JOB TITLE: Senior Physiotherapist GRADE: Hospice Band 6a HOURS OF DUTY:Part-time hours, up to 22.5 hours per week REPORTS TO: Therapies Manager KEY RELATIONSHIPS The Therapies Team, community team, hospice Ward, the hospice multi-professional team, all staff paid and voluntary, people in our care and their loved ones and primary care teams. RESPONSIBLE FOR Physiotherapy students when on placement. JOB SUMMARY To undertake specialist physiotherapy assessment and design management programs for people presenting with complex problems in the field of palliative care, maintaining records as an autonomous practitioner. To support and participate in the planning and ongoing service development of the physiotherapy service, working with the Therapies Manager. To promote the key values of specialist palliative care for people in our care and their loved ones, ensuring equitable access to the physiotherapy service. To act as a resource for palliative care physiotherapy and to provide advice, education and support to the other members of the Therapies Team, wider multi-professional hospice team and other health care professionals. To keep up to date with developments in palliative care physiotherapy and maintain clinical practice and procedures in line with current best practice and the latest research outcomes, and monitor standards of care as outlined by the Therapies Manager. To contribute to local, regional and national networks & forums for specialist palliative care physiotherapy as indicated. To deputise for Therapies Manager as required. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES KEY TASKS: Clinical responsibilities Physiotherapy practice Liaison Education Quality Assurance. Participation in hospice functioning CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES 1. To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your work including the management of people in your care. 2. To develop and maintain communication with people about difficult matters and/or in difficult situations. 3. To have an understanding of the importance of multi-professional team-working and the ability to promote it within the organisation. 4. To have an understanding of the process and importance of sensitive change management. 5. To support the Therapies Manager to ensure a cohesive, balanced and efficient service delivery. 6. To contribute to the improvement of the physiotherapy service. 7. To participate effectively in multi-professional meetings and exchange of information. 8. To take responsibility for own personal and professional development which will be monitored in management supervision sessions and through the annual appraisal system. 9. To represent the physiotherapy service, as appropriate, both internally & externally. 10. To contribute to local, regional and national networks/ forums for specialist palliative care as required. 11. To maintain hospice information systems as required by the organisation. 12. To take on extra responsibilities and duties, where appropriate, when the Therapies Manager is unavailable. 13. To support and actively participate as a member of the physiotherapy team by attending team meetings, training and supervision of other team members as appropriate. PHYSIOTHERAPY PRACTICE 1. To be responsible for caseload/workload and be an active participant in the physiotherapy team. 2. To organise and manage self & caseload within the hours specified. 3. To plan, deliver and evaluate physiotherapy care to address the complex health and wellbeing needs people in our care. 4. To develop, monitor and review relevant treatment plans. 5. To plan, deliver and evaluate interventions and/or treatments appropriate to people with palliative care needs. 6. To discuss progress and treatment with the people in our care loved ones, and teach them therapy techniques if appropriate. 7. To keep clear records within the multi-disciplinary notes and on iCare. 8. To ensure physiotherapy input at the hospice Ward and community team meetings and facilitate the clinical discussion of people in our care. 9. To support other members of the Physiotherapy and Therapies team as required 10. To participate in audit, outcome and quality measuring of the physiotherapy service as required. 11. To be responsible for the maintenance and safety of all physiotherapy equipment. COMMUNICATION 1. Work proactively to maintain effective communication networks with all the departments within the hospice to maintain a seamless delivery of physiotherapy services. 2. Will liaise with other professionals on behalf of the physiotherapy team. 3. Will liaise with primary care teams to improve palliative care for people in the community. 4. Will liaise with other services to ensure continuity of care. PARTICIPATION IN HOSPICE FUNCTIONING 1. Act as an ambassador for the hospice at functions as required 2. To participate in the life of the hospice 3. To assist in tasks that affect the whole hospice, for example reviewing/designing new information booklets. EDUCATION 1. Act as a resource for members of other hospice teams. 2. Participate in the hospice in-house educational programmes and the in-service induction and training of other professionals and volunteers as required. 3. Participate in the hospice educational programmes for external participants as required. 4. To provide effective placements for physiotherapy students undertaking their professional training. 5. To participate in the mandatory training program. QUALITY ASSURANCE 1. Ensure the continued high quality service of the physiotherapy department by appropriate audit and standards 2. Participate in research, audit and evaluation. 3. Support the Therapies Manager in quality management issues as they arise. PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES 1. To act within the Codes of Practice as set by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, and Healthcare Professionals Council. 2. To adhere to the policies and conditions of service of Saint Francis Hospice relating to sickness and absence, conduct, Health and Safety, Data Protection and any others that are relevant. 3. To support equality and value diversity. 4. To take responsibility for own professional and personal development which will be monitored in management supervision sessions and in the yearly appraisal. 5. To keep up-to-date with the developments within physiotherapy and in particular in the field of palliative care. ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Some information received or supplied during the course of duty will be of a confidential nature. Confidentiality is not to be breached and is a disciplinary matter. 2. Ensure that computerised data is managed within the requirements of the Data Protection Act. 3. Report accidents/incidents or potential hazards and to work in accordance with the Hospices Health and Safety at Work Policy.