervising junior members of staff and students.

There will be associated administrative duties and you will need to be computer literate with a good knowledge of Microsoft packages and have accurate keyboard skills. Our team utilises digital technology to support remote working and accommodate flexible working approach (including some home working options), where possible and is supported to do this with access to a laptop and mobile phone.

You are required to be a car driver and have access to your own vehicle.

About us

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MCHFT) provides good quality, safe and effective healthcare to the people of Cheshire and beyond. The Trust, which manages Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford, was established as an NHS Trust in April 1991 and became a Foundation Trust in April 2008.

We employ almost 5,000 members of staff, provide around 540 hospital beds, with a range of services including accident and emergency, maternity, outpatients, therapies, and children's health.

The Trust is also part of Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership (CCICP), a unique local health partnership that provides a range of community services for people across South Cheshire and Vale Royal.

During the Coronavirus pandemic, the Trust was recognised nationally for its 'Be Safe Be EquiPPEd' campaign, which aimed to make the Trust as safe as possible for staff and patients, through supporting the correct use of PPE.

The results in the 2020 national NHS Staff Survey showed improvements in all elements of the safety culture theme, with 92% of respondents feeling their role made a difference to our patients. We were also recognised nationally for our workforce health and well being initiatives.

At Mid Cheshire, we value our staff and appreciate that in order to give our patients the best quality, compassionate care, we also need to look after our colleagues.

Job responsibilities

Clinical Practice

Manage a clinical caseload with autonomy, work without direct supervision

Undertake comprehensive physiotherapy assessment, provide a therapeutic diagnosis (using investigative and advanced analytical skills, specialist listening, physical and observational skills, interpret clinical findings and documentation) and implement agreed treatment plans if appropriate, including the treatment of complex service users with multiple pathologies in a manner that respects peoples privacy dignity and individuality

Provide individual or group therapy as appropriate to setting

Implement monitoring and evaluation of treatment in order to measure progress and outcomes to ensure effectiveness of interventions and service delivery

Develop programmes of care to support discharge from service

Be responsible for equipment used in carrying out clinical duties, and to adhere to policy, including competence to use equipment and to ensure safe use of equipment by others through teaching, training and supervision of practice

Record, maintain and store accurate, comprehensive and up to date documentation, in line with legal and local requirements. Communicate outcomes of assessments/intervention to appropriate disciplines in form of letters/reports/discharge summaries

Arrange appointments (as applicable), work closely with MDT, attend case reviews/case conferences/variety of MDT internal and external meetings/forums

Contribute to the safeguarding of our Service users/families as appropriate

Assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with service users including those service users who lack capacity to consent to treatment, within your organisations policies.

Be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work including the management of Service users under your care

Maintain professional registration with HCPC

Work within organisation, HCPC and CSP guidelines

Have a working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor own and others quality of practise against these

Work as part of a team to ensure effective communication and delivery of care

Provide and receive, with care and integrity, sensitive information about service users from the service user, carer and other professionals and to manage sensitive or contentious information appropriately

Work in an empathic manner in partnership with service users, carers and families, where there are barriers to understanding and differences in the way the service user communicates sign language. To alter approaches to a relevant level for the service user to be as actively involved in their own care.

Communicate effectively with service users and carers/relatives to progress specific rehabilitation and treatment programme. Providing and receiving complex information using a range of verbal/non-verbal communication skills, persuading/influencing

Use appropriate communication skills to overcome significant barriers to acceptance of sensitive information.

Leadership and Management

Health and care professionals working at the level of specialist should be able to-

Communicate effectively with a range of professionals both within the organisation and with external agencies, including primary care, social service and voluntary organisations

Provide the Band 7 Physiotherapists / Managers with information to assist planning and development of the service, to assist team leader in planning of longer term strategic plans to develop the therapy service.

Assist the Managers in achieving the departmental objectives and supporting an open style of leadership

Actively participate in the professional development programme of the therapy service

Provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals

Be involved in the daily management of workload allocation within the specialist area.

Participate in the operational planning and implementation of policy and service development within your team, leading on delegated projects

Undertake any other duties that might be considered appropriate by senior staff and deputise in their absence as required.

Be aware of the financial impact of clinical decisions

Support therapy team in ensuring adequate levels of stock are available as required in line with your organisations stock management policy

Education

Health and care professionals working at the level of specialist should be able to-

Organise and lead in-service training programmes for Band 5 Therapists and Assistants under the guidance of Band 7 staff when required.

Critically evaluate current research and apply to practice. Demonstrate an understanding and application of national guidelines and legislation relating to health and social care and their impact of service provision.

Train, supervise and support less experienced therapy staff, therapy assistants and students. This may include formal staff appraisals.

Maintain own competency to practice, through participation in internal and external development opportunities evidenced by a professional portfolio for Continuing Professional Development.

Demonstrate acquired specialist skills and knowledge of professional practice in order to maintain fitness to practice as a Physiotherapist.

Work within organisation and department policies and comply with HCPC Code of Conduct.

Keep up to date with all mandatory training requirements within the organisation.

Participate in the evaluation of clinical practice and disseminate across relevant areas.

Research, Audit and Governance

Health and care professionals working at the level of specialist should be able to;

Undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of evidence based practice projects, audit and outcome measures.

Provide representation at local meetings/ specific interest groups and attendance at national meetings, under guidance of more experienced staff. Make recommendation for change and to implement change under supervision.

Undertake audit and contribute to regional/national level as appropriate.

Support research activity with the service.

Disseminate findings from audit and evaluation results to relevant areas