Specialist Learning Disability Physiotherapist - London, United Kingdom - Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Description

Job summary

Have you ever considered working with adults with a learning disability? If so, we have an exciting Band 6 secondment opportunity for 6 months. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated physiotherapist to join our multidisciplinary team working with adults with learning disabilities within the London borough of Lewisham.

You would have a varied case load working with people who have mild, moderate, severe and profound learning disabilities. This would draw on a broad range of physiotherapy knowledge and skills. Patient contact is flexible, based on their needs and in the most appropriate environment.

In exchange for your professional skills, passion, commitment to the highest standards of client-centred care, we can offer you:

The secondment opportunity will benefit your department as you will be able to return with better knowledge of how the make the adjustments people with a learning disability need to successfully access physiotherapy.

Experience of working with people with a learning disability is not essential.

If you are interested in the secondment opportunity and would like to have an informal chat please contact or

Main duties of the job

Community Physiotherapy Teams for Adults with Learning Disabilities.

'Learning disability physiotherapists provide specialist assessment, treatment and management to adults with a learning disability whose needs cannot be successfully met

by mainstream services, even when reasonable adjustments are made. Physiotherapists will work in collaboration with the person, their network of care, mainstream health services, and the multidisciplinary team to enhance, optimise and maintain the person's physical presentation, function and quality of life."

Job Summary

To manage a specialist caseload of adult service users with learning disabilities who are eligible for services provided by GSTT community health services.

To assess, implement and evaluate physiotherapeutic interventions of both individual and group treatments of service users

To work with service users, carers, families and other agencies to identify and implement therapeutic intervention which will enhance the health of the individual

To contribute to the development of multi-disciplinary working between specialist learning disability, adult care, and mainstream health services.

To provide expertise on learning disabilities issues, to provide consultation and training to other disciplines and agencies in regard to specialist physiotherapy intervention.

About us

Our vision is to reduce health inequalities and promote independence for adults with learning disabilities through partnership working and providing personalised, flexible and accessible community health services.

We are a highly motivated team that are looking to help support and direct the provision of specialist physiotherapy services locally and nationally. We have a strong structure of support with service leadership from an 8b and clinical supervision from an 8a. Day to day support is provided by the band 7's. This would include regular one to one, group supervision and support for CPD.

We are an established three borough team of physiotherapists, who are committed to providing a top-quality service to the people with a learning disability. The community learning disability team includes an audiologist, learning disability nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and speech and language therapists. There are also psychologists, psychiatrists, behaviour support specialists and community psychiatric nurses employed by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and social workers employed by the local council.

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

To be responsible for a clinical caseload providing physiotherapy assessment; diagnosis; intervention; monitoring; education and advice to service users, carers and members of the multi-disciplinary team ensuring that intervention is effective and sustainable.

To lead on the provision of specialist assessment, treatment and management to adults with a learning disability including 24hr postural management; mobility management; falls prevention and intervention; community level respiratory management and rehabilitation from acute injuries and conditions, whose needs cannot be successfully met by mainstream services, even when reasonable adjustments are made.

To work in collaboration with mainstream and specialist services to provide complex manual or therapeutic handling needs, management of hypertonia and spasticity; multidisciplinary management of dysphagia; specialist level respiratory management and health promotion.

To support the assessment and provision of specialist equipment; support a co-ordinated approach to care and multi-disciplinary/multi-agency working; promote the role of the physiotherapist working with adults with a learning disability; to provide training and education to adults with a learning disability and their network of care; health and social care professionals and local community services and to support the transition of young people with a learning disability from paediatric to adult services.

To deliver specialised interventions including rebound therapy and hydrotherapy to meet the specific needs of adults with learning disabilities, where a generic approach would be ineffective.

To develop appropriate physiotherapy programs for adults with learning disabilities that may involve providing training to family members, support staff, other agencies and professionals. Take responsibility to ensure a level of competence is reached and provide ongoing monitoring.

To assess when there is a need for onward referral of service users to wheelchair service, special seating, Orthotics, GP and consultants etc.

To formulate and deliver an individual physiotherapy programme based on evidence based practice and treatment options utilising generic health service whenever appropriate.

To have a sound understanding of the Mental Capacity Act and implement the legislation into own practice though the assessment of capacity to give valid consent, and to work in best interest where required.

To provide advocacy for adults with learning disabilities when they access generic health services to ensure equality is maintained and Mental Capacity Act is adhered to. This may include neurology/orthopaedic clinics, wheelchair/orthotic appointments, and during hospital admissions.

To ensure that clients are involved in the planning of their care and management wherever possible to facilitate their meaningful involvement in their management programs.

To work as a lone practitioner when working in the community and domiciliary settings, without the direct support of Physiotherapy colleagues.

Communication

To be skilled in communicating with adults with learning disabilities who may have complex communication needs.

To represent the physiotherapy service and/ or service user at multi-disciplinary meetings, taking a lead role where appropriate

To liaise with GPs, consultants and other professionals to provide advocacy and understanding of service user needs and appropriate treatment provision.

Create, maintain and enhance productive working relationships with multi-disciplinary teams; families and carers; adult social care; primary and secondary health services; and other agencies to meet service users needs.

To communicate complex information effectively to service users and carers, using alternative methods where appropriate, to maximise treatment potential, whilst ensuring an understanding of risk and benefits of assessment and treatment/ interventions.

To provide individualised clearly written information, instructions and programs in an accessible format for clients and carers to follow when not under direct supervision of the physiotherapist.

To provide advice, teaching and instruction to families, carers and health and adult social care professionals regarding specific interventions and/ or physiotherapeutic interventions generally

Staff Management, Education and Training

To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload, effectively managing and prioritising, demonstrating flexibility with varying staff levels, varying complexity of clients and fluctuating numbers of clients on the caseload.

To deputise for Band 7 physiotherapists as necessary

To represent the Physiotherapy team at MDT Meetings, case conferences and meetings with other agencies.

To provide clinical education and supervision to physiotherapy students

To contribute to the induction and education of MDT professionals and students

To support a working culture that is flexible and promotes a positive approach to change.

To contribute to the planning and development of standards, monitoring activity and evaluating service provision.

Professional Skills

To be professionally and legally responsible for all aspects of your work

To be responsible for maintaining own competency to post registration/post graduate diploma level through theoretical study and reflective practice. This will be achieved through CPD activities and maintaining a professional portfolio which reflects personal development

Participate in the staff appraisal scheme and be responsible for complying with agreed personal development plans

To be an active member of the in-service training program, attend tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses and peer review, in order to further develop knowledge

To keep up to date with GSTT attend Mandatory training

To be responsible for maintaining accurate and comprehensive documentation in line with GSTT and CSP standards of practice

To be able to identify complex and sensitive situations and act appropriately

To be sensitive to service users and carers cultures, beliefs and emotions.

To keep abreast with and have a good understanding of publications relating to adults with learning disabilities, implementing guidelines and recommendations into own practice.

Experience

Essential

Desirable

Skills

Essential

Desirable

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

Desirable