Tom Whittaker

A highly adaptive consummate professional with a wealth of life experience gained from service within HM Royal Marines. An individual with excellent communication skills and a strong passion for enhancing professional and clinically related skills to the highest of standards. Demonstrates exceptional physiotherapy assessment, clinical reasoning skills, and problem-solving abilities gained through lecture-based learning, clinical placements and personal study. Committed to providing patients with the highest level of care whilst adhering to established clinical guidelines and scope of practice. Proficient in caseload management and teamwork within multidisciplinary teams, with a dedication to continuous professional development.

Strength & conditioning work., Hiking and outdoor pursuits., Jujitsu (coaching level), Scout leader for 15 yrs at a local Scout troop., Clay pigeon shooting.

• Stroke ward B2 Royal Blackburn hospital (2 weeks observational)
• Working effectively as part of the MDT to provide rehabilitation and recovery for acute stroke patients.
• Acquaintance with stroke care pathways and aftercare once discharged.
• Introduction to basic rehab techniques, assessment protocols, postural management and caseload prioritisation.
• Learning of neuro rehab assessment techniques and treatment modalities.
• Familiarisation with different clinical disciplines and professionals.

• Neuro rehabilitation Rakehead rehabilitation centre Burnley (6 weeks)
• Working within a specialist unit solely for the rehabilitation of patients with neurological pathologies such as spinal cord injuries, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Post-laminectomy rehab, Stroke.
• Opportunities to display initiative, the ability to think on your feet and the application of clinical assessment skills focused on neuro-rehab.
• Devising neuro-rehabilitation and exercise programs.
• A placement that instilled compassion, empathy and a hunger to strive for excellence in patient care.
• Exposure to handling difficult outcomes for patients in a professional and compassionate manner.

• MSK rehabilitation Rawtenstall health centre (6 weeks)
• Opportunity to work with advanced physiotherapy practitioners and physiotherapists with a range of different clinical experiences that I learnt a great deal from.
• Opportunities to apply a host of clinical assessment skills for the whole body, clinical reasoning and decision making, and provide appropriate treatment plans for a wide range of different pathology.
• Exposure to, and rehabilitation of joint replacements, post-surgery rehab, tendinopathies, arthritic joints, and common musculoskeletal pathology.
• Exposure and management of MSK workloads, time constraints within practice and the need to regularly conduct relevant research to further enhance clinical based skills and critical thinking.
• Opportunities to enhance pre-existing clinical assessment skills and clinical decision making under supervision.

• Community paediatrics Blackpool & St Annes (6 weeks)
• A placement focused on paediatric care working with patients from infants/toddlers to young adults within specialist school settings, community care hubs and home visits.
• An extremely rewarding placement due to having the opportunity to be immersed in the daily rehabilitation programs for children with different grades of cerebral palsy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, autism, spina bifida.
• Excellent exposure to a range of different paediatric pathologies and presentations, with the ability to apply a range of clinical skills from neuro-rehab and MSK protocols on paediatric patients.
• A real opportunity to express compassion, empathy and apply this into clinical practice.

• Blackburn Rovers football Academy (6 weeks)
• An excellent opportunity to work closely with the U13's, U14's, U16's, U18's and U21's football academy teams.
• Gaining exposure to a level of clinical skills and knowledge needed for an elite sport environment to provide players with the highest possible outcomes.
• Opportunities to treat a different range of pathologies within different age groups, conducting sports massage, taping, injury assessment skills, clinical reasoning and further conducting rehab plans for players with existing/ongoing injuries such as ACL rehab, Achilles tendon ruptures, hamstring avulsions and growth related injuries such as Osgood schlatter syndrome and Sinding Larsson syndrome.
• Design and execution of rehabilitation programs for long-term injuries and pathology.

• Critical care ward Royal Blackburn hospital (6 weeks)
• An elective which I wanted to experience due to the high level of care and clinical skills needed to give patients the best level of care that covered a range of different patients from post-surgery recovery, respiratory illness, multi-organ failure to serious injuries and pathology.
• Gained a great understanding of respiratory related physiotherapy techniques respiratory function and assessment, suctioning treatments and high level critical care.
• Key in aiding patients return to baseline and then into a step down process.
• Excellent opportunities for MDT working and collaboration.
• Gained spoke opportunities such as observing live surgery, exposure to orthopaedic, medical wards and front door team.
• A placement to demonstrate compassion, empathy, clinical reasoning and good communication due to the high risk level of patients.