ICT Therapy Lead

Job responsibilities

Clinical Practice

• To act as a lead specialist Therapy resource using highly developed clinical skills in the theoretical knowledge and relevant practical experience.
• To work as part of the ICT team to provide an efficient and effective service over 7 days.
• To be responsible as an autonomous practitioner to undertake a significant specialist clinical workload and use clinical reasoning skills to utilise a wide range of treatment options in order to formulate a specialised programme of care.These patients will have complex and rapidly changing physical and psychological needs.
• To demonstrate the ability to carry out Therapy assessments and interventions, including highly developed Therapy techniques and therapeutic handling.
• To use investigative and analytical skills to assess complex patients and support other more junior staff with their patients as required.
• To formulate accurate prognoses, evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment programmes. To recommend best course of intervention, developing comprehensive discharge plans.
• To assess the need for specialist equipment to maintain patients in their own homes.
• To be pivotal in encouraging and managing appropriate referrals, attending Total Triage meetings and representing service lead at discharge action groups.
• Participate in the promotion of patient-centred care, and establish and maintain a supportive relationship with the patient and their family during the period of assessment,treatment and transfer of care.
• Act as a patient advocate when appropriate, respecting patient confidentiality and privacy with respect for diverse cultural backgrounds and requirements.

Communication

• To be able to manage potentially stressful,upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner.
• To be able to communicate highly complex information sensitively to patients in order to gain cooperation for treatment and valid consent, this may include patients who have difficulties in understanding or communicating.
• Establish,develop and maintain effective working relationship between clinicians,practitioners and managers within the speciality, across the Trust and Ashford & St Peters Foundation Trust(ASPH).

Quality

• Facilitate a high quality, cost effective specialist service through monitoring and audit and other quality initiatives agreed by CSH Surrey.
• To be responsible for the setting and monitoring of therapy standards and code of conduct.
• To demonstrate a high level of understanding of clinical governance.
• Lead on and participate in key developments relating to the speciality so that high quality patient focused services are promoted.
• Set,monitor and review standards of care on a regular basis and initiate corrective action plans.
• Identify and intervene where circumstances contribute to an unsafe environment for patients and staff.To bring instances to the attention of the Manager/Clinical Lead for ICT.

Education

• To provide professional leadership for therapy colleagues.
• Contribute to CSH Surreys clinical supervision programme for staff.
• Participate in appraisals and the setting of objectives for junior staff in the Service to enable them to achieve optimal effectiveness and to understand their contribution to the Business Unit and to CSH Surrey.
• Act as a mentor to student therapists and others.
• To be responsible for and actively record your own personal development.
• Lead and participate in education and training programmes within the speciality service, and develop training packages as required.
• Motivate, develop,support and identify training needs for department staff.
• Ensure that appropriate written induction programmes are available and utilised for all new staff within the department.

Research and Development

• To undertake evidence based projects, including recommendations for change in practice and to lead in departmental and service evaluation/research.
• To regularly participate in and lead on appropriate work related research/evaluation projects and to be aware of current research relevant to the speciality.
• To participate in and initiate clinical audit and the evaluation of clinical effectiveness,and to disseminate relevant information to staff.
• To evaluate your own clinical effectiveness.

Management and Leadership

• Provide a leadership role model and demonstrate expert knowledge and high standards of clinical practice.
• Develop the role according to patients changing needs and research findings, within the resources available.
• Maintain accurate records of the clinical service and ensure that confidentiality of information is adhered to.
• Organise own work and manage own caseload,identifying and maintaining supportive networks for self and other staff members.
• Implement new initiatives where possible to run a cost effective,timely service.
• In conjunction with other multidisciplinary colleagues, provide monthly reports of case mix,work load and education activity.
• Provide cover for Service Lead as appropriate.
• Develop policies,protocols and clinical guidelines in support of the specialist service.
• Implement and work within the Trusts HR policies on all staffing matters.
• Work with the Service Lead and Human Resources Dept in the recruitment, selection,appointment and retention of staff.
• Adhere to Trust and departmental policies and procedures, ensuring that all staff do the same.
• In conjunction with the Service Lead and Team Leaders ensure optimised skill mix for any assigned area.
• Organise any relevant team meetings at an appropriate frequency, recording and circulating minutes of these.
• To ensure a good method of communication within the department at all times and to encourage the exchange and implementation of new ideas and evidence based practice.
• Assist the Service Lead and Team Leaders with planning for the service as an expert practitioner.
• Represent ICT as an expert practitioner in the speciality in external situations, eg. Conferences.

This job description is not exhaustive and the post holder maybe required to undertake other duties from time to time as are consistent with the responsibility of the grade.

This job description is subject to review and development from time to time in liaison with the post holder. As an employee of Central Surrey Health Ltd you will be required to adhere to all the organisations policies and procedures.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working autonomously at an advanced level within relevant service delivering effective patient focused care.
• Experience of working autonomously assessing and treating patients.
• Proven evidence of advanced organisational/leadership skills and autonomous practice.
• Experience of audit, research & evidence based care.
• Experience of delivering change management both personally and as a facilitator

Desirable

• Community/primary care experience
• Teaching and assessing

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc/Diploma Occupational therapy or equivalent
• Registered with Health & Care Professions Council
• Minimum 5 years post graduate experience including 2 years in specialist area
• Continuing Professional
• Development diary including evidence of reflective practice, training and clinical experience

Desirable

• Practice Placement Educators training.
• Member of Relevant Specialist Section

Skills

Essential

• Advanced clinical assessment and leadership skills in specialty.
• Decisive, able to make decisions quickly and be assertive.
• Proven listening/counselling skills with the ability to manage complex situation and appropriately deliver sensitive and difficult outcomes.
• Evidence of teaching skills including teaching patients in how to manage their conditions.
• Ability to clinically lead and influence staff
• Up to date knowledge of current clinical and professional issues (incl. long term, complex or other conditions encompassing the care of older people).
• Sound knowledge of current issues in the profession and practice of OT.
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, communication skills
• Able to use skills of history taking and physical and holistic assessment to direct patient care
• Time management and organisational skills
• Ability to conduct and evaluate own projects successfully.
• Demonstrate an understanding of National agenda for speciality.
• Knowledge of quality standards and NICE recommendations/NSF/CQC
• Ability to carry out audit/ research.
• IT Skills
• Presentation skills

Other

Essential

• Ability to do home visits and supervise complex clinical situations/attend community based meetings and MDTs.
• Good health/attendance record.

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).