JOB PURPOSE To perform physiotherapy assessment of paediatric patients with diverse presentations, providing a diagnosis and to develop and deliver an individualised treatment programme, seeking support from senior physiotherapists appropriately. To assess, diagnose, plan and deliver physiotherapy treatment programmes to patients with physical and psychological conditions in their care. To carry and prioritise their own clinical caseload as an autonomous practitioner. To be responsible for their own continuing professional and personal development. To be responsible for maintaining accurate and comprehensive physiotherapy treatment notes/records for each patient. JOB DIMENSIONS The post holder will rotate around the paediatric clinical areas. They will be responsible for their own caseload within that specialty area. Access to advice and support from a senior physiotherapist is available. Organisational Chart KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED Qualifications Degree or equivalent Experience A variety of clinical areas experienced through student placements or previous junior rotations. Skills Competent written and verbal skills Ability to organise and prioritise own workload Time management skills Knowledge Sound theoretical knowledge of physiotherapy practice Awareness of current issues in healthcare Standards of professional practice Personal Attributes Enthusiastic and self motivated Flexible and adaptable Good interpersonal skills Ability to work independently and as part of a team. CORE VALUES Committed to the development of physiotherapy within the clinical setting. Committed to maintaining high standards of physiotherapy clinical practice in accordance with relevant guidelines and policies. Committed to own development CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS Organisational skills Time management skills Communication skills Professional CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING An understanding of the principles of patient centred care. To have a working knowledge of Professional Standards set by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the Health Care Professions Council. PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY Clinical To be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work relating to the assessment and treatment of patients in your care undertaking clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner. To interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts to form accurate diagnosis and prognoses across a range of conditions and to decide on the best course of intervention from a range of options. Using investigative and analytical skills to formulate individualised management and treatment plans. To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients. To demonstrate dexterity, co-ordination and palpatory senses for assessment and manual treatment of patients. To develop and deliver the physiotherapy element of the rehabilitation programme, and on occasion to deliver some elements normally undertaken by nursing or occupational therapy colleagues. To be an active member of the out of hours service. Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients to progress treatment and rehabilitation programmes. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating. Ability to work in a stressful environment imparting information regarding poor rehabilitation prognosis on a daily basis. Ability to deal effectively with emotional and/or aggressive patients and/or carers on a daily basis. This will necessitate the use of communication skills e.g. to motivate. Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the knowledge to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment. To ensure a high standard of clinical care for your patients. Education and Training To provide spontaneous and planned advice to relatives, carers and other professionals, to promote understanding of the aims of a specific physiotherapy treatment plan. To communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise rehabilitation potential and to ensure understanding of their condition. To be an active member of the team in-service training programme through regular attendance and occasionally contributing. Professional and Managerial Maintain and develop current knowledge of evidence based practice in the areas of each rotation, developing knowledge of a variety of conditions and patient types. As a member of the clinical team you will be required to ensure that you implement policy and service development changes. To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through Continued Professional Development activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects your own personal development. To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing and therapy colleagues to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service. This will include case conferences, ward rounds and discharge planning as appropriate. To participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraisee and be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development objectives to meet set knowledge/competencies. To participate in the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of, audit and outcome measures, either individually or as part of a clinical team. To demonstrate an understanding of clinical governance and risk management and apply to work situation. To maintain own clinical professional development (CPD) by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments, incorporating them as necessary into your work. In the absence of a senior staff member to supervise more junior staff, technical instructors (TIs), assistants and students. To allocate individual tasks to TIs and assistants as appropriate. 9.4 Organisational To be responsible for a designated area of work, as agreed with the Superintendent Physiotherapist and to plan and organise efficiently and effectively with regard to patients management and use of time. To decide priorities for own work load, balancing patient related demands. To be responsible for the safe and competent use of individually prescribed equipment used by patients and general therapy equipment used by physiotherapy support workers through teaching, and supervision of practice. To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date documentation, in line with legal and departmental requirements, and communicate assessment and treatment results to the appropriate disciplines in the form of verbal/written reports/letters. To be involved in the collection of appropriate data and statistics for the use of the department. To be aware of Health and Safety aspects of your work and implement any policies, which may be required to improve the safety of your work area, including your prompt recording and reporting of accidents to senior staff, and ensuring that equipment use is safe. To comply with the organisational and departmental policies and procedures. To undertake any other duties that might be considered appropriate by the Clinical Service Manger, the Head of Physiotherapy or General manager HEALTH AND SAFETY/RISK MANAGEMENT All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system. INFECTION CONTROL The jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with patients and their environment. EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY The jobholder must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet the individual needs of patients and their families. No person whether they are staff, patient or visitor should receive less favourable treatment because of their gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc. PATIENT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT The Trust has a statutory duty to involve patients and public in evaluating and planning services. All staff have a responsibility to listen to the views of patients and to contribute to service improvements based on patient feedback. TRAINING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The jobholder must take responsibility, in agreement with his/her line manager, for his/her own personal development by ensuring that Continuous Professional Development remains a priority. The job holder will undertake all mandatory training required for the role. RESPECT FOR PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY The job holder should respect patient confidentiality at all times and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role. COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS Clinical Physiotherapy manager All grades of physiotherapy staff Medical, nursing and AHP colleagues Support staff Physiotherapy colleagues employed by other Trusts. PHYSICAL EFFORT There is a frequent requirement for job holder to spend a substantial proportion of their working time sitting or standing in a restricted position