Occupational Therapist Specialist

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY

To be responsible for the delivery of a specialised Occupational Therapy service within the service utilising in-depth theoretical and clinical skills.

To independently and effectively self manage a caseload of patients with complex needs within the community rehabilitation specialty using evidence based, client centered principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions in order to minimise disability and maximise independence for independent living.

To provide leadership, supervision, and appraisal for junior and non-qualified staff and also students.

To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of Occupational Therapy Services within the service, holding responsibility for defined projects.

To be flexible in your approach and use of treatment media in order to work across various locations and settings as determined by the needs of the service.

2. SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Duties/Patient Contact

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

To effectively self-manage complex caseloads within the service.

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

To demonstrate specialist knowledge and understanding of the key concepts of biological, physical, social, psychological and clinical sciences in relation to Occupational Therapy.

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

To be flexible to work in a variety of clinical settings i.e. Accident and Emergency, Fracture Clinic, Acute Assessment unit, Residential/Nursing Home, bedded units and in patients homes.

To be flexible to cover for the co-coordinator of service in times of absence to act as a gatekeeper to the services.

To provide a specialist Occupational Therapy opinion to the co-ordination team on the suitability and appropriateness of potential patients/referrals to the Service.

Following a comprehensive specialist Occupational Therapy and risk assessment give accurate feedback and advice to relevant staff i.e. GP, medical staff, nurses, co-ordination, Physiotherapists, Social Workers, Health Care Assistants and family/carers.

To be responsible for the assessment, prescription and evaluation of specialist equipment and adaptations for patients with multiple and complex needs.

To demonstrate a detailed clinical knowledge of a wide range of medical, respiratory, neurological, musculoskeletal, and orthopaedic conditions.

To be able to use research, clinical reasoning and problem solving skills to identify the therapeutic benefit of client centered interventions and make professional judgments with individuals with diverse or complex needs, or multiple problems according to outcome, changes in patient needs and environmental influences.

To use specialist knowledge, training and experience to plan and implement client centered individual and/or group treatment programmes for people with complex physical, mental health and social needs.

To be able to formulate specific and appropriate management plans including the setting of time scales to accurately prioritise needs with individuals and the multi disciplinary team, in relation to available resources and professional demands.

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

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

To apply a high level of knowledge of the effect of disability and provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to the individuals social and physical environment.

To work in a variety of environments, this may include confined and unhygienic spaces that could present a risk to personal health and safety.

When necessary, to be responsible for the co-ordination of the individuals clinical care package.

To demonstrate a detailed working knowledge of a variety of generic conditions and current Occupational Therapy approaches to their treatment and apply a high level of knowledge of the effect of disability to provide training and advice on lifestyle changes and adaptations to the individuals social and physical environment.

To lead and contribute to assessment and provision of specialist Occupational Therapy advice in line with the national standards

Communication

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

To facilitate, establish and maintain clear and effective communication networks with a variety of people, professional and external agencies. E.g. patients, carers, multi disciplinary team, Community RehabilitationTeam etc

To communicate complex patient related information to promote collaborative working with other colleagues across health and social care to ensure the delivery of a co-coordinated service

To adapt approach when information may be sensitive, confidential or distressing or where there may be problems with understanding due to physical, cognitive, psychological or social problems.

To instruct and educate patients, carers, relatives, colleagues on the safe use of equipment, minor adaptations, treatment techniques, moving & positioning.

To promote an understanding of the role of Occupational Therapy within the Community rehabilitation specialty and appropriate related areas and agencies.

To use advanced levels of interpersonal skills to negotiate with individuals in sensitive or volatile situations.

To lead and facilitate departmental and multi disciplinary meetings as required by the Community Rehabilitation specialty and Occupational Therapy service.

Documentation

To be responsible for the written recording of up to date, accurate information concerning the Occupational Therapy intervention in line with Trust and College of Occupational Therapy guidelines and abide by legal requirements governing confidentiality and data protection including integrated patient records.

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

To be responsible for the completion and collation 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 specialist detailed written reports, discharge summaries, risk assessments and other relevant information and recommendations regarding individual needs as required by the Service in accordance with legal, professional and Trust standards.

To develop written resources to assist with the facilitation of team and service development.

To provide written patient information leaflets as determined by the needs of the Service.

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

Service Development

To take a role in the Service development plan and demonstrate responsibility for measurement and evaluation of current practices.

To contribute to the delivery of the Occupational Therapy service development plan and lead on delegated projects as requested by the Team Leader/Head of Therapy Services.

Ensure that Health & Safety, infection control and other procedures within Community Rehabilitation are followed in line with Trust Policies and protocols.

To be responsible for the safe use of equipment and monitoring of stock levels within the Service, including advising on resources necessary to meet service requirements.

To contribute to developments in service delivery within the wider Service in line with National Service Framework guidelines

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc (Hons) degree or MSc (Hons) degree in Occupational Therapy
• HCPC registration

Desirable

• Have completed a recognised professional practice educator course.

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience post qualification.
• Involvement in professional practice education.

Desirable

• Experience of a diverse range of clinical settings.
• Involvement in a relevant clinical special interest group.
• Experience of having a lead role for designated projects.

Knowledge and awareness

Essential

• Know the key concepts of the biological, social, psychological and clinical sciences that are relevant to their profession -specific practice.
• Awareness of factors that can influence team working.
• Understand the need to establish and maintain a safe practice environment.
• Evidence of the use of reflective practice for personal development.
• Awareness of National guidelines and legislation relating to health and social care provision.

Desirable

• Involvement in research and audit.
• Evidence of post-graduate study.
• Awareness of the knowledge and skills framework

Skills and abilities

Essential

• Ability to use complex communication skills in a variety of settings.
• Be able to use appropriate assessment techniques.
• Be able to analyse and evaluate the information collected and formulate appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to work autonomously and utilizes supervision and formal appraisal systems.
• 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.
• Experience of using appropriate presentation skills

Personal attributes

Essential

• A wide range of interpersonal skills including ability to prioritise, delegate, negotiate.
• Ability to demonstrate a flexible approach to working practice to facilitate effective team working.
• Ability to adapt to fluctuating environments and complex situations.
• Ability to work on own initiative and take responsibility for specific tasks

Desirable

• Knowledge of the impact of disability and its effect on lifestyle.
• Commitment to change management processes

Other factors

Desirable

• Experience of using information technology

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).