Clinical Scientist - Derby Gait And Movement Laboratory
CurrentAs registered Clinical Scientist, I am the Technical Lead in our laboratory where we use various technologies in the instrumented gait analysis of patients of all ages with conditions such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, Parkinson’s, diabetes, head injury and general orthopaedic issues. Main equipment currently includes:• 10 camera infra-red motion analysis system for measurement of gait kinematics using retroreflective markers• 4 piezoelectric forceplates for measurement of ground reaction forces in walking• 8 wireless probe, surface EMG system for measurement of muscle activity • 1m pedobarograph for measurement and visualisation of plantar pressure distribution• 3 camera bi-planar video system for synchronised visualisation of gait in sagittal and coronal planesGait Analysis may be to inform physio, orthotic or surgical intervention or to assess suitability for Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES), an assistive technology we provide which delivers small electrical pulses to the tibialis anterior muscle, aiding patients who have a foot drop.Supervising our Technologist, we are responsible for upkeep, calibration, and optimisation of the lab technology, ensuring high quality data is acquired for interpretation. The multidisciplinary clinical team includes myself and two Physiotherapists and so I manage a clinical caseload, leading assessments of patients and presenting findings at multidisciplinary team meetings with Orthopaedic or Neurology Consultants.Other duties include: QA test design and implementation • Overseeing lab’s compliance with Clinical Movement Analysis Society (CMAS) standards • Auditing of other Gait services to assess compliance with CMAS standards • Clinical Examination of patients • Delivering in-service training • Supervision of STP Clinical Scientist trainee ‘rehabilitation engineering’ placements • research projects and clinical audit• Presentation of work within trust and at national conferences
