Job summary
We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist to lead the Hand Therapy service in the department. This is a challenging and interesting position that combines the roles of expert clinician and teaching, service and staff development, team leadership, MDT and interagency consultation. There is also the opportunity to manage non-surgical conditions by developing an extended scope role, working in collaboration with the MDT. Hand and upper limb therapy clinical experience at an advanced level is essential and you should be able to display postgraduate learning relevant to this post.
With proven skills in the management of orthopaedic and rheumatologic hand conditions, you must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and be able to teach and guide the development of less experienced staff and students. There is a well-structured hand/ upper limb therapy professional development programme which combines journal reviews, in-service training and clinical skills training, access to relevant OT and PT teaching programmes, weekly meetings with the orthopaedic consultants and possibility for funding for external courses.
You will lead a team of therapists between Band 5 to Band 7, who work across the King's sites. This post offers an excellent opportunity to practice and develop your skills within a supportive, friendly and learning environment.
Main duties of the job
To possess and develop highly specialist knowledge (theory and practice) within the area of Occupational Therapy/ Physiotherapy and Hand/Upper Limb Therapy.
To ensure and maintain a high standard, efficient and effective Occupational Therapy service within the Hand/Upper Limb Unit and the Occupational Therapy Department. To manage a complex clinical caseload, and undertake assessment and management of patients referred to Orthopaedic and Rheumatology Consultants in the Hand/Upper Limb Unit, against agreed protocols.
To manage a team of occupational therapists/ physiotherapists, who work across sites and make an active contribution to training both within and external to the organisation.
To contribute to the implementation of the overall strategic development of the Hand/Upper Limb Unit and Occupational Therapy Service across the King's sites.
The post requires a flexible approach to working and requires the post holder to undertake weekend commitments as required.
To deputise for the Occupational Therapy Manager as necessary
About us
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and around 14,000 staff based across 5 main sites in South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local hospital services across its different sites, and specialist services from King's College Hospital (KCH) sites at Denmark Hill in Camberwell and at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) site in Bromley.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
The trust-wide strategy Strong Roots, Global Reachis our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we can take Team King's to another level.
Job description
Job responsibilities
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
CLINICAL
- To work at an advanced clinical level within the field of hand/ upper limb therapy, particularly in the assessment, diagnosis and management of complex patients with hand/upper limb disorders
- To use analytical and judgemental skills to diagnose occupational difficulties, understand complex situations and formulate appropriate solutions.
- To organise and manage specialist outpatient clinics and educational classes for patients referred with hand/upper limb problems.
- To develop specialist programmes of care to meet the highly specialist and complex needs of patients diagnosed with upper limb problems that include meeting the needs of patients and their extended support system. This practice should be evidence based and be in accordance with current research.
- To provide and receive complex, diagnosis related information (including providing information regarding rehabilitation prospects that may be unwelcome) to patients and their social environment that may involve empathetic, re-assurance, persuasion and negotiation skills. Barriers to understanding may be present.
- To liaise with the orthopaedic and rheumatology consultants to agree protocols/care pathways for the assessment and management of patients with hand/upper limb disorders.
- To develop protocols and procedures which impact on other professionals working within the area.
- To use analytical and judgemental skills to diagnose occupational difficulties (physical, cognitive, perceptual and emotive impact on functional performance), understand complex situations and formulate appropriate solutions.
- To plan and co-ordinate complex multi-disciplinary activities eg. Case conferences; discharge planning and other Keyworker activities.
- To fulfil requirement to exert moderate physical effort to provide manual physical therapy within Hand/Upper limb practice.
- To propose and action changes, develop, organise and manage highly specialist therapy services for patients referred with Hand/Upper limb problems.
- To be responsible for patient care and hand therapy treatment. This may involve the assessment of care needs, development of specialised programmes of therapy and care as well as advice to patients and relatives.
- To work with the Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Manager and Orthopaedic Consultants to develop a service to patients with hand/upper limb disorders
- To manage a clinical caseload to a high standard, in accordance with research findings and evidence based practice
- To assume the role of extended scope practitioner for the follow-up of patients with orthopaedic problems. This may involve wound care.
- To ensure a quality service for patients by maintaining a high standard in relation to communication with patients, liaison with referrers and other team members, and documentation of intervention
- To provide advice/support to Occupational Therapy/ Physiotherapy colleagues on clinical practice issues
- Ensure effective links with other healthcare professionals within and external to the trust to enhance patient care e.g., occupational therapists, physiotherapists orthopaedic surgeons, rheumatologists, social services and care providers etc.
- To liaise with the Orthopaedic Consultants and Occupational Therapy Manager regarding service developments and changes in practice.
- To supervise, train and provide day-to-day management to Band 3-7 Occupational Therapists/ Physiotherapists.
MANAGEMENT
- To keep comprehensive records of activity in accordance with local and national requirements.
- Ensure ongoing evaluation of the service provided against agreed outcomes.
- To provide Hand Therapy input to service planning, developments and operational management, as required across all Kings sites.
- To provide occupational therapy input into the Surgical Care Groups clinical governance, risk management and quality programmes, as required.
- To supervise and develop Band 7 Hand/Upper Limb Therapy, and other staff as appropriate
- To evaluate the service requirements for therapy input in order to maximise the potential for rehabilitation.
- To be responsible for reporting defective equipment.
- Attend and contribute to relevant Care Group and Occupational Therapy Department meetings.
- To be involved in professional networks
- To effectively manage physical resources to limit overall cost.
- To implement relevant policies for own area and propose changes to Occupational Therapy Manager as appropriate.
- To be aware of, interpret for specialist area and implement Codes of Practice, local and national guidelines.
- Authorised signatory for small petty cash payments and locum timesheets.
- To be responsible for the safe use of equipment (other than equipment used for personal use)
- To be actively involved in recruitment of new staff.
- Job responsibilities to be guided by defined policies and procedures and established in the best way for the service (guidance may be provided by peers, line manager, etc.).
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
- Prepare and participate in lectures, seminars and demonstrations to occupational therapists and members of other disciplines, both internal and external.
- To provide practical training and clinical supervision within discipline
- To take responsibility for keeping own knowledge up to date and maintaining clinical expertise, acting as a resource in this clinical area.
- Participate in the training and development of students on clinical placement
- To develop occupational therapy or multidisciplinary research, and actively participate in any evaluation or research projects within the unit as appropriate and as agreed.
- To participate in clinical audit, taking the lead role where appropriate.
GENERAL
- Undertake any duties commensurate with grade of post as requested by the Occupational Therapy Manager.
- Carry out above duties with due regard to relevant Kings College Hospital policies and procedures, and the Health and Safety at Work Act.
- To contribute to the overall operational management of Kings OT staff.
Job description
Job responsibilities
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
CLINICAL
- To work at an advanced clinical level within the field of hand/ upper limb therapy, particularly in the assessment, diagnosis and management of complex patients with hand/upper limb disorders
- To use analytical and judgemental skills to diagnose occupational difficulties, understand complex situations and formulate appropriate solutions.
- To organise and manage specialist outpatient clinics and educational classes for patients referred with hand/upper limb problems.
- To develop specialist programmes of care to meet the highly specialist and complex needs of patients diagnosed with upper limb problems that include meeting the needs of patients and their extended support system. This practice should be evidence based and be in accordance with current research.
- To provide and receive complex, diagnosis related information (including providing information regarding rehabilitation prospects that may be unwelcome) to patients and their social environment that may involve empathetic, re-assurance, persuasion and negotiation skills. Barriers to understanding may be present.
- To liaise with the orthopaedic and rheumatology consultants to agree protocols/care pathways for the assessment and management of patients with hand/upper limb disorders.
- To develop protocols and procedures which impact on other professionals working within the area.
- To use analytical and judgemental skills to diagnose occupational difficulties (physical, cognitive, perceptual and emotive impact on functional performance), understand complex situations and formulate appropriate solutions.
- To plan and co-ordinate complex multi-disciplinary activities eg. Case conferences; discharge planning and other Keyworker activities.
- To fulfil requirement to exert moderate physical effort to provide manual physical therapy within Hand/Upper limb practice.
- To propose and action changes, develop, organise and manage highly specialist therapy services for patients referred with Hand/Upper limb problems.
- To be responsible for patient care and hand therapy treatment. This may involve the assessment of care needs, development of specialised programmes of therapy and care as well as advice to patients and relatives.
- To work with the Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Manager and Orthopaedic Consultants to develop a service to patients with hand/upper limb disorders
- To manage a clinical caseload to a high standard, in accordance with research findings and evidence based practice
- To assume the role of extended scope practitioner for the follow-up of patients with orthopaedic problems. This may involve wound care.
- To ensure a quality service for patients by maintaining a high standard in relation to communication with patients, liaison with referrers and other team members, and documentation of intervention
- To provide advice/support to Occupational Therapy/ Physiotherapy colleagues on clinical practice issues
- Ensure effective links with other healthcare professionals within and external to the trust to enhance patient care e.g., occupational therapists, physiotherapists orthopaedic surgeons, rheumatologists, social services and care providers etc.
- To liaise with the Orthopaedic Consultants and Occupational Therapy Manager regarding service developments and changes in practice.
- To supervise, train and provide day-to-day management to Band 3-7 Occupational Therapists/ Physiotherapists.
MANAGEMENT
- To keep comprehensive records of activity in accordance with local and national requirements.
- Ensure ongoing evaluation of the service provided against agreed outcomes.
- To provide Hand Therapy input to service planning, developments and operational management, as required across all Kings sites.
- To provide occupational therapy input into the Surgical Care Groups clinical governance, risk management and quality programmes, as required.
- To supervise and develop Band 7 Hand/Upper Limb Therapy, and other staff as appropriate
- To evaluate the service requirements for therapy input in order to maximise the potential for rehabilitation.
- To be responsible for reporting defective equipment.
- Attend and contribute to relevant Care Group and Occupational Therapy Department meetings.
- To be involved in professional networks
- To effectively manage physical resources to limit overall cost.
- To implement relevant policies for own area and propose changes to Occupational Therapy Manager as appropriate.
- To be aware of, interpret for specialist area and implement Codes of Practice, local and national guidelines.
- Authorised signatory for small petty cash payments and locum timesheets.
- To be responsible for the safe use of equipment (other than equipment used for personal use)
- To be actively involved in recruitment of new staff.
- Job responsibilities to be guided by defined policies and procedures and established in the best way for the service (guidance may be provided by peers, line manager, etc.).
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
- Prepare and participate in lectures, seminars and demonstrations to occupational therapists and members of other disciplines, both internal and external.
- To provide practical training and clinical supervision within discipline
- To take responsibility for keeping own knowledge up to date and maintaining clinical expertise, acting as a resource in this clinical area.
- Participate in the training and development of students on clinical placement
- To develop occupational therapy or multidisciplinary research, and actively participate in any evaluation or research projects within the unit as appropriate and as agreed.
- To participate in clinical audit, taking the lead role where appropriate.
GENERAL
- Undertake any duties commensurate with grade of post as requested by the Occupational Therapy Manager.
- Carry out above duties with due regard to relevant Kings College Hospital policies and procedures, and the Health and Safety at Work Act.
- To contribute to the overall operational management of Kings OT staff.
Person Specification
Shortlisting
Essential
- Hand and Upper Limb Assessment and Treatment knowledge and experience at B7 level and above
- Management and leadership skills at B7 level and above
- Experience of leading and managing service improvement
- Experience and skills of leading and providing internal training and development programmes for staff
Desirable
- Experience of assessing and treating hands and upper limb at advanced/masters level
- Leadership and management training at diploma or masters level
- Experience and knowledge of change management
- Experience of leading and providing external training and development programmes
Person Specification
Shortlisting
Essential
- Hand and Upper Limb Assessment and Treatment knowledge and experience at B7 level and above
- Management and leadership skills at B7 level and above
- Experience of leading and managing service improvement
- Experience and skills of leading and providing internal training and development programmes for staff
Desirable
- Experience of assessing and treating hands and upper limb at advanced/masters level
- Leadership and management training at diploma or masters level
- Experience and knowledge of change management
- Experience of leading and providing external training and development programmes
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
