KEY DUTIES To provide a broad range of expert, complex Therapeutic advice to patients carers for a wide range of medical conditions to meet varying complex needs. Advice on treatments may need to be given where there is no national or professional consensus to assessment and treatment. To make recommendations to the Cardiac Pulmonary and Respiratory Team and other Health Professionals regarding Therapy needs of patients. To ensure effective internal and external 2-way communication with patients, carers and all other Health and Social Care Professionals to negotiate, review and adapt care plans and in all aspects of patient care ensuring the holistic care of patients. To demonstrate skills of active listening and respond to verbal and non-verbal cues of your patients or their careers, recognising and dealing with their concerns. To provide and receive complex information which requires empathy and reassurance. Communicating where there may be barriers to understanding, or when patients/their carers may be finding difficulty dealing with their diagnosis and where skills such as motivational interviewing and counselling are required. To accurately record all assessments and interventions on Therapy records, and in relevant nursing and medical records in line with Trust Policy, ensuring that the data is inputted onto the Trusts data collection/Information systems. To lead and contribute to the production and evaluation of resources produced by the department e.g. information and training packs, advice leaflets etc. Liaise with Therapists across the region and refer to other health professionals to ensure appropriate care pathways for those patients seeking information outside your area of skills and knowledge. Liaise with colleagues at other Hospitals to ensure a seamless transfer of care between hospitals. To be a member of the multi-disciplinary team and actively participate in M.D.T. meetings and case conferences. To provide cover and when necessary, deputise for other team leaders and Therapy Managers during periods of annual leave/sickness. CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES To ensure compliance to all Trust Risk Management, Research Governance and Infection Control Policies and Procedures and abide by the Standards for Better Health. Undertake appropriate mandatory training in infection control and comply with all Trust Infection Control Policies relevant to the post, particularly about the Hand Hygiene Policy. To work within agreed professional and local codes of practice produced by the Health Care Professions Council, CSP, the organisation and the department. To maintain own personal security and that of others you meet and the security of the departments and trusts property. Take responsibility for managing own health and wellbeing. To ensure that any equipment, furniture or building in need of repair is reported to the correct authority as necessary. To actively participate in the Departmental Governance/Quality Framework. To undertake clinical audit and research and ensure compliance with all Trust Research governance procedures. To critically analyse research papers and other relevant data on new treatment techniques national guidelines/legislation in the specialist area and use data to inform any changes in practice/resource/clinical implications e.g. NSF/NICE guidelines. To lead the development, monitoring, and evaluation of evidence-based guidelines/standards of good practice in the specialist area and participate in Trust-wide implementation. To ensure advice offered to patients is based on the best available clinical evidence. To comply with the Data Protection Act and Caldicott recommendations. To maintain confidentiality of verbal and written information containing personal and clinical details of both colleagues and patients. TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES To provide leadership, training, and mentoring/supervision for less experienced Therapists. To lead the planning, organisation, delivery, and evaluation of training for other health care staff such as health care assistants, doctors, nurses and catering staff and patient/carer groups appropriate to specialist area. To take part in the appraisal process to identify your needs for Continuing Professional Development, to facilitate evidence-based practice, to keep updated on current trends, developments and practices in the field of cardiology, heart failure and respiratory and maintain Health Care Professions Council registration. To actively maintain and develop the specialist skills required of a highly skilled Therapist by participating in reflective practice, attending in-service training, medical rounds, relevant national courses, clinical specialist groups, clinical supervision, and peer review. To disseminate information from training attended as required. To participate in the delivery of student training programmes and work experience programmes when appropriate. To organise and lead training programmes for colleagues on the specialist area of Rehabilitation as necessary. LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES To be responsible for the delivery of care within this Therapy Team including the supervision of other staff and ensure where necessary their adherence to Trust HR practices. To provide leadership representing Therapy on relevant groups and working parties within advising on cardiac or respiratory matters as required on a local and regional level. To supervise and provide clinical support to less experienced Therapy staff (qualified and unqualified) and undertake appraisals and supervision. To use clinical expertise and respond to national and local plans and strategies in relation to medicine and surgery to advise on service developments, caseload management, and contribute to service modernisation and business planning. To assist/deputise for Therapy Manager including the supervision of junior staff, Students and Assistants when required to do so. To be responsible for the timely and accurate collection of such statistics/records as are required nationally and departmentally and to ensure that confidentiality is maintained. To ensure services are provided and evidenced in line with EBP. To produce ad hoc reports and an annual report of activity and development of specialist area for key stakeholders and line manager.