Occupational Therapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own practice, including the management of patients in your care.

To understand and apply the Occupational Therapy process in order to effectively self manage a designated caseload within community rehabilitation, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits, enabling the patient in components of self care, productivity and leisure.

Ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management.

Accept sole clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients, and organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.

To know the professional and personal scope of own practice and make appropriate and timely referrals to other agencies.

To demonstrate specific knowledge and understanding of the key concepts of biological, physical, social, psychological and clinical sciences in relation to occupational performance relevant to Community rehabilitation.

To utilize a range of standard and non-standard Occupational Therapy assessments and techniques in areas of occupational performance (work, leisure, personal, domestic, environment) and skill deficits relevant to Community Rehab.

To be able to use research, clinical reasoning and problem solving skills including activity analysis to identify the therapeutic benefit of client centred interventions and make professional judgements with individuals with diverse or complex needs, or multiple problems.

To be able to formulate specific and appropriate management plans including the setting of time scales and engage individual and/or group participation in the Occupational Therapy treatment programme.

To plan, facilitate, implement and evaluate a range of group interventions according to patient need.

To monitor, analyse, evaluate and modify the Occupational Therapy process and treatment in order to measure progress and ensure the effectiveness of intervention.

To be responsible for the assessment and prescription of minor adaptations and equipment to facilitate independence.

Using knowledge, carry out a variety of physical interventions that require a high level of physical and manual dexterity.

To undertake visits and/or assessments in a variety of settings as required by the need of the team, including the ward, department, home or other community environment.

To be a car driver and drive as required throughout the day in all weather conditions.

To carry other members of staff as passengers and transport vital Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy equipment in order to prevent unnecessary hospital admission and to facilitate a timely and safe discharge.

Following comprehensive Occupational Therapy and risk assessment give accurate feedback and advice to relevant staff i.e. GP, medical staff, nurses, co- coordinators, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and family/carers.

Multi-agency working.

Be responsible for patient carried goal setting, evaluating and modifying these goals appropriately in order for Health Care Support Workers to fulfil their daily duties, in order to follow a rehabilitation programme as determined by the Occupational Therapist.

To be aware of and act appropriately with regards to own and others personal safety when working in community setting, including the ability to effectively deal with and de-escalate confrontational situations.

To utilise a range of standardised and non standardised non Occupational Therapy assessment and techniques.

To assess for, prescribe and evaluate the provision of specialist Occupational Therapy equipment, following a holistic assessment.

To provide a rapid specialist Occupational Therapy assessment and comprehensive risk assessment and using a high level of clinical reasoning skills, formulate an appropriate care pathway to prevent unnecessary hospital admission or facilitate safe and timely discharge.

To be flexible to work in a variety of clinical settings i.e. A&E, fracture clinic, medical assessment unit, residential/nursing homes, resource centres and in the community setting (patients home).

To be expected to work alone on a daily basis and to be exposed to undesirable home environments with varying degrees of cleanliness, space and temperatures.

Work effectively as a member of the interdisciplinary team

To maintain confidentiality in line with Professional, National and Trust standards and policies.

To actively participate in multi disciplinary discussions, ward rounds and meetings in order to negotiate individual care programmes.

To use a range of verbal and written skills to communicate effectively and appropriately with patients, carers, relatives, and other professionals including the implementation of treatment interventions, safe use of equipment, minor adaptations, moving & positioning (patients and/or equipment).

To adapt intervention where there may be difficulties with understanding due to physical, psychological, cognitive or social problems.

To demonstrate an understanding of the impact of disability by providing emotional support and guidance for patients and adapt intervention where circumstances may be sensitive or distressing.

To be responsible for the written recording of up to date, accurate information relating to the Occupational Therapy intervention in line with Trust and College of Occupational Therapy guidelines.

To approve and countersign written documentation completed by non-qualified therapy staff.

To be responsible for the completion of appropriate departmental statistical records.

To interpret and evaluate written records and referrals received from other members of the multidisciplinary team and outside agencies.

To provide appropriate specialised written reports and/or recommendations regarding individual needs as required by the Intermediate Care team.

To ensure that own clinical practice and that of staff with whom you work complies with appropriate professional and Trust standards and guidelines.

To review and reflect on own practice and make effective use of regular supervision and appraisal, in line with the Knowledge and Skills Framework.

To be responsible on a day to day basis for the prioritisation and allocation of tasks to non qualified/junior members of staff.

To contribute to the setting and maintenance of quality standards within the team.

To deputise for more senior members of staff during periods of absence

To participate in the team in-service development programmes and accepts lead responsibility for the dissemination of specific information.

To participate in the team in-service development programmes and accepts lead responsibility for the dissemination of specific information.

To disseminate knowledge and information gained, via personal and professional development, to other members of the team.

To accept responsibility to actively participate in the education and training of the Health Care Support Workers programme for the Service.

To take an active role in the facilitation of on going development within the Intermediate Care team and participate in the delivery of the Therapy Service Development Plan.

To be responsible for the safe use of equipment and monitoring of stock levels within the team.

To contribute to developments in service delivery within the Intermediate Care area in line with National Service Framework guidelines and government and/or Trust initiatives.

To actively participate in the recruitment and selection process of non-qualified therapy staff as directed by the Team Leader

To actively participate in the delivery of the Therapy Team plan

To demonstrate understanding of national guidelines and legislation relating to health and social care and their impact on service provision.

To be responsible for maintaining knowledge and standards of practice in line with Health Professions Council and College of Occupational Therapy guidelines.

To be involved with appropriate professional groups such as peer support networks, specialist sections etc.

To demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate current research and apply to practice.

To be responsible for evaluating own performance and identifying own training needs.

To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external training opportunities.

To use reflective practice to compile a professional portfolio record of continuing professional development, in line with the Knowledge and Skills Framework.

To broaden research and development skills through participation in local audit and research projects as delegated by the head Occupational Therapist/Team Leader.

The post holder will be required to undertake mandatory training and is responsible for keeping this training up to date

The post holder will have an appraisal of performance each year and will be responsible for agreeing a development plan in line with the Trusts (KSF) Knowledge & Skill Framework, in agreement with their manager or immediate supervisor. The development plan will be reviewed each year

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Post qualification experience to include experience in a relevant area such orthopaedics, Acute medicine, rehabilitation of older people or community work.

Desirable

• Experience of a diverse range of clinical settings (physical and mental health).
• Experience of working within the Intermediate Care area.
• Involvement in a clinical special interest group.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• To accept responsibilities of lone working.
• Ability to demonstrate a flexible approach to working practice.
• Ability to adapt to new environments and changing situations.
• Ability to organise, prioritise and delegate.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the impact of disability and its effect on lifestyle.

Qualifications

Essential

• Occupational Therapy degree

Desirable

• Have completed a recognised professional practice educator course.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Able to communicate clear and concise information both verbally and in writing.
• Be able to use appropriate assessment techniques.
• Be able to analyse and evaluate the information collected and formulate appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to utilise the supervision process.
• Be able to use research, reasoning and problem solving skills to determine appropriate actions.
• Be able to formulate specific and appropriate management plans including the setting of timescales

Desirable

• Contributing to the development of students and other staff.

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

The Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust

Address

Waterton House

Waterton Road

Wakefield

West Yorkshire

WF2 8HT

Employer's website

https://www.midyorks.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)