Job responsibilities
MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Teach, train and line manage junior staff, support workers, assistants, and students. This will include the use of formal appraisal documentation
Monitor the clinical effectiveness of the team to ensure delivery of a service appropriate to their grade and within own specialism
Lead in the recruitment of relevant grades of staff, as required
Take a flexible approach to supporting colleagues in times of caseload pressure, including working with colleagues to maintain clinical cover across the team within the resources available
Will use Livewell Southwest resources responsibly
Be responsible for maintaining equipment records and the safe use and security of clinical equipment. To identify and request therapy equipment to meet caseload demands
Adhere to the relevant trust policies on financial issues
Support the Team Lead with awareness of budgetary matters
Ensure own competency in record keeping and other members of the MDT
Maintain an up-to-date record of all patient contacts, MDT care plans, goals, assessments and reports whilst ensuring confidentiality at all times in line with professional and organisational guidelines
Take the lead in the triage and management of referrals to the service utilising the service criteria in conjunction with the Team Lead
Maintain accurate and timely electronic/paper records of activity and contacts to support contractual requirements
Maintain an accurate diary of visits and submit completed travel and special duty claim forms monthly
Report and provide feedback/learning to junior staff on accidents, incidents or complaints following LSW procedures and policies
Actively lead department working parties on specific delegated projects
Attend and contribute to relevant team/service meetings. To lead meetings in the absence of the Team Lead
Access email and other information through Livewell Southwest intranet
Be professionally, legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work including caseload management and direct clinical care
Carry out highly specialist, comprehensive assessments using investigative and analytical skills, of patients with a complex presentation for adults with neurological rehabilitation needs in the specialist neuro and stroke outpatient/community setting
Use advanced clinical reasoning, analysis, assessment and re-assessment skills, using a patient-centred goal setting approach; to develop and provide individual occupational therapy treatment programmes. These may include detailed assessment of upper limb function, functional electrical stimulation, highly specialist standardised and functional cognitive assessments, complex upper limb splinting, complex functional assessments, assessment for specialised equipment and patient /carer education
Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment plans as required
Provide highly specialist advice via written or verbal instruction to patients, carers and relatives to promote understanding of the aims of rehabilitation to ensure a consistent approach to patient care
Use an extensive range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients/carers; to motivate and gain co-operation to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes
Advise on and prescribe both general and specialist rehabilitation aids, equipment and recommend low-level adaptations, ensuring all equipment is maintained and used effectively and efficiently with risk assessments and appropriate training completed
Demonstrate highly developed clinical reasoning skills to undertake risk assessments within the outpatient/community settings, identifying and making recommendations as required
Assess the risk and vulnerability of patients/families in relation to timing and manner of treatment, and amount of treatment provided i.e. where inappropriate intervention could have a negative effect
Use highly specialist occupational therapy knowledge and skills to manage own complex caseload, as an autonomous practitioner and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time
Act as a source of expert advice and support within Livewell Southwest, supporting/advising colleagues as required, as well as promoting best practice according to the evidence base
Ensure a high standard of own clinical caseload and support more junior staff to do likewise
Have working knowledge of clinical guidelines specific to neuro rehabilitation and translate these into clinical practice
Assess mental capacity, gain valid informed consent, work within legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment
Comply with local confidentiality policies, child protection and vulnerable adult procedures
Be an autonomous practitioner, working within appropriate professional guidelines and code of conduct
Work as a lone practitioner, completing risk assessments as required
Respond effectively to any concerns of abuse/safeguarding and support junior staff to know how to escalate their concerns
Responsibility for implementation of policy and/or service developments
Work with the leadership team in developing the strategic and operational direction of the occupational therapy and multi-disciplinary team
Work collaboratively with the MDT to evaluate activity, outcomes and effectiveness and to propose changes where appropriate to ensure high standards of service delivery
Monitor standards of professional practice within the department and set up appropriate mechanisms to assure a quality service, in conjunction with the leadership team
Be an active member of in-service training schedules by attending, organising and delivering presentations/practical training sessions, as required
Follow and implement local and national policies with elements of independent professional judgement and make recommendations for change for own specialism through the clinical governance process
Maintain registration with the Health & Care Professions Council
Continue to develop highly specialist professional expertise and clinical skills by working with the Neuro Rehab Matron, Team Lead and other highly specialist colleagues, attending Clinical Excellence Networks, specialist courses, self-directed study and maintaining personal CPD portfolio
Participate in Annual Appraisal Process and act as an appraiser of junior staff
Be responsible for maintaining equipment records and the safe use and security of clinical equipment
Be actively involved in the collection of appropriate data and statistics in line with local and organisation policies and procedures
Work collaboratively with the Team Lead to participate in, initiate research and clinical audit, undertake research and contribute to others research
Aware of and work within own limits and competencies
Be punctual for work and conduct themselves in a professional manner in accordance with Livewell southwest policies
Lead induction and support programmes in relation to new staff and volunteers
Actively engage in practice supervision
Demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance, Risk Management and Lone Working
Good time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance
Exhibit a committed attitude to all aspects of work
Be conversant with and comply with all relevant organisational protocols and policies and have valid organisational IT access
Compassionate, caring and kind in their practice
Undertake other duties when requested by professional or operational managers
COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
Early Supported Discharge Team, Neuro Rehabilitation Team, Lead Clinicians, Acute and Community Teams, GPs and Social Services, Wider Health and Social Care Agencies, Voluntary and Private Organisations
Able to adapt style of communication if the patient has communication, cognitive or other problems that may create a barrier affecting treatment outcomes eg using appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication tools
Able to use the written or spoken word effectively and appropriately, via face-to-face, email, telephone, letter, presentation
Work in a patient centred way using approaches such as patient empowerment, cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing and problem solving to provide support to patients
Communicate effectively and work collaboratively with Social, Health and other agency colleagues, at all levels to ensure delivery of a co-coordinated multidisciplinary service
Maintain a calm, professional approach to their duties
Act as an ambassador for Livewell with external agencies and partner organisations
Always address staff, patients and members of the public in a polite and respectful manner either in person or on the telephone
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
Moderate to intense physical effort on a daily basis
Tasks include: Static postures (kneeling/standing), moving/positioning inert adult limbs, unconscious/semi-conscious patients and altered tone, supporting patients whilst walking, assisting patients during transfers, pushing wheelchairs
Using hoists and other heavy gym equipment daily, often in a confined space in the patients home on difficult floor surfaces
Risk assessment of home environments
The job may involve exposure and contact to unpleasant working condition such as secondary smoking, bodily fluids, including sputum, vomit, blood, urine and faeces, soiled linen, fleas, lice, scabies poor hygiene standards and communicable diseases
Possibility of exposure to verbal and physical aggression and dangerous pets
Exposure to heat and cold in patients homes and the outside environments such as standing on a patients doorstep awaiting entry
Food handling
Mobile phones may not work in areas where there is poor network reception
Use of VDU
Driving for periods of time between patients homes and requiring lifting bags and equipment from the car boot on each visit
Ensure access to road worthy vehicle with appropriate car insurance, and valid driving licence
