Senior Occupational Therapist Acute Stroke

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose:

To provide Occupational Therapy assessment, treatment and discharge planning to patients within the acute service within the rotational specialty, this will include working within tight timeframes for patient discharges.

To provide guidance and supervision to less experienced staff and students.

To take a proactive role within the integrated Therapy team, with the ability to provide advice or cover on other Trust sites as required.

To liaise with senior Therapists to ensure the smooth and effective running of the integrated Therapy service at an operational level on a daily basis.

You will gain mentorship and support from the Therapy Leads and Clinical Specialists across the specialities.

Key Duties:

To hold an active caseload within the rotational specialty based at the Worcestershire royal Hospital, Worcester or the Alexandra Hospital Redditch.

This will include assessment and treatment of inpatients and providing guidance on assessment and treatment for less experienced staff.

To provide advice/mentorship/supervision for band 5 Occupational Therapists and assistants and students carrying an acute caseload, with emphasis on but not exclusive to the rotational specialty.

To work closely with Physiotherapy colleagues, within an integrated Therapy Service, actively promoting the Therapy Way.

To take an active role in assisting to prioritise caseloads, to effect timely assessment and discharge.

To be actively involved in both direct and indirect supervision and teaching of junior staff.

To ensure that Therapy Service maintains high professional standards, using evidence-based practice whenever possible.

To liaise regularly with other agencies/professions as shown under key working relationships.

To attend and contribute to relevant meetings both clinical and managerial, providing accurate verbal or written reporting as appropriate.

To ensure all equipment or written documentation is provided in a timely manner to facilitate patient safety.

To carry out assessment and treatment programmes for patients this may include the administration and interpretation of standardised assessments.

To ensure that all documentation and data regarding patient care is completed in accordance with local and Royal College of Occupational Therapy standards, as well as the Health and Care Professions Council standards.

To be able to safely and effectively undertake the manual handling aspects of the role. In addition to moving and handling tasks involving patients, this will include loading/unloading and transportation and fitting of equipment, as well as lifting items up/down, pushing, pulling, stooping and bending. The use, handling and safety of hand tools will also be required.

To undertake any other duties commensurate with the level/expertise of the post to ensure the smooth running of the Therapy service, this will include the treatment of patients on the wards, within the department or within the patients home environment.

To be involved, as required, in the education of colleagues and students. To be an Occupational Therapy Practice Educator and also support multi-professional students with learning opportunities.

To ensure professional/clinical knowledge is kept updated and attend appropriate training, demonstrating continued professional development and competency and encourage evidence-based practice.

To participate in projects or audit, via the Therapy Clinical Governance groups as required.

To apply national guidelines to the clinical setting.

To take an active role in the maintenance of professional standards and the provision of a quality service using resources responsibly.

To work in liaison with the Therapy managers, Clinical Leads and Team Leads, to implement any agreed changes to service provision.

To be actively involved in the recruitment of staffing within Therapy across the Trust as required.

To ensure safe working practice by adherence to Trust wide policies and procedures.

To comply with the Health and Care Professions Council registration requirements and maintain active registration, and work to the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Standards of Professional Practice.

To be able to travel and work countywide, including working with community partners where required, as well as participating in a 7 day service where required by the rotation, participating the Bank Holiday working rota and working flexibly around core service hours where required.

Other Job Requirements

Essential

• Able and willing to commute between sites.
• Able and willing to work contracted hours over 7 days as required.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the role.
• Commitment to working in Worcestershire
• Knowledge of WAHT
• Able to fulfil the travel requirements of the post - Full driving licence and access to a vehicle (or alternative mode of transport)

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of varied experience within acute NHS hospital
• Experience of the administration and interpretation of commonly used standardised cognitive assessments.
• Experience of a range of manual handling assessment and evidence of provision of low to high level manual handling equipment
• Experience of early intervention and acute rehabilitation
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience of working with patients on fast track discharge.
• Experience of supporting junior members of staff and students

Desirable

• Experience of working at the hospital front door and/or admission prevention.
• Experience of implementing MCA and conducting/or supporting Best Interest Meetings

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Ability to clinically analyse and act appropriately on professional and ethical issues.
• Ability to assess and form a treatment plan appropriate to the acute setting for patients.
• Ability to prioritise caseload effectively to enhance patient care and hospital flow.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Flexible attitude to routine and nonroutine tasks
• Ability and experience of guiding the practice of others
• Ability to demonstrate evidence of team working and being a positive influence within the team
• Evidence of ability to provide proactive supervision.
• Good interpersonal skills across all grades
• Evidence of ability to provide a learning experience for other staff / students
• Evidence of willingness to learn and utilise new skills.

Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy
• HCPC Registered
• Evidence of post graduate training in areas related to stroke/neurology.
• Active HCPC registration

Desirable

• Practice educator
• Institute of leadership and Management Level 3
• Masters Module(s)

Other job Requirements

Desirable

• Able to demonstrate our Trust values and behaviours: -
• Being open and honest we all communicate clearly and honestly, asking for help when we need it, and making it easier for the people around us to share ideas and concerns.
• Ensuring people feel cared for we all take responsibility for actively supporting and nurturing a kind and compassionate environment for ourselves and others.
• Showing respect for everyone we all act with consideration and fairness, valuing each other as individuals and appreciating our different perspectives.

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).