Physiotherapists are autonomous health professionals who are responsible for developing, maintaining or restoring motor function and movement throughout the lifespan using evidence-based practice. They relieve pain and treat or prevent physical conditions associated with injury, disease or other impairments. Physiotherapists empower patients and their carers to manage the condition outside clinical settings. They work within their scope of practice and their professional Code of Conduct.
A specialised area of physiotherapy for the management of neuro-musculoskeletal conditions, based on clinical reasoning, using highly specific treatment approaches including manual techniques and therapeutic exercises.
The characteristics and methods of a surgical intervention performed in emergency cases.
Medical specialty dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening conditions.
Obstetrics and gynaecology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
Treatment focused on the management of the airways in various medical conditions or situations such as emergency or trauma.
The essential procedures in surgical practice such as the principle of safe surgery, the pathophysiology of wound healing, knot tying, tissue handling, retraction and any other instruments and procedures used in the operating room.
The use of mechanical means to understand the function and structure of biological organisms.
The emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.
General medicine is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
Geriatrics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
The dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and altered anatomy and physiology throughout the human lifespan.
The science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.
The study of movement and its causes.
The managerial tasks and responsibilities required in a health care setting.
The processes and tools used for the analysis and dissemination of medical data through computerized systems.
The meaning of medical terms and abbreviations, of medical prescriptions and various medical specialties and when to use it correctly.
Neurology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
Orthopaedics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
Paediatrics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
Pharmacology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
The natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.
Psychiatry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
The human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.
The methods and procedures used to help an ill or injured person restore lost skills and regain self-sufficiency and control.
The group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
Massage techniques used to relieve pain and alleviate other symptoms associated with a number of different medical conditions.
No competences in this bucket.
Accept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.
Comply with and apply the main points of health well-being and safety policy and procedures, in accordance with employer's policies. Report health and safety risks that have been identified and follow the appropriate procedures if an accident or injury should occur.
Adjust physiotherapy interventions based on re-evaluation of the client`s response to treatment.
Ensure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.
Advocate for health promotion, well-being and disease or injury prevention on behalf of clients and the profession to enhance community, public and population health.
Apply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within one`s own scope of practice.
Collect qualitative and quantitative data related to the healthcare user's anagraphic data and provide support on filling out the present and past history questionnaire and record the measures/tests performed by the practitioner.
Apply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associations and authorities.
Undertake physiotherapy assessment, incorporating data collected from subjective, physical examinations and information derived from other relevant sources, maintaining clients` safety, comfort and dignity during assessment.
Contribute to the delivery of coordinated and continuous healthcare.
Participate in activities that promote quality, particularly in the acquisition and evaluation of equipment, resources, safe storage and supply management.
Recognise when a particpant performs a movement that could cause short or long term damage to the body. Respond with verbal instructions and/or physical demonstration to ensure competence is achieved.
Develop a safe, effective and efficient quality physiotherapy service.
Organise discharge planning, when applicable, across a range of healthcare settings, communicating effectively and ensuring that the client and carers are involved in the decision making process.
Organise transfer of care, when applicable, across a range of healthcare settings, communicating effectively and ensuring that the patient/client and carers are involved in the decision making process.
Contribute to the development of systems, policies and procedures for the provision of physiotherapy services, sharing knowledge and contributing to internal and external learning opportunities.
Maintain the individual therapeutic relationship to engage the individual's innate healing capacities, to achieve active collaboration in the health education and healing process and to maximise the potential of healthy change.
Employ cognitive behavioural treatment techniques for those whose treatment involves cognitive re-training, addressing dysfunctional emotions, maladaptive behaviours and cognitive processes and contents through a variety of systematic procedures.
Undertake different levels of engagement in research activities to improve the quality of, and evidence base for, physiotherapy.
Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.
Formulate a treatment plan and evaluation (analysis) based on collected data following assessment using a clinical reasoning process.
Maintain the physiotherapy equipment and supplies, ensuring that equipment is safe and fit for purpose.
Recruit, train, manage, develop and supervise physiotherapy staff where appropriate, ensuring provision of a clinically effective service to clients, recognising the need for further training both for oneself and other physiotherapy staff.
Use a problem-solving approach to develop and measure recommendations for improving the quality of professional practice in increasingly unpredictable contexts, contributing to change and development within the profession or service at a local, regional or national level.
Prescribe healthcare products, when indicated, for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to the client`s needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice, national and practice protocols and within scope of practice.
Promote adherence to local, regional, national and EU Health and Safety legislation, policies, guidelines and protocols.
Provide information on therapeutic outcomes and any inherent risks to the client making sure he/she understands, acting in accordance with ethical principles and local/national policies where the client does not have the capacity to understand.
Provide the necessary support to facilitate learning for clients, carers, students, peers, support workers and other healthcare practitioners by assessing the learner`s development needs and preferences, designing agreed formal and informal outcomes of learning and delivering materials that facilitate learning and development.
Provide a physiotherapy diagnosis/clinical impression of the client`s condition, working with the client to identify impairments, activity and participation limitations resulting from illness, injury and/or ageing, undertaking a holistic approach.
Provide services to patients who have suffered from stroke, helping them relearn skills that are lost when part of the brain is damaged.
Identify possible treatment protocols for the challenges to human health within a given community in cases such as infectious diseases of high consequences at the global level.
Record the healthcare user's progress in response to treatment by observing, listening and measuring outcomes.
Make referrals to other professionals, based on the healthcare user's requirements and needs, especially when recognising that additional healthcare diagnostics or interventions are required.
Supervise and provide learning opportunities for physiotherapist assistants.
Triage clients for physiotherapy, prioritising their assessment and indicating where additional services are required.
Use mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.
Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.
Adhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.
Employ a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and sustainably, and show flexibility when required.
Check the new clients' health conditions to assess their suitability for participation.
Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.
Comply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.
Conduct research in health related topics and communicate findings orally, through public presentations or by writing reports and other publications.
Contribute to the rehabilitation process to enhance activity, functioning and participation using a person-centered and evidence-based approach.
Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.
Assess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.
Develop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.
Offer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and health conditions. Provide advice on the identification of risks leading to ill health and help to increase the patients' resilience by targeting prevention and early intervention strategies.
Understand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence. Demonstrate a concern for their welfare and handle according to the personal boundaries, sensitivities, cultural differences and preferences of the client and patient in mind.
Follow agreed protocols and guidelines in support of healthcare practice which are provided by healthcare institutions, professional associations, or authorities and also scientific organisations.
Provide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.
Communicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.
Interpret, integrate and apply results of diagnostic imaging, laboratory tests and other investigations as part of the assessment of the client, in consultation with other healthcare practitioners.
Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.
Manage a healthcare unit budget. Collaborate in budget planning processes including cost of supplies needed for adequate health services and management.
Improve the quality and safe delivery of healthcare, placing special emphasis on identifying those circumstances that place clients, their families and carers, staff, students and others at risk of harm and act to prevent or control those risks.
Keep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, written and electronic) are treated confidentially.
Promote and respect diversity, and advocate for equal treatment of genders, ethnicities and minority groups in organisations in order to prevent discrimination and ensure inclusion and a positive environment.
Provide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.
Provide evidence-based information and strategies on self management to the client.
Cope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.
Supervise, educate and provide learning opportunities for physiotherapy students.
Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
Interact, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.
No competences in this bucket.
The practice used to treat diseases or maintain overall health using water.
Prevention and treatement of injuries or conditions resulted from a physical activity or sport.
No competences in this bucket.
Carry out fitness assessments to establish fitness and skill level and analyse information relating to individual clients.
Use procedures involving the stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques, such as penetrating the skin with thin, metallic needles manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation in order to relieve pain or achieve other therapeutic benefits.
Prescribe medications, when indicated, for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to the client`s needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice, national and practice protocols and within scope of practice.
Apply massage therapy to relieve patient's pain by using various specialised techniques.
Use foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.
Communicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.