Specialist Occupational Therapist

Job responsibilities

As a successful candidate you will be expected to work as a member of the Adult Occupational Therapy Team. To contribute to team developments and the provision of a high quality service to patients, including excellent quality of care.

To support /supervise junior Occupational Therapists and to develop students throughout their placements.

To deliver Occupational therapy assessments and interventions with patients on an individual or group basis and in a variety of settings (Wards and in the community).

To work flexibly and autonomously across identified service areas providing a 7 day service.

To carry out planned interventions of care by identifying goals and outcome measures and delegating to others to assist in the planning, setting up and running of groups and individual treatment sessions.

The post holder will provide administrative support and advice to the team and they will actively participate in any service training/developments as deemed appropriate to the role.

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge and application of a range of assessments and interventions used with complex patients.
• Comprehensive knowledge of a variety of equipment and adaptations including moving and handling equipment.
• Able to demonstrate up to date knowledge and skills in relevant areas of practice, demonstrating use of evidence based practice.
• Applied knowledge of current legislation related to healthcare and occupational therapy practice, with the ability to explain how this affects practice.
• Ability to work safely at all times including selection of appropriate hazard control and risk management techniques, in accordance with health and safety legislation.
• Good understanding of clinical governance and its implications for services, with experience of participation in clinical governance activities.
• Ability to keep accurate and comprehensive electronic patient records, fulfilling all requirements of the trusts record keeping policy and regulatory bodies.
• Substantial knowledge and understanding of professional competence and conduct with the ability to apply this in all areas of practice and to promote the same from others.
• Ability to demonstrate effective and appropriate communication skills with the ability to adapt styles to overcome communication differences.
• Ability to reflect on and review own practice using various methods.
• Ability to organise and prioritise a complex caseload taking into account organisational pressures. To demonstrate the ability to work efficiently prioritising and delegating appropriately to support patient flow.

Desirable

• Evidence of participation in research or quality improvement projects.
• Participation in events or activities to promote the role of occupational therapy.
• Evidence of ability to plan and organise appropriate professional development activities to benefit the service.
• An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing.

Experience

Essential

• Broad experience as a junior Occupational Therapist.
• Experience of completing a range of cognitive assessments with the ability to interpret results and plan relevant treatments programs to improve cognitive function.
• Considerable experience of discharge planning, working collaboratively to facilitate the safe discharge of patients, including those with complex needs.
• Experience of managing a vast and complex caseload in a fast paced setting autonomously.
• Experience of providing supervision and support for support staff and less experienced staff members.
• Experience as a practice educator, supporting the education and training of occupational therapy students.

Desirable

• Evidence of working on strategic planning and development
• Experience of developing links with and supporting educational institutes to provide education and development opportunities for students.
• Experience of completing appraisals for support staff or less experienced staff members.
• Experience of completing Trusted Assessments.

Special Requirements

Essential

• A proactive ability to represent the profession and the Trust with positive enthusiasm, commitment, motivation.
• Ability to travel independently across the Trust area to meet the requirements of the post with the willingness to work flexibly.
• Ability to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and to carry out concurrent activities.
• Ability to cover working pattern across a 7 day service.

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Evidence of CPD including attendance at recent post-graduate courses relevant to occupational therapy practice with inpatients.
• Practice educators qualification

Desirable

• Additional Leadership/supervisor or teaching qualification/training.
• Approved wheelchair referrer.
• Member of relevant special interest group.

Statutory Registration

Essential

• HCPC Registration

Desirable

• Member of RCOT

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).