Job TitleSenior Physiotherapist: Orthopaedics Inpatients

ReportsPhysiotherapist in Charge

AccountableHead of Department

Hours35 hours per week

ROLE PURPOSE

• To be responsible for the provision of a high quality physiotherapy service in accordance with standards of professional practice
• To work in conjunction with other team members in coordinating and developing the Orthopaedic service. To create and promote good working relationships through open communication with other team members
• To work with the Physiotherapy Manager in ensuring the co-ordination, development and delivery of a quality patient centred physiotherapy service.
• To carry out clinical and educational duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must possess

(a) BSc (Honours) degree in Physiotherapy from the University of Dublin

Or

(b)Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

Or

(c) Bachelor in Physiotherapy (Honours) degree from the National University of Ireland.

Or

(d) Diploma of Physiotherapy of the University of Dublin or the National University.

Or

(e) BSc (Hons) degree in Physiotherapy from the University of Limerick

Or

(f) Physiotherapy qualification validated by the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapy

• Membership of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists.

• A minimum of 3 years satisfactory post qualification clinical experience

Candidates must be registered with CORU

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Professional / Clinical

The Senior Physiotherapist will:

• Demonstrate sufficient clinical knowledge and evidence based practise to carry out high quality of care to patients.
• Communicate openly and effectively in co-operation with the Physiotherapy Manager and other team members in providing an integrated quality service, taking the lead role as required.
• Communicate effectively with and provide instruction, guidance and support to staff, patients, family and carers.
• Have a wide range of experience managing an orthopaedic work load.
• Be a lead clinician in assigned, allocated clinical areas of responsibility and carry a clinical caseload appropriate to the post
• Take a lead role in service development as relevant to the role
• Management of patients on Orthopaedic ward with view to follow and support ward staff with ongoing rehabilitation.
• To implement and review post operative orthopaedic multidisciplinary care pathways, information sheets and all relevant documentation as required.
• Be responsible for client assessment, development and implementation of individualised treatment plans that are patient centred and in line with best practice.
• Be a clinical resource for other Physiotherapists
• To manage and teach staff grades and other team members with regard to Physiotherapy procedures.
• Participate in the emergency, late evening, week-end, bank holiday and on-call services as required.
• To actively participate in and promote continuing education and research activities.
• To ensure all documentation is maintained in accordance with hospital policies and professional standards
• To liaise in an effective and open way with all other team members and consultants to promote a team approach to care.
• Plan and manage resources efficiently in assigned areas of responsibility
• Document client records in accordance with professional standards and departmental policies.
• Provide a service in line with local policy / guidelines and within appropriate time allocation.
• Apply health promotion as an ethos across the clinical area to promote health and wellbeing.
• Participate and be a lead clinician as appropriate in review meetings, case conferences etc.
• Contribute to the continuing professionaldevelopment activities programme (e.g. in-services and audits) of other physiotherapy services in Blackrock Clinic
• Develop and promote professional standards of practice
• Work within own scope of professional competence in line with principles of best practice, professional conduct and clinical governance.
• Seek advice of relevant personnel when appropriate / as required.
• Operate within the scope of practice of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists

Key Skills

• Demonstrate ahigh level of clinical knowledge and evidence based practice to carry out the duties and responsibilities of Senior physiotherapist in Orthopaedics
• Demonstrate knowledge of the following with evidence ; total hip replacement, revision hip surgery, knee replacement, revision knee replacement surgery, shoulder surgeries, lumbar and cervical spine surgeries, discectomies, spinal fusions, scoliosis, compression fractures etc.
• Demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge to best practice
• Demonstrate an ability to develop and audit physiotherapy orthopaedic service.
• Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate use of outcome measures and knowledge of how this informs intervention with the patient.
• To undertake comprehensive functional assessments of patients, including those with complex presentations.
• Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate use, assessment, fitting and teaching of appliances (braces, boots, etc.) as requested.
• Demonstrate knowledge of medications and anaesthesia appropriate to post op orthopaedic patients.
• To manage and develop orthopaedic multidisciplinary care pathways/protocols
• To maintain and update all documentation in accordance with Blackrock Clinic policies (Qpulse)
• To manage a full and varied work load.
• Demonstrate an ability to manage and develop self and others in a busy working environment
• Demonstrate a commitment to assuring high standards and strive for a user centred service in line with best practice and professional standards
• Display effective communication and strong interpersonal skills including the ability to build and maintain relationships and be an effective and leading multi-disciplinary team member
• Demonstrate the ability to lead and manage a team effectively
• Display awareness and appreciation of the service users and the ability to empathise with and treat others with dignity and respect
• Demonstrate initiative, flexibility and openess to change
• Demonstrate ability to utilise supervision effectively
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development
• Demonstrate a willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role

Education & Training

The Senior Physiotherapist will:

• Participate in mandatory training programmes
• Take responsibility for, and keep up to date with Physiotherapy practice by participating in continuing professional development such as attending study days, courses, in services, self directed learning, research, clinical audit etc.
• Be responsible for the induction and clinical supervision of staff in the designated area.
• Take part in teaching, training, supervision and appraisal of staff. Engage in personal development planning and performance review for self and others as required

Quality Safety & Risk

The Senior Physiotherapist will:

• Be responsible for the co-ordination and delivery of a quality service in line with best practice and professional standards
• To manage and coordinate an effective, efficient and quality service in co-operation with the Physiotherapist in charge.
• Responsibility to oversee physiotherapy care administered by the Junior physiotherapy staffworking within the team.
• To orientate new staff members.
• To actively participate in and promote continuing professional development.
• Oversee, monitor and uphold the standards of professional practice within their Physiotherapy team
• To be familiar with the computer system particularly PIMs.
• To manage workload in a timely manner and liaise with the Physiotherapist in charge with regard to staffing levels.
• To deal with patient queries and complaints in liaison with the Physiotherapist in Charge.
• To ensure that accurate and relevant statistics of activity levels are maintained.
• To develop the Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Service in a progressive manner.

Administrative

The Senior Physiotherapist will:

• Contribute to the service planning process
• Assist the Physiotherapy Manager and relevant others in service development encompassing policy development and implementation
• Review and evaluate the Physiotherapy service regularly, identifying changing needs and opportunities to improve services
• Collect and evaluate data about the service area as identified in service plans and demonstrate the achievement of the objectives of the service
• Oversee the upkeep of accurate records in line with best practice
• Collate and maintain accurate statistics and render reports as required
• Represent the department / team at meetings and conferences as appropriate
• Inform the Physiotherapy Manager of staff issues (needs, interests, views) as appropriate
• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace
• Participate in the control and ordering of Physiotherapy stock and equipment in conjunction with the Physiotherapy Manager
• Be accountable for the budget, where relevant
• Keep up to date with organisational developments within the Irish Health Service
• Engage in IT developments as they apply to clients and service administration
• Perform such other duties appropriate to the role as may be assigned by the Physiotherapy Manager

This job description indicates the main responsibilities of the post and is subject to periodic revision and amendment with the post holder.