Specialist Occupational Health Physiotherapist

Specialist Occupational Health Physiotherapist

Hours of Work: Full-Time
Location: Seapark, Carrickfergus
Closing Date/Time: 22/01/2024 3:00pm
Reference Number: HRSOHP0124

Job Background:

As a member of the Occupational Health and Well-being (OH&W) Team, the role holder will assist the Head of Physiotherapy Services to develop and deliver a comprehensive, high quality Occupational Health Physiotherapy service which incorporates:

• A large contracted treatment service focusing on work fitness.
• Workplace ergonomics to maximise optimal working conditions and functionality.
• Musculoskeletal (MSK) health education.
• The clinical and functional assessment of referred PSNI Officers and Staff members with regard to fitness for work.

Thus promoting the health and well-being of Police Officers and Police Staff of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

The role holder will work autonomously within professional guidelines and collaboratively within the Team and across the organisation, utilising their clinical and Occupational Health experience to mentor other OH Physiotherapists and liaise with the wider PSNI organisation.

Hours of Work: 37 working hours per week (42 hours gross).

Salary: £44,707 - £53,821 (under review) plus £580 environmental allowance.

Main Activities:

The main duties and responsibilities associated with the role include the following:

• Develop and implement a monthly clinical audit of your own caseload and undertake other audits within the Physiotherapist Service as requested by the Head of Physiotherapy Services.
• Communicate and consult with other Departments, Branches and OHW Services, to promote understanding of the organisation and facilitate efficient and effective working practice relevant to MSK health.
• Lead on the design and delivery of health education/promotion programmes and initiatives on relevant MSK issues.
• Maintain Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for Health & Care Professionals Council (HCPC) registration and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) membership.
• Comply with professional standards, attend relevant training as appropriate, and maintaining links with other professional bodies and Physiotherapists, especially within the Occupational Health field.
• Maintain ACPOHE Registered Membership.
• Attend regular meetings including Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings and MSK team meetings.
• Research and assess alternative ergonomic equipment; liaising with internal departments and with suppliers to obtain equipment for OHW use and advising on the procurement of such equipment when required.
• Assist the Head of Physiotherapy Services regarding procurement process for contracted Physiotherapy service providers and assist with Contract Management as required.
• Provide Physiotherapy and ergonomic advice to specialist working groups, committees, panels and working parties within PSNI e.g. Uniform and Protective Measures Committee.
• Assist in the mentoring of other OH Physiotherapy staff undergoing ACPOHE training and registration process or provide sessional services.
• Assist the Head of Physiotherapy Services in the review and update of MSK Rehabilitation Pathways within OHW/PSNI and provide advice to other OHW staff regarding MSK issues.
• Assist the Head of Physiotherapy Services, and in the absence of same, take short term operational management responsibility for the Physiotherapy Services resources taking strategic and budgetary considerations into account.
• Assist the Head of Physiotherapy Services in the management of a large treatment service to ensure efficiency and value for money to PSNI.
• Conduct specialised, autonomous MSK clinical examination and functional assessment (embedded in a biopsychosocial approach to patient assessment) of Officers and Staff with a wide range of conditions, to determine diagnosis, prognosis and fitness to work.
• Advice on both clinical and work rehabilitation requirements to promote return to full operational duties.
• Co-ordinates referral for interventions including rehabilitation exercise programmes, other OHW services, uniform modifications, modified PSP and firearms training, Physiotherapy treatment, medical imaging (x-ray/MRI), or consultant opinion.
• Undertake work place visits and complete Work Demands Analysis to become familiar with physical work demands of a wide variety of roles within PSNI.
• Identify and recommend work place equipment modifications and/or work duty adjustments.
• Conduct appropriate reviews within OHW (Seapark), the workplace or outlying clinics in order to monitor changes.
• Undertake all relevant administrative record keeping tasks under OHW Service Policy for Clinical Record Keeping, and management of their own case load.
• Provide reports to management (via IT systems) and liaise with other OHW staff regarding return to work (RTW) capacity and adjustments as required, in a timely manner.
• Conduct case consultations with other OHW professionals, verbally, on electronic records and at multidisciplinary meetings.
• Liaise with contracted Physiotherapists, who provide the treatment aspect of the service, as required regarding diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and work fitness concerns.
• Request/provide information from and to Medical/Surgical Consultants and GPs in relation to referred Officers and Staff members.
• Conduct ergonomics workplace assessments for individuals and departments and making recommendations for the alteration of work practices, or for the supply of alternative equipment.

The above reflects the main elements associated with this position and is not intended to be exclusive or exhaustive.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• Honours degree in Physiotherapy.
• Membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.
• Registered member of ACPOHE.
• Evidence of relevant clinical Continuous Professional Development including a range of postgraduate courses in examination and treatment approaches for adult MSK disorders.

Essential Skills and Experience

• With the above qualifications, the post holder is required to have:
• At least 5 years Full Time Equivalent post qualification experience as a Physiotherapist including:
• A minimum of 2 years Full Time Equivalent experience at a senior level (Band 7 equivalent) in the examination and treatment of adult MSK outpatients, including spinal and peripheral disorders, sports injuries and post-orthopaedic surgery rehabilitation.
• At least 2 years Full Time Equivalent experience working in Occupational Health and undertaking Fitness for Work assessments.
• Management experience in either an MSK clinical setting or Occupational Health role.
• Current membership of at least one clinically relevant Professional Network (Clinical Interest Group) relating to the diagnosis and/or treatment/management of MSK disorders encountered among working age adults.

Essential Other

• Applicants must have a valid driving licence to drive a car and access to a car for official business use, or access to a form of personal transport that will enable you to meet the requirements of the post in full.
• IT literate specifically in the use of the Microsoft Office suite. (Including MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel and MS Outlook)

Please note that successful applicants will be retained on a merit list for future opportunities arising. We would encourage you to check the spam within your email system for any relevant correspondence.

Selection Methodology

PSNI uses the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) which sets out nationally recognised behaviours and values to support all policing professionals. You will be assessed against the values and at the competencies level as indicated below.

This will include both past and future focused questions. Further guidance and information about the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) is available here on our website.

Applicants meeting the eligibility criteria and essential qualifications, skills and experience will be required to demonstrate their experience for the following criteria:

Competency and Values Based Presentation and Interview

Values

• Integrity
• Public Service

Competencies – Level 3

• We analyse critically.
• We take ownership.
• We are innovative and open minded.
• We are collaborative.

For further information and to submit your application, click APPLY NOW.