Job Title: Clinical Leader, Physiotherapy Inpatients

1. PURPOSE OF POSITION
The Clinical Leader Inpatient Physiotherapy will promote quality focused care through the provision of
advanced clinical skills, clinical leadership and the education of physiotherapy staff within the TDHB
Physiotherapy Team.

The position will involve leading the Inpatient Physiotherapy team and ensuring team and individual
performance; including staff orientation, clinical supervision, performance management and performance
reviews (in liaison with the Physiotherapy Professional Advisor/Coordinator).

2. ORGANISATIONAL VALUES
The Taranaki District Health Board (TDHB) is committed to the strategic actions and behaviours of
‘Work Together’:
• Treating people with trust, respect and compassion
• Communicating openly, honestly and acting with integrity
• Enabling professional and organisational standards to be met
• Support achievement and acknowledging successes
• Creating healthy and safe environments
• Welcoming new ideas

3. DIMENSIONS

Reports to: Physiotherapy Advisor/Coordinator

Number of people reporting to you 4
Financial limits authority nil
Operating Budget nil

4. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

External Internal
Other DHBs Physiotherapy Advisor Coordinator
AUT Case Managers
Community Providers Allied Health
Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand Nurses
Doctors
Physiotherapy team

Page 1 of 9
 Clinical Leader - Physiotherapy Inpatients
5. ACCOUNTABILITIES
Key area of responsibility
1. Clinical Duties
Effectively provides a quality
Physiotherapy Service to
Inpatient area and across TDHB
2. Clinical Leadership
Provides clinical leadership to
the Inpatient Physiotherapy
Team and across the TDHB
Physiotherapy Service
Last Updated: September 2017
Expected outcomes
• The Clinical Leader Inpatient Physiotherapist
undertakes/manages an appropriate clinical caseload.
• Clinical caseload is managed using best practice
guidelines; is client focused and adheres to department
standards, professional code of ethics and other
legislative requirements.
• A personal caseload is managed within the Inpatient
Physiotherapy service and across the Taranaki District
Health Board to meet the needs of the service.
• Conducts assessments within the ward, out-patient
clinic, community (as appropriate).
• Formulates clinical hypothesis and negotiates goals and
management plan in conjunction with client,
family/whanau and other involved parties.
• Ensures a multidisciplinary team concept is utilised
when indicated.
• Evaluates outcomes throughout the intervention
process and discontinues intervention as appropriate.
• Carries out specialised assessments for ACC, Ministry of
Health and other agencies making
recommendations/applications for clients short/long
term needs. This may include specialised equipment,
orthotics, splints as appropriate.
• Provides education to client, family/whanau as
indicated.
• Attends all appropriate clinics, meetings and ward
rounds (as appropriate) to ensure high quality client are
and maintain professional image/standards.
• Relief cover is provided for other staff as required.
• Provides advanced/specialised clinical skills to Inpatient
Physiotherapy team and assists with the management
of complex cases/needs.
• Supports team members at clinics, meetings and ward
rounds (as appropriate).
• Provides advanced/specialised clinical skills, support
and mentoring to the wider TDHB Physiotherapy Team.
• Supports the development of staff through clinical
supervision/mentoring.
• Acts as an effective clinical role model.
• Ensures the Inpatient Physiotherapy Inservice training is
run.
• Is actively involved in the inpatient physiotherapy
Inservice training programme.
• Ensures on-call training is completed by all appropriate
physiotherapy staff.
• Provides clinical supervision for the on-call rostered
physiotherapy staff.
Page 2 of 9
 Clinical Leader - Physiotherapy Inpatients
3. Service Delivery
Ensures an effective and
efficient Physiotherapy service
is maintained
Last Updated: September 2017
• Is actively involved in the provision/delivery of the
TDHB Physiotherapy departmental in-service
programme.
• Ensures all Team members have professional
development plans – annual/rotational as appropriate.
• Implements and completes performance appraisals for
Inpatient Physiotherapy team members.
• Highlights performance management issues to the
Physiotherapy Professional Advisor/Coordinator.
• Implements and reviews performance management
strategies on day to day basis.
• Implements and reviews significant performance
management issues with Physiotherapy Professional
Advisor Coordinator and HR.
• Works in liaison with the Physiotherapy Clinical School
Co-ordinator to organise AUT Student placements.
• Provides clinical supervision and education for AUT
Physiotherapy students.
• Acts as liaison between Inpatient Physiotherapy Team
and with respective MDT members.
• Reports to management upon request and attends
relevant management meetings.
• Provides cover for the Physiotherapy Professional
Advisor/Coordinator as requested.
• Delegates tasks as necessary.
• Screens referrals for appropriateness and prioritises
referrals according to departmental protocol.
• Ensures effective and safe physiotherapy is maintained
at all times.
• Ensures an equitable, responsive and culturally
appropriate service is delivered.
• Response to patient referral to be timely and
appropriate (within staffing levels).
• Promotes a multidisciplinary team approach (as
appropriate).
• Equipment and resources are tracked according to
departmental policy/procedure.
• Ensures contracted outputs are met.
• Ensures all statistical data is collected for invoicing and
billing (as appropriate) by self and the Inpatient
Physiotherapy Team.
• Ensures the physiotherapy on-call roster is written and
circulated.
• Actively supports the Physiotherapy Professional
Advisor/Coordinator and other Physiotherapy staff to
maintain standards of physiotherapy practice and
profile within TDHB.
• Assists the Physiotherapy Professional
Advisor/Coordinator in the organisation of rostered
practice and day-to-day staff management for Inpatient
Physiotherapy areas and overall provision of services.
Page 3 of 9
 Clinical Leader - Physiotherapy Inpatients
4. Teamwork and
Communication
Works effectively with team,
colleagues, clients,
family/whanau and others
(within and external to TDHB) to
maintain effective therapeutic
and working relationships
5. Service Development
The Physiotherapist promotes
service development
Last Updated: September 2017
• Co-ordinates leave requests (annual, study and
sickness) and cover arrangements within the Inpatient
Team in conjunction with the Physiotherapy
Professional Advisor/Co-ordinator.
• Assists in the management of complaints.
• Ensures resources are allocated to meet service
demands.
• Works with the Physiotherapy Advisor/coordinator to
develop and review departmental policies and
procedures.
• Works with the Physiotherapy Advisor/Co-ordinator to
develop and maintain departmental quality plan.
• Assists in the recruitment and orientation of new staff
members, including participation in interviews.
• Physiotherapy interventions are client- centred.
• Services provided respect cultural beliefs, attitudes and
practices.
• Following consent, effective communication occurs
between client, family/whanau and other involved
parties.
• Actively fosters team approach and open consultation
with own team and between teams.
• Ensures effective communication with physiotherapy
colleagues and MDT across TDHB as appropriate.
• Successful relationships are formed and maintained
between referral agents and physiotherapy service.
• Develops and maintains relationships with external
agencies; such as ACC, WINZ, IMW, Enable funding as
appropriate.
• Liaises with relevant internal teams, external
agencies/support groups/providers as appropriate.
• Attends all MDT meetings, case conferences or family
meetings as appropriate.
• Attends Physiotherapy Clinical Leaders Meeting and
Service management meetings.
• Consults with the Physiotherapy Advisor/Coordinator
on relevant physiotherapy issues.
• Meets regularly with Physiotherapy
Advisor/Coordinator and advises on
issues/developments/trends/equipment needs.
• Able to utilise TDHB computer and telecommunications
systems.
• Assists Physiotherapy Advisor/coordinator in
development of Physiotherapy service.
• Initiates and participates in development of
physiotherapy service.
• Supports physiotherapy team in service development.
Page 4 of 9
 Clinical Leader - Physiotherapy Inpatients
6. Professional Practice
Acts in compliance with ethical,
legal, professional and safety
requirements
7. Personal Professional
Development
Continual education and self
development ensures excellent
customer service
Organisational Accountabilities
Health Equity
Last Updated: September 2017
• Physiotherapy practices are maintained at all times in
accordance with the Code of Ethics for the profession,
Physiotherapy Professional Standards of Practice and
other legislative requirements.
• Actions of self and team comply with statutory
legislation requirements and external standards (e.g.
Health & Safety, Enable Accreditation).
• Actions of self and team are in accordance with TDHB
and Physiotherapy service policies, protocols and
procedures.
• Client records/reports are completed in accordance
with TDHB Physiotherapy policy.
• ACC contract requirements for service
delivery/reporting and invoicing are met.
• Accredited assessor status is achieved and maintained
as appropriate.
• Maintains CPD logbook and portfolio as required by
HPCAA.
• Has career development plan (through Performance
Appraisal) and updated at least annually.
• Actively seeks feedback on performance.
• Attends and is actively involved in Inpatient
Physiotherapy team in-services, departmental in-
service training sessions and supervision.
• Accredited assessor status is achieved and maintained
as appropriate.
• ACC credentialling status specific to individual contract
requirements is achieved and maintained (as
appropriate).
• Applies new knowledge and shares with the team to
improve service delivery.
• New responsibilities accepted and old responsibilities
delegated.
Expected Outcome for all Managers and Team Leaders
The TDHB strives to eliminate health inequalities and achieve
health equity for the Taranaki population. In practical terms
this means all Managers, Team Leaders and roles with
responsibility for managing staff, are required to implement
relevant health equity policies, procedures, approaches and
guidelines issued from time to time including:
• Implementing the Pae Ora Framework which requires:
o Demonstrating the principles of Partnership,
Participation and Protection under the Treaty of
Waitangi;
o improving understanding of the determinants of ethnic
inequalities in health, in particular the “Drivers of ethnic
inequalities in health” and the “Pathways to Inequalities”
both of which are referenced in the TDHB Pae Ora
Page 5 of 9
 Clinical Leader - Physiotherapy Inpatients
Organisational Accountabilities
Health and Safety
Last Updated: September 2017
Expected Outcome for all Managers and Team Leaders
Framework, Appendix 1;
o Enabling Māori participation in design and delivery of
services;
o Ensuring Health Equity assessment is undertaken with
appropriate input where services, policies or
programmes are expected to improve outcomes for
Māori;
o Ensuring appropriate health literacy responses are
developed and implemented to support effective
engagement with and delivery for Māori and high needs
communities;
• Taking affirmative action to increase the Māori workforce
within your team according to the Māori workforce targets
set for the TDHB;
• Providing leadership for self and team to:
o Review clinical practice and those of your peers, through
a health equity and quality lens;
o ensure collection of high-quality ethnicity data according
to the TDHB Ethnicity Data Collection Policy and
procedures;
o audit, monitor and evaluate health impact and outcome
data to improve the delivery of high-quality health care
for Māori;
• Provide critical analysis of those organisational practices
that maintain disparities in health care.
The Taranaki DHB is committed to ensuring that a safe and
healthy work environment is achieved and maintained. All
Team Leaders and Managers will support the DHB’s health and
safety culture by:
• Planning, organising and managing health and safety
activities directed at preventing harm and promoting health
and wellbeing in the workplace.
• Following, implementing and ensuring compliance of all
Health and Safety policies, procedures and processes.
• Working closely with and supporting the Health and Safety
Representative(s) role.
• Ensuring a safe working environment and work practices
through risk and hazard identification and management.
• Ensuring health and safety is a standard agenda item in all
meetings.
• Ensuring health and safety reported events are followed up
and closed off within required timeframes.
• Ensuring health and safety audit activity occur; results
reviewed and improvement actions implemented.
• Ensuring health and safety management accountability for
all direct reports is monitored and reviewed as part of the
performance review process.
• Actively supports staff rehabilitation and provides return to
work options.
• Ensuring health and safety related Key Performance
Page 6 of 9
 Clinical Leader - Physiotherapy Inpatients

Organisational Accountabilities
Personal Development
Expected Outcome for all Managers and Team Leaders
Indicators are measured, reported and performance
monitored.
• Fully contributes to the individuals team performance and
is committed to identify and pursue opportunities for
developing new knowledge and skills.
• Participates in the performance appraisal process where
personal performance and development is reviewed.
• Willing to accept new responsibilities, acquire and
demonstrate relevant new knowledge.

6. VARIATION TO DUTIES
Duties and responsibilities described above should not be construed as a complete and exhaustive
list as it is not the intention to limit in any way the scope or functions of the position. Duties and
responsibilities can be amended from time to time either by additional, deletion or straight
amendment to meet any changing conditions, however this will only be done in consultation with the
employee.

Last Updated: September 2017 Page 7 of 9

 Clinical Leader - Physiotherapy Inpatients

7. CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS
Capabilities are the behaviours demonstrated by a person performing the job. Capabilities identify
what makes a person most effective in a role. Those listed below are expected for Manager and
Team Leader roles in the organisation. The required capabilities can change as the organisation
develops and the roles change.

Capability

Be a Values Leader
Understand own leadership style; develop self; display trust and integrity; be resilient and
adaptable.
Engage Others
Develop others; motivate and empower; demonstrate care and respect; communicate effectively;
foster a positive culture.
Develop coalitions
Builde constructive relationships; create oportunities for thinking and working across boundaries;
promotoe and demonstrate diversity of thinking, ideas and approaches; display team work and
lead collaboratively.
Leading care
Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of care and the needs of those providing and
receiving care; connect DHBs purpose and values to unit’s work; model responsibility and
accountability; identify & implement strategy and tactics for achieving the purpose; demonstrate a
commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi; maximise the contribution of all staff to
identify and remove barriers to addressing inequalities; achieve results related to the provision of
great care.
Mobilise system improvement
Establish evidence based decisions; enable a culture of continuous improvements; establish the
change imperative; demonstrate organisational and political agility; identify innovations and
support their adoption; nurture organisational learning.

Effective Communication
Shares well thought out, concise and timely information with others using appropriate mediums.
Ensures information gets to the appropriate people within the organisation to facilitate effective
decision making

Decision Making/Problem Solving

Demonstrates effective and timely decision making/problem solving techniques. Aware of the
impact of decisions on key stakeholders and consults as appropriate utilizing available resources. Is
proactive and effective when problem solving is required.

Innovation/Initiative
Continually strives for new and improved work processes that will result in greater effectiveness
and efficiencies. Questions traditional ways of doing things when choosing a course of action or
finds new combinations of old elements to form an innovatve solution.

Last Updated: September 2017 Page 8 of 9

 Clinical Leader - Physiotherapy Inpatients

Capability

Resilience/Flexibility
Articulates differing perspectives on a problem and will see the merit of alternative points of view.
Will change or modify own opinons and will switch to other strategies when necessary. Adjusts
behaviour to the demands of the work environment in order to remain productive through periods
of transition, ambiguity, uncertainty and stress.

Cultural Safety
Demonstrates a commitment to cultural safety by meeting and exceeding the cultural needs of
clients/customers/colleagues. Manages cultural ambiguity and conflicting priorities well.
Understands concepts of whanaungatanga and manaakitanga and Maori cultural orientation to
whanau, hapu and iwi.

Teamwork
Works to build team spirit, facilitates resolution of conflict within the team, promotes/protects
team reputation, shows commitment to contributing to the teams success

8. EDUCATION

Physiotherapy degree or Diploma.

NZ registration and a NZ Annual practising certificate.
Relevant post graduate training or studies

9. SKILLS

Ability to lead a team.

Experience in developing and implementing quality initiatives.
Expertise in inpatient physiotherapy work.
Excellent interpersonal skills: communication, team effectiveness, conflict resolution and ability to
work collaboratively.
Excellent time management skills, including initiative and flexibility.
Computer literacy.
A sound knowledge of Quality Assurance and accreditation principles.
Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.

10. EXPERIENCE

Minimum 3 years experience with 3 years within Inpatient setting.

Experience leading a team or supervising other physiotherapists or students.

Last Updated: September 2017 Page 9 of 9