Occupational Therapist

Job responsibilities

4. SCOPE AND RANGE

To work flexibly within MDTs enabling provision of a quality Occupational Therapy (OT) service within various settings and services including: community inpatient, outpatient, group work, intermediate care, rehabilitation and other health and social care services provided within the Community Therapy service model.

5. MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical

• Prioritise the day to day management of own caseload and that of the team, delegating activities as appropriate

• Ensure the person is aware of the role and philosophy of OT and components of the OT process.

• To be responsible for the comprehensive assessment, treatment and evaluation of patients including those with complex presentation using treatment techniques to promote normal movement, motor relearning, cognitive therapy, compensatory techniques and daily living skills.

• To use a selection of both standardised and non-standardised assessments to assist and aid diagnosis of cognitive, sensory, perceptual, behavioural, physical, psychosocial and social functioning e.g. to make clinical interpretations resulting from assessments of your own caseload and that of your team.

• To assess, prescribe and authorise aids and adaptive equipment from the core catalogue, complete special orders and make recommendations for minor adaptations to increase / enable or compensate for independent function, teaching compensatory techniques as required.

• To assess seating and positioning needs and treat as appropriate including assessment for and prescription of standard wheelchairs and accessories when accredited referring on to the wheelchair services as required for assessment of complex and specialist mobility and seating needs.

• To assess for splinting and positioning to prevent, treat and manage deformity and improve function for the upper limb, fabricating splints which may be complex in nature.

• Plan and review treatment programmes in close liaison with all members of the multi-disciplinary team, peoples carers and family in accordance with consent given.

• To record and report regularly on people’s progress and treatment to the multi-disciplinary team or in accordance with the policies and procedures laid down in individual clinical areas including the original referrer.

• To plan, organise and lead both formal and informal treatments and health education groups for both people and carers.

• Education of people and carers regarding the impact of cognitive, perceptual and physical deficits on patient safety and independence in the home, leisure and workplace. To impart sensitive information and advice to people and carers which could have life changing consequences.

• To provide an opportunity for people and carers to express their feelings whilst encouraging acceptance and adjustment to their new circumstances.

• To facilitate return of people currently in residential or nursing care who wish to return home after a period of stay in a care setting.

• Liaise with and ensure good communication with statutory and voluntary bodies to establish a comprehensive package to ensure continuation of care in the community.

• Refer to follow up services to ensure treatment programmes are in place to progress functional independence based on identified needs at the end of episode of care.

• To identify occupational therapy clinical areas of strengths and weaknesses within the team and supervise both workload and caseload of Band 5 / non-professional staff and give advice on treatment interventions.

• To be responsible for the timely discharge of people from your caseload.

• To provide written communication to outside agencies and charitable bodies to support the need for services and equipment on discharge from the service.

• Actively contribute to service development.

• To provide cover for staff who are absent, taking responsibility for aspects of service delivery.

• To be responsible for utilising the goal planning process and the outcome measures used in the clinical area to review progress of the person.

• To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication methods with people, who may have difficulty in understanding or communicating and who may be low in mood or lack insight.

• To maintain competence in the use of complex manual handling techniques and equipment including the prescription of manual handling equipment for use in the community setting, demonstrating the use to carers as necessary including in urgent and crisis situations.

• To ensure use of risk assessment in all areas of your work are undertaken and comply with the Trust's Health and Safety policies and Lone Working Policy.

• To demonstrate a high level of understanding of conditions relevant to the diagnostic area and those patients presenting with multi pathology

• To use outcome measures specific to the work area, to evidence the benefits of Occupational Therapy interventions.

• To have a working knowledge of the Care Act 2014 including the well-being principle, prevention and the eligibility criteria.

• To be competent in the assessment of major and minor housing adaptation, including the application for disabled facilities grants and appropriate housing legislation.

• To carry out assessment and compile supporting evidence to enable change in individuals housing arrangements (e.g. Devon Home Choice).

• To be competent to identify the need for an enabling package of support and set goals to promote independence.

• To understand and comply with the safeguarding process and understand how and when alerts are required. To contribute to safeguarding investigations with support of other colleagues.

• To assess the need for short term Intermediate Care placements where required

• Carry out baseline medical investigations e.g. temperature, respirations and blood pressure checks to assist with medical diagnoses and identification of most appropriate treatment pathway.

• To actively participate in the complex MDT functions and the support individual’s with decision making around the application of the Mental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and adhering to the principles of Best Interest legislation.

Organisational

• To maintain an up to date record of all patient contacts, MDT care plans, OT assessments and reports whilst ensuring confidentiality at all times in line with Professional and Livewell SW policies and procedures.

• To take an active role in audit, research and interdisciplinary development within the service.

• To be responsible for collecting and reporting statistical data in line with Livewell SW policies and procedures.

• To co-ordinate the day to day delivery of the OT service within designated team.

• To jointly manage the OT waiting list of referrals to ensure appropriate screening and prioritisation are utilised in accordance with service eligibility criteria and standards.

Professional

• To take responsibility for ensuring own personal and professional development and statutory training demonstrating the ability to apply increasingly complex skills / knowledge

• To attend and contribute to staff meetings and attend relevant professional meetings

• To review and reflect on own practice through effective use of professional and clinical supervision in line with Livewell SW policies and procedures

• To participate in providing instruction, learning opportunities, work experience and training staff and students from other units / disciplines / schools / colleges and training schemes as agreed with Team Lead. This includes providing regular fieldwork education for student OT’s

• To participate in the planning, evaluation and audit of practice, clinical pathways and protocols within your area

• To comply with the College of OT’s, HCPC Standards of Practice, code of conduct and Occupational Therapy policies and procedure

• To undertake the supervision and appraisal of junior staff and provide informal support to colleagues as requested by demonstrating the ability to reflect on professional and ethical issues

• To plan and implement the induction, training and education of other staff

• To contribute to Livewell SW clinical governance arrangements and quality agenda

• To apply professional, local and national guidelines and legislation relating to health and social care provision

• To adhere to Livewell SW policies and procedures including Health and Safety at work

• To ensure that mandatory training is kept up to date

• To ensure that essential skills for clinical area of practice are kept up to date through attendance on regular update training (e.g. complex manual handling)

• To demonstrate leadership skills through the management of designated projects

• To respect the individual values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to those needs

• To take responsibility for the recruitment process of unqualified staff and assist in the recruitment of junior qualified staff

• To apply professional, local and national guidelines and legislation relating to health and social care provision

Please see attached full job description for further information

Experience

Essential

• Working as a member of an MDT with the ability to work flexibly
• Extensive clinical experience in health and/or social care
• OT treatment planning
• Documented evidence of CPD
• Significant post registration experience
• Multi pathology assessment
• Home and community assessments
• Effective caseload management and discharge planning
• Management, leadership and supervisory skills

Desirable

• Orthotics and splinting including fabrication of thermoplastic splints
• Clinical supervision and appraisal of staff
• Risk assessment in a variety of settings
• Assessment for standard prescription wheelchairs, static seating and pressure care
• Assessment of posture and positioning
• Managing service development projects
• Working in and facilitation of groups

Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma / degree in Occupational Therapy
• HCPC Registration
• The post holder will need to travel and attend to service users based across Plymouth and other geographical areas. .

Desirable

• Accredited Fieldwork Educator
• Recognised first-line management/leadership qualification
• Post graduate training relevant to clinical area
• Membership of relevant special interest groups
• Basic Food Hygiene
• Full and valid driving licence and access to a car for work purposes is required. Reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act will be taken into account for the successful applicant

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Application of OT process within a variety of clinical settings
• Knowledge of OT models of practice
• Understanding of OT outcome measures
• Ability to work autonomously and set own priorities
• Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues
• Supervisory and appraisal skills
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance
• Ability to organise and respond efficiently to complex information
• Computer literacy
• Working knowledge of health and social care legislation and its use in current practice
• Working knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and its application to practice
• Presentation and training skills
• Ability to work flexibly
• Ability to work under pressure
• Application of health and safety and risk management policies including dynamic risk assessment
• Detailed knowledge of a range of standardised and non-standardised assessment
• Detailed knowledge of varied intervention media
• Clinical conditions relevant to OT area of practice
• Specialised skills in clinical assessment intervention and evaluation
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Leadership qualities
• Innovative
• Willingness to work flexibly and to work across range of community and inpatient settings
• Ability to travel and attend to service users based across Plymouth South Hams & West Devon.

Desirable

• Wheelchair Accreditation
• Knowledge and use of complex manual handling techniques and strategies including manual handling plans and risk assessments.
• Knowledge of major adaptations and management through the DFG process.
• Leading in-service training and education workshops for OTs and other disciplines
• Applying research to practice
• Knowledge of NSFs Professional and Government agenda
• Environmental Control Systems
• Full and valid driving licence and access to a car for work purposes is required. Reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act will be taken into account for the successful applicant

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

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