Inpatient Lead Physiotherapist

The Inpatient Physio Lead performs an essential role in maintaining a safe and efficient service.  The position leads 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, role model quality care and take day-to-day responsibility for the management of the service. They should provide leadership, advice and support to all staff in their area and across the hospital if asked. They should ensure the efficient and effective use of resources including staffing, consumables, stock and equipment. The Inpatient Physio Lead should take on additional roles in the absence of the Director for nursing and physio in their absence and as appropriate. They should collaborate with all stakeholders involved in patients care, to provide a seamless patient experience. They should be should be highly visible and actively role model expected behaviours in line with Fortius and professional values.    

• The post holder will work Monday – Friday, core service hours. This may require flexibility to deliver the service and ensure weekends are covered.

• The post holder is expected to spend at least 50% of their time clinical in the daily workforce.

 Key Responsibilities

Leadership

·       Responsible for the delivery of evidence-based exceptional quality and safe care from their department 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’, ensuring the day-to-day delivery of care is evidence based and follows local and national guidelines according to policy.

·       Ensure the right number of staff and skill mix are available at each shift, within budget and the workforce planning promotes staff wellbeing as well as quality patient care.

·       Be accountable for the budgeted spend of their department.

·       Ensure 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 and investigate accurately and timely incidents via the hospital’s incident reporting system.

·       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.

·       Deliver the managerial duties required such as roster creation, maintaining KPIs, incident investigations, audits and contributing to the development of policies and procedures.

·       Deliver a timetable of audit, giving assurance of the standards of care and implementing changes and service / quality improvements, based on audit findings.

·       Implement and deliver agreed KPIs for their department.

·       Lead on the development, planning and delivery of all inpatient physio services.

·       Lead on link roles relevant to the hospital for the physio department, such as Infection Control and Resuscitation. Ensure this responsibility is evidenced through contribution, audit, dissemination of learning and developing associated quality initiatives.

·       Support Fortius in its business objectives, CQC assessment and upholding the Fortius Values.

·       Be a lead in serious clinical and non-clinical incidents, supporting patients and junior staff and being a professional resource for all.

·       Deputise and support the Director of Nursing and Physiotherapy services as required and support the other Leaders within the team.

·       To be an active and effective member of the senior Fortius leadership team, including taking on lead roles, attending and participating in committees and groups, taking responsibility of areas for development and contributing to the overall delivery of a quality, safe and effective service

·       To maintain collaborative working relationships and effective communications between all members of the multidisciplinary team, resolving conflict and working within the team to ensure a high standard of co-ordinated patient care

·       Actively seek out feedback from the team and colleagues on your leadership and overall performance, including direct reports and line management, on at least an annual basis

·       To participate / lead in the creation and coordinate the implementation of quality initiatives, policy and SOPs

·       To lead, support, supervise and instruct the team through the process of change, demonstrating tenacity, drive professional integrity, balance and perspective.

·       Support sustainability agendas and looks for opportunities to protect the planet

Management of staff

·       To take responsibility for effective staff management including recruitment, induction, performance review, sickness, appraisals, retention, disciplinary matters, development, mandatory training and education

·       To ensure all HR policies, procedures and guidelines are adhered to with their department

·       To ensure the physio teams skills and competencies are maintained and documented

·       Mentor and coach junior staff, supporting their professional development and fostering a learning environment aligned with professional standards

·       Encourage reflective practice and continuous professional development

·       To participate in the education, supervision  and training of students and clinical staff

·       To implement an effective appraisal and feedback system

·       To identify and support the development of staff in their careers and role

·       Support staff wellbeing by being approachable, empathetic, honest, respectful, and caring as a manager.

·       To ensure that information / decisions are cascaded appropriately to all members of the team through tools such as regular timetabled meetings (for which minutes are produced), newsletters and other relevant communication strategies

·       Be responsible for self development, focusing on development of leadership and relevant clinical skills

·       Supports a diverse team and promotes equality and an inclusive workplace

·       Lead in coordinating, onboarding and welcoming new staff though the induction process to the hospital and team.

·       Lead on the recruitment, retention and development of the team. 

·       Mentor and coach students, colleagues, providing adequate support, feedback and training as required.

Clinical

·       Be a highly skilled physio resource, able to manage complex patients, and be part of the daily resuscitation team.

·       Provide expert advice to patients, consultants, family members, GPs, and clinical and non-clinical colleagues.

·       Undertake a comprehensive assessment (including screening questionnaires, triage, interview, clinical examination and assessment of medication / psychosocial factors) of all patients.

·       Request / advice on appropriate diagnostics and investigations.

·       Direct continuous pathways of care by organising onward referrals (e.g. to another consultant for an expert medical opinion) in agreement with consultants as appropriate.

·       Present cases and be an active participant at MDT / complex patient meetings.

·       Support effective patient flow by collaborating with colleagues on patient progress and supporting discharges.

·       Attend ward rounds, safety huddles, handovers and meetings to represent the physiotherapy department and to participate in patient care.

·       Triage and plan individualised and holistic treatment processes, including the patient in goal setting and delivering personalised care.

·       Address patient and family concerns during their hospital stay and after discharge, serving as a point of contact for patients.

·       Remains up to date with best practice, national changes in guidance and professional regulation. Shares this knowledge with the team and hospital.

 Measurements

• Regulatory body inspections aiming for Outstanding in CQC

• Clinical and managerial Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Cost (KPIs), proficient budget management and efficient use of resource

• Compliance with policies and procedures

• Patient reported outcome measures, patient satisfaction and experience

• Adherence to NICE Guidelines and Professional Standards

• Staff feedback, survey results and personal feedback

This job description is neither exclusive nor exhaustive. The duties and responsibilities may vary from time to time in accordance with operational needs or circumstances and in consultation with the job holder.

Equality & Diversity

All Fortius employees must have respect for every individual, treating everyone with dignity, courtesy, fairness and consideration, and welcoming and accepting differences between people. It is the responsibility of every employee to work towards the elimination of all discrimination and prejudice.

Health & Safety

All Fortius employees have a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Employees are required to co-operate with management to enable Fortius to meet its own legal duties.

Infection Control

It is the responsibility of all staff to recognise their role in maintaining a safe environment for patients, visitors and staff to minimise the risk of avoidable Healthcare Associated Infection. Employees are responsible for ensuring that they are fully aware of the Fortius Infection Prevention and Control policies.

Quality Governance

All Fortius employees must adhere to Fortius policies and procedures and seek advice on these when in doubt as to their scope and applicability.

Employees are specifically reminded that they must respect the confidentiality of all information they have access to during their employment including personal data.

Safeguarding

All Fortius employees have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of patients, staff, relatives and visitors. This includes creating a safe environment and treating everyone with respect and dignity.  Employees must be vigilant for signs of abuse, neglect or harm and take prompt action in accordance with policy and guidance to escalate concerns. Fortius employees should embed safeguarding into their daily practices and work collaboratively with internal and colleagues and external agencies to protect vulnerable people.

•       Qualified Physio and HCPC

•       Physio degree

•       Health or leadership related  Level 7 education

•       Leadership / management  qualification

•       Evidence of post registration education and development

•       Orthopedic or surgical specialist education

•       CSP registered

•       Clinical experience at band 7 equivalent or above in an orthopedic / spinal ward-based setting

•       Independent hospital experience

•       NHS / public hospital experience

•       Extensive surgical / orthopedic physio experience

•       People management experience including recruiting and giving feedback.

•       Experience of managing staffing, rosters and patient flow

•       Experience in investigating incidents and managing initial patient complaints

•       Experience in auditing and feeding back results

•       Experience in quality projects, implementing change, having a lead or link responsibility

•       Experience in contributing to policy development

•       Competent IT skills including word, team and excel

•       Quick to pick up new programmes and able to use in house EPR and related systems

•       Can communicate through email in a polite, professional and easily understandable way

•       Excellent communication skills, ability to demonstrate empathy, de escalate conflict and respond to concerns

•       Able to make rapport with a diverse group of stakeholders

•       Motivated, self directed and ability to act on own initiative

•       Positive attitude, inspiring, demonstrate the Fortius Values

•       Time management, ability to priortise and re priortise

•       Accountable, professional takes responsibility for making decisions

•       Inspire confidence in others, coaches, supports, directs

•       Flexible, creative, meets the service needs

•       Ability to interpret financial plans and disseminate amongst others