Specialist Neurological Occupational Therapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

• To assess and prescribe care packages for patients with complex rehabilitation needs.
• To work within the MDT to facilitate timely discharge from in-patient or outpatient service
• To work within the MDT to support patients in the community and prevent unnecessary admission to hospital
• To work with all health care professionals, and statutory and voluntary agencies to provide a seamless, integrated service to our service users.
• As required provide support to other services across the Colman Centre for Specialist Rehabilitation Services.

Professional / Clinical Responsibilities

Working within a multi-disciplinary team the role includes;

• Assessing, prescribing and developing specialist Occupational Therapy for patients with complex spinal and neurological rehabilitation needs, using investigative, analytical and clinical reasoning skills to inform the development of a differential diagnosis and subsequent treatment plan.

• Providing specialist occupational therapy assessments and advice, in order to facilitate timely discharge from our in-patient or out-patient care.

• Developing and maintaining effective working relationships and communication with other healthcare professionals and statutory/non statutory agencies to provide a seamless, integrated pathway and service to our patient where their needs are well met. Provide clinical expertise and advice to others, including Community therapy teams, Social Services, GPs and other agencies.

• Demonstrating the knowledge and ability to carry out a range of highly specialist treatment skills including vocational rehabilitation, assessment of prolonged disorders of consciousness, Environmental Controls, cognitive rehabilitation therapy, spasticity and postural management and splinting.

• Maintain up to date knowledge of available assistive technology, bespoke environmental controls equipment and following assessment of patients with highly complex physical disabilities make referrals for this as required.

• Communicating complex and sensitive information to patients and carers as to their assessment, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan.

• Working frequently with patients and families in complex situations which are emotionally distressing and may cause hostility. This may include completing suicide risk assessments and providing and receiving contentious information.

• Making suitable adjustments to explanations in order to gain understanding, consent and concordance where there are barriers to understanding, such as hearing impairment, mental capacity impairment and other difficulties in comprehension. Ensure informed consent is obtained prior to initiating assessment and interventions.
• Using tact and persuasive skills in order to gain the patients co-operation in their treatment plan including negotiation and agreement of realistic and achievable goals.

• Acting as key worker for individual patients, taking responsibility for organising and chairing Multidisciplinary /multi agency meetings (including continuing health care assessments, leading case discussions and being key contact for family members.

• Providing teaching and training of colleagues, carers, family members and other professionals, as relevant to the needs of individual patients and patient groups, as supported by the Occupational therapy lead.

• Working with others to inform and implement an appropriate management plan for patients with challenging behaviour.

• Providing occupational therapy input to specialist clinics including the Spasticity, Neuro-muscular and multi-disciplinary assessment clinics.

• Contributing to the requisitioning of supplies and equipment through electronic ordering systems. Be aware of budget and ensure all effort is made to work within this.

• Pro-actively taking part in clinical supervision as per Trust Policy.

• Remaining accountable for own professional actions as determined by the professional body.

• Providing occupational therapy which is evidence based practice, using research methodology.

• Will be able to drive to patients homes, in patient units, clinics, base and meetings as required.

• Being responsible for ensuring own workload is planned and prioritised according to service targets and needs.
• As required provide support to other services across CCSRS.

Management and Leadership

• Be required to undertake risk assessments and act upon them appropriately.

• Contribute to the planning of leave to ensure adequate staffing levels are maintained across the service.

• Participate in recruitment processes, using the opportunity to skill mix to meet the demands of the service.

• Effectively delegate tasks and appropriate projects to more junior staff members.

• Support all team members within the multi-disciplinary team, respecting them, their roles and contributions.

• Provide mentorship for students undertaking pre/post registration courses.

• Demonstrate leadership skills within own competence.

• Be accountable for work delegated to others.

• Undertake Personal Development Reviews for more junior staff members.

• Ensure absence reporting is undertaken as determined by Trust Policy.

• Actively contribute to team meetings.

Financial Responsibilities

• Support the effective use of financial and human resources by all members of CCSRS to work within budgetary boundaries.

Education and professional development

• To identify and address the professional development and training needs for junior colleagues within the CCSRS service in negotiation with the lead Occupational therapist and MDT colleagues.

• Provide advice and training to less experienced staff, supervise and support band 2-5 staff, apprentices and students. Contribute to the induction process for new therapy staff and students, evaluating the current education programme and up-dating as required alongside the lead occupational therapist.

• Attend in-house training as required to maintain and develop clinical and professional skills appropriate to the role.

• To provide specialist teaching and training for appropriate multi-disciplinary team members including outside agencies/carers in relation to highly specialist areas including posture management splinting and environmental controls for example in negotiation with the lead occupational therapist.

• Actively participate in the Personal Development Review process.

• Undertake Personal Development Plans for Band 1-5 staff members.

• Maintain own continued professional development.

• Contribute to the promotion of a healthy and safe continuous learning environment for all staff in CCSRS.

• Provide supervision for students on clinical placements.

• Provide advice/training and /or supervision to less experienced staff including the mentoring of existing staff.

• To participate in Clinical Governance, Research and Development and Audit activities as required by the lead Occupational Therapist and CCSRS.

Operational Delivery

• To work closely with the Lead Occupational Therapist within CCSRS, supporting with operational tasks and project as required.

• To inform the lead Occupational Therapist of any variations to service delivery, changing priorities and needs, and their likely impact to the provision of service within CCSRS.

• Be able to interpret organisational data for use within patient, staff and system management whilst adhering to contractual arrangements, local and national, ensuring targets are met.

• To work with the lead occupational therapist, and other multi-disciplinary team members, in the development of clinical standards, care protocols, policies and procedures for specific clinical issues.

Risk and Governance Management

• Be responsible for the safe use and maintenance of equipment and supplies.

• Carry out risk assessments. Take an active role in implementing control measures to reduce the risks, supporting other staff to maintain the measures. Be able to escalate risks as required.

• Actively participate in Root Cause Analysis investigations and feedback to the wider team as required.

• Support a culture where staff feel they have the Freedom to Speak Up.

• Complete and/or create Datix risk assessments as required.

• Support others to create and or maintain risk assessments, escalate risks as required.

• Understand and support the Trusts Safe, Caring, Responsive Effective and Well-led Governance agenda and contribute as required.

Service Development

• To actively review current specialist equipment available.

• To assist in the development of team objectives and service development projects in liaison with the lead Occupational Therapist.

• Take an active role in reviewing up-to-date guidelines and research to support the development of Occupational Therapy and CCSRS, informing lead Occupational therapist of potential changes to evidence/working practice.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy
• Current HCPC registration

Desirable

• Clinical educators course

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of working at a minimum of band 5 level with a variety of post registration experience in inpatient, rehabilitation and discharge planning.
• Post registration clinical experience of patients with neurological conditions
• Knowledge of additional specialist areas through in-house training & short courses
• Awareness of alternative communication strategies for patients with neurological conditions

Desirable

• Previous clinical experience in a neurological rehabilitation setting
• Training/clinical experience in: postural management, splinting for abnormal tone, cognitive rehabilitation, wheelchair prescribers course
• Experience of managing challenging behaviours
• Experience of working with patients with tracheostomy
• Experience with running groups
• Experience in delivering specialist bespoke equipment to highly complex patients

Skills, Abilities & Knowledge

Essential

• Highly motivated
• Empathy & sensitivity
• Ability to use own initiative
• Good observational & reporting skills
• Good interpersonal skills including tact and diplomacy
• Ability to manage stressful situations
• Evidence of working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Work flexibly to accommodate patient/service needs
• Demonstrate good IT and standard keyboard skills
• Demonstrate excellent organisational and time management skills

Desirable

• Knowledge of standardised assessments

Communication

Essential

• Ability to use verbal and non-verbal communication skills
• Ability to communicate with range of professionals at all levels
• Ability to communicate to patients/carers and relatives with sensitivity and compassion

Desirable

• Experience of using alternative communication strategies for patients with neurological conditions

Personal Attributes / Behaviours

Essential

• Able to identify with the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults.
• Be reliable, honest and resilient
• Possess drive and enthusiasm

Other

Essential

• Professional appearance in accordance with Trust policy
• Be able to kneel, bend & stoop, and work in cramped environments
• Manoeuvre limbs of around 5-6 kg
• Manoeuvre patients using moving and handling aids
• Must hold full and valid driving licence
• Able to communicate effectively in written and verbal English Language

Personal and People Development

Essential

• Maintain competency within role
• Encouraging and developing self and others using a range of techniques and skills to share knowledge
• Attend training relevant to role to maintain knowledge and skills
• Meet the Trust requirement for appraisal

Desirable

• Experience of leadership skills in the workplace

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust

Address

CCSRS

Colman Hospital

Norwich

NR2 2PJ

Employer's website

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