Community Occupational Therapist

Job responsibilities

The post holder will:

6. Undertake comprehensive therapy assessments of patients including those with a complex presentation, using investigative, analytical and clinical reasoning skills, and formulate a graded treatment plan.

7. Formulate and execute individualised occupational/physio therapy treatment plans of patients including those with complex presentation, in collaboration with the integrated team, other agencies and the patient, utilising a wide range of treatment skills.

8. Provide assessment of functional ability and safety of patients in the community, to identify care, equipment, adaptation and therapy needs.

9. Assess & plan treatment including teaching patients to utilise techniques & equipment to maximise their functional ability.

10. Be aware of Assistive Technology and make referrals for this as required.

11. Assess patients holistic needs, communicating complex and sensitive information to patients and carers as to their assessment, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan.

12. Communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise rehabilitation and treatment potential, and to aid motivation and understanding throughout the treatment process.

13. Where there are barriers to understanding, such as hearing impairment, mental capacity impairment and other difficulties in comprehension, explanations require adjustments in order to gain understanding, consent and concordance.

14. Be required to use tact and persuasive skills in order to gain the patients co-operation in their treatment plan.

15. Liaise with GPs, Social Services, inpatient teams, other allied health care professionals and the voluntary sector to ensure identified needs are met and care co-ordinated appropriately

16. Participate in multi-disciplinary/multi-agency meetings as appropriate, e.g. Gold Standard Framework.

17. Be responsible for ensuring workload for self and others is planned and prioritised according to service targets and needs.

18. Ensure patient held records are completed for each visit, and that SystmOne inputting is completed on a daily basis.

19. Plan and organise specialist services within the integrated team.

20. Demonstrate dexterity and co-ordination when using specialist equipment and fine tools, manual and mobilising skills.

21. Order equipment and supplies via electronic ordering systems for use within the team.

22. Be aware of budget and ensure all effort is made to work within this.

23. Ensure informed consent is obtained prior to initiating interventions.

24. Will be exposed to bodily fluids, infected material, blood products on a daily basis, therefore must utilise universal precautions and adhere to infection control policies.

Qualifications

Essential

• oDiploma or 1st level degree in Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy, or equivalent experience
• oCurrent HCPC registration

Experience

Essential

• oEvidence of working at relevant level

Desirable

• oKnowledge of additional specialist areas through in-house training & short courses
• oAwareness of Assistive Technology
• oCommunity experience

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge

Essential

• Have basic IT and standard keyboard skills.
• Be able to kneel, bend & stoop, and work in cramped environments
• Be able to manoeuvre limbs of around 5-6 kg
• Be able to manoeuvre patients using handling aids
• Able to provide high standards of care
• Ability to use own initiative
• Good observational & reporting skills
• Concentrate when undertaking patient care & inputting data/patient records

Communication

Essential

• oTact & diplomacy
• oEmpathy & sensitivity
• oGood communication skills

Personal and People Development

Essential

• oGood Time Management skills
• oWork flexibly to accommodate patient/service needs

Personal Attributes / Behaviours

Essential

• oGood interpersonal skills
• oA team player
• oAbility to manage stressful situations
• oHighly motivated

Other

Essential

• oWill be able to make own travel arrangements to patients' homes, clinics, base and meetings etc., as required.

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).