POSITION DESCRIPTION Hand Therapy Experienced Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist This role is considered a core children s worker and will be subject to safety checking as part of the Vulnerable Children Act 2014 Position Holder's Name:... Position Holder's Signature:... Manager/Supervisor's Name:... Manager/Supervisor's Signature:... Document ID: Obtain from Objective Version: 1.0 Department: Hand therapy Last Updated: 07/12/2017 Document Owner: Section Head Hand Therapy Next Review Date: 07/12/2019 Approved by: Name of Approval Group/Committee Date First Issued: dd/mm/yyyy Counties Manukau Health
Position description: Counties Manukau Health 2
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION Overview The Hand Therapist (Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist) position in Hand Therapy, is a clinical position. Other responsibilities include: managing a busy caseload; modelling best practice and evaluating the outcomes of interventions; contributing towards the development of hand therapy; as far as contractual obligations allow, addressing the functional needs of the patients with a hand injury or condition; acting as a clinical resource; supporting and educating others in the role of hand therapy. In this position, the Physiotherapist / Occupational Therapist will: 1. Provide appropriate hand therapy intervention that meets professional standards as outlined in the Hand Therapy Section Policies and Procedures: a) to children and adults (inpatients and outpatients) who have a hand injury or condition b) that addresses the occupational needs of people who have a hand injury or surgery by: - identifying, validating and prioritising the individual s occupational performance issues in self-care, productivity, and leisure occupations, as a result of the hand injury or surgery; refer on to other agencies where appropriate; - identifying the performance components and environmental conditions that have an impact on the patient s ability to perform her/his daily living activities at home or work; - identifying the individual s strengths and resources which will assist them to manage her/his daily living activities; - identifying the goals to be achieved in Hand Therapy, and develop an action plan; - evaluating regularly the effectiveness of the interventions, to ascertain the individual s progress towards the goals; c) that is based on a sound theoretical framework of practice that is appropriate to address the individual s hand injury or surgery, and related occupational performance issues; 2. Actively assist with recruitment and interviewing of Physiotherapists / Occupational Therapists and assistants for the Hand Therapy Section. 3. Other duties as reasonably negotiated with the Section Head Hand Therapy, the Service Manager of the Acute Allied Health Team, or the Professional Leader for Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy. Position description: Counties Manukau Health 3
PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION General Manager Adult Rehabilitation and Health of Older People (ARHOP) Service Manager ARHOP Operations Manager Acute Allied Health Associate Directot Allied Health Physiotherapy / Occupational Therapy Section Head Therapy Hand Experienced Physiotherapist / Occupational Therapist Position description: Counties Manukau Health 4
NATURE AND SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES Key Accountabilities Standards / Achievements 1 Provides client focused care by: 2 Works to the highest quality standards of practice by: Consulting with clients to establish mutually agreed goals and priorities for outcomes of care Promoting the concept of self care and inclusion of family/whanau in provision of care Communicating clearly and effectively with client, family/whanau and the interdisciplinary team Working in partnership with clients/family/other health care providers to assess, plan, deliver and evaluate outcomes of care Providing education and information in away that is understood to clients/families/whanau and community Following ethical guidelines, the code of ethics & conduct and the standards of practice for the profession Providing care that is based on best practice and working towards evidence based practice Delivering care that meets the priorities of the service Ensuring relevant resources are used effectively equipment is safe and effectively used Contributing to professional development practices and activities Participating in peer review, supervision and preceptoring of new staff Taking responsibility for clear, effective documentation that is in keeping with organisational policy Using effective time management & prioritisation strategies to manage workload Ensure that there is adequate information provided for weekend follow on service. Position description: Counties Manukau Health 5
Key Accountabilities Standards / Achievements 3 Contributes to the achievement of Counties Manukau District Health Board Vision and Values by: 4 Demonstrates individual responsibility and accountability for professional development of self and others by: 5 Contributes to the achievement of the goals of the multidisciplinary team by: 6. To meet organisational and legislative requirements by adhering to: Working to improve our service to our patients and community by delivering high quality, cost effective health care Treating others with respect and dignity Valuing difference and cultural diversity Acting with integrity and valuing their contribution Always seeking and striving for new ideas and solutions Developing our capabilities to achieve results Being accountable for individual and collective actions Participating in and supporting staff in the processes of performance development, supervision and peer review and audit Identifying own learning needs and setting objectives, goals meet goals and strategies to meet these and supporting staff to do the same Participating in and contributing to continuing education activities internally and externally to the organisation and providing leadership on the development of these for staff Acting an educational resource for other disciplines Contributing to the clinical training of students Being an active member of both the profession and the multidisciplinary team Observing the agreed ground rules of the team Appreciating and respecting the contribution of self and others within the team Contributing to and promoting the maintenance of a safe and healthy working environment Participating in both team and profession based meetings Position description: Counties Manukau Health 6
Key Accountabilities Standards / Achievements Cultural Safety & Diversity Commitment to the principles of Treaty of Waitangi Honouring Diversity Respect, sensitivity, cultural awareness is evident in interpersonal relationships. Our differences are acknowledged by respecting spiritual beliefs, cultural practices and lifestyle choices. Utilise Information Technology Demonstrate an ability to access and use available clinical information systems. Is conversant with applications required for specific discipline/role. For example, i.pm, Concerto, Outlook, etc. Maintains own professional development by attending relevant IT educational programmes. Position description: Counties Manukau Health 7
COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS Will be required to interact on a regular basis with a range of Counties Manukau Health staff members including: Service Managers Professional Leaders Hand and Plastic Surgeons Physiotherapy and occupational therapy staff Health Assistants Other health professionals Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy students Externally there will be contact with: Clients Families/whanau/Whanau and caregivers Community Agencies ACC, Access Able Private insurance providers Private Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Hand Therapists Auckland University of Technology General Practitioners New Zealand Association of Hand Therapists Situations may often call for tact, diplomacy and will require information to be handled in a discreet and sensitive manner. In conflict situations will be required to exercise sound judgement, negotiation and persuasiveness skills, toward facilitating a workable outcome. Position description: Counties Manukau Health 8
PROBLEM COMPLEXITY The experienced Physiotherapist / Occupational Therapist will be regularly challenged by range of problems of a varied nature on a day to day basis in the area of clinical practice. There will be a requirement to be able to prioritise issues and negotiate time frames, while still providing a quality customer service. The range of problems will be diverse and require solutions customised to meet the circumstances of the client. Therefore opportunities will arise to provide innovative options to the client based on proven outcomes. There will be demands to meet deadlines, maintain accuracy and quality of information. Failure to do so could impact on the organisation in terms of planning appropriate service delivery and providing a high quality of care. The experienced Hand Therapist will work as part of a multidisciplinary team within their area of practice.. SCOPE FOR ACTION The experienced Hand Therapists are empowered to make decisions or recommendations relating to provision of appropriate hand therapy care to their patients. The experienced Hand Therapists are encouraged to use initiative and problem solving skills to develop innovative approaches to issues. Discretion is required to be exercised in releasing confidential information to the appropriate parties. DIMENSION OF THE POSITION The experienced Hand Therapist will be responsible to the Operations Manager for the achievement of agreed objectives and operates within the confines of Counties Manukau Health. POSITIONS REPORTING IN THIS ROLE (numbers) Directly Operations Manager Indirectly Other Physiotherapists / Occupational Therapists, Professional Leader Position description: Counties Manukau Health 9
PERSON SPECIFICATIONS (requirements for the role) Minimum Preferred Qualifications Registered with the New Zealand Physiotherapy Board; or Occupational Therapy Board Diploma of Physiotherapy, Bachelor of Physiotherapy, or Bachelor of Health Science (Occ Ther), or overseas equivalent; Actively considering postgraduate study / working towards NZAHT registration Hold a current annual practising certificate Registered Hand Therapist in New Zealand Post graduate Hand Therapy Training, or area related to working with hand injuries/conditions; Clinical Teaching Certificate or equivalent Research skills and experience Experience (including years) Minimum of 4 years general OT or PT experience and 1 year hand therapy experience Able to work in a complex and changing health environment; Honest and trustworthy Fosters collaborative teamwork Uses conflict resolution skills effectively Professional and self directed Recognises ethical issues Recognises role boundaries of profession, self and others Is committed to a client focused approach Is committed to the specific client group 3 plus years of hand therapy experience Position description: Counties Manukau Health 10
Skills/Knowledge/ Behaviour Strives for excellence in practice Advanced clinical reasoning skills in the management of hand and upper limb conditions. Task analysis; analysis of performance of activities of daily living; grading & adaptation of activities; a range of teaching-learning strategies; Use advanced subjective and objective assessment techniques to diagnose and classify hand injuries / conditions. Comply with SAH infection control protocols Recognise signs of wound infection, hypergranulation, and maceration Perform clean technique for applying dressings Assess scarring using a specific assessment tool Able to construct a wide variety of splints, including static, dynamic, staticprogressive, and serial casting Use appropriate techniques to assist with acute and chronic pain management Prescribe and fit a variety of off the shelf splinting/orthotic products Use specialised oedema management techniques Use specialised scar management techniques, including scar massage and contact media (silicone gel, elastomer putty, hyperfix, pressure garments); Use problem solving skills to solve practical problems, related to hand injuries, Effective clinical teaching skills identify developmental issues for children with hand injuries Excel skills Position description: Counties Manukau Health 11
Personal Qualities occupational performance issues, and the client s workplace challenges Full New Zealand driver s licence Competently use Windows 7 Able to work in a complex and changing health environment; Honest and trustworthy Fosters collaborative teamwork Uses conflict resolution skills effectively Professional and self directed Recognises ethical issues Recognises role boundaries of profession, self and others Is committed to a client focused approach Is committed to the specific client group Strives for excellence in practice Position description: Counties Manukau Health 12
HEALTH AND SAFETY ACCOUNTABILITIES (Management roles) Health and Safety (H&S) is a key accountability of all Counties Manukau Health (CM Health) staff. All CM Health Managers are responsible to: Zero harm Engage in safe workplace practices and manage the health and safety of your employees and other people in the workplace Engage in safe work practices Ensure all Incidents involving staff are reported, investigated and any corrective actions are completed and closed off when completed in the Incident reporting system in line with CM Health Policies and Procedures Ensure all corrective activities are completed and controls are reviewed after incidents Ensure all staff are Inducted/Oriented to the division/service/work area and recorded in the OneStaff database and participate in Occupational Health and Safety matters Risk management Safety Management System Requirements Work safely Manage all hazards, risks and incidents in the workplace by identifying, evaluating, reporting and controlling them effectively by maintaining a Hazard and Risk Register that is reviewed and kept up to date on an ongoing basis Stop work where there is an immediate risk of serious harm and escalate to the appropriate manager Maintain Occupational Health of employees due to workplace hazardous exposures Ensure you and the employees understand and follow CM Health s Occupational Health and Safety policies and Health and Safety regulations, what your responsibilities are under the policies and implement these requirements effectively into your work area Manage the work area s risk profile and how these relate to the corporate risk profile and implement and resource mitigation controls Engage your employees to participate in Occupational Health and Safety matter. Report for duty in a fit state, free from the influence of alcohol or other drugs Provide and wear the necessary Personal Protective Equipment for yourself and your staff when undertaking specific activities, or when in nominated areas Ensure procedures are in place for clinical and plant equipment to be operated safely Participate in relevant safety training, manage and maintain safety related competencies for yourself and your employees Be in possession of required and current Certificates of Competency (If relevant to your position) Position description: Counties Manukau Health 13
HEALTH AND SAFETY ACCOUNTABILITIES (non-management roles) Health and Safety (H&S) is a key accountability of all Counties Manukau Health (CM Health) staff. All CM Health Employees are responsible to: Zero Harm Engage in safe workplace practices and take care of the health and safety of themselves, other employees and people in the workplace Risk Management Safety Management System Requirements Work Safely Identify, evaluate and report all hazards and incidents they are aware of in the workplace Adhere to apply risk controls, identified in risk assessments, such as Safe Operating Procedures Follow safety instructions Stop work when there is an immediate risk of serious harm and notify the appropriate manager Ensure nothing they do or don t do will cause harm to themselves or others Understand and follow CM Health s Occupational Health and Safety policies, Health and Safety regulations, and personal responsibilities as outlined by these policies Follow all Occupational Health and Safety policies and procedures Report for duty in a fit state, free from the influence of alcohol or other drugs Participate in consultation activities regarding matters affecting your health, safety and wellbeing Wear the required Personal Protective Equipment when undertaking specific activities, or when in nominated areas Operate clinical or plant equipment safely Participate in relevant safety training, and maintain safety related competencies If relevant to your position, be in possession of required and current Certificates of Competency Position description: Counties Manukau Health 14