Directorate: Human Resources
Location: Altnagelvin Area Hospital
Reports to: Occupational Health and Wellbeing Head of Service
Work contract and hours: Permanent and Part-time (30hpw)
Job Summary
The post holder will be responsible for the oversight management and delivery of an efficient and effective Occupational Health physiotherapy service to Trust Staff. They will deliver a highly specialist clinical role; providing an integrated MSK Physiotherapy Service to staff who may have multifaceted and/or acute presentation. As an autonomous practitioner they will have a role in the triage and advanced assessment of patients within the Occupational Health speciality and via advanced clinical reasoning determine clinical diagnosis and physiotherapy or other treatment indicated i.e. i.e. determination of appropriate versus inappropriate onward referral to MSK ESP and Consultant-led services. They will maintain comprehensive records of all decisions and actions taken. They will liaise closely with referring managers and other members of the Occupational Health service
In co-operation with other members of the multi-disciplinary Occupational Health Team, engage in a range of audit and research activities with the emphasis on improvement of practice and the MSK Pathway service. This will involve the development and delivery of in-service training and education relevant to the range of staff grades within the multi-disciplinary Team.
Extend knowledge and skills in the areas of advanced physiotherapy practice, onward referral and interpretation of diagnostic tests e.g. imaging, bloods etc.
Where appropriate consult with the MD MSK Pathway Team regarding the development of treatment protocols and promote a team approach to excellence in MSK Occupational Health and Wellbeing care.
Share the lead on the implementation of the bio-psychosocial model of patient management and the development of evidence based therapeutic approaches/protocols in relation to the conservative management of MSK patients. This will include implementing and co-ordinating the treatment of a range of patients requiring any to all of the following:
- Manual Therapy
- Pain Management
- Physiotherapy-led Functional Rehabilitation; dry land (i.e. back class) or hydrotherapy
- Advice, home exercise prescription and self-management
- Assist in the continuous professional development of the Occupational Health Team.
Liaise with the Occupational Health Lead and Occupational Health Consultant regarding clinical problems/concerns i.e ‘red flags’, that arise with patents having initially been deemed suitable to undergo conservative assessment and treatment. Liaise with the Occupational Health Lead and Occupational Health Consultant to ensure that information and learning from such occurrences is utilised in the development and optimisation of the integrated OH service including the development and modification of relevant care pathways and protocols.
Provide the 1st line of expert clinical opinion and practical support for OH MSK Physiotherapy colleagues with regard to the management of ‘red flag’ MSK patients identified in the course of their work.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
Service Delivery
- To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients, and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.
- To be professional 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 patients under your management, and support more junior staff to do likewise.
- To undertake the comprehensive assessment of patients, including those with a complex presentation and to formulate individualised management and treatment plans, using clinical reasoning, and utilising a wide range of treatment skills and options to formulate a specialised programme of care. Where appropriate and in conjunction with the patient and other members of the multi-professional team (Occupational Health, Core Physio, ICATS, etc.), to delegate the supervision of individualised treatment programmes to Support staff.
- To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instructions to patients and other professionals, to promote understanding of the aims of physiotherapy, and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.
- To be responsible for a designated area of work and to plan and organise efficiently and effectively with regard to patient management and use of time.
For more details view the full job description in the Additional information section below.
