How A Newly Graduated Physiotherapist Can Prepare For Employment Using Self Analysis

Throughout personal professional development reflection is essential, allowing health care professionals to self-develop by revisiting events and analysing areas in which improvements and learning would ensure a positive impact on their future practice. The Nursing and Midwifery Council, (NMC, 2010) notes that all health care practitioners must be self-aware in their own values and principles which could affect their practice. Ensuring they maintain personal and professional development while learning through supervision, feedback and reflection.

2.1 Evaluate prior learning and work-related experience to identify personal strength and weaknesses in self-development.

In health and social care there are benchmarks and standards that I can use to measure my own ability against, like the ‘care quality commission standards’ and ‘codes of practice’. By comparing my work against these standards I can improve on the areas that I am failing in, by setting goals of what I need to learn and targets to complete it by.

Developing personal skills is expanding an individual’s knowledge so that they can make wiser decisions about their health through gaining information provided and having access to the information.

In my previous profession I was continuously required to assess how well my own knowledge, skills and understanding meet professional standards by reflecting on my own practices and the achievement of the students in my care. I reflected on my work activities and any notable incidents, discussing any identified issues with the Head.

The first skill I trust I have achieved during my placement is under the Critical thinking and analysis domain. This competence involves the use of suitable strategies to manage personal reaction towards professional work environment. During my placement, I succeeded to identify and make use of nursing support systems.

‘Developing Personal Skills’ refers to the provision of information, education and training to supply an individual with the skills to make informed decisions regarding their health.

Ability to reflect on own practice and development needs and maintain a plan for personal development

This experience prepares the student for the realities of professional practice, acquiring the knowledge skills and attributes to become a safe, competent practitioner (Mcallister 2001, cited in Midgley 2006). Educational audits by the clinical lead universities monitor clinical learning environments for their appropriateness of learning provision, enabling the ward to facilitate change if necessary to ensure continuing suitability as a clinical placement (NMC 2008).

I am learning about the significance of being committed to patient care and dedicating your life's work to the betterment of every patient. I possess a strong academic history as well as a willingness to commit my time to uplifting of my community. Even as a student who has had some hiccups academically, I am proving that I can overcome adversity and "keep my eyes on prize". Furthermore, I am devoted to being the future of physical therapy and displaying selflessness, dedication, compassion, distinction and authenticity. I have learned to sympathize and empathize with patients, however, at the same time stand firm in the therapeutic methods that need to be implemented for the patient's

Benner defines competence as, “the ability to perform nursing tasks with the integration of knowledge to achieve desirable outcomes” (Benner, 2001, p. 4). Using Benner’s novice to expert competency assessment, I performed at the competent level of practice. This scenario clearly demonstrates the transition from the stage of advanced beginner, to the stage of the competent level of practice. Benner describes the competent stage as marked by the nurse “beginning to see actions in terms of long range goals” (Benner, 2001, p. 26). The competent performer is able to plan, coordinate and reshuffle priorities in a multitude of changing patient situations (Benner, 2001). In From Novice to Expert (2001), Benner discusses a common challenge to performance capability identified by new nurses and experienced nurses, as responding to every patient request with equal intensity (Benner,

Healthcare students and professionals have been taught primarily through lectures and other forms of didactic education designed to impart knowledge and information. Learners have generally been evaluated by testing knowledge through written and oral examinations given during schooling and periodically throughout professional careers. The movement toward competency-based, experiential learning has created the need to rethink assessment and evaluation tools, as the use of knowledge-based tests and the counting of continuing education credits are not sufficient to assess competence in a given area. For example, assessing proficiency in a specific competency may be difficult without evaluating actual experiences (e.g., managing change processes, teams, and individuals; developing and presenting budgets and strategic plans, conducting and effective meeting) related to that competency.

Throughout my work experience, I developed relevant skills that will prepare me for work as a physiotherapist, such as working in close liaison with clients and professionals, working under pressure, being adaptable and having good organisational and interpersonal skills. Additionally, it has also made me more self-aware as my background and values will affect the decisions I make and more importantly others. Therefore, I can continuously improve traits that will help me become a more successful member, as my actions reflect the organisation I am

After graduation I aim to work in the health industry as there are different options of occupations. The health industry is associated with insurers, providers and the community. Providers to the public have occupations such as clinical psychologists, nurses, doctors, dietitian, physiologist and other professions. This essay will go through the industry, professional skills that are required and personal skills.

One of the reasons why practitioners, students and academics hold clinical placements in such high regard is that it provides students with a base to link their theoretical knowledge with the practical aspects of practicing physiotherapy. Students get to apply what they had previously learned in the classroom setting and hone their skills in perfecting physiotherapy techniques. Not only does the clinical setting allow them to grasp the knowledge of the physiotherapy discipline, it also throws them into the pressures of real-life situations where students would need to combine their cognitive, motor and problem-solving skills in order to solve complex situations. Additionally, the clinical placement programs often help students to spend quality time with established professionals in the field of physiotherapy, obtain