Occupational Therapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Therapies Manager, Therapies Team, Multi-Disciplinary Team and all other hospice staff and volunteers, patients, relatives, carers and external health and social care teams

JOB SUMMARY

1. To undertake specialist Occupational Therapy assessments in the community to plan and prioritise interventions for patients presenting with complex problems in the field of palliative care, maintaining records as an autonomous practitioner.

2. To support and participate in the planning and on-going service development of the Occupational Therapy service, working with the Therapies Manager

3. To promote the key values of specialist palliative care for patients, families and carers, ensuring equitable access to the Occupational Therapy service.

4. To act as a resource for palliative care Occupational Therapy and to provide advice, education and support to the other members of the Occupational Therapy team, wider multi-professional hospice team and other health care professionals.

5. To keep up to date with developments in palliative care Occupational Therapy and maintain clinical practice and procedures in line with current best practice and the latest research outcomes, and monitor standards of care as outlined by the Therapies Manager.

6. To contribute to local, regional and national networks & forums for specialist palliative care Occupational Therapy as indicated.

7. To deputise for the Therapies Manager as required.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

KEY TASKS:

1. Clinical responsibilities

2. Occupational Therapy practice

3. Liaison.

4. Education

5. Quality Assurance.

6. Participation in hospice functioning

CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your work including the management of patients in your care.

2. To develop and maintain communication with people about difficult matters and/or in difficult situations.

3. To have an understanding of the importance of multi-professional team-working and the ability to promote it within the organisation.

4. To have an understanding of the process and importance of sensitive change management.

5. To support the Therapies Manager to ensure a cohesive, balanced and efficient service delivery.

6. To contribute to the improvement of the Occupational Therapy service.

7. To participate effectively in multi-professional meetings and exchange of information.

8. To take responsibility for own personal and professional development which will be monitored in supervision sessions and through the annual appraisal system.

9. To represent the Occupational Therapy service, as appropriate, both internally & externally

10. To contribute to local, regional and national networks/ forums for specialist palliative care as required.

11. To maintain hospice information systems as required by the organisation.

12. To take on extra responsibilities and duties, where appropriate, when the Therapies Manager is unavailable.

13. To support and actively participate as a member of the Occupational Therapy team by attending team meetings, training and supervision of other team members as appropriate.

14. To participate in audit, outcome and quality measuring of the Occupational Therapy service as required

15. To plan, prepare and facilitate therapeutic groups.

LIAISON

1. Work proactively to maintain effective communication networks with all the departments within the hospice to maintain a seamless delivery of Occupational Therapy services

2. Liaise with other professionals on behalf of the Occupational Therapy team

3. Liaise with Primary Care teams to improve palliative care for patients in the community

4. Liaise with other services to ensure continuity of care

PARTICIPATION IN HOSPICE FUNCTIONING

1. Act as an ambassador for the hospice at functions as required

2. To participate in the life of the hospice

3. To assist in tasks that affect the whole hospice, for example reviewing/designing new information booklets

EDUCATION

1. Act as a resource for members of other hospice teams

2. Participate in the hospice in-house educational programmes and the in-service induction and training of other professionals and volunteers as required

3. Participate in the hospice educational programmes for external participants as required

4. To provide effective placements for Occupational Therapy students undertaking their professional training in conjunction with the Therapies Manager. To participate in the Mandatory Training programme

QUALITY ASSURANCE

1. Ensure the continued high quality service of the Occupational Therapy department by appropriate audit and standards

2. Participate in research, audit and evaluation

3. Support the Therapies Manager in quality management issues as they arise

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To act within the Codes of Practice as set by the College of Occupational Therapy and Health and Care Professions Council

2. To adhere to the policies and conditions of service of Saint Francis Hospice relating to sickness, absence, conduct, Health and Safety, Data Protections and any others that are relevant

3. To support equity and value diversity

4. To take responsibility for own professional and personal development which will be monitored in supervision sessions and by Appraisal

5. To keep up-to-date with the developments within Occupational Therapy and in particular in the field of palliative care

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy.
• Registered with the Health and Professions Council.
• Evidence of relevant Continued Professional Development (CPD).

Desirable

• Member of College of Occupational Therapy.
• Member of relevant special interest groups.

Experience

Essential

• An understanding of the importance of multi-professional team working and the ability to promote it within the organisation.
• To be innovative, motivated and enthusiastic.
• To be flexible and adaptable.
• Broad Occupational Therapy experience.
• Effective communication skills both written and verbal.
• Demonstrating an understanding of the role of Occupational Therapy in a palliative care setting.
• Knowledge of risk management and clinical governance issues.
• Awareness of own competency level and how to seek appropriate help.
• Experience of Occupational Therapy assessments in the community.

Desirable

• Has experience of working in a specialist palliative care team.
• Experience of clinical supervision of Occupational Therapy students.
• Experience of teaching/facilitating others.

Other Requirements

Essential

• Demonstrates insight into own stressors and coping mechanisms.
• Ability to operate computer systems.
• The post holder will be required to travel throughout an operational area. Where this is undertaken by car, the post holder must hold a current, valid driving licence with insurance cover for business purposes.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Saint Francis Hospice

Address

St. Francis Hospice

Broxhill Road

Havering-atte-bower

Romford

RM4 1QH

Employer's website

https://www.sfh.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)