Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Roles and Responsibilities

CLINICAL

· Be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of clinical work, including patient management and supporting therapy team members to uphold high standards.

· Conduct specialised assessments independently, including complex presentations, using advanced clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice to determine treatment plans.

· Provide expert assessment and advice to patients, ensuring understanding of the rehabilitation pathway to support informed consent and therapy engagement.

· Demonstrate advanced competence in treating a wide range of conditions, applying deep knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathology.

· Use analytical and investigative skills to develop treatment plans for individuals or contribute to protocols and guidelines.

· Be a key resource for care planning, regularly consulted by colleagues for expert guidance.

· Work autonomously, seeking advice from peers or senior MDT members when necessary.

· Actively contribute to MDT discussions, advising on medical pathologies and coordinating discharge planning with external agencies and healthcare professionals.

· Promote treatment understanding through education sessions for relatives, carers, and health professionals.

· Provide expert training and advice to professionals locally and internationally on patient management.

· Offer therapeutic guidance using evidence-based practice or advanced clinical judgment where evidence is limited.

· Refer patients to other health disciplines as appropriate, including for specialist opinions.

· Use advanced communication skills to set therapy goals with patients that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely.

· Monitor treatment progress, evaluate effectiveness, and adjust interventions as needed.

· Support junior physiotherapy and occupational therapy staff in developing clinical reasoning and treatment skills.

· Maintain accurate written records of assessments and treatments in line with trust standards, including use of dictation.

· Assess patient understanding to obtain valid consent and work within legal frameworks for those lacking capacity.

· Ensure safe provision of therapy equipment, including walking aids, in accordance with departmental standards.

· Understand and support the roles of physiotherapy and occupational therapy within the team, recognising limitations and accessing support when needed.

· Recognise and manage limitations in clinical practice and associated risks effectively.

· Ensure safe and competent use of therapy equipment and promote compliance across the team.

PROFESSIONAL

• Comply with therapy codes of professional conduct at all times.

• Be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of practice.

• Maintain accurate written records, including progress, discharge, legal, and disability reports.

• Engage in continuous professional development through self-education, reflection, and agreed postgraduate learning.

• Stay updated on new clinical practices and integrate them appropriately.

• Participate in the appraisal system as both appraisee and appraiser.

• Understand boundaries of extended practice and manage clinical risk effectively.

• Promote evidence-based practice in teaching and supervision of junior staff.

• Apply clinical governance and risk management principles to therapy services.

• Ensure therapy services align with national policy and clinical governance frameworks.

• Lead audits and evidence-based projects, implementing improvements with the multidisciplinary team.

• Maintain strict confidentiality in line with departmental, Trust, and professional standards.

ORGANISATIONAL

• Deliver efficient inpatient therapy services through strong leadership, organisation, and prioritisation.

• Strengthen links between physiotherapy and occupational therapy across Private and NHS teams.

• Manage own complex caseload alongside teaching, service development, and quality assurance.

• Develop flexible strategies for clinical education and service growth.

• Plan and manage therapy services, including care delivery, supervision, and strategic meetings.

• Use excellent time management to meet conflicting service demands.

• Lead therapy initiatives within your sub-directorate, identifying priorities and contributing to service development.

• Actively participate in working groups and key initiatives in Private Patients.

• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to ensure seamless care.

• Maintain patient records per professional, legal, and international standards.

• Track and report service statistics, ensuring team compliance.

• Uphold health and safety standards, recording incidents promptly.

• Implement and update organisational policies as needed.

• Lead recruitment processes and serve on interview panels as required.

• Attend networking events and participate in relevant training.

• Support audit and service development to enhance patient care.

• Oversee daily management of the therapy team, including teaching, appraisals, and performance matters.

• Ensure timely communication of clinical findings across disciplines.

COMMUNICATION

• Motivate and persuade patients and staff using advanced verbal, non-verbal, written, and electronic communication skills.

• Expertly communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, families, carers, and staff, overcoming barriers such as language, noise, privacy, or cognitive challenges.

• Clearly explain biomechanics, anatomy, and physiology, adapting delivery to the audience’s understanding and prior knowledge.

• Articulate the expert therapeutic perspective to medical colleagues and MDT members, negotiating patient management options.

• Communicate serious health issues empathetically, including poor prognoses, return-to-work limitations, or surgical needs.

• Manage emotionally challenging situations with sensitivity and professionalism.

• Maintain effective communication and liaison across staff involved in patient care, research, or policy development.

• Disseminate best practice guidelines and strategies, tailoring delivery to staff knowledge levels.

RESEARCH AND AUDIT

• Use specialist knowledge to lead clinical audit and research programmes within Private Patients.

• Provide regular feedback to the MDT on outcomes and complications via reports or presentations.

• Continuously evaluate and improve therapy services through research and audit.

• Align therapy services with national clinical governance policies, including effectiveness, risk management, and evidence-based care.

• Stay current with evidence-based practice through reading, training, and database searches.

• Develop and monitor departmental and national standards based on best evidence and ensure team compliance.

• Contribute to research and quality improvement initiatives for Private Patients.

EFFORT

• Perform assessments and treatments requiring moderate to high physical effort and sustained concentration daily.

• Adhere to manual handling policies at all times.

• Work in a dynamic environment with frequent interruptions and urgent demands.

• Support staff in managing challenging patients or situations.

• Handle distressing scenarios with empathy, including delivering difficult diagnoses or prognoses.

• Execute complex tasks using specialist manual techniques and equipment.