Physiotherapist

Job Purpose 

To provide a physiotherapy service as part of a multi-disciplinary team, on a part-time basis

Key Working Relationships

Physiotherapists are self-employed contractors and report to the Clinical Lead.

Other key working relationships:

• Other physiotherapists within the team
• Other members of the services team
• Action for M.E. colleagues

Job Description

Key duties

• Respond to physiotherapy referrals
• Carry out assessments, provide advice and recommend interventions to manage the symptoms in patients with M.E./C.F.S. and related conditions, working with a whole person approach, and involving family/carers where appropriate
• Provide written reports for the person with M.E. and others involved in their care with consent of the patient
• Participate in clinical team meetings at least once a quarter (approximately 1 hour)
• Participate in quarterly physiotherapy team meetings (approximately 1 hour)

Key Tasks 

• Arrange and undertake consultations in the most appropriate manner for the patient - remotely by either telephone, Zoom or email.
• Record consultation details (date, length of consultation, charge) on Action for M.E.’s internal tracker for invoicing purposes
• Consider choices and in collaboration with the person with M.E., agree attainable and realistic goals, however small, during assessment
• Offer a selection of gentle progressive interventions to facilitate an improvement in their quality of life
• Offer follow-up consultations with patients by phone, Zoom or email
• Raise any safeguarding concerns to appropriate colleagues.

Working Practices  

• Seek to reduce fear associated with the illness and to create an environment for healing
• Offer clear and consistent information and advice to people with M.E. and their family/carers
• Work within Action for M.E. policies ensuring privacy and dignity.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Key requirements

• Must be registered HCPC
• Must be registered with Chartered Society of Physiotherapy or other professional body which can provide PLI
• Up to date professional indemnity insurance
• Safeguarding training to Level 3
• Eligible to work in the UK

Experience and Knowledge

May be varied but would typically include:

• Several years of post-graduate work experience in different aspects of the profession
• Familiarity with the NICE Guideline for the management of M.E. (2021)
• Experience in the management of long-term conditions
• Experience in the management of chronic pain and its impact on the quality of life
• Working in a multi-disciplinary team

Skills and Behaviours

• Excellent communication skills, in both active listening and careful word usage
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and the ability to quickly learn relevant bespoke software systems

Attitudes

• Understanding that ME/CFS is a complex biomedical condition
• A desire to help people holistically to manage their ME/CFS
• A willingness to think outside established protocols