Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in Respiratory (COPD Outreach)

Overview: Post Title: Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in Respiratory (COPD Outreach) Post Status: Permanent Department Physiotherapy Location: Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 Reports to: Physiotherapy Manager Salary: Appointment will be made in line with Government pay policy. €68,625 to €79,635 Hours of work: Full-Time Closing Date: 12 noon on 14/2/2025 Please note the hospital reserves the right to close the competition early should a substantial number of applications be received. Position Summary: The post holder will work as part of the Respiratory Service in Beaumont Hospital Physiotherapy Department. The post holder will be responsible for leading and developing the Physiotherapy COPD Outreach service. Cross cover may be required within the wider Physiotherapy Respiratory service as need arises. The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, as part of the COPD Outreach Team will:

• Manage, develop and evaluate an early supported discharge programme

• Manage, develop and evaluate and admission avoidance programme with GP and Consultant

• Plan and implement a care package from hospital to home

• Contribute to business planning and business cases

• Develop and maintain guidelines and protocols relating to COPD outreach

• Develop and implement strategies as part of the COPD Outreach team for delivering effective COPD care within a changing environment

• Engage in projects to raise the profile of the specialist service and team members

• Develop evidence based oxygen assessment and review clinics for respiratory patients

• Refer to Community Pulmonary rehabilitation team where appropriate

• Act as a point of contact for clinical queries from GPs and the Chronic Disease Specialist Team

members and see patients in the ambulatory care hub as appropriate

• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and case management activities to manage

complex cases

• Embrace service redesign as appropriate for the respiratory services

As outlined above, the need to reform the healthcare services in Ireland in order to provide a more sustainable, integrated and patient-centred approach has come to the fore in recent health policies and strategies. Integrated care requires health and social care services to work together across different levels and sites in order to provide end-to-end care that meets patient need. As described in the Sláintecare report (2017), integrated care involves:

• Ensuring appropriate care pathways are developed with a focus on person-centred service planning to ensure services are built around patients;

• Supporting timely access to all health and social care services according to medical need; and,

• Patients accessing care at the most appropriate, cost effective service level with a strong emphasis on prevention and public health

• To work in conjunction with other team members in co-ordinating and developing the service to meet the needs of the population it serves in line with the objectives of the organisation

• To be responsible for the provision of a high quality Physiotherapy service in accordance with standards of professional practice

• To carry out clinical and educational duties as required

• To work with Physiotherapy Manager in ensuring the co-ordination, development and delivery of a quality, client centred physiotherapy service across and between networks in the geographical area.

• To develop COPD Outreach services in line with the COPD National Clinical Programme Model of Care document and associated guidance (HSE 2011).

Responsibilities: The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist (COPD Outreach) will:

• Be a lead clinician in the Physiotherapy Profession and carry a clinical caseload appropriate to the post

• Be responsible for client assessment, development and implementation of individualised treatment plans that are client centred and in line with best practice

• Be responsible for goal setting in partnership with client, family and other team members as appropriate

• Be responsible for standards of practice of self and staff appointed to clinical / designated area(s)

• Be a clinical resource for other Physiotherapists

• Communicate and work in co-operation with the Physiotherapy Manager and other team members in providing an integrated quality service, taking the lead role as required

• Communicate effectively with and provide instruction, guidance and support to, staff clients, family, carers etc.

• Document client records in accordance with professional standards and departmental policies

• Observe confidentiality requirements. Unless acting on instruction of an authorised officer, on no account must information concerning patients, staff or health service business be divulged or discussed except in performance of normal duty. In addition, records must never be left in such a manner that unauthorised persons can obtain them.

• Provide a service in varied locations in line with local policy / guidelines and within appropriate time allocation (e.g. clinic, home visits)

• Participate and be a lead clinician as appropriate in review meetings, case conferences etc.

• Develop and promote professional standards of practice

• Work within own scope of professional competence in line with principles of best practice, professional conduct and clinical governance

• Seek advice of relevant personnel when appropriate / as required

• Operate within the scope of practice of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists

• Provide weekend and on call service where it is a requirement of the post

• Develop advanced skills as relevant to respiratory such as taking and interpreting Arterial blood gases

Education & Training The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist will:

• Participate in mandatory training programmes

• Take responsibility for, and keep up to date with Physiotherapy practice by participating in continuing professional development such as reflective practice, in service, self-directed learning, research, clinical audit etc.

• Be responsible for the induction and clinical supervision of staff in the designated area(s)

• Provide education to staff in relevant area

• Co-ordinate and deliver clinical placements in partnership with universities and clinical educators

• Manage, participate and play a key role in the practice education of student therapists. Take part in teaching / training / supervision / evaluation of staff / students and attend practice educator courses as relevant to role and needs

• Engage in personal development planning and performance review for self and others as required

• Communicate with other clinical specialists throughout the country and internationally to further develop clinical excellence and research.

Integrated Model of Care for the Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease Implementation Guide Quality, Safety & Risk The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist will:

• Be responsible for the co-ordination and delivery of a quality service in line with best practice

• Develop and monitor implementation of agreed policies, procedures and safe professional practice by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards

• Ensure the safety of self and others, and the maintenance of safe environments and equipment used in Physiotherapy in accordance with legislation

• Assess and manage risk in their assigned area(s) of responsibility

• Take the appropriate timely action to manage any incidents or near misses within their assigned area(s)

• Report any deficiency/danger in any aspect of the service to the team or Physiotherapy Manager as appropriate

• Be responsible for the safe and competent use of all equipment, aids and appliances both by clients and staff under their supervision

• Develop and promote quality standards of work and co-operate with quality assurance programmes

• Oversee and monitor the standards of best practice within their Physiotherapy team

• Have a working knowledge of HIQA Standards as they apply to the role, for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards.

Administrative The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist will:

• Contribute to the service planning process

• Assist the Physiotherapy Manager and relevant others in service development encompassing policy development and implementation

• Review and evaluate the Physiotherapy service regularly, identifying changing needs and opportunities to improve services

• Lead, promote and ensure clinical effectiveness of physiotherapy through performance management, education, audit and research

• Collect and evaluate data about the service area as identified in service plans and demonstrate the achievement of the objectives of the service

• Oversee the upkeep of accurate records in line with best practice

• Collate and maintain accurate statistics and render reports as required

• Represent the department / team at meetings and conferences as appropriate

• Inform the Physiotherapy Manager of staff issues (needs, interests, views) as appropriate

• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace

• Participate in the control and ordering of Physiotherapy stock and equipment in conjunction with the Physiotherapy Manager

• Be accountable for the budget, where relevant

• Keep up to date with organisational developments within the Irish Health Service

• Engage in IT developments as they apply to clients and service administration

• Perform such other duties appropriate to the role as may be assigned by the Physiotherapy Manager

The areas of specific interest for this post include leading and delivering COPD Outreach as part of a respiratory integrated care in a community setting. . The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist will have responsibility for service provision, education and training, service development and quality improvement. The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist should have abilities in management and be capable of assuming lead responsibilities in the future. The post will contribute to on-going progress in the delivery of decision making at the point of access to the hospital and redirection of patients presenting acutely to the hospital back to community care with acute management plans or redirection to appropriate specialist outpatient assessment. Key Working Relationships: The Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist will:

• Work collaboratively with other physiotherapists, medical, nursing and other health and social care professionals across the acute and community services in providing optimal clinical care and in further developing the service.

• Establish links with other organisations, both national and international where appropriate, providing support and information regarding this clinical area, and utilising these additional resources where necessary, to benefit patient care.

• Work collaboratively with the Clinical Specialist team within the Physiotherapy Department

Accountability:

• Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist will report to Physiotherapy Manager in Charge III for physiotherapy clinical governance, attendance and service performance management.

Qualifications: Selection Criteria: Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria. Mandatory:

• Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc

(a) Candidates for appointment must: (i) Hold a Physiotherapy qualification recognised by the Physiotherapists Registration Board at CORU. AND (ii) Be registered on the Physiotherapists Register maintained by the Physiotherapists Registration Board at CORU. OR (iii) Applicants who satisfy the conditions set out in Section 91 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, (see note 1 below*), must submit proof of application for registration with the Physiotherapists Registration Board at CORU. The acceptable proof is correspondence from the Physiotherapists Registration Board at CORU confirming their application for registration as a Section 91 applicant. AND Candidates must have 5 years full time (or an aggregate of 5 years full time) post qualification clinical experience of which 3 must be in the relevant clinical area. AND Have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

• Annual registration

(i) On appointment, practitioners must maintain annual registration on Physiotherapists Register maintained by the Physiotherapists Registration Board at CORU. AND (ii) Practitioners must confirm annual registration with CORU to the HSE by way of the annual Patient Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).

• Health

Candidates for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

• Character

Candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

• Role Suitability

Demonstrate a proven record of clinical /academic achievement including continuing development in this specialist field.

• Additional Skills

Be available to work on call rota for respiratory and orthopaedic services as required by physiotherapy management and have the necessary training at undergraduate level.

• Have access to own transport to fulfil potential requirements of the role

Desirable:

• Further training (e.g. M.Sc.) in relevant clinical area

• Previous relevant acute hospital senior/clinical specialist experience

The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office. Informal Enquiries ONLY to:

Name:

Ivan Clancy

Title:

Physiotherapy Manager in Charge III

Email address:

ivanclancy@beaumont.ie

Telephone:

01.8092516