SLPC Physiotherapist, Senior

Professional / Clinical

The Senior Physiotherapist will:

• Communicate and work in co-operation with the Physiotherapy Manager and other team members in providing an integrated quality service, taking the lead role as required.
• 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.
• Lead a team of staff grades as appropriate to the role.
• Be responsible for client assessment, development and implementation of individualised treatment plans that are client centred and in line with best practice.
• Be responsible for goal setting in partnership with client, family and other team members as appropriate.
• S/he may be required to work as a key worker for particular cases.
• Be responsible for standards of professional and clinical practice of self and staff appointed to clinical / designated area(s) in line with the Scope of Practice of Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists and national, regional and local Health Service Executive (HSE) guidelines, policies, protocols and legislation.
• Be a clinical resource for other Physiotherapists.
• Plan and manage resources efficiently in assigned areas of responsibility.
• Communicate effectively with and provide instruction, guidance and support to, staff clients, family, carers etc.
• Document client records in accordance with professional standards and departmental policies.
• Provide a service in varied locations in line with local policy / guidelines and within appropriate time allocation (e.g. clinic, home visits).
• 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.
• 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.
• Provide weekend and on call service where it is a requirement of the post.

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 reflective practice, in service, self-directed learning, research, clinical audit etc.
• Be responsible for the induction and clinical supervision of staff in the designated area(s).
• Co-ordinate and deliver clinical placements in partnership with universities and clinical educators.
• Manage, participate and play a key role in the practice education of student therapists. Take part in teaching / training / supervision / evaluation of staff / students and attend practice educator courses as relevant to role and needs.
• 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.
• Develop and monitor implementation of agreed policies, procedures and safe professional practice by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
• Ensure the safety of self and others, and the maintenance of safe environments and equipment used in Physiotherapy in accordance with legislation.
• Assess and manage risk in their assigned area(s) of responsibility.
• Take the appropriate timely action to manage any incidents or near misses within their assigned area(s).
• Report any deficiency/danger in any aspect of the service to the team or Physiotherapy Manager as appropriate.
• Be responsible for the safe and competent use of all equipment, aids and appliances both by clients and staff under their supervision.
• Develop and promote quality standards of work and co-operate with quality assurance programmes.
• Oversee, monitor and uphold the standards of professional practice within their Physiotherapy team.

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.

· As a mandated person under the Children First Act 2015 you will have a legal obligation to report child protection concerns at or above a defined threshold to TUSLA & to assist Tusla, if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report.

· Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.

· Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.