Paediatric Physiotherapist

The post holder will be part of the North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust Paediatric Physiotherapy Service providing high quality care to children and their families either in the acute setting or in the community.

To take a major role in the advanced assessment and treatment of children within the speciality who may have acute, complex and/or chronic conditions.

To plan, deliver and evaluate physiotherapy intervention in partnership with health, education and social services colleagues and together deliver and evaluate all elements of the programme.

The post holder will report directly to a Band 7 Clinical Team Leader.

The post holder will work under the supervision and mentorship of a Band

Physiotherapist who will be primarily responsible for day to day operational issues.

Who will also take the lead clinical role in respect of service and staff development.

To deputise for a Band 7 Paediatric Physiotherapist if required to do so.

The post holder will be responsible for the management of Band 5 Physiotherapists, Therapy Assistants/Technicians and students when required.

To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients in your care.  To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the children under your management, and support band 5 staff to do likewise.

To interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts to form an accurate diagnosis and prognoses in a wide range of complex conditions, to recommend the best course of intervention, and to develop comprehensive discharge plans.

To undertake the comprehensive assessment of children, including those with a complex presentation, using investigative and analytical skills, and to formulate individualised management and treatment plans, using advanced clinical reasoning, and utilising a wide range of treatment skills and options to formulate a specialised programme of care.

To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of children, and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.

To demonstrate highly developed dexterity, co-ordination and palpatory senses for assessment and manual treatment of children.

To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals, to promote understanding of the aims of physiotherapy, and to ensure a consistent approach to care.

To provide specialist advice to physiotherapy colleagues working within other clinical areas.

To provide specialist advice, teaching and training to other members of the MDT regarding the physiotherapy management of children.

To train, supervise and performance manage more junior staff, technicians, assistants and students.  This will include the use of formal appraisal documentation.

To communicate effectively with children, parents and carers to maximise rehabilitation potential and to ensure understanding of condition.

To maintain own clinical professional development (CPD) by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments, and incorporate them as necessary into your work.

To be an active member of the in-service training programme by attendance at/or participation in in-service training programmes, presentations and training sessions, staff meetings, tutorials, training sessions in house and by attending external courses and practising reflective practice.

To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing and therapy colleagues to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary service.

To undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of Evidence Based Practice projects, audit, research and outcome measures, either individually or with colleagues or with clinical specialist or manager.  Make recommendations for change.

To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and apply to work situation.

To observe and adhere to the Code of Practice and Rules of Professional conduct laid down by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

To be responsible for a designated area of work, as agreed with the team leader and / or band 7 physiotherapist and to plan and organise efficiently and effectively with regard to patients management and use of time.

To decide priorities for own work area, balancing other patient related and professional demands, and ensure that these remain in accordance with those of the section as a whole.

To be responsible for ensuring the effective selection and use of all treatment resources available both in the department and in primary care/community.

To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out physiotherapy duties, and to adhere to departmental policy, including competence to use equipment and to ensure the safe use of equipment by others through, teaching, training and supervision of practice.

To deputise for a Band 7 Clinical Team Leader in terms of operational issues.

To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date documentation, inline with legal and departmental requirements, and communicate assessment and treatment results to the appropriate disciplines in the form of reports and letters.

To be actively 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, and to be involved in the reviewing and updating as appropriate.

To undertake any other duties that might be considered appropriate by a Band 7 Paediatric Physiotherapist, the Clinical Team Leader or the Head of Therapy Services.

Demonstrate commitment to IWL principles and flexible working patterns, to meet the needs of the service and staff

Tackle discrimination and harassment, and promote equality and diversity in the workplace

Reduce sickness absence; work place accidents; and promote zero tolerance on violence against staff

Take responsibility for personal development and education and the development of a Personal Development Plan.

Carry out regular appraisals for staff, ensuring business goals are clearly communicated and linked to objectives

Review training and development of staff, so staff have a personal development plan, and support staff in reaching their full potential as identified through the appraisal process

Be aware of, and comply with, all Trust infection prevention and control policies, to include hand hygiene, personal hygiene, environmental and food hygiene. To undertake annual training/updates in infection prevention and control.

Prepare for and undertake the protective interventions that he/she is responsible for in a manner that is consistent with evidence based practice and maintaining patient safety.

The post holder will be required to develop effective communication and good working relationships with all members of the multi-disciplinary team, outside agencies, families and carers.

The job description is intended as a guideline to the duties and responsibilities of the post and should not be regarded as a complete list of those required to be fulfilled under the written statement of the main Terms and Conditions of Employment.  The contents may be amended from time to time subject to developing service needs although such amendment would occur following appropriate consultation with the post holder.

Provision of a high quality standard of care for children requiring physiotherapy.

To provide a high standard of care in a physically, emotionally and psychologically demanding post.

To work in collaboration with colleagues in health, education and social services.