Clinical Skills

• To act as an autonomous, registered practitioner who is legally and professionally accountable for own unsupervised actions guided by the professional code of conduct and Trust guidelines and protocols.
• Lead complex neurological assessments (stroke, ABI, MS, Parkinson’s, MND, complex spasticity).
• Formulate and adapt highly specialist, evidence-based treatment plans.
• Manage patients with severe physical, cognitive, perceptual and communication impairments.
• Tracheostomy, PEG, NIV, and medically fragile presentations.
• Lead high-level gait reeducation, postural management, and upper limb rehabilitation.
• Advanced handling of tone management, spasticity, contracture prevention.
• Seating, wheelchair prescription, splinting, and positioning.
• Perform and interpret formal outcome measures (e.g. BERG, FAC, MAS, TUG, ARAT).
• Provide expert input into risk management, capacity, and consent issues.
• To be able to perform a competent assessment of patients, motor-skill exercises, mobility training, range-of-motion therapy, using clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment techniques to formulate a diagnosis based on the clinical findings of their condition.
• To comply with the organisation and departmental guidelines, protocols and policies, whilst adhering to Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) guidelines and Health Professions Council (HPC) requirements.
• Assess patient understanding of suggested physiotherapy management/rehabilitation programme, gain valid informed consent and to have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who are unable to consent to treatment.
• To develop and provide an individual physiotherapy treatment programme based on best evidence-based practice, the treatment options may include the use of manual techniques, exercise classes, electrotherapy techniques and other alternate options.
• Continuing evaluation and reassessment of patient progress and the altering of treatment programmes if required.
• To be responsible for maintaining accurate and evaluative / comprehensive patient records in accordance with the Service / organisation standards on record keeping, and in line with CSP standards of practice.
• To assist more junior staff in the guidance of student Physiotherapists to adhere to best practice.
• To participate in weekend working rotas where appropriate.

Administration

• To be computer literate and encourage implementation of the Trusts IM&T strategy.
• To ensure accurate recording of actions and updating patient records maintaining confidentiality at all times.
• To take part and assist in the planning and administration relating to day to day running of the service.
• To be competent in the use of E-Roster and able to utilise the system as required/necessary for the service/locality.

Communication

• To communicate effectively with a wide range of clinicians, managers and support staff internal and external to the organisation, and with patients and carers.
• To present and promote a positive image to patients, public, other health and social care providers, commissioners and relevant external agencies.
• To communicate complex, sensitive or contentious information at all levels within the service area, using negotiation skills, persuasion and diplomacy.
• To anticipate barriers to communications and resistance to change and to be able to manage these effectively, liaising and seeking appropriate support as required.
• Communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise rehabilitation potential whilst being realistic about patients’ expectations. Communication skills of persuasion, motivation, explanation and gaining informed consent will be used with a variety of patients.

Training

• Deliver specialist training to MDT members (e.g. stroke rehab techniques, handling, spasticity).
• Teach students and junior staff (placement coordination, assessment, feedback).
• Lead in-service training sessions and reflective practice forums.
• Promote evidence-based practice and critical thinking.

Additional Information

Health & Safety

• Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed upon them under the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) and subsequently published regulations to ensure that the Trust’s Health and Safety policies and procedures are complied with to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees.

Infection Control

• Each staff member has a duty to take personal responsibility for the prevention and control of infection, in accordance with Trust Infection Prevention and Control Policies, which reflect the statutory requirements of the Health Act 2006 Code of Practice for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infection. They must attend mandatory training in Infection Control and be compliant with all measures required by the Trust to reduce HCAIs.

Risk Management

• You will be responsible for adopting the Risk Management Culture and ensuring that you identify and assess all risks to your systems, processes and environment and report such risks for inclusion within the Trust Risk Register. You will also attend mandatory and statutory training, report all incidents/accidents including near misses and report unsafe occurrences as laid down within the Trust Incidents.

Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

• North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults and to protecting them from the risks of harm. The Trust recognises its responsibility to ensure that safe working conditions and systems are in place for staff working with children, adults and families in their care. Staff are required to comply with Trust policies on Safeguarding.

Standards of Business Conduct & Conflict of Interest

• The NHS Code of Conduct and Standards of Business conduct for NHS Staff require all employees to declare all situations where you or a close relative or associate has a controlling interests in a business [such as a private company, public organisation or other NHS or voluntary organisation] or in any activity which may compete for any NHS contracts to supply goods or services to the Trust. All such interests must be declared in the Trust’s register of interests either on appointment