Deputy Inpatient Physiotherapist

Overall Purpose

The Deputy Inpatient Physiotherapist performs an essential role in maintaining safe and efficient service. The position supports the Inpatient Physiotherapy Lead in the delivery of exceptional evidence-based quality care to all patients. The person in position is required to be an expert physiotherapist, a leader, to role model quality care and take day-to-day responsibility for the management of the service in the absence of the Inpatient Physiotherapy Lead. They should provide leadership, advice and support to all staff in their area and across the hospital if asked. They should support the Lead in the efficient and effective use of resources including staffing, consumables, stock and equipment. The Deputy Inpatient Physiotherapist should deputise for the Inpatient Physiotherapy Lead during periods of absence and act up as required. They should collaborate with all stakeholders involved in patients care, to provide seamless patient experience. They should be highly visible and role model expected behaviours in line with Fortius and professional values.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership

• Responsible for the delivery of evidence-based exceptional quality and safe care to all patients in line with policy.
• Deliver motivational and visible leadership by exemplifying the highest professional standards, while actively encouraging, supporting, and developing team members.
• Act as the ‘Physio in Charge’ in the absence of the Inpatient Physiotherapy Lead, ensuring the day-to-day delivery of care is evidence based and follows local and national guidelines according to policy.
• Supervise Senior Physiotherapists by carrying out regular one to one meetings and feeding back to the Inpatient Physiotherapy Lead.
• Ensure in the absence of the Lead, the team on the day have a clear understanding of responsibilities, priorities and the expected standards of care.
• Be a visible, approachable and reassuring leader, creating a calm and safe environment.
• Be an expert communicator, able to diffuse situations, manage patient / relative concerns and complaints, act upon staff concerns and build rapport with key stakeholders, including consultants.
• Maintain detailed and accurate patient and operational records.
• Record accurate and timely incidents via the hospital’s incident reporting system, which facilitates investigation and learning.
• Proactively escalate concerns, seek effective solutions, demonstrate creativity and flexibility, address challenges through problem-solving, and take initiative.
• Ensure the physiotherapy / ward environment including relevant stock and equipment is maintained to a high standard of safety, effectiveness and cleanliness in accordance with IPC requirements.
• To support, as required, the Lead to maintain KPIs, incident investigations and contributing to the development of policies and procedures.
• Support the Lead in auditing standards of care and implementing changes and service / quality improvements, based on audit findings.
• To facilitate change and implementation of new processes and procedures.
• Support the Lead on the development, planning and delivery of all inpatient physiotherapy services.
• Remain up to date with national guidance, best-practice, professional standards and ensure you maintain your own development.
• Actively seek feedback on your leadership and overall performance.
• To support the Lead in coordinating, onboarding and welcoming new staff though the induction process to the hospital and team.
• Support the Lead with recruitment, retention and staff development.
• Act as a mentor to colleagues, providing adequate support, feedback and training as required.
• Support staff’s wellbeing through empathy, compassion and respect.
• Support Fortius in its business objectives, CQC assessment and upholding the Fortius Values.
• Maintain and foster good working relationships with all colleagues and stakeholders.
• Support the Lead in serious clinical and non-clinical incidents, aiding patients and junior staff and being a professional resource for all.
• Deputise for the Inpatient Physiotherapy Lead in their absence.
• Support the Director of Nursing and Physiotherapy, Therapy Manager and Physiotherapy services.