Specialised Neurological Physiotherapist

To provide quality Neurological Physiotherapy treatment and advice to individuals in a wide variety of settings which may include the community or using Tele rehab. We are looking for someone who possess good clinical reasoning ability in the assessment, treatment, review, and management of clients with physical, cognitive and psychological impairment as a result of neurological injury. You will be supported by the team lead but must be confident to work as an autonomous practitioner. You will be supported to maintain your CPD through in-service training opportunities and CPD programmes.   

Main Duties/ Responsibilities

Service Development

1. To participate in service development, service provision and delivery to each of the specific clinical pathways.
2. To participate in the evaluation and data collection of the specific clinical VIM healthcare pathways.
3. To participate in the delivery of training and service development initiatives.

Clinical

1. To provide physiotherapy assessment and treatment to patients with a wide range of neurological disorders as well as patients with complex traumatic injuries.
2. You will be required to carry a clinical caseload of patients with neurological health conditions, ensuring that patients benefit from high quality, evidence-based interventions.
3. To assess clinical risk within own patient caseload.
4. Provide high quality physiotherapy interventions to a wide variety of patients including advanced assessment and treatment, provision of individual and group intervention and provision of assisted devices.
5. Daily workload may include moderate to heavy effort, which can be of short duration or sustained.  
6. To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of patients in your care.
7. To obtain informed consent for any assessment/treatment undertaken.
8. Competently assess non-complex and complex neurological patients independently.
9. Formulate treatment plans based on the clinical findings from assessments.
10. Formulate client centred treatment based on clinical findings from assessments.
11. To use valid and reliable outcome measures to evaluate patient progress, reassessing and adjusting treatment programmes as indicated.
12. Implement individualised clinical management programmes utilising a wide range of treatment skills and options.
13. Competently assess the client with technological adjuncts as appropriate.
14. To be responsible for the safe use of the equipment by the client and other relevant individuals (i.e. family, carers or other healthcare professionals) through teaching, training and supervision of practise.
15. Ensuring compliance with 1:1/ group therapy and home exercise/gym programme as appropriate.
16. Running group therapy sessions as appropriate
17. Review outcome measures and goals with appropriately timed and patient centred re-assessment.
18. Modify and/or progression treatment plan and goals as indicated by assessment.
19. Delegate treatment plan through teaching, training and supervision of practise to junior physiotherapist/rehabilitation assistants as appropriate.
20. Providing clinical service when requested at Events and Exhibitions for VIM health or their suppliers, technology screening events and to local Client groups at support meetings.

Record Keeping

1. Ensure that accurate, comprehensive and up to date clinical records are maintained within CSP Standards.
2. Creating accurate records of your work and for making entries into Jane health records system and managing all VIM records effectively in line with the Health Record Keeping Policy and other Health Records and Corporate Records Management policies and procedures.   
3. To communicate effectively with other healthcare professionals, outside agencies and clients about their care and progress.
4. Produce comprehensive patient related reports for other disciplines or agencies relating to assessment findings, treatment outcomes or recommendations (such reports might include discharge letters, GP updates, referrals to other agencies and legal reports).
5. Document all relevant forms of communication with/related to the client including but not exclusive to email, telephone and other verbal communications.
6. Provide all requested note keeping and records for audit if requested.
7. Document all accidents and incidents as company procedure.

Communication

1. Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and empathy with patients, carers and families.
2. Ensure that effective communication is achieved to gain co-operation and enable patients to participate in the development of their individualised programme.
3. Educate and engage the patient and relatives/carers regarding the nature of the condition and aims of physiotherapy intervention to maximise rehabilitation potential.
4. Ensure effective communication of complex, sensitive patient information, between hospital, other health professionals, legal professionals and any other parties that may be involved.
5. Maintain confidentiality during communication consistent with legislation, CSP standards and employer’s policies.
6. Provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers, other disciplines and agencies to promote understanding of the aims of physiotherapy and to ensure continuation of the treatment programme.
7. Consult / liaise with team lead/ clinical lead where appropriate regarding any issues that may arise in relation to the management of the patient (e.g. advice on specialist treatment such as Botulinum toxin or problems associated with the implementation of treatment).
8. Ensure all written information is provided on company branded paper.
9. Ensure all email communication has the relevant company disclosure included.
10. Seek advice/supervision from team lead/ clinical lead with regards to written communication to be sent to third parties as appropriate.

Professional Development

1. To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities.
2. To maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development.
3. Participate in annual performance reviews with your supervisor to identify and facilitate learning objectives.
4. Attend all mandatory training required for the position (i.e. manual handling, CPR, First Aid, Infection Control).
5. To promote, lead and ensure implementation of new practices/developments in neurology as acquired by CPD activities.
6. To develop skills in the technological adjuncts offered by VIM Health and to pass this knowledge onto colleagues as appropriate.
7. Provide an active role leading and facilitating CPD activities within VIM Health by means of in-service training or dissemination of knowledge as acquired by independent study or CPD activities.
8. Incorporate reflective learning into clinical practise including but not exclusive to, reflective diaries and patient discussion with senior/colleagues.

Organisational

1. Organise and manage own time to allow for appropriate treatment times, travel required between appointments if required and necessary administration work.
2. To be responsible for organising and planning own caseload to meet service and patient priorities, allowing adequate time for non-clinical.
3. To be flexible during the working day, allowing response to unexpected situations e.g. lift breaking down, staffing illness.
4. To complete appointments and charges by the start of the following working week
5. To submit relevant information to appropriate person regarding equipment loans/purchases etc
6. Perform risk assessments, formally or informally as appropriate (i.e. treatment or environment) to ensure the safety or yourself, client or other individual.
7. To provide clinical supervision and support to junior clinicians, Physiotherapy Assistants as appropriate.
8. To deputise for team lead where required.
9. Adhere to all company policies and procedure, including but not exclusive to, annual leave, sickness absence, accident and incident reporting, health and safety, infection control and equipment loans.

This job description should be regarded as a guide to the duties required and is not definitive or restrictive in any way. The duties of the post may be varied from time to time in response to changing circumstances. This job description does not form part of the contract of employment. 

Requirements

ESSENTIAL  

• Degree in Physiotherapy  
• CSP membership  
• HCPC registration  
• Evidence of completion of specialist courses within the field of neurological therapy  
• Compliant with DBS regulations

Experience  

ESSENTIAL 

• Minimum of 18 months post qualification working as a physiotherapist.
• Completed junior rotations in the core specialities of respiratory, neurology and musculoskeletal.
• Experience of working as part of a physiotherapy team/ or multidisciplinary team.
• Contributed to education of more junior staff/ students/ assistants.
• Experience working as a band 6 within stroke, neurosurgery or community rehabilitation.
• IT skills use of word, excel, database, email, power point, and internet use.  

DESIRABLE

• Evidence of completion of specialist courses within the field of neurological rehabilitation.
• Member of a specialist interest group.
• Possess skills for assessing, forming diagnosis and providing treatment to patient caseload.  
• Experience of supervision/ training members of staff and students.
• Experience of clinical audit/ service improvement/ service development.
• CPD evidence of maintaining clinical skills through practice and education.  
• Ability to conduct risk assessment.  
• The ability to prioritise effectively and to assist others to do likewise.

Other desired requirements relevant to this post

• Ability to lead and work as part of a team.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the job.
• Ability to deal with challenging situations.
• Self-motivation
• Excellent verbal and written skills
• Accurate, professional and legible note keeping.
• Commitment to CPD
• Holds a valid driver’s licence.  
• Previous participation in research.