Specialist Occupational Therapist- Rotational - Neuro Rehabilitation

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

The post holder will provide a specialist Occupational Therapy service as part of the Neuro Rehab Service and will work closely with team members to ensure a coordinated approach to client care. These services work across the two London boroughs of Southwark and Lambeth in both community and acute positions. They provide MDT neuro rehabilitation and condition management to patients living with both long term and acute neurological conditions, such as Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Parkinsons Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neuron Disease and Neuro-Oncology diagnoses. Intervention is person centred and goal oriented. The service uses a self-management approach, encouraging patients to participate actively in their rehab. The post holder will independently and effectively manage a caseload of individuals who have complex neurological needs. The post holder will use evidence based, client-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions to minimise the impact of the neurological condition on the individuals occupational roles and daily living.

Duties and Responsibilities

Professional

The post holder will:

Work as an autonomous practitioner within the standards of professional practice laid down by the Royal College of Occupational Therapy (RCOT) and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work.

Maintain close liaison with other senior colleagues in the team and ensure effective communication with all team members for day to day smooth running of the service.

Keep abreast of current issues with the profession, taking responsibility for personal growth and development such as reading relevant journal and research papers or participating in appropriate work journal clubs and related research / evaluation projects.

Maintain and record ongoing continuing professional development, using a professional portfolio.

Attend professional body / clinical interest group meetings as appropriate.

Participate in clinical training for OT students.

Attend training courses, participate in experiential learning as identified in PDP and impart information to colleagues.

Clinical

The post holder will:

Provide a comprehensive assessment, treatment and management service to a caseload of individuals who have a neurological condition with a wide variety of comorbidities, following local operational policies and agreed standards and guidelines.

Provide specialist interventions based on clinical reasoning and evidence based practice, occupational analysis and risk evaluation, using graded activities to address therapeutic goals and optimise functional independence.

Consider and address occupational performance components and their impact on the individuals occupations. For example reviewing arm care, posture and tone management; cognitive assessment and rehabilitation; fatigue management or pre-vocational rehab.

Monitor the effectiveness of interventions through goal setting, outcome measurement and evaluation of practice.

Be responsible for prioritising and managing own caseload.

Work collaboratively with individuals and carers, members of the MDT and external agencies to ensure a coordinated approach to service delivery.

Educate individuals, carers and family members of the impact of their neurological condition on physical, cognitive and psychological wellbeing and actively promoting healthy lifestyle.

Empower individuals to take responsibility for self-management during the treatment period and following discharge.

Respect the individuals dignity, privacy, culture and wishes during treatment with a commitment to equal access to occupational therapy.

Maintain and develop close links with colleagues in the acute sector, local authority services, voluntary organisations and other members of primary health care services.

Be responsible for delegating appropriate tasks to junior staff and OT students as well as being accountable for own professional practice and that of the support staff / students delegated to.

Participate in the service supervision structure which includes regular supervision with a senior OT, joint sessions and supervision of junior staff and OT students where appropriate.

Attend all appropriate team, professional and other meetings related to clinical caseload.

Participate in the Trust staff appraisal scheme.

Be responsible for safekeeping, cleanliness and maintenance of equipment, ensuring standards of infection control are met; reporting all equipment defects, accidents and complaints to the Clinical Manager.

Participate in ongoing review of service delivery and any ensuing service developments.

Information management

The post holder will:

Keep accurate and contemporaneous records of assessment and treatment in accordance with standards set and input data onto electronic record system.

Provide accurate and timely statistical data.

Education and Professional Development

The post holder will:

Contribute to the planning, organisation and delivery of training for staff in the Neuro Rehab Service and from other disciplines and organisations; through in-service training, supervision, joint working, practical demonstrations, etc.

Contribute to student education and development.

Assist with service development and service promotion.

Undertake all mandatory and statutory training in line with the Trust policy.

Person Specification

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

• Graduate Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy
• State registration with HCPC

Desirable

• Evidence of attendance of relevant post registration courses
• Member of relevant Specialist Interest Group
• Knowledge of current policies and publications relevant to neurological conditions
• Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists

Experience

Essential

• Significant broad based post registration experience at B5 level or above
• Experience of a variety of clinical specialties including neurological and stroke rehabilitation
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team (MDT)

Desirable

• Experience of working within a community setting
• Participation in service development or project work
• Experience of working within a ward based rehabilitation setting

Skills

Essential

• Knowledge, understanding and application of Occupational Therapy process relating to client-centred practice
• Demonstrable skills in assessment/treatment & rehab of individuals with neurological and other complex conditions
• Good IT skills
• Knowledge and use of relevant assessment tools and outcome measures
• Ability to work with a diverse workforce to deliver a quality service to people from different backgrounds by including and embracing their varied needs
• Good organisational, delegation, time management and prioritisation skills
• Knowledge and understanding of clinical governance and evidence based practice

Desirable

• Able to supervise junior staff and support workers & students
• Able to demonstrate an understanding of the implications of neurological conditions on people's lives
• Ability to work innovatively in order to integrate interventions into the individual's home, work or educational environment

Physical Requirements

Essential

• Fit for active, physical workload and resilient under reasonable pressure at work
• Able to travel around Southwark and Lambeth boroughs with equipment and mobile devices

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Pulross Centre

47a Pulross Road, Brixton

London

SW9 8AE

Employer's website

https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx (Opens in a new tab)