To perform the advanced physiotherapeutic assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients within this specialist field who may have complex physical and psychological conditions and / or chronic presentation. He / She will play a key role in the development implementation and evaluation of specialist physiotherapy rehabilitation programmes and packages of care. As an experienced physiotherapist the job holder will assist in co-ordinating the activities of the team ensuring efficient and effective service provision. He / She will be required to ensure effective communication is maintained at all times, whilst providing training, supervision and clinical expertise to qualified and unqualified staff and students. As a lead clinician in this specialist, the job holder will act as a role model to the physiotherapy team, promoting quality evidence based practice, developing the physiotherapy team and contributing to the effective management of the team in the absence of the Clinical Physiotherapy Manager. 3. JOB DIMENSIONS The post holder will be responsible for managing their own individual caseload which will be varied and on occasions require prioritisation to best meet the service demands. To undertake all aspects of work as an autonomous practitioner within the specialist field He / She will be required to support the Clinical Physiotherapy Manager in the day to day management of this team of physiotherapists, support staff and students. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED Qualifications Degree or equivalent Attendance on relevant post graduate courses Experience Extensive post graduate experience working at a senior level in this clinical field Working with a wide range of professionals including medical, nursing, and therapy and management colleagues Skills Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing within a unit and multi professional team Ability to prioritise, organise and allocate workload Ability to teach, supervise and assess qualified, unqualified staff and students Time management skills Clinical leadership Knowledge Sound knowledge of clinical speciality acquired through in depth experience and / or academic study to post graduate level or equivalent Working knowledge of current professional issues and those influencing the NHS Standards of professional practice Personal Attributes Professional and patient focused Flexible, adaptable, capable of lateral thinking Excellent interpersonal skills Ability to work independently or as part of a team 8. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS Established clinical expertise Teaching skills with ability to use various media Communication skills Time management skills Team player Professional Understanding of the process of change Research conscious 9. CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING An understanding of the organisational structure and working practices of this organisation with regard to the provision of high quality physiotherapy services to this specialist area To have a working knowledge of and be guided by broad professional / clinical policies and standards e.g. those set by Charted Society of Physiotherapy, the Health Professionals Council and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. 9. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY Clinical To be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own relating to the assessment and treatment of patients in your care undertaking clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner. To undertake the comprehensive assessment and treatment of patients including those with diverse / complex / multi pathological presentation. This will necessitate the use of advanced investigative and analytical skills to formulate an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan from a range of options. Using advanced investigative and analytical skills to formulate individualised management and treatment plans. To accept clinical responsibility for designated caseload of patients within this specialist field and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time. To develop and deliver the physiotherapy element of the rehabilitation programme, and on occasion to deliver some elements normally undertaken by nursing or occupational therapy colleagues. To be active member of the out of hours service. The working pattern will require flexibility including seven days working to ensure safe and effective service provision. Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients to progress treatment and rehabilitation programmes. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding, communication or have challenging behaviour. Ability to work in a stressful environment imparting complex information regarding poor rehabilitation prognosis on a daily basis. Ability to deal effectively with emotional and / or aggressive patients and / or carers on a daily basis this will necessitate the use of developed communications skills e.g. the ability to negotiate, motivate and reassure. Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the knowledge to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment. To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management and support more junior staff to do likewise. Formulate and deliver specialised physiotherapy treatment programmes based on a sound knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options using clinical assessment, reasoning skills and knowledge of treatment options e.g. manual physiotherapy techniques, patient education, exercise classes, electrotherapy techniques and other alternative options. To represent the physiotherapy service and / or individual patients at multi-disciplinary team meetings, to ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service and integration of physiotherapy treatment. This will include discussion of patient care, patient progress and involvement in discharge planning. In the absence of the Clinical Physiotherapy Manager to represent the trust externally (locally, regionally and nationally) regarding physiotherapy services provided to the group patients. Education and Training To provide spontaneous and planned specialist advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals, to promote understanding of the aims of physiotherapy, and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care. To effectively communicate complex clinical information with patients and carers to maximise rehabilitation potential and to ensure understanding of their condition. To be an active member of the in-service training programme. You will be responsible for the provision of specialist teaching to peers and juniors on a range of subjects through the delivery of in-service training sessions, tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses and peer review. To co-ordinate and deliver core training within the speciality to qualified and unqualified physiotherapy staff and students. To train, supervise and performances manage more junior staff, technical instructors, assistants and students on a daily basis. This will include the use of formal appraisal documentation. To provide daily support, guidance and training to more junior staff support workers and students assessing, evaluating and ensuring competence. To provide highly specialist advice, teaching and training to physiotherapy colleagues and other members of the MDT regarding the medical and physiotherapy management of this group of patients. Professional and Managerial Maintain and develop current knowledge of evidence based practice in this specialist clinical field. As a senior member of the clinical team you will be required to ensure that you implement policy and service development changes and ensure that others do likewise. To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through continued professional development activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects your own personal development. To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing and therapy colleagues to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service. This will include case conferences, ward rounds and discharge planning as appropriate. To participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraise and appraiser and be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development programmes to meet set knowledge and competencies. To regularly undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of evidence based practice projects, audit and outcome measures, either individually or with colleagues. Make recommendations for change as appropriate. To demonstrate an understanding of clinical governance and risk management and apply to work situation. To maintain own continuing professional development (CPD) by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments, incorporating them as necessary into your work. To so supervise and co-ordinate physiotherapy staff within your area on a day to day basis. In the absence of the Clinical Physiotherapy Manager you may be required to participate in working parties developing policy changes within clinical support services which will impact on service users. To assist the Clinical Physiotherapy Manager and head of service in developing the strategic and operational management of the physiotherapy service provided to this specialist area. To regularly undertake the collection of data for use in service and research projects. To undertake research into specific areas of clinical practice and service delivery using a range of research initiatives making recommendations for change as appropriate.