Physiotherapist

Clinical Responsibilities To provide specialist physiotherapy assessment, treatment and rehabilitation for patients admitted to the Major Trauma Centre.

To independently manage a complex caseload of patients with traumatic injuries including:

Polytrauma

• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injuries
• Orthopaedic trauma
• Chest trauma
• Limb loss and amputations
• Complex medical and rehabilitation needs.

To undertake comprehensive assessment of

• Physical function
• Mobility and transfers
• Respiratory function
• Balance and coordination
• Exercise tolerance
• Rehabilitation potential
• Discharge needs.
• To develop and implement evidence-based treatment programmes aimed at preventing complications, maximising recovery and promoting independence.
• To provide specialist physiotherapy intervention within both acute ward and critical care environments, including respiratory management, early mobilisation and rehabilitation.
• To assess and manage patients with complex physical, cognitive, psychological and social needs as part of a holistic rehabilitation approach.
• To contribute to rehabilitation prescriptions and support seamless transitions between acute care, inpatient rehabilitation and community services.
• Acute Trauma and Critical Care To provide physiotherapy assessment and treatment for patients requiring critical care rehabilitation and step-down rehabilitation following critical illness.
• To support early rehabilitation and mobilisation of critically ill and mechanically ventilated patients where appropriate.
• To work closely with Critical Care and Trauma teams to optimise patient recovery and prevent secondary complications associated with prolonged hospitalisation.
• To participate in daily trauma board rounds, consultant-led ward rounds and multidisciplinary reviews.
• Multidisciplinary Team Working To participate fully in multidisciplinary team meetings, rehabilitation MDTs, board rounds and discharge planning meetings.

To work collaboratively with

• Major Trauma Consultants
• Trauma and Orthopaedic Teams
• Critical Care Teams
• Nursing Staff
• Occupational Therapists
• Clinical Psychologists
• Dietitians
• Speech and Language Therapists
• Pharmacists
• Mental Health Liaison Teams
• Social Care Teams.
• To provide expert physiotherapy advice to the wider MDT regarding rehabilitation potential, discharge planning and ongoing therapy requirements.
• To contribute to goal setting and person-centred rehabilitation planning.
• Discharge Planning and Care Coordination To contribute to effective discharge planning from the point of admission.
• To work closely with internal services and external agencies to ensure timely, safe and effective discharge arrangements.

To develop productive working relationships with

• Community rehabilitation teams
• Community physiotherapy services
• Specialist rehabilitation units
• Neuroscience rehabilitation services
• Major Trauma Network partners
• Social Care providers
• Voluntary and charitable organisations
• Specialist tertiary referral services.
• To provide detailed handovers and rehabilitation recommendations to ensure continuity of care across the patient pathway.
• Communication Responsibilities To communicate highly complex and sensitive information regarding diagnosis, prognosis, rehabilitation goals and discharge plans to patients and their families.
• To adapt communication styles for patients with cognitive impairment, communication difficulties, brain injury, psychological distress or altered levels of consciousness.
• To act as an advocate for patients and families throughout the rehabilitation process.
• To provide education and support to patients, carers and healthcare professionals regarding recovery, rehabilitation and ongoing management.
• Leadership, Education and Service Development To provide supervision, mentorship and support to junior physiotherapists, therapy assistants and students.
• To contribute to the planning and delivery of teaching and training programmes.
• To support the development of evidence-based clinical practice within the Major Trauma Service.
• To actively participate in service development initiatives, quality improvement projects and implementation of national major trauma standards.
• To contribute to the continued development of rehabilitation pathways within the Major Trauma Centre and wider Major Trauma Network.
• Governance, Audit and Research To maintain accurate, comprehensive and contemporaneous clinical records in accordance with Trust, HCPC and CSP standards.
• To participate in audit, service evaluation, data collection and quality improvement activities.
• To support outcome measurement and rehabilitation data collection where required.
• To contribute to governance processes including incident reporting, risk management and implementation of learning identified through audits, peer reviews and service evaluations.
• Service Requirements To participate in the delivery of a seven-day Major Trauma Therapy Service.
• To maintain professional registration and undertake continuing professional development in line with HCPC and CSP requirements.
• To comply with all Trust policies, professional standards and Major Trauma Network requirements.