Job Description

Our Physiotherapy Assistant will work under the direction of a physiotherapist but frequently to work without direct

supervision.



You will manage a caseload of physiotherapy MSK out patients referred by the physiotherapists within the service and act as first point of contact for MSK physiotherapy referrals made within agreed protocols and pathways.



To assist physiotherapists in the treatment and care of MSK Physiotherapy outpatients.



To assist specialist physiotherapists in delivery of individuals and groups

including performing routine patient monitoring, supporting patient education and supervising group exercise sessions.



To support non-clinical activities including organisation and delegation of

administration, assisting the maintenance and efficient running of the

department and managing the appointment system.



Why Work With Us



Working with us - Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Why join us?



Our people are caring, committed, inclusive and focussed on quality. We focus on solutions and people's strengths. We encourage outside the box thinking and embrace innovation and change wherever it can drive improvement. If you share our values and vision and are passionate about working with people on what matters to them, you could be a real asset to Team Torbay and South Devon.



And if you do join us, you'll be working in one of the most beautiful parts of the UK, with a fantastic quality of life. We actively encourage our people to enjoy a good work/life balance and Devon offers everything from city living to a host of outdoor activities. Whether it's the coast that floats your boat, the adrenaline of white-water rafting, trekking across the moors or being mindful in nature, you'll find it all right on your doorstep.



Communication and Working Relationships

80% of workload is clinical; running groups and 1 to 1 session, 20% patient related non-clinical activity and general administration.

Some aspects of work will involve delivery of care as part of a multidisciplinary team.

To undertake ongoing assessment of patients including those with diverse and complex presentations/ multi-pathologies, use basic clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment techniques to provide a basis for effective intervention.



Deliver individualised and group MSK outpatient exercise programmes to adults and paediatrics based on knowledge of evidence-based practice and using agreed exercise protocols.



Evaluate patients' progress, alter treatment plans within designated protocols, and report back to the referring physiotherapist when a change in treatment or review is required.



To facilitate exercise with MSK out patients on an individual and/or group basis and support health education.

To manage clinical risk within own patient caseload.

Work within Trust and CSP clinical guidelines, and have a good working

knowledge of National and local standards keeping up to date with clinical developments.

To be responsible for safe and competent assessment, provision and use of physiotherapy equipment, appliances and aids by patients.

To develop and maintain links with external exercise providers within

Teignbridge and Torbay localities to be able to sign post patients, e.g. exercise on prescription schemes.



Communication with Patients

Patient communication will include gaining informed consent for all assessment and treatment.

Communication will include imparting information on a daily basis relating to implementation and alteration of treatment, and will be verbal and non-verbal, regular and spontaneous.

Communication will include patients who may have difficulties relating to

complex emotional, psychological as well as physical conditions relating to the presenting complaint. This patient group includes those who have difficulties in understanding or communicating, dysphasia, depression, hearing or visual impairment or who may be unable to accept their diagnosis.

Will involve use of skills in diffusing anger, motivating, negotiating, counselling, training, empathising and reassuring.



Communication with Colleagues

To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date documentation, in line with legal, departmental and CSP standards of practice.



To communicate progress to referring physiotherapist and other appropriate staff. This will be verbal and in written format.

To appropriately liaise with colleagues within the physiotherapy team and wider multidisciplinary team. This will include discussion of issues relating to the day-to-day running of services.

To be responsible for accurate and timely data input into the IHCS data

collection system and new systems when introduced.



Planning and Organisation

Organise own diary and caseload.



Be responsible for own workload as delegated by the physiotherapist.

To monitor the maintenance and health & safety of the department including cleaning, repairs, and compliance with CSP standards.



To monitor the safe and competent use of equipment within the physiotherapy department (hoisting, exercise, electrical and audio-visual equipment).



Responsibility and Accountability

To be legally accountable for all aspects of work referred by a physiotherapist.



To be responsible for maintaining own knowledge of evidence-based practice and competency through CPD activities, and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development.



Participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraisee and be responsible for complying agreed personal development

programmes.

Be an active member of the in-service training programme by attendance at, participation in and contribution to relevant and agreed in-service training programmes, tutorials, individual training sessions, peer review and undertaking reflective practice.

To contribute to evaluation of clinical practices through the collection and

recording of audit and outcome data. Supervision takes the form of some direct observation of work but more frequently discussion of management and outcomes.

To be responsible for carrying out and progressing delegated workload,

reporting back progress or change to the Physiotherapist.

To adhere to Trust guidance, standards and legislation.



Policy and Service Responsibility

To contribute to team service development and local implementation of national policy and guidelines.



Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources .

To be responsible for the cleaning of therapy equipment and inspecting and monitoring the safety of equipment in use.

This position has no budgetary responsibility.



Responsibility for Supervision, Leadership and Management.



Provide support and cover for absence within the team to maintain continuity of support - re-assessing workload and priorities as necessary.

To support service development and undertake new roles appropriate to

banding at the request of MSK physiotherapy team lead.

Assist in the induction of new staff.



Information Technology and Administrative Duties

To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date documentation, in line with legal, departmental and Trust standards of practice.



To communicate progress to referring physiotherapist and appropriate staff. This will be verbal and in written format.



To be responsible for accurate and timely data input into the IHCS data

collection system and new systems when introduced.

Adherence with Information Governance standard.