Patient Care To undertake an assessment of patients using investigative and analytical skills. To formulate and deliver individual therapy treatment programmes. To work with the patient to ensure reasonable compliance with the treatment programme and adapt the programme if this proves difficult. To be responsible for maintaining accurate and comprehensive patient treatment records in line with local standards and the standards set by the professional body. To provide planned advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals, to promote understanding of the aims of therapy and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care. To occasionally work in community settings, which may include the patients home. To supervise less experienced staff and students within a care setting. To contribute to the on call and weekend working rotas as appropriate. To fully implement the trust infection control policy. To be aware of the need to ensure all adult and child protection policies are implemented. Analytical and Judgement Skills Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with those patients who lack the capacity to consent to treatment. To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients assigned to your caseload, including accessing data recorded by other staff and disciplines. To assess and manage clinical risk in your own patient caseload. To use the relevant therapeutic and manual handling advise in the treatment and handling of those patients. Physical Skills 1. To utilise acquired dexterous and manipulative skills for the treatment of patients. Communication and Relationships To take delegated responsibility from senior colleagues for the management of specific patients and ensure that these colleagues are kept informed of patients progress, reassessment and alterations of treatment programmes if required. Recommend the best course of therapeutic intervention and develop comprehensive discharge plans in consultation with the patient and family and other staff involved in the care of the patient. To represent your team and/or individual patients at multi-disciplinary team meetings, to ensure the delivery of a coordinated multi-disciplinary service including integrated therapy components. This will include the discussion of patient care, patients progress and involvement in discharge planning and will necessitate preparatory discussion with therapy colleagues. Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients (and their carers/relatives) to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes, to ensure understanding of a condition and to maximise rehabilitation potential. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating. For example, patients may be dysphasic, depressed, deaf, blind or who may be unable to accept their diagnosis. To use a range of communication skills including persuading, influencing, advising, motivating and training with patients and staff members. To occasionally deal with upset or angry patients or relatives. Freedom to Act When working in the community or domiciliary settings, to work as a lone practitioner with telephone support from senior colleagues as required. To work with autonomy within the guidelines of policies, procedures, codes of practice and departmental working practices which include informal and formal supervision. To use initiative in the management of the patient and caseload. Knowledge Training and Experience To be responsible for the safe and competent use of all treatment equipment, gym equipment and patient appliances and aids by yourself and the patients and their carers and other staff members including qualified and unqualified staff. To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of your own work through trust and professional body guidelines and to have a good working knowledge of national and local standards. To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities. To maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development. To fulfil an agreed personal development plan to meet knowledge and competency requirements. To maintain and develop current knowledge of evidenced based practice developing knowledge of particular conditions and patient types. To attend and participate in, in-service training programmes, clinical supervision, courses and peer review, which may include formal presentations. To be actively involved in Clinical Interest groups, Peer Review Groups and other professional development activities. To maintain a good working knowledge of procedures used within the job. To use knowledge of evidence-based practice and treatment options to formulate treatment plans including manual therapy skills, patient education, exercise classes, electrotherapy techniques, cognitive training and education. Education, Training and Development To train and supervise unqualified therapy assistants. This may include the use of formal appraisal documents. To assist in providing, when requested, clinical education and training to physiotherapy students at graduate level. To supervise less experienced staff and students within a care setting, including other professions.