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 e.g. 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. (e.g. 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.