The current vacancy is within the Older Persons physiotherapy team based on the Older Persons Unity at St Thomas' Hospital. This ward treats a variety of patients, most of whom are 65 years old and older and present with varying degrees of frailty.
This role will allow the successful candidate to work closely with physiotherapists and other members of the multi-disciplinary team and to further develop their skills in rehabilitation.
Physiotherapy Department Information
The physiotherapy department employs around 300 staff to provide physiotherapy services to the frontline directorates at Guys, St Thomas’ and Evelina Children’s hospitals as well as Lambeth and Southwark Community Health services.
Job Summary
To assist physiotherapists in providing a high standard physiotherapy service to patients within the Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and to undertake duties to support the smooth functioning of the physiotherapy department and service by:
§ Assisting the physiotherapist to carry out delegated physiotherapy duties
§ Treating own delegated workload of patients and maintaining associated patient records
§ Ensuring equipment is cleaned and available to the physiotherapy team in a timely fashion
§ Assisting in the administration and clerical duties of the department
The current vacancy is within the Older Person’s Unit at St Thomas’.
Key Relationships
Key relationships will vary dependent on which clinical area you are working in. However, this will always include the other physiotherapists and support staff working in the area.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK’s best known hospitals – Guy’s, St Thomas’, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield – as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation. We are among the UK’s busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark.
We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and – as part of King’s Health Partners – we are one of England’s eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the National Institute for Health Research’s biomedical research centres, established with King’s College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities.
We have around 23,700 staff, making us one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country and one of the biggest employers locally. We aim to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and continue to develop new and existing partnerships with local people, patients, neighbouring NHS organisations, local authorities and charitable bodies and GPs.
CLINICAL
Patient Care
§ To carry own caseload of patients with a medically stable condition as delegated by the physiotherapist.
§ To provide competent treatment to patients within set clinical protocols.
§ Able to work with minimal or no immediate supervision of a physiotherapist or registered nurse.
§ To use own clinical judgement and knowledge in regards to progressing and/or making minor modifications to treatment programmes within agreed clinical protocols and parameters.
§ To assist with the care of patients including preparing drinks, supervising drinking, toileting, dressing and undressing.
§ To assist the physiotherapist with individual treatments and exercise programmes
§ To be able to recognise change in the condition of a patient with guidance from physiotherapists and to watch the patient response to any treatment undertaken.
§ To monitor the reaction of patients to specific physiotherapy techniques undertaken.
§ To demonstrate an awareness of clinical risk and ability to manage clinical risk within own caseload at all times including observing patients in all situations applicable to physiotherapy, ensuring safety and security at all times.
§ To comply, at all times, with the requirements of the Health and Safety Regulations and to take responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of others in the working environment
§ To demonstrate physical ability to carry out physiotherapy interventions including manual therapy techniques and therapeutic handling
§ To demonstrate dexterity, co-ordination and palpatory sensory skills for physiotherapy treatment of patients.
§ To be able to cope with occasional, potentially stressful, upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner.
§ To attend mandatory annual training (Fire, Manual Handling and Adult Basic Life Support)
Management
Physical resources
§ To be responsible for competent use and maintenance of all equipment used, to report defects in equipment in a timely manner.
§ To undertake routine and general light cleaning/tidying tasks within departmental clinical areas.
§ To undertake some administrative tasks particularly related to record keeping, filing, supplies, errands and message taking in consultation with physiotherapy staff.
§ To prepare and clean equipment used in treatment.
§ To maintain stocks of walking aids and other equipment in the department.
§ To report all complaints and accidents immediately to a member of physiotherapy staff.
Human resources
§ To be responsible for non-clinical induction of assistants and students as required.
Information resources
§ Responsible for maintenance of accurate electronic health records using POMR system and use of computerised data collection and records.
§ To have excellent IT skills, utilising multiple different platforms such as excel, word and online note systems.
Planning and Organisation
§ To organise and prioritise own delegated work tasks and activities being flexible to the needs of the service as directed by the physiotherapist.
§ To assist the physiotherapist in the planning of activities or programmes.
Communication
§ To be able to motivate and persuade patients through effective communication skills, with the benefit of verbal and non-verbal skills
§ Ability to communicate information where there may be barriers to communication and or understanding i.e. patients with cognitive impairment, non-English speaking patients; use of interpreters; excess noise or lack of privacy; tracheostomised patients
§ To liaise with ward staff and physiotherapists as appropriate
§ To be responsible to and report regularly to either the physiotherapist or senior physiotherapist in the clinical area of placement.
§ To liaise with other physiotherapists or health professionals as necessary with regard to patient care.
§ To liaise with managers, other administrative and support staff as necessary to ensure the smooth running of the department.
§ To attend any meetings and seminars/case conferences as deemed appropriate by physiotherapy staff, including staff meetings and assistant meetings.
Education
§ To participate in the Performance Review Scheme.
§ To participate in the assistant and Department in-service education programme.
§ To be responsible for personal CPD, and ensure that this is reflective in clinical practice.
§ To utilise and be responsible for the completion of the PTA competency document.
Research Quality and Audit
§ To participate in the department’s ongoing audit programme as required.
Effort
§ To carry out assessments and treatments, with moderate to intense physical effort on a daily basis.
§ To comply with the Trusts Manual Handling Policy and local therapeutic handling guidelines
§ To work in an environment where the work patterns may be disrupted by frequent demands from patients, clinical staff, students and administrative support staff
§ To sensitively deal with distressing or emotional circumstances regarding patient care such as realistic expectations of rehabilitation outcome or distressed relatives
§ To support junior when indicated in the management of challenging patients
§ To deal with patients suffering from illnesses or pain states that may lead to anxiety and aggressive behaviour
As part of the physiotherapy department’s commitment to meeting patient needs and delivering excellence we provide a 24hours, 7 day service. It is therefore essential the post holder be able to work their hours flexibly and contribute fully to both existing and new rota’s.
The Older Person’s Unit Band 3 is expected to work 5 days per week (Mon-Fri), with the occasional weekend day.
The post holder may be required to undertake any other duties after discussion and training if necessary.
