Job Description

We are looking for a band 8a Advanced Practice Physiotherapist ( Extended Scope Physiotherapist) to join our Physiotherapy team in a comprehensive and award-winning musculoskeletal NHS service.



You will be part of a musculoskeletal service, providing specialist physiotherapy assessment and management of patients with musculoskeletal conditions. You will join a team of experienced ESPs with skills in; injection therapy, prescribing, ultrasound imaging, and ultrasound guided injections.



The role will involve assessments of referrals for patients with complex musculoskeletal presentations requiring advanced practice skills such as ordering imaging, peripheral injections( injection skills required). There may be opportunities to develop skills in ultrasound imaging and ultrasound guided injections.



We place a strong emphasis on staff support and development. You will be playing a key role in the department and be involved in service development, support, and mentorship of Locomotor Physiotherapist. The post will involve supervision and mentorship of our team of band 7 FCP's, hub-based staff, there may also be opportunities to work in GP practices as an 8a FCP using advanced practice skills.



The post holder would be predominantly based at St Leonard's, but will also work at other community sites within Homerton University Hospital NHS trust and GP practices in City and Hackney, as dictated by the needs of the service.



Job summary



Provide specialised physiotherapy assessments and treatments, for patients with complex spinal and peripheral conditions and patients who are likely to benefit from skills within the extended scope of Physiotherapist (ESP)/ Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner (APP).



Main responsibilities



To provide a clinical resource to the Locomotor service for the management of complex cases, including guidance on the use of extended skills (e.g. injection therapy, diagnostic ultrasound, and the indications for and interpretation of x-rays and routine haematology and biochemistry investigations) in patient management.

Supervise and line manage allocated members of staff and take a lead role in the continuing professional development of staff.

Assist line manager in departmental service development and work with stakeholders to improve the delivery of the Locomotor services



Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a high performing and flourishing organisation serving the population of Hackney, East London, The City and beyond.



We are extremely proud of the fact that Homerton Hospital has recently attained the highest possible rating of "Outstanding" from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).



Our integrated Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community health services for its local population and a range of specialist services for a wider group of patients. In addition, the Trust manages services out of St Leonard's Hospital and the Mary Seacole Nursing Home.



Homerton aims to ensure equality and value diversity, and we are committed to inclusion for all of our staff. This is reflected in our policies, procedures and People Plan. All of our staff are expected to embody our Trust values at all times.



We are also committed, through our Fair Recruitment Standards, to ensuring all applicants are treated fairly.



Homerton has a proud tradition of supporting and developing its staff, including its well-regarded and valued nursing community, and all staff are able to take advantage of a great range of benefits.



Homerton is proud to have been included on the HSJ & Nursing Times Best Places to Work list.

Clinical Duties:

Assess musculoskeletal patients where it appears they will require investigations or interventions beyond the core skills of physiotherapy. These patients will comply with the protocols for patients to be seen by ESPs under the Locomotor service. Request appropriate routine x-rays, MRI, ultrasound imaging, haematological and biochemistry investigations as agreed under the Locomotor service protocols. Use the results of these investigations to determine the appropriate course of management for musculoskeletal patients. Refer patients directly to the appropriate secondary care specialist, Rheumatology, Orthopaedics, and Neurology in lines with best practice and agreed Locomotor service protocols. Act as an autonomous practitioner within the bounds of competency seeking advice when appropriate from peers, or advanced members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team, such as Consultants and GP's. Autonomous practitioner via assessment diagnosis and treatment of patients with a high degree of skill, via manual therapy, gym based programs, referral to a departmental class, external class, or a combination of these. To provide extended skills treatments such as injections, ultrasound diagnosis, ultrasound guided injections. To jointly lead and supervise the process of screening of musculoskeletal referrals received by the trust. To provide expertise in the management of Chronic Pain Patients and able to apply biopsycho-social model of care to patients with complex presentations Identification of those patients appropriate for multidisciplinary intervention based on a biopsychosocial approach, and providing assistance for other staff members in doing the same. Prescribe medicines and development of supplementary prescribing as appropriate

Service delivery:

Contribute to the development of policy and procedures for efficient delivery of the service to ensure that the appropriate resources are utilised in all episodes of patient care as per the aims of the Locomotor service. Liaise with consultants, GPs, First Contact Practitioners and work closely with A&E staff and other key stakeholders to improve service delivery. To lead audit of service delivery and implement appropriate reasoned change. Provide a clinical perspective on service delivery to identify potential risk to service standards and assist in service development. To act as a lead for departmental queries in relation to the triage or screening of

musculoskeletal referrals so that patients are seen in the appropriate department in line with service protocols and policies.

Managerial Duties:

To assist in the development of the extended skills physiotherapists role. o Dealing with challenging patients. Ensuring that CPD components recommended by the professional body are factored into the work schedule of all therapists within the department. Supervise and manage Band 7, Band 6 and Band 5 physiotherapists within the Locomotor Service. Facilitating the personal and professional development of staff. This involves identifying training and development needs, providing suitable development opportunities and evaluating development actions in accordance with the Trust's appraisal and training procedures. Monitor the level and standard of work undertaken by your staff and to guide, coach and advise them as appropriate. Effectively induct new staff into the Trust/department in accordance with the Trust's induction programme.

Administrative:

Responsible for dissemination of information throughout the department relating to professional issues, education, trust initiatives. Maintain records of ESP clinics and recording actions and activity resulting from patient contact and investigations Provide relevant statistics required by the department and trust. Be responsible for maintaining accurate and comprehensive patient records in line with CSP standards of Practice using POMR. Complete MRI, ultrasography, X-ray and blood test request as appropriate, handle medical records and reports with care and in line with trust guidelines on information governance

Professional:

Be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work as per the standards established by the professional body (CSP). Educate other staff to ensure the CSP standards are met. Ongoing evaluation of competency of core physiotherapy and extended scope of practice skills. A commitment to evidence based practice individually and sharing a responsibility to promote this within the department. Act as an senior appraiser of Junior members of staff. Collaborative input into formulating teaching programs for less experienced members of the department. To be an active member of the in-service training program by the attendance of, and presentation of, departmental teaching sessions. Attending external courses appropriate to the post and ongoing professional development. Undertake the measurement and evaluation of work and current practices through the use of evidence based projects, audit and outcome measures, either individually or departmental liaison with senior members of staff. Make recommendations for change. Demonstrate a sound understanding of all components of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and apply to work situation. Assist with education on musculoskeletal assessment and management of other professions, including qualified medical staff. Be actively involved in professional and clinical groups, such as the Departmental Journal Club, CSP Clinical Interest Groups, Peer Review Groups and other professional development activities. * Maintain accurate and legible patient records in line with CSP standards.