Sandra Crawford
Donegal
Summary
Experienced physiotherapist who is a multidisciplinary team member focused on patient care, rehabilitation and education in clinical settings. Member of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists and Registered CORU practitioner PT036 422.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Physiotherapist (Stroke and Medical Rehab)
Letterkenny University Hospital /HSE West
Letterkenny
03.2014 - Current
- Provision of Physiotherapy treatment and assessment of patients post stroke or medical event e.g. infection, fall, neurological event or progression of neurological or medical condition.
- Oversaw the respiratory physiotherapy management for patients in the unit, including tracheostomy care, non-invasive ventilation referrals, sleep studies, and oxygen therapy administration.
- On call rota including respiratory management of patients in ICU, HDU and paediatrics
- Student supervision during their clinical placements to ensure effective learning and application of skills.
- Delivered training sessions for patients, families, and carers, enhancing essential care skills and fostering independence.
- Taught on Stroke course for carers and families of patients.
- Conducted multiple sclerosis classes.
- Delivery of in-service training and journal clubs.
- Instruction to, and supervision of physiotherapy assistants
Senior Physiotherapist (Pulmonary Rehabilitation)
Letterkenny University Hospital/HSE West
03.2020 - 06.2020
- Set up of telehealth clinics to support patients of the pulmonary rehabilitation team.
- Ran telehealth clinics for pulmonary rehab patients.
- Organised sleep studies and relayed results to consultant for NIV prescription.
- Liaised with PHN's GP's and Consultants to optimise management of patients during lockdown.
Senior Physiotherapist (COPD Outreach)
Letterkenny University Hospital/HSE West
Letterkenny
06.2012 - 02.2014
- Set up and development of COPD Outreach Service
- Education to medical and allied health professional staff hospital wide in relation to the COPD outreach programme
- Triaged patients in in ED, MAU and medical wards
- Facilitation of early discharge for patients post exacerbation of COPD - treatment in patient's home and monitoring via telephone
- Supervision of students
- Conduct assessments for pulmonary rehabilitation eligibility
- Facilitate delivery of in-patient hospital based pulmonary rehabilitation
- Delivered pulmonary rehabilitation classes in community setting
- Guided and supported patients with airway clearance techniques
- Liased with MDT re oxygen prescription and ventilatory support
- Review and support of inhaled medications
- Set up of satellite clinics
- Liaised closely with Respiratory consultant and pulmonary rehabilitation team
- Delivered journal clubs and In-service training
Senior Physiotherapist (Medical Wards)
Letterkenny University Hospital/HSE West
Letterkenny
11.2011 - 06.2012
- Provision of Physiotherapy assessment and treatment for patients with various medical conditions on medical wards
- Provision of Physiotherapy in the acute areas of coronary care, gerontology, oncology/haematology, cardiology, neurology
- There was a large respiratory caseload in this post. It included airway clearance for patients at various stages off illness, tracheostomy care and education of ward staff and family and carers in the community about tracheostomy care
- Supervision of students on clinical placement
- Delivery of in-service training and journal clubs.
- On call rota
Senior Physiotherapist (Primary Care)
Donegal Community Services
Ramelton and Letterkenny
03.2010 - 11.2011
- While in this role, at the request of management, I provided respiratory physiotherapy training for all physiotherapy staff working in adult primary care services across Donegal
- Supported patients in community settings with tracheostomies and cough assist devices
- Physiotherapy provision in Primary Care including musculoskeletal, neurology and gerontology
- Delivered Multiple Sclerosis classes, falls classes and acute neck pain advice group
- Provision of in-patient Physiotherapy to patients on community hospital ward
- Provision of Physiotherapy cover to Donegal Hospice
- Supervision of students on clinical placement
- Delivery of journal clubs and in-service training
Physiotherapist
Cystic Fibrosis Ireland
Donegal
03.2008 - 08.2011
- In this role I supported children and their families within their homes with airway clearance, including the use of breathing exercises and acapella pep, use of inhaled medications and exercise prescription.
- Education had a significant role in these sessions to build compliance with treatment.
Acting Senior Physiotherapist (Respiratory Care)
Letterkenny General Hospital
Letterkenny
04.2007 - 03.2010
- I oversaw the provision of Physiotherapy service to patients in Intensive care, medical respiratory ward, surgical ward and paediatrics.
- I significantly developed training of staff for on-call rota.
- Supervision of Physiotherapy Students on clinical placement.
- Tracheostomy care and development of Tracheostomy Guidelines as part of multi-disciplinary team.
- I delivered hospital wide education to nursing staff with regard to tracheostomy care.
- I facilitated education and training of patients, families and carers in tracheostomy care.
- Development of Physiotherapy service in Intensive care - introduction of Ventilator Hyperinflation as major quality improvement initiative within the respiratory physiotherapy management of ventilated patients.
- I provided education on Ventilator hyperinflation to the anaethetists and nurses working in ICU.
- From the paediatric ward, I did domicilliary visits to educate and train a family for cough assist use.
- I set up outpatient physiotherapy clinics for children with cystic fibrosis.
Basic Grade Physiotherapist (Rotational Post)
Letterkenny University Hospital/HSE West
Letterkenny
07.2004 - 09.2006
- Provision of Physiotherapy in orthopaedics, respiratory care, medical wards, out-patients (musculoskeletal) and women's health including delivery of ante-natal classes
- Delivery of and attendance at in-service training
Education
Master of Science - MSc Evidence Based Future Healthcare
University of Galway
Galway - In Progress01-2028
Bachelor of Science - Physiotherapy
University of Ulster, at Jordanstown
Northern Ireland05-2004
Skills
Clinical assessment and goal setting
Reflective practice
Critical thinking
Education provision to peers, other healthcare professionals, staff grades, students, patients, families, carers
Student and staff grade supervision and guidance
Communication
Caseload management
Service Development
Continuing Professional Development
I have completed numerous in person and on-line CPD accredited courses, including:
- Teaching and Learning in Clinical Education
- AI in Clinical Education
- Advanced Respiratory Care
- Autogenic Drainage
- Management of Paediatric Respiratory Patient
Timeline
Senior Physiotherapist (Pulmonary Rehabilitation)
Letterkenny University Hospital/HSE West
03.2020 - 06.2020
Senior Physiotherapist (Stroke and Medical Rehab)
Letterkenny University Hospital /HSE West
03.2014 - Current
Senior Physiotherapist (COPD Outreach)
Letterkenny University Hospital/HSE West
06.2012 - 02.2014
Senior Physiotherapist (Medical Wards)
Letterkenny University Hospital/HSE West
11.2011 - 06.2012
Senior Physiotherapist (Primary Care)
Donegal Community Services
03.2010 - 11.2011
Physiotherapist
Cystic Fibrosis Ireland
03.2008 - 08.2011
Acting Senior Physiotherapist (Respiratory Care)
Letterkenny General Hospital
04.2007 - 03.2010
Basic Grade Physiotherapist (Rotational Post)
Letterkenny University Hospital/HSE West
07.2004 - 09.2006
Master of Science - MSc Evidence Based Future Healthcare
University of Galway
Bachelor of Science - Physiotherapy
University of Ulster, at Jordanstown