JOB PURPOSE
•To provide advanced orthopaedic assessment and treatment for pre and post-operative patients and to provide experienced advice, guidance and information to patients, staff and relatives.
To follow consultant lead orthopaedic protocols and facilitate a seamless therapeutic transition from pre-operative assessment through to post discharge outpatient rehabilitation.
•To perform advanced orthopaedic physiotherapy assessment of patients post operatively. To provide an individualised treatment programme in discussion with the patient according to assessment findings.
•To undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner, to hold responsibility for own case load and be responsible for a defined area of the service seeking support where necessary from more senior staff.
To participate in 7-day services rota where appropriate.
Communication
•To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes, and to ensure an understanding of their condition/problem so that patients are supported in self management of their condition. The communication skills of motivation, explanation, demonstration and education will be used with a wide variety of patients.
•To ensure that relevant information is communicated in a timely manner to other members of the therapy service, across all relevant sites. This will include telephone conversations, e-mails, faxes, report writing, ward rounds, and multi-disciplinary team meetings.
Responsibility for patient/client care
•To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own clinical practice as an autonomous practitioner and seeking advice from senior staff where appropriate.
•To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients with multi-pathologies and complex needs following evidence based guidelines. The assessment involves the interpretation of complex information from a variety of sources e.g. medical notes, x-rays, and subjective history.
•To deliver an individual physiotherapy treatment programme based on a sound knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options using advanced reasoning skills and knowledge of treatment skills including manual physiotherapy techniques e.g. patient education and exercise prescription.
•Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent
Evaluate patient progress, based on validated and standardised outcome measures, reassess, alter and progress treatment programmes accordingly.
•To be responsible for maintaining accurate and comprehensive patient treatment records in line with professional standards of practice.
•To develop specialist knowledge, training and risk assessment to supervise the use of equipment including hoist equipment, Continuous Passive Motion machine (CPM), cryo-cuffs and manual handling equipment.
•To carry out assessment and treatments, with moderate to intense physical effort on a daily basis.
•To comply with the manual handling Policy and Local Therapeutic Guidelines when moving equipment patients.
To deal with patient suffering from various degrees of pain that may lead to anxiety or aggressive behaviour.
Analysis and judgement
•To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients with multi-pathologies and complex needs following evidence based guidelines
Carry out standardised and non-standardised clinical assessments of functional ability liaising with senior staff and the MDT
•Provides advanced recommendations/advice regarding management of each patient according to the individual needs of the patient.
•Monitors, reviews and modifies treatment plans/goals to measure progress and ensures effective outcomes e.g. planning safe patient discharges.
•Prioritises own patient caseload and develops individualised treatment interventions within resources.
•Discusses and makes recommendations to the MDT with regard to complex patient management.
Planning and organisation
•Undertakes all necessary verbal and written communication required for patient care and within the scope of professional standards.
•Responsible to the Clinical Manager
•Exercises good personal time management, punctuality and maintains consistent and reliable attendance.
Responsibility for human resources
•To be responsible for the safe and competent use of gym equipment during patient sessions and to assist in the supervision of junior physiotherapists to do likewise, through teaching, training and supervision of practice.
