Specialist Therapist (Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist)

NHS; Poole; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK seeks a Specialist Therapist (Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist) to support patients with life-limiting diseases. The role involves managing caseloads, conducting assessments, and fostering person-centered care. Candidates must have at least three years of experience, a relevant degree, and HCPC registration. This position offers the opportunity to work in a compassionate and dedicated environment in Poole.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years post-registration experience.
• Experience in respiratory care and/or palliative care settings.
• Ability to work autonomously.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of patients with breathlessness.
• Conduct assessments and develop management plans.
• Educate patients and carers on breathlessness management.

Skills

Autonomy

Excellent communication skills

Holistic assessment

Compassion

Organizational skills

Education

Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy degree

HCPC registration

Job description

Specialist Therapist (Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist)

We are looking for an experienced and compassionate therapist who wishes to support and enable those with lifelimiting diseases. You'll want to spend more time with your patientsto understand their stories and actualise person centered care

We have anexciting opportunity for maternity cover within our Breathlessness Service

Breathlessness is acommon and distressing symptom that is associated with multiple chronicdiseases. Sadly medical management of this symptom is limited and often leavespatients and carers feeling helpless. Our service helps these people managetheir symptoms better and live fuller lives and we support those with moreadvanced disease with Advanced Care Planning. Our intervention may includeexercise rehabilitation breathing strategies and or psycho education.

We run clinics at our primary hub in Poole and satellite clinics in Swanage(approx. once a month) and Wimborne. We also offer home visits and virtualappointments to those unable to attend in person. In addition, we run a monthlysupport group and breathlessness management courses.

As part of this role, you will have the opportunity to be involved in ournew Hospice Health and Wellbeing Program. Providing education to help peoplemanage their health better.

Main duties of the job

We recognise this is an opportunityfor the right person, regardless of AHP profession, to bring their skills andexpertise to the role.

We are looking for aHCPC registered Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist with variedexperience in frailty and/ or respiratory care and/or a palliative care setting(this role sits equivalent to Band 6 in the NHS).

You will be workingautonomously and will need excellent self-management skills and will understandthe importance of holistic assessments and active listening. You will have theability to formulate management plans and have a high level of written and verbalskills together with excellent organisational skills.

We are looking forsomeone who is adaptable, compassionate and committed to providing excellentperson-centred care.

About us

Who are we and whatdo we do?

Lewis-ManningHospice Care is an independent charity that provides services to local peopleliving with life-limiting illnesses, and their carers. We are in an excitingphase of our development. As the NHS continues to be under pressure and becomemore reactive, we are offering a proactive approach to managing health andwellbeing.

We are choosing to focuson living well, spending time with our patients and carers and providingsupportive care from diagnosis.

We are based in thecentre of Poole and have satellite hubs throughout the locality includingSwanage, Wimborne and Bournemouth.

We currently offer a Day Hospice Health and Wellbeing Program, AVirtual Day Hospice, a Lymphoedema Service, a Bereavement and Family SupportService, Complementary Therapy and a Breathlessness Service.

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose

• To follow all internal procedures and pathways regarding the management of breathlessness.
• To support and enhance the professional delivery of the Breathlessness Service.
• To assist in clinically related administration, conduct of audits, collection of statistics, and development of audit and/or research projects.
• To work in line with Lewis Mannings and the Breathlessness Services Mission, Vision and Values
• To undertake evidence-based assessments of breathless patients.
• Apply the non-pharmacological approach to breathlessness with patients, family members or carers, and others involved in the patients care and develop management plans.
• To listen deeply to patients and their carers lived experience and respond with empathy.
• To assist in the teaching and project work within the area served by the Breathlessness Service and the Day Hospice Health and Wellbeing Program.
• To assist in the development, co-ordination and running of clinical projects with the aim of promoting independence, and inclusion within the community.
• To feedback on a regular basis progress of the patients during the implementation of programmes to MDT working with the case.
• To bring to the attention of the Senior Physiotherapist and Clinical Director any concerns, including risk issues and complaints, which arise from the work undertaken with patients.
• To attend regular team meetings to disseminate information regarding the Breathlessness Service, and other meetings related to the work carried out by the Breathlessness Service.
• To maintain appropriate clinical records and reports, according to CSP and HCPC guidelines

Job Responsibilities:

Clinical

• To be able to work autonomously in a variety of settings to suit patient need, including in patients own home
• To effectively manage own caseload, including timely discharges
• Use skills and evidence-based knowledge to conduct research based holistic assessments of patients experience of breathlessness and inter-related symptoms
• To be able to recognise a deteriorating patient and act accordingly
• Develop evidenced based care plans, involving the non-pharmacological management of breathlessness and related symptoms, such as anxiety and panic.
• Work with the patient and their carer to establish a management plan with the aim of empowering patients to manage their condition.
• Support and educate patients and carers in a range of activities, with the aim of enabling them to develop coping strategies
• Reinforce information given with evidence-based, written resources, such as those produced by Cambridge Breathlessness Intervention Service, Macmillan and the Asthma and Lung UK.
• Be able to provide support to patients and carers through variety of setting including phone calls, virtual appointments and face to face
• Refer on to other health and social care agencies as necessary to support patients on-going care needs and self-management
• Liaise throughout the intervention period, from referral onwards with the patients key workers and other relevant members of wider MDTs
• Attend team meetings to disseminate information regarding the work carried out by the Breathlessness Service and Lewis-Manning Hospice Care
• Participate in the Lewis-Mannings Clinical Governance program as required
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes.
• Maintain the highest standards of clinical record-keeping, including electronic data entry, recording and report-writing, in accordance with LMs policies and procedures and professional guidelines
• To be able to work within a dynamic environment and proactively participate in service development.
• To manage clinical risk
• Must have a valid driving licence and access to a vehicle for work.

Operational Management

• Responsible to lead Specialist Physiotherapist
• Registered with HCPC
• Produce and maintain accurate records of patient interactions according to Health Care Professional guidelines
• Process, monitor and maintain accurate records of new referrals
• Participate in monthly and annual statistics and review on a regular basis with clinic manager.
• To maintain up-to-date and comprehensive treatment records using our electronic patient record system

Personal Development Training and Experience:

• Develop and maintain relevant up to date skills and knowledge in breathlessness management and palliative rehabilitation.
• Maintain awareness of latest, relevant clinical guidelines and research. Relay pertinent information to colleagues
• Participate in mandatory training according to LMHC and professional regulation
• Teaching of patient groups and individuals
• Participate in regular managerial supervision and annual appraisals with service manager

Professional

• Act within the HCPC charter and pursue own professional and personal development
• Ensure the services offered are evidence-based and clinically evaluated
• Use specialist knowledge in order to encourage innovation and development of LMHC as a centre of excellence
• Participate in research appropriate to the service

Person Specification

Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to work autonomously with excellent self-management skills
• Sound clinical reasoning
• Understand importance of holistic assessments
• Ability to formulate management plans
• High level of written and verbal communication skills
• Understanding/ willingness to learn about the non-pharmacological approach to the management of breathlessness
• Understanding of the processes of rehabilitation and social inclusion
• Ability to communicate sensitive information in a way that addresses psychological emotions, anxieties and barriers
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Planning and organising own workload
• Able to monitor equipment used when treating patients.
• Ability to travel to satellite centres
• Evidence of commitment to ongoing CPD.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Planning and organising own workload
• Able to monitor equipment used when treating patients.
• Ability to travel to satellite centres
• Advanced communication Skills Training
• Non-pharmacological breathlessness interventions
• Assessment and prescription of assistive devices and equipment
• Ability to work in group setting.
• Psychological interventions and their application with the breathless patient
• Fatigue management principles
• Awareness of local and national initiatives in palliative respiratory care
• Moving and handling assessments
• Dysfunctional Breathing Patterns

Qualifications

• Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy degree
• HCPC registration
• Evidence of continuous professional development

Attitudes and Values

• Flexible and adaptable
• Self-motivated
• Compassionate with an enabling and empowering approach
• Committed to confidentiality and equal opportunities
• Understand the importance of What Matters
• Committed to self-development and learning
• Commitment to excellent person-centred care

Experience

• Minimum of three years post registration experience.
• Experience in working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Evidence of varied post-registration experience
• Experience in respiratory care and/or palliative care settings and/ or frailty.
• Experience in elderly care and multi-comorbidity
• Experience of working autonomously
• Experience identifying and managing a deteriorating patient and managing clinical risk.
• Knowledge in a range of palliative care, oncology, and respiratory conditions.
• Experience of teaching patient groups
• Community experience and understanding of community services.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Specialist Palliative Respiratory Physiotherapist